The Cask
Wine bar · San Carlos
About The Cask
At The Cask, we're a casual haven where global wines meet gourmet delights. In San Carlos' heart, our doors are open to share a curated selection of international vintages with artisanal cheese, charcuterie, and mouthwatering burgers. Customers rave about our cozy atmosphere, citing it as the perfec...
At The Cask, we're a casual haven where global wines meet gourmet delights. In San Carlos' heart, our doors are open to share a curated selection of international vintages with artisanal cheese, charcuterie, and mouthwatering burgers. Customers rave about our cozy atmosphere, citing it as the perfect spot for relaxed gatherings. Reviewers also praise our attentive service, noting that our staff always seem to be in the right place at the right time. Enjoy a perfectly aged glass of wine paired with expertly crafted gourmet eats in our warm and inviting space, where every moment feels like a celebration.
What Customers Say About The Cask
The Cask is a well-regarded wine bar known for its attentive service, delicious food, and extensive wine selection. Customers consistently praise the friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere, making it suitable for various occasions. The lunch special is also a highlight.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Take advantage of the Monday through Friday lunch special: $20 for 3 courses and $5 glasses of wine.
Features
What to see nearby
Data from Wikidata
Explore the area around The Cask
The Cask is located in San Carlos, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Religious Buildings
- Episcopal Church of the Epiphany of San Carlos, California (A 691m) — church building in California, United States of America
Parks & Gardens
- E R Burton Park (A 704m) — park in San Mateo County, California, United States of America
- Laureola Park (A 718m) — park in the United States of America
Data from Wikidata
Frequently asked questions about The Cask
The Cask San Carlos Reviews
Really great selection of wines. We had the cheese plate and olives, and they were a nice accompaniment. Will try the entrées when I come back in town.
I love Cask. The sliders are my favorite, and the wine selection is solid. They always have a nice pinot by the glass. Hands down the friendliest staff in town!
Very nice wine bar with great wine selection! The Pinot flight was amazing! Friendly staff, indoor and outdoor seating on popular Laurel avenue in covered COVID-safer atmosphere.
Their rigatoni salsiccia was so delicious. Calamari was okay, but a little too big for my liking.
Delicious food choices, generous servings, and excellent service. A friend and I were sharing a couple of food items, and it was served divided and were not charged extra. We ate indoors, then moved outdoors for after-dinner drinks. Very pleasant.
Excellent cuisine and service and the prices are unbelievably cheap. The owner canvased the dining room throughout our visit, making sure each table was being taken care of and happy with their food. Put this on your list!
New experience for us. Really enjoyed the $20 3 course lunch and the $5 chardonnay and or cabernet. We'll be back alot.
Went there for the wine flight and meet up with a friend. There were 3 flights to choose and we sat outside on a nice Saturday afternoon to take in the nice sunshine and mild weather.
Excellent and very attentive service. Food is delicious. Amazing choice of wines, and menu regularly updated. One of my favorite restaurants in San Carlos. Great for a family meal together, or dinner for two.
The Cask Wine Bar is a wonderful place to wine and dine. It doesn't matter if you come by yourself, are meeting with someone or gather with a group of friends or family, the staff immediately welcomes you. They provide prompt, courteous, and professional service. The food is delicious. They keep their restaurant clean and pristine, and yet the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. I felt like a valued customer the whole time. This is a place where you are treated like royalty... even during their Thanksgiving dinners, when they give back to the community. The customer is always appreciated!
They are proof that they’re still good kind hearted people … found ourselves in a pinch on Thanksgiving and we were walking down Laurel looking for dinner…they were open and I didn’t realize until I asked for the bill that they were only charging the wine. Really? I’m so humbled by this generous gift during this difficult time. We were not looking for this but we truly appreciate and are so great full. We tipped the staff generously and we will definitely return to repay the gift. God bless you.
Food is always excellent! Mustard chicken is my favorite. Good selection of wine and beer. You can try the wine before deciding (for by-the-glass wines). Indoor and outdoor seating. Heat lamps for outdoors. Little pricey, but worth it.
Perfect place for our post Filoli ladies lunch. Delicious food - particularly enjoyed the flatbreads, butternut squash soup, and grouper special. The service was excellent- attentive but let us linger. And generous pours for the wine flights too. Very enjoyable dining experience!
My 2d delicious experience! This time it was take out. After I placed my order I was informed how long it would take. I arrived and my food a delicious Salmon was being placed in my takeout bag. Very genuinely friendly staff. I'll be returning as often as possible and if you are in San Carlos I'd encourage anyone that read this to go. Go! GO! You'll be happy you did!
Beautiful place.. With outdoor seating. We made Reservations for 4, but our table was not ready so the manager brought us all a glass of champagne for the wait. It was definitely worth the wait. The food was great, I'm a pescatarian and there were lot's of options, the atmosphere was wonderful, the service was one of a kind. Can't wait to go again.
Great place to eat. I am here so often, the staff knows my dog! If you haven't figured it out by now, the staff treats you like family, if you get to know them. Learn their names and tip them well. They make a big difference in your dining experience. You may even get to see baby pics as they love to treat you like family. Update: Sunday to Thursday dinner special: It's coming at an unbeatable price. Breathe and say.. "yuu- ummmmmmm"
It’s just always good here. Perfect balance of great food, service and wine selection. We’ve tried a lot of dishes over multiple visits, and there have been no disappointments. The casual atmosphere is welcoming plus outside seating. Great bar area too.
Overall amazing experience! Food was amazing. I had the Frutti De Mare , delicious, I was out with a group so if you dont't drink wine, they have some amazing beers.
Had a small engagement dinner here with my friends loved everything! They take good care of you service was attentive and quick water,and wine. All our food came out well timed hot and fresh. Wine selection is great. It's worth a trip to visit! They have a good verity of food and its all cooked and seasoned fabulously.
Always good. The staff are so nice and helpful. I personally love the San Carlos flight. I come here regularly albeit infrequently and it is always good, which is a testament to the staff and owner, as it is easy for a restaurant to cut corners as the margins are slim. Be sure to tip well!
It's always a pleasure dining here. Restaurant and bar have a delightful and relaxed ambience. Staff are attentive and accommodating. Food is good, too.
Fantastic food and great wine selection. The lunch specials were a perfect amount of food. The linguini pomodoro tasted so good, and my girlfriend really liked the salmon. Would absolutely go again!
Nice atmosphere, good food, nice list of wine, amazing choice for a relaxing time. They have indoor and outdoor sitting, quite spacious and by the time we asked for a table, we had one straight away! Definitely recommend it!
Most amazing food ever!!! I have a strick diet and don't eat any salt, fat or seasoning. These guys made the most amazing steak. When I asked for coffee, he served me coffee with no sugar and cream, I did not have to tell him! Amazing customer experience
I should say the food was delicious and the wine was very good. Do visit this place.
Nice outdoor seating. Excellent Caesar salad with chicken and salmon. Very good service and decent prices.
Had a small engagement dinner here with my friends loved everything! They take good care of you service was attentive and quick water,and wine. All our food came out well timed hot and fresh. Wine selection is great. It's worth a trip to visit! They have a good verity of food and its all cooked and seasoned fabulously.
It's always a pleasure dining here. Restaurant and bar have a delightful and relaxed ambience. Staff are attentive and accommodating. Food is good, too.
Always good. The staff are so nice and helpful. I personally love the San Carlos flight. I come here regularly albeit infrequently and it is always good, which is a testament to the staff and owner, as it is easy for a restaurant to cut corners as the margins are slim. Be sure to tip well!
Fantastic food and great wine selection. The lunch specials were a perfect amount of food. The linguini pomodoro tasted so good, and my girlfriend really liked the salmon. Would absolutely go again!
Nice atmosphere, good food, nice list of wine, amazing choice for a relaxing time. They have indoor and outdoor sitting, quite spacious and by the time we asked for a table, we had one straight away! Definitely recommend it!
Most amazing food ever!!! I have a strick diet and don't eat any salt, fat or seasoning. These guys made the most amazing steak. When I asked for coffee, he served me coffee with no sugar and cream, I did not have to tell him! Amazing customer experience
I should say the food was delicious and the wine was very good. Do visit this place.
Nice outdoor seating. Excellent Caesar salad with chicken and salmon. Very good service and decent prices.
I've been here many times, the food is fantastic, the wine selection is excellent and of high quality, and the prices are very reasonable. I recommend it to everyone. 👏❤👏
Very nice weekday lunch special including glass of wine for $25.
I had a great dinner at Cask the other night with some friends! Good food and really good wine! Service was professional and the owner ended up giving my friend a free bottle of wine for her birthday and I got a free glass of wine as well! Very nice of him to do that. Would definitely come back!
I've been here many times, the food is fantastic, the wine selection is excellent and of high quality, and the prices are very reasonable. I recommend it to everyone. 👏❤👏
Went there for the wine flight and meet up with a friend. There were 3 flights to choose and we sat outside on a nice Saturday afternoon to take in the nice sunshine and mild weather.
Excellent and very attentive service. Food is delicious. Amazing choice of wines, and menu regularly updated. One of my favorite restaurants in San Carlos. Great for a family meal together, or dinner for two.
The Cask Wine Bar is a wonderful place to wine and dine. It doesn't matter if you come by yourself, are meeting with someone or gather with a group of friends or family, the staff immediately welcomes you. They provide prompt, courteous, and professional service. The food is delicious. They keep their restaurant clean and pristine, and yet the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. I felt like a valued customer the whole time. This is a place where you are treated like royalty... even during their Thanksgiving dinners, when they give back to the community. The customer is always appreciated!
Food was very good, nice wine selection with some interesting things available. The Mango beer was a hit also. Still delicious.
I've been to the Cask multiple times. The portion sizes are usually generous. The flatbreads in the appetizer section are worth it. The food is OK, not amazing, but certainly not bad. I've had the seafood linguini a couple of times and both times it was underwhelming. I've tried the Mediterranean prawns - that was a better dish. The outdoor seating is nice, especially post Covid where Laurel St is closed to traffic. Overall, if you're in San Carlos then the Cask is a solid choice when comparing to the nearby restaurants on Laurel.
Food is good. Portions are "right sized" so don't expect huge plates. Wine selection is very good. Service was excellent. Staff came by frequently to check if we needed anything. Decor inside is great. Popular place with some outdoor seating next to heaters.
Cask isn't your snooty wine bar. It really is a classy, welcoming spot for a nice quiet conversation where you won't be embarrassed to take anyone, whether a date, friend or even colleagues you may not know too well. The atmosphere doesn't come across cheap, but the wine prices and the food are very reasonable. It's not vernacular and you can mark an occasion, but again, it's so approachable in downtown San Carlos. At first glance, you may wonder if it is a wine bar or a restaurant. And yes, given you are in San Carlos residential area, you cannot go for the high-end premium luxury wine bar experience. But also, if you go too low, you can't call yourself a wine bar. And this is what Cask does so well. You aren't pressured to dress up, but you'll also fit right in if you've gone all out. Wine selection is a bit small and I wouldn't say they have opted for the truly expensive wines. They have good coverage but I would've loved to have seen more Italian, French and other wines. The mark up wasn't too bad but again, when I'm out at a wine bar, I'd like to be a bit more adventurous and try things out. Each glass were healthy portions and I genuinely enjoyed my Pinots with the cheese plate as well as the flatbread. Cask is an essential constituent for Laurel St. Without it, I don't know where a few adults can go for a quiet conversation, somewhat dressed up. It is absolutely fine the way it is and I'd frequent the place. I would also encourage the owner to start going a bit upscale into the next grade of wines (ie. Silver Oak Napa or Caymus, etc.)
The atmosphere, service and wines were amazing I wish I were able to say my Mediterranean pasta was good but wasn’t; I believe they use cooked shrimp in the dish and if not mistaken it said “prawns” which is why I had ordered it in the first place, the shrimp was absolutely overcooked and trust me I know my shrimp since my sis uses cooked shrimp I know the awful texture and would never expect it to be served in this amazing restaurant. I absolutely will go back and hopefully they will use fresh shrimp and try the dish again.
Our waitress was terrific and attentive. The food was rather average but the location is beautiful.
Wine and champagne flights are huge servings (3 full glasses and then some). Be prepared.
Good food and service. I liked the mustard chicken, and thought the cheese plate was pretty good. Pleasantly generous portions - both for the food and wine flights. We sat outside where they had 4 TVs showing the Copa America games - relaxed vibes.
We've been here many times over the years and we went for an early dinner today. Just in case you didn't know, they have more than good wines, the food is really good! We had the Branzino with vegetables and potatoes and the half chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Both dishes were delicious and the half chicken was big, juicy and moist.
The Monday through Friday lunch special is great! $20 for 3 courses (soup or salad, entrée and dessert) and $5 glasses of wine is amazing for a relaxing lunch during the week. They have ample seating outside with heaters if needed. The food was well prepared, fresh and delicious.
Delicious food, good selection of wines. Chic yet chill atmosphere. Friendly staff who are just the right amount of attentive. They are not stingy on the amount they pour in their wine flights, unlike other wine bars.
Good food and service. I liked the mustard chicken, and thought the cheese plate was pretty good. Pleasantly generous portions - both for the food and wine flights. We sat outside where they had 4 TVs showing the Copa America games - relaxed vibes.
We've been here many times over the years and we went for an early dinner today. Just in case you didn't know, they have more than good wines, the food is really good! We had the Branzino with vegetables and potatoes and the half chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Both dishes were delicious and the half chicken was big, juicy and moist.
The Monday through Friday lunch special is great! $20 for 3 courses (soup or salad, entrée and dessert) and $5 glasses of wine is amazing for a relaxing lunch during the week. They have ample seating outside with heaters if needed. The food was well prepared, fresh and delicious.
Delicious food, good selection of wines. Chic yet chill atmosphere. Friendly staff who are just the right amount of attentive. They are not stingy on the amount they pour in their wine flights, unlike other wine bars.
Cask isn't your snooty wine bar. It really is a classy, welcoming spot for a nice quiet conversation where you won't be embarrassed to take anyone, whether a date, friend or even colleagues you may not know too well. The atmosphere doesn't come across cheap, but the wine prices and the food are very reasonable. It's not vernacular and you can mark an occasion, but again, it's so approachable in downtown San Carlos. At first glance, you may wonder if it is a wine bar or a restaurant. And yes, given you are in San Carlos residential area, you cannot go for the high-end premium luxury wine bar experience. But also, if you go too low, you can't call yourself a wine bar. And this is what Cask does so well. You aren't pressured to dress up, but you'll also fit right in if you've gone all out. Wine selection is a bit small and I wouldn't say they have opted for the truly expensive wines. They have good coverage but I would've loved to have seen more Italian, French and other wines. The mark up wasn't too bad but again, when I'm out at a wine bar, I'd like to be a bit more adventurous and try things out. Each glass were healthy portions and I genuinely enjoyed my Pinots with the cheese plate as well as the flatbread. Cask is an essential constituent for Laurel St. Without it, I don't know where a few adults can go for a quiet conversation, somewhat dressed up. It is absolutely fine the way it is and I'd frequent the place. I would also encourage the owner to start going a bit upscale into the next grade of wines (ie. Silver Oak Napa or Caymus, etc.)
Mediocre wine selection. Same stuff you find anywhere, but a little overpriced. I mean like you can find some of the stuff in the grocery store and while I expect a markup at a wine bar, holy cow not that much. I will go for the occasional glass or grab a beer if I don't see anything I like...Because the dessert here is awesome. Not bad food, but this is where you go for dessert when you want a change of venue after dinner in San Carlos.
I found the wine list rather spotty. Very limited wines by the glass, it's like they haven't heard of a Coravin. Whites served too cold IMO. Food (at least the bruschetta) mediocre, it was far to garlicky and not much other flavor.
It was fine. Nothing special. There are so many restaurants nearby, and this one was just okay. Check out the menu to see if there is something you like before heading here. I had a Caesar salad with prawns added. The salad had a mustardy taste to it which I didn't love, but the prawns were delicious. The flatbread looked good but we didn't try.
Nice atmosphere, especially sitting outside on a warm day. Very friendly service. Food was good, esp. the flatbread with apple and prosciutto. The calamari somewhat rubbery. Both food items very overpriced, $ 20 each for appetizer size portions. We tried the Italian wine flight, rather expensive with $ 29, and nothing special. Pinot Grigio was the best, the Chianti absolutely disappointing.
The food is okay, ambiance is really good. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Didn't try the wine.
Nice atmosphere, especially sitting outside on a warm day. Very friendly service. Food was good, esp. the flatbread with apple and prosciutto. The calamari somewhat rubbery. Both food items very overpriced, $ 20 each for appetizer size portions. We tried the Italian wine flight, rather expensive with $ 29, and nothing special. Pinot Grigio was the best, the Chianti absolutely disappointing.
The food is okay, ambiance is really good. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Didn't try the wine.
I have been here 4 separate times, with various friends. Is a popular place, but overall, I have to say there are much better choices on this street. The food is good, but the wine selection, wine prices are disappointing. There is no one with any info to help select wine, and the servers have no idea about the wines. When drinks arrive, the servers just set then on the table randomly, and if you ask which wine is which glass, they just say these are the whites, and these are the reds. Very disappointing for a place that claims to be a wine bar. I don't like giving poor reviews to local restaurants, but I have given this place enough chances to redeem themselves.
The atmosphere is nice. The Lobster Risotto was overpriced $$$. The ingredients seem to be tossed together last minute as flavors were not combined at all. I was disappointed.
We really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, it wasn't just meh...it was flat out bad. The service was clumsy, with waiters putting our menus on top of our plates and hovering without actually asking how things were going. We both did the wine flight. The presentation was...odd. The full size wine glasses on a holder that takes up half the table. My partner did the whites and 2/3 were terrible to the point of being undrinkable. I did the pinot noir and couldn't even tell if I like them, as they were served not just room temperature but warm. We wound up sending both flights back. I ordered the lamb burger medium rare and received it medium well with sweet potato fries that-given their absolute nothing taste-appear to have gone form frozen to fryer. My partner got a mushroom flatbread, which she aptly described as being equivalent to what one would get at Subway. The only reason this isn't a one star review is they did take the flight off our bill without question...though the manager stood nearby watching and never came over to discuss. We will not be returning.
First time having a disappointing lunch with the 3 course menu! Services was terrible. Never got my salad, chicken piccata looked dead with no sauce. Was probably about 1oz. No one checked on us and we had to go inside and ask for our check! New management???? Nothing sure but it sucked!
First time having a disappointing lunch with the 3 course menu! Services was terrible. Never got my salad, chicken piccata looked dead with no sauce. Was probably about 1oz. No one checked on us and we had to go inside and ask for our check! New management???? Nothing sure but it sucked!
I used to go to this place all the time for a great cheeseburger. However, my trip last night was a disaster. I ordered a medium well cheeseburger and got a raw burger that was barely cooked. Mistakes happen. So, I waited until they brought it back. The same burger (they usually cook you a new one) came back burnt on the outside, but still almost raw in the inside. They said they will try again. After waiting another 20 min (starving by this time) I got a burger that was still raw inside. We left. Very sad. Obviously, they hired new cooks who have NO idea what they are doing. Not ever going back.
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782 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070
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782 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070
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