Grape + Bean

first off, the coffee is exceptional. you can get counter culture coffee at pitango, but grape + bean is the only place you can get blue bottle coffee. you must try blue bottle if you're at all a coffee fan.

beyond this, though, the value is not good enough. we had good food here, yes, but it is far too expensive for us to justify a return visit. and the bread on the sandwich was so over-toasted that it felt like razors in the mouth. had we not been a hurry, we certainly would have asked for a replacement. oh well.

Nice location.  Friendly staff.  I had some pretty good beers (I know, it's a wine bar) but the wife's wine flights were just OK.

Very crowded at happy hour, which can mean as few as 20 people.

always a crowd here when  I stop in at Lavender Moon cupcake store next door. Today, I decided to drop in, check out the menu and return later. Well....ye of weakness when it comes to good wine & food...I ran 7 miles this morning and hadn't eaten, so I  sat the bar where Holly and Devon told me about the place and recommended some great vegetarian options. wine flights of some great whites (yay to Albarino, from Spain natch) and a very unique Chenin Blanc. what got me were the crostinis: packed with flavor, simple ingredients and they actually allowed me to get a sampler of three different ones....very nice to accommodate me.

owner David came out, introduced himself, talked about his #3 restaurant about to open up. What a great guy. Super place/food/wine/atmosphere. Easy to understand why there is always a crowd here. Within walking distance of my casa too.

Life is good. Wondering if they serve hot chocolate in the winter. Not that i even WANT winter to come rearing its ugly head but looking forward to that...but i don't think they have a spirits license: just beer & wine.