My first time visiting this lovely cellar. It was a perfect day for a perfect alfresco lunch. We ordered the Spanish Charcuterie to start with, and although it appeared to be small, it was exactly enough for two to share. Every item was a standout on its own, and the mix was devine! I also ordered the chicken & waffles, and my friend ordered the beet salad. It was all delicious. Our server was the best, very attentive, but not overbearing.I give this place a 5 across the board, because we left feeling so pampered. I highly recommend stopping here, and, I certainly plan to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charcuterie Board and Avocado Toast
Brian D
Wine and cheese downtown San Clemente. Come for happy hour and enjoy the atmosphere.
Went for happy hour and ordered off that menu. Cocktails were expertly prepared and in nicely chilled glasses. While their specialty is wine the cocktails were excellent. The 3 cheese board was exceptional, but could have had more bread and a variety of choices to mate the exquisite cheeses. The truffle popcorn was to die for, and the sliders were scrumptious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Three Cheese Plate, Truffle Popcorn
yves merienne
Une merveilleuse adresse pour les gourmets français. Même si le fromage est pasteurisé, la petite planche de fromage était délicieuse avec le choix original de marier un gouda avec du caramel ou un Brie avec du miel et des amandes. Le burger était délicieux. Et devant mon hésitation à choisir une bière, le serveur m'a gentiment proposé une dégustation. Je recommande ce restaurant les yeux fermés.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark TeVault
A true gem in the multitude of dining options along Del Mar Avenue in downtown San Clemente! A well thought out menu...small plates and larger! Great knowledgeable staff and a great cheese shop within to eat...or take away! They have Epoisses Cheese...best stinky cheese EVER!!!
Oh man. It doesn’t really get much worse of an experience than this. And I was a server and a bartender for years so my leniency towards service workers is usually VERY generous.We get there, the table only has two seats, so a server brings us two more, great! Seems nice.We sit down, 10 minutes go by, I go inside and ask if we order inside, he goes “oh you guys are sitting down? I’ll be right there” like dude you literally brought us the chairs for us to sit down but okay.Another 10 minutes go by, dude brings us waters. I kid you not EVERY glass has huge freaking lipstick stains on them. EVERY ONE! Impressive.Another 15 minutes go by, the waiter finally returns to take our order, but only because I go “wait! I think we’re all ready to go.”Another 15 minutes go by, I get the single glass of wine I ordered. We’ve now been here for almost an hour, and I’m just getting the one drink I’ve ordered.Another 25 minutes and we finally get our food! Yay! We’re missing the starter we ordered but I guess it’s more of an ender now. Food is SO cold. Especially the eggs. Like, did they get this off of some other table? How did they achieve absolute zero?5 more minutes and our starter comes. It was just fries by the way. An hour to get some fries.Around this time the table next to us of 8 is frantically flagging down the server for the check, he looks directly at them, sits down next to this girl and takes her order, and turns around and goes inside. The whole table looks at me with exasperation, and I’m like “dude, same.”Servers the whole time were super nonchalant and awkward by the way. Would’ve absolutely believed they were some random guys subbing in for the real servers. I DID see one server come and serve some ladies next to us who seemed like she actually knew what she was talking about, and I pointed her out to my friends like OH LOOK! They DO have real servers here!Needless to say, they should have paid US to eat here, and honestly I’m not sure if the $120 that we paid would be worth it for me to be so miserable for an hour and a half. I would have paid money just to go anywhere else. Few times in my life have I so badly wanted a refund.Highly highly highly recommend NOT coming to this location EVER. PLEASE dear God spend your money on a place that deserves your money and respects your patronage.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Matt Jiron
Shawn is a vision.
Service: 5
Andrew
Happy Hour review:Five stars! The happy hour menu is excellent. We had the cheese plate and tater tots which was a great snack. The cheese plate is carefully crafted and comes with some creative accompaniments. The cheese monger here is clearly passionate and knowledgeable!I also want to shout out their lavender caramel latte. This drink was incredible, with the lavender infused into the caramel and swirled on the outside of the glass. An extremely memorable latte!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cheese Platter
Behzad Ahmadi
The food was amazing, the staff were very professional and friendly. The ambiance was very nice and quiet with a nice background music. The caramel date cake with ice cream was one of the best desserts.
One of the quieter spots on del mar in San Clemente. Attentive service. Nice wine list. Small but adequate menu for food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mitch Swergold
Really ice, great wine, very good food. Excellent service. Nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annette
Great for watching live locals play music! Good food and cocktails. The cheese boards are well thought out and delicious!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Platter
Brad Mays
Great atmosphere. Open seating. Nice patio. Good food.
Bruno570
Nice place, we go there every so now and then. They are different from ‘classic American’ restaurants. They offer good food and some nice wines as well. The funny thing however is, once done eating, while we were not finished drinking, they put the bill in front of your nose ‘no rush no rush’. Well, that ruins the mood a bit, we cannot order anymore? Other tables were empty and no other guests waiting. I hate this rude mentality of which I know is common in certain restaurants. Too bad losing a nice spot to go and enjoy a bit of downtown San Clemente.
My first time visiting this lovely cellar. It was a perfect day for a perfect alfresco lunch. We ordered the Spanish Charcuterie to start with, and although it appeared to be small, it was exactly enough for two to share. Every item was a standout on its own, and the mix was devine! I also ordered the chicken & waffles, and my friend ordered the beet salad. It was all delicious. Our server was the best, very attentive, but not overbearing.I give this place a 5 across the board, because we left feeling so pampered. I highly recommend stopping here, and, I certainly plan to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charcuterie Board and Avocado Toast
Wine and cheese downtown San Clemente. Come for happy hour and enjoy the atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cheese Platter, Truffle Popcorn, Charcuterie Board and Avocado Toast
Great little spot, Alex is amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went for happy hour and ordered off that menu. Cocktails were expertly prepared and in nicely chilled glasses. While their specialty is wine the cocktails were excellent. The 3 cheese board was exceptional, but could have had more bread and a variety of choices to mate the exquisite cheeses. The truffle popcorn was to die for, and the sliders were scrumptious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Three Cheese Plate, Truffle Popcorn
Une merveilleuse adresse pour les gourmets français. Même si le fromage est pasteurisé, la petite planche de fromage était délicieuse avec le choix original de marier un gouda avec du caramel ou un Brie avec du miel et des amandes. Le burger était délicieux. Et devant mon hésitation à choisir une bière, le serveur m'a gentiment proposé une dégustation. Je recommande ce restaurant les yeux fermés.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A true gem in the multitude of dining options along Del Mar Avenue in downtown San Clemente! A well thought out menu...small plates and larger! Great knowledgeable staff and a great cheese shop within to eat...or take away! They have Epoisses Cheese...best stinky cheese EVER!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kobe Beef Burger, Sidewinder Fries
Oh man. It doesn’t really get much worse of an experience than this. And I was a server and a bartender for years so my leniency towards service workers is usually VERY generous.We get there, the table only has two seats, so a server brings us two more, great! Seems nice.We sit down, 10 minutes go by, I go inside and ask if we order inside, he goes “oh you guys are sitting down? I’ll be right there” like dude you literally brought us the chairs for us to sit down but okay.Another 10 minutes go by, dude brings us waters. I kid you not EVERY glass has huge freaking lipstick stains on them. EVERY ONE! Impressive.Another 15 minutes go by, the waiter finally returns to take our order, but only because I go “wait! I think we’re all ready to go.”Another 15 minutes go by, I get the single glass of wine I ordered. We’ve now been here for almost an hour, and I’m just getting the one drink I’ve ordered.Another 25 minutes and we finally get our food! Yay! We’re missing the starter we ordered but I guess it’s more of an ender now. Food is SO cold. Especially the eggs. Like, did they get this off of some other table? How did they achieve absolute zero?5 more minutes and our starter comes. It was just fries by the way. An hour to get some fries.Around this time the table next to us of 8 is frantically flagging down the server for the check, he looks directly at them, sits down next to this girl and takes her order, and turns around and goes inside. The whole table looks at me with exasperation, and I’m like “dude, same.”Servers the whole time were super nonchalant and awkward by the way. Would’ve absolutely believed they were some random guys subbing in for the real servers. I DID see one server come and serve some ladies next to us who seemed like she actually knew what she was talking about, and I pointed her out to my friends like OH LOOK! They DO have real servers here!Needless to say, they should have paid US to eat here, and honestly I’m not sure if the $120 that we paid would be worth it for me to be so miserable for an hour and a half. I would have paid money just to go anywhere else. Few times in my life have I so badly wanted a refund.Highly highly highly recommend NOT coming to this location EVER. PLEASE dear God spend your money on a place that deserves your money and respects your patronage.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Shawn is a vision.
Service: 5
Happy Hour review:Five stars! The happy hour menu is excellent. We had the cheese plate and tater tots which was a great snack. The cheese plate is carefully crafted and comes with some creative accompaniments. The cheese monger here is clearly passionate and knowledgeable!I also want to shout out their lavender caramel latte. This drink was incredible, with the lavender infused into the caramel and swirled on the outside of the glass. An extremely memorable latte!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cheese Platter
The food was amazing, the staff were very professional and friendly. The ambiance was very nice and quiet with a nice background music. The caramel date cake with ice cream was one of the best desserts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Olive
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the quieter spots on del mar in San Clemente. Attentive service. Nice wine list. Small but adequate menu for food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Really ice, great wine, very good food. Excellent service. Nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great for watching live locals play music! Good food and cocktails. The cheese boards are well thought out and delicious!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Platter
Great atmosphere. Open seating. Nice patio. Good food.
Nice place, we go there every so now and then. They are different from ‘classic American’ restaurants. They offer good food and some nice wines as well. The funny thing however is, once done eating, while we were not finished drinking, they put the bill in front of your nose ‘no rush no rush’. Well, that ruins the mood a bit, we cannot order anymore? Other tables were empty and no other guests waiting. I hate this rude mentality of which I know is common in certain restaurants. Too bad losing a nice spot to go and enjoy a bit of downtown San Clemente.