Calave

Friday evening was super crowded and there was a long wait for seats. The waiter was really nice and seeing that we were waiting for some time, offered us a free drink.
It was my first visit, but my boyfriend is a huge fan of this place as he works just around the corner.
We had the wine flight and the cheese and charcuterie plate. It was a rather enjoyable experience.
Recommended!

One of my favorite wine bars. This place has cute decorations and comfortable unique chairs. My boyfriend and I ordered a bottle of Finca el Origen Torrontes 2013 which was recommended by our server. The white wine was perfect. I would definitely come back with more people.

Great wine bar in Cal ave. Nice décor, great wine and tapas selection. Good spot for dates or to meet friends after work.

Really fun atmosphere! Great for happy hours, girls’ nights, or just a drink after work!
Came here with a couple girlfriends and we split a bunch of small plates and each got a glass of wine: rose, a sweeter white wine, and the zinfandel. I liked how the server gave us a couple tastes; my zin was fine but I didn’t love it…
We split the bruschetta (which wasn’t really flavorful… it was kinda boring); the cheese and nibble plate was tasty and we got more bread for it because there wasn’t enough; the caprese skewers were tasty but not that filling; the peanut butter sandwiches with gruyère and onion were yummy as well. Felt like we ate a lot of bread haha… but it’s okay for one night.
I liked the vibe in here… super fun and trendy. Will be back… maybe for just a drink?

This is such a cute place. I loved the wine flights, the bartender was super nice, and the appetizers we had were wonderful, particularly the popcorn with truffle oil. The nuts were kind of blah and too spicy, and when we mentioned this to the bartender, he treated us to a second order of popcorn, which basically made the night awesome. Seriously, you have GOT to try this popcorn. Most of the other food looked terrific, too, especially the sandwiches.
Oddly, the most comfortable seats were at the bar. We tried several others and they just weren’t comfy. I don’t know why.
Also, although this is a wine bar, it also has a small-​but-​solid collection of craft beers to try. So don’t skip Calave just because you’re not a wine lover.
…And unlike other Palo Alto wine bars, you can come here knowing nothing about wine and still feel comfortable. A huge plus!
We’ll be back for sure.

Calave is pricey but a fun place to visit for wine and food in Palo Alto.
Location/​Atmosphere: ⁴⁄₅. I liked the different seating styles: lower armchairs surrounding tables and higher bar stools around a chic bar.
Service: ⁵⁄₅. We had an excellent server who took great care of us. We never waited too long for wine or food, and our server was great with recommendations.
Wine and Food: ⁵⁄₅. Try the deviled eggs, or cheese plate for appetizers. The wine is amazing here. They had several varieties I had never had before, and all were delicious.
Overall: Loved this place! Great wine bar on Cal Ave.

Came here for my birthday tonight and left in love with the place. The wine flight was delicious. The Tempranillo is amazing and the meat cheese platter perfect compliment with the wine. The truffle popcorn is really good too. I’ll be coming back in the future for happy hour and to hang out too.

Loved the wine. Don’t know much about wine, but got a happy hour wine and it was kick-​ass. You know what’s better than a happy-​hour kick-​ass glass of wine? their kick-​ass food! Truffle popcorn and gourmet creative PB&J sandwiches = LOVE IT!
Meet your friends here and enjoy!

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Cute little wine bar, just opened in summer 2015. small menu with Panini, sandwich, cheese, charcuterie, and salad. The Turkey & Avocado Panini was very good and generous in portion.
Wine by the glass selection is interesting, ranges from the old and new world. Our server Clay was very attentive, nice and recommended a few good wines for us.
Clay was also flexible. We came in while they have a private event until 7 PM. Our server brought us blankets, turned on the heat lamp, and let us know when we were able to move inside at 7 PM.
Such a cute place for business meeting and perfect for date nights.

I may not know a lot about wine, but I know I love it! So, when an invitation from fellow Unilocaler Sidney was extended I gladly accepted. Aside from the construction happening to the building that Calave resides in, the interior is very pretty. The décor is modern, lush & relaxing. Our group started off outside, but moved inside due to the cold factor. Our awesome server Alicia helped us get a table indoors which is only first come first serve.
Once settled we put our orders in. Ever the sparkling wine gal, I opted for the sparkling wine flight. All three sparkling wines were brut style of sparkling/​champagne which is my favorite type. We then ordered food which are small bites. The cheese/​charcuterie plate, truffle popcorn & grilled onion/​cheese PB&J. Everything was pretty good except the grilled cheese which wasn’t a crowd favorite.
After the sparkling flight, I moved on to a glass of Tempranillo suggested by Alicia. I thought it was nice, but I preferred my friends Malbec over the Tempranillo. I will say that the wine list is pretty good with better wines than a number of local wine bars. I’d likely come back to this wine bar for another evening with friends & wine.

Fun story about this place: I wasn’t sure if it was pronounced «cahl-​ah-​vey» (like it looks; rhymes with «agave») or «cal-​av» (since its on Cal Ave…), so I asked our waiter. Apparently it’s owned by the same lady who owns the hair salon next door, and at the hair salon, they used to have a computer with the password «calave» — Cal Ave. One day, an employee asked why the password was «cahl-​ah-​vey,» and the owner, after explaining what it really was, thought that was hilarious. And thought it would be a great name for a wine bar! So there you have it: this place is named after a password that is, in turn, named after a street, and it’s pronounced «cahl-​ah-​vey» — though it’s also Cal Ave!
(Side note: this layered-​meaning name fits right in on Cal Ave; it reminds me of Zombie Runner, the coffee shop hidden in a running store that looks like a movie theater).
ANYWAY, this is a nice little place. We had no trouble getting a table for 3 on a Saturday night. We had some dessert wine and a crème brûlée, both of which were good.
I was chilly when we got there, and was really hoping they’d have some sort of seasonal mulled wine (hot!) or something of the sort to warm me up. Unfortunately, they did not, but owners, if you’re reading this: you should totally do that! I’d be in. Yum!

3.5 stars?
Very nice selection of wine that the staff will make you try.
Their 31 $ malbec (bottle) is really nice.
Staff is helpful and super friendly. The place itself is nice. Good ambiance as well.
Now…why 3 stars? the food.
Despite the truffle popcorn was amazing, it is, in the end, just pop corn, with truffle oil (it’s a must try though!!! note that my popcorn was complimentary as my friend knew the manager. I am very grateful for this and do appreciate the gesture).
Now, the downside: charcuterie plate. Being French, I can tend to be a bit picky on charcuterie plate… but the one I had at Calave was really below average. Not sure if meats were imported, but it tasted/​felt like cheap industrial charcuterie you can find in europe in discount supermarket (minus the prosciutto ham that was nice). Worst part might have been the bred: «plasticky», chewy, not crispy, very cheap bread. For the price asked, the quality and quantity, it’s a 1 to 2 stars.
Let’s go back and try more food. I’ll update my review then.

Pretty disappointed since we were planning to bring a client here but they scheduled a private event over regular business hours with no online notice that I was aware of.
I understand having private events, but having doors open and no notice was not pleasant since we were turned away which was embarrassing.
Bummed since I had talked up this place quite a bit and was so excited to try it. Left a bad taste in my mouth.

I’m so happy California Ave finally has a wine bar! I’ve been twice now, and both times the service and wine has been excellent. I love the wine flights and the cheese & charcuterie board is fantastic. The flights come with decently large pours and are really well priced.

PB&Js are always the same: peanut butter, marmalade, grilled onions. What? Yeah, that’s real. There was cheese and grilled onions in one of the grilled (!) PB&Js. And it was delicious. I don’t know much about gastronomy but I do know an objectively delicious dish when I taste it, and this is it. Trust me.
I think that it’s easy to focus on the most surprising dish at a new restaurant, but what about the rest?
The truffle popcorn was great for very light fare. I’m not sure what the cost was, but if it’s low, it’s worth every kernel.
When I was at Calave, there were a couple «tester» menu items that were circulating the room. One that I truly hope makes it: the sweet baked brie. It included cranberries and the butteriest pastry crust I’ve maybe ever tasted on a baked brie (embarrassing but true: I’ve had MANY. Melty cheeses FTW). If this is offered eventually, please imbibe.
I haven’t tried all the wines yet, but one that I’d like to highlight: the rose. There’s only one option currently, and it’s a satisfying one. When there’s a heat wave in the Silicon Valley, nothing is tastier or more refreshing than a rose (and this is coming from an avid and enthusiastic beer-​drinker).
The ambiance of Calave is the trickiest element to describe. It’s pretty sexy and date-​worthy, but not engagement-​dinner level. It’s beautiful enough to bring your out-​of-​town parents yet unpretentious enough to bring your grandparents who typically get the senior discount menu at Denny’s. (Granted, this will be far nicer than Denny’s and with fewer screaming children. My point, however, stands.)
The official recommendation list for an occasion to go to Calave:
+ Date (first, twentieth, four-​thousandth)
+ Family dinner (better without kids, but accommodable)
+ After-​work drinks
+ Catchup with old friend/​coworker (bonus: it’s right off of the Cal Ave Caltrain stop)
+ Client dinner (if a small party)
+ Out of town and looking to dine alone at a place that fits your travel per diem but still provides a unique experience
+ Networking event (if they can rent out the whole space)
+ Probably most occasions, except maybe a large group event during normal business hours, and also don’t propose here, though who is reading Unilocal reviews specifically for that? If you are, please contact me because I think you’re the coolest.

I especially enjoyed the ambience here, it’s very classy, clean, and modern-​looking. They have several couches in the corner for lounging, as well as a bar with many nice wine glasses hanging overhead. Extra points for the nice big windows as well.
The wine was pretty good, although not comparable to most wines I’ve tried at wineries. However, the citrusy moscato they had did stand out. I really liked that one, it was refreshing and of course sweeter than the other wines I tried.
The food here was great and went well with their wine. They serve small bites and I believe they also serve some entrees, although I didn’t try any. The small sandwich bites they served were really good, especially the toasted ones with marmalade or some fruit preserve inside. The crackers with jalapeño cheese were also delicious. The cheese was bold and creamy.
It’s definitely a classy place, and has a laid-​back, inviting atmosphere. The staff is also really friendly and attentive!

Wine & snacks, wine & snacks! A basic bitch’s staple nutrition.
This place is awesome! Such a large selection of wine — Sparklings, Chardonnays, Rose, Sauv Blanc, Cabernet, the list goes on and on! It’s a small quaint place, which is perfect for a quick after work drink or getting together with a couple friends to catch up.
I haven’t gotten to try all their goodies but I did try their crazy PBJs! This place lets you be a kid and adult at the same time! I know peanut butter, onion, and cheese SOUNDS weird but it works. The onions are sweet and basically acts as jelly like contrast. I liked the PB and caramelized apple version too.
The popcorn with truffle oil was so addicting. That stuff I couldn’t keep my hands off of.
Mostly the staff really makes the place happen. Everyone is nice and helpful and really care about what they do. Go visit them!

Calave is a solid and much needed addition to the area. They are open until midnight Thursday — Saturday, serve tasty small plates, and have awesome wines (which should be a given at a wine bar, but is sadly not always the case…)
AMBIANCE:
Modern, with a nostalgic nod towards the pre-​prohibition era. A standout for me is the great use of the space and the varied seating options: indoor/​outdoor, classy bar seats, cozy leather sofa nook, and group high table.
SERVICE:
The staff is super friendly and well-​versed in their wine selection. On my last visit, I came with a group whose tastes were all over the place. This was not a problem for our waitress, who effortlessly recommended four very different but equally enjoyable whites.
I appreciated how our water glasses were always full. It’s a small detail, but as a heavy water drinker, it’s something I especially care about.
WINE:
They serve by the glass, bottle, or flight. Their wine menu is quite diverse, with both local/​international wines and very affordable to higher end. They even feature some options on tap.
FOOD:
I loved the Truffle Oil Popcorn, which paired well with the bold, buttery Robert Lloyd Chardonnay. The PB & Apple was not bad, but the wheat bread threw off the overall taste for me. The Cheese & Charcuterie plate was one of the better ones I’ve had.
Other notes:
–There is usually ample evening parking in the lot behind the restaurant.
–Kitchen closes earlier than midnight (around 10PM).
–Happy hour is 2 – 6 PM, M-​F. $ 2 off wine & beer on tap.

Fun night!
We had a group of five, and some of us had eaten dinner, others had not.
We got a few different white wines, bottles and glasses. Wine variety felt a little limited given it’s wine bar focus, but the staff was deeply knowledgeable and able to match a wine to all of our tastes.
The food was good pairing with our wine, with the truffle popcorn and pb&(x) standing out. The waitress was kind enough to bring us a little extra truffle oil for dipping. Yum!
The cheese and charcuterie plate had some premium cheeses (e.g., manchego), but the meats were of medium stature (e.g., prosciutto, but not di parma).
The grilled pb&(x) is novel and tastes great warmed with toasted goodness.
Our water glasses were small, but never ceased to have water in them. The staff did great keeping us hydrated.
We drank wines that we enjoyed, ate good snacks, and had readily available hydration. All in all, Calave is a much needed addition to California avenue — welcome!

This is a wine bar with a… wait for it… WHOLE MENU OF ARTISAN PB&J SANDWICHES.
Ok, ok, they actually have a lot more than just a PB&J sandwich menu (which is actually just 3 different types of PB&J but they’re crazy good and obviously get me really ridiculously excited for life) but I think the uniqueness of their menu and entire vibe for that matter set them apart, above, and beyond every other wine bar I’ve ever been to.
The interior of Calave manages to somehow pull off being sleek and rustic at the same time and as soon as you walk in you’ll notice an struggle within yourself to decide where to sit. At the U-​shaped bar in the luxe leather seats with (ad this is very important for bar seating) with back and arm rests + purse hooks? At the plush purple couch lounge area with glistening chandelier? At the old barn door communal-​style high table? At the 1920’s era reading nook style 2-​seater? Or enjoy the sights and sounds abound on Cal Ave out on their patio? Decisions, decisions… but no wrong options.
We sat at the bar and were lucky enough to meet the staff and get some insider info (and a few tastes and sips of items complimentary to our order… helloooo blue cheese w/​honey) care of Lori, Darien, Clay, and whole Calave crew.
The wine menu, as you can imagine, is extensive but I’m a sucker for wine on tap so I started with a glass of rose to go with the truffle popcorn and cheese & nibbles plate and later moved on to a pinot noir to pair with my carmelized onion, gruyère, and peanut butter sandwich served with a refreshing side of fresh fruit. I definitely thought I’d be taking at least half of my sandwich home, but as it turns out, it’s hard to stop eating PB&J when it gets washed down so well with a lovely glass of vino… so, the clean plate club I did join.
They do have happy hour specials that I think I partially partook in but I was honestly so mesmerized by the menu and scenery that the exact details of that special escape me, but that’s all the more reason for you to stop in and check out Calave for yourself.