Cantine - Aptos

Yesterday, I visited Cantine Wine Bar to celebrate a birthday with a few drinks and to purchase some bottles to take home. I have been a loyal customer until yesterday, when the waitress forgot to process my card. Instead of informing me of the oversight, she mistakenly called nearby sushi restaurants to alert them that a "brown-haired girl" celebrating a joint birthday with her partner hadn't paid her bill. Because of this, Sushi Garden in Capitola refused to serve us. I called Cantine to clarify the situation and to let them know I was willing to return immediately to pay my bill. The waitress told me that if I didn’t settle the payment over the phone, she would call the police. Given that she hadn’t processed my payment initially, I was reluctant to provide my card details over the phone and requested proof of the original receipt. To make a long story short, I had to go in multiple times before I could pay my bill and get confirmation of the receipt after they finally acknowledged their mistake. This experience was utterly humiliating and unnecessary, turning what should have been a joyful birthday into a day I'll never forget for all the wrong reasons.

We visit this area once a year, and this place is perfect for enjoying drinks and catching up with friends. I really appreciate their wine recommendations and snack options!

My husband and I are residents of Aptos, and we truly enjoy our visits to Cantine. The back deck has a particularly welcoming atmosphere, and we often strike up conversations with other patrons while enjoying our time there. The wine selection is excellent, and the food is fantastic! I especially love the savory burrata dish and the arugula salad, but honestly, everything on the menu is delicious!

As for the food, it was good—nothing extraordinary, but definitely enjoyable. I tried the deviled eggs, lamb chops, padron peppers, charcuterie board, and ham tortilla. Everything was pretty good, though I probably wouldn’t order the charcuterie board again, as it felt a bit sparse, mostly just meat and some mustard, and I had to ask for the bread that was supposed to come with it. The padron peppers could have used a little more cooking. The tortilla, however, was probably the highlight, and I would definitely order that again. The seating arrangements were nice, with plenty of cozy spots, including a fire pit that added to the ambiance. I loved the outdoor view, although there were a few bugs flying around at dusk, but they disappeared shortly after sunset. The patio seating was a bit tight, but there were great heaters nearby to keep us warm. Inside, there are comfy couches too. The service was mostly excellent. Our primary waitress was very nice and attentive, while her male colleague seemed a little tipsy, which made it apparent that she was covering for him. Overall, though, the service was great. I’ll definitely be returning for more drinks, those delicious tortillas, and I need to try some wine next time for sure!

My experience visiting this Winepub is a 10. Great service very friendly owners. Had a great time, they offer board games and little cozy seating areas inside and out. I guess I wasn't a wine person but I did like the pear apple cider, wasn't bitter and little bit of sweetness. My sister and I had ordered Mac Cheese w/ w/o pork belly. Both were delicious, recommend ordering if you plan on eating light. Would love to visit again!