Shiraz Wine Cafe'

We went to Shiraz with a Groupon.  It was an interesting place.  It is in a cute setting, which is a converted condo in Carmel.  I had read the reviews online and was prepared for some of the things that we experienced.  There were friends of the owner in and they were trying to play up the positives of the business.  I imagine it was the owner who was working that night.
As other reviews had said, the wine was pretty good.  It is nice to be able to try different varietals.  The wine was expensive.  One of the machines was not working properly.  
The food was another story.  We we given a menu, but then it was taken away immediately.  The owner read the menu to us and let us know what was available that evening.  There were no sandwiches, and I had read almost unanimous dislike of the flat breads.  We were told that all the food was home made.  We doubted that was case from the chips that obviously came from a bag, and the crab dip seemed like something that you could buy at a warehouse club.  Our suspicion was strengthened when we went upstairs and heard other "home made" appetizers being microwaved in the kitchen.
All in all, Shiraz is an interesting concept.  As a wine tasting bar, it was a cute, homey setting.  There are better, more conventional places to get a bottle of wine.  As a restaurant, don't bother.

My hubby and I made reservations weeks in advance but arrived to find no table available for us.  Sleek decor, intimate tables, but the only seats available were at the bar.  We weren't offered a table on the second floor - didn't know they had one.

Professional server explained how the wine card worked promptly.  I was glad - I wanted a nice glass of Moscato to settle into witty convo with the hubs.

If you aren't new to wines or seeking to expand your grape palate, just order straight from the drink menu.  A taste (note: classy sip) at the wine dispenser will cost a few dollars.  This is a great idea for those who haven't tried a range of wines.   If you, however, own a stocked wine 'fridge or more than one stocked wine rack, and especially if you have your own wine cellar, this concept may not be for you.  Order from the nice selections on the menu.

The Caprese Flatbread was delicious:  tomato slices, mozza, and basil.  Brick-oven flavor and freshest of ingredients. The Stuffed Mushrooms we found on the menu are no longer an available item.  Menu offers enough variety for those who love quality party nibbles: meatballs, potstickers, salads, and the ever-popular charcuterie plate.

I don't mind sitting at the bar. The bartender was professional, the Pacers were playing on two flat screens, and, to the glee of our budget, there was SunKing on tap.  But this was supposed to be a "date night" and I think we would have stayed longer and tried more menu items if we'd had our own cozy spot at a table.

Nice place for a romantic date - just be sure to get a table.  Fun place for a girl's night out - plenty of wine and foodies that no one had to prepare and not a meat market atmosphere.

This place is horrid, the owner has no business owning a wine bar or any type of establishment that involves serving the public.  I have had better food from my freezer, their wine selection is a joke grocery stores have better selections than this place has.  Hopefully this place will do Carmel a favor and close so something GOOD can go in its place!