Vin Antico — Restaurant in San Rafael

I've needed to post this review for ages. My husband and I moved from San Francisco to San Rafael about a year ago. There are wine bars galore with overpriced glasses and mediocre food in the city. We're used to it. So we haven't been put off by the mediocrity of the wine bars here in Marin.

What a pleasant surprise when we happened upon the Happy Hour sign outside of Vin Antico and decided to go in. We were immediately welcomed by our charming hostess. The staff is extremely knowledgeable about the reasonably priced wine. The offerings for appetizers and small bites at the bar are delicious and have many a night tempted us into staying for dinner. Happy hour at Vin Antico has been a weekly (ok, sometimes twice and three times a week) thing for months now. We love it here!

The food is farm to table fresh and the chefs are frequently trying new dishes. I appreciate the staff's knowledge about how the menu items are prepared. The kitchen is open...if you're into watching your food be cooked, ask for a seat at the counter next to the chefs. I personally prefer sitting at a table and letting them work their magic and bring it to me.

I've seen a few reviews that say the restaurant is a bit pricey. Ummm...yeah...we're in Marin. I find the prices at the same level if not a bit lower than other restaurants of the same caliber. Ya get what ya pay for peeps.

See ya at...

Good food and rude, pompous host staff.

My girlfriend made the reservation here. I had never been, but it had been a long Friday and so I grabbed coffee on the way. I showed up with the cup, expecting to quickly kill the coffee and get to dinner.

We showed up a little early, and were told we could have a seat at the bar once space cleared up. I pointed to empty bar-looking seats and asked a clarifying question "you mean there?".

Hostess with a condensing tone: "No those are assigned. That's the chef's table." Ok, cool whatever, I just wanted to sit down.

The bar clears and we sit down. I kill my coffee and say "I should have tossed this outside" to my girlfriend as I look for a way to discard it. The hostess walks up and, before I could ask/say anything, says " Can I throw this out? I mean, we are a restaurant." I was shocked. Sure lady take my cup and leave me alone.

Later I moved over a seat so some couple, who this lady clearly knew, could sit down and she gave me a surprised sounding "well that was nice". Again, leave me alone and do my job.

For some reason my girlfriend wasn't willing to just go somewhere else, but the way the hostess treated me/us soured the evening.

The wine was decent, the filet mignon exquisite, but I'll never to go here again.

Edit: apparently this person is the manager, per...

Since moving to San Rafael, I struggle to find really awesome food, ambiance, and service. I had been to Vin Antico years ago and remembered it being pretty good. After my recent visit I found out it is under new ownership and they have a new chef. (This may not be new info to you, but it is new since my last visit.) First off the manager is so lovely- she is warm, welcoming, accommodating and very passionate about making Vin Antico your choice for dining. The food has been delicious both times now that I have been there, they actually have great wine by the glass- which sadly is difficult to find around here, and the atmosphere is chic- old brick, metal, and soft lighting. I'm thrilled to learn they have plans to open the upstairs as a bar and lounge where they will have live music. I will keep you posted on...