Hello dear
Welcome To The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar
At The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar, we celebrate a harmonious blend of Spanish and Mediterranean culinary traditions. Nestled in downtown San Mateo, our bistro offers an inviting atmosphere perfect for romantic dinners or joyful gatherings. Our menu features innovative dishes, from luxurious seafood selections to comforting classics, crafted with fresh ingredients. Join us for delightful appetizers like the tuna or our exquisite espresso martini, renowned for its rich flavors. With exceptional service led by our talented staff, including our enthusiastic manager, Cleo, The Barrel promises a memorable dining experience complemented by an extensive wine selection. Come savor the joy of great food and company!
About
The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar
Welcome to The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of downtown San Mateo, California. Located at 246 S B St, this enchanting eatery offers an exquisite taste of Spanish cuisine, combined with Mediterranean influences that elevate every dining experience.
As you step inside, you’ll be warmly greeted by a cozy and inviting ambiance, adorned with striking wine decor that sets the perfect mood for a delightful meal. Patrons rave about the superb service provided by the dedicated staff, who seamlessly work together to deliver an exceptional dining experience. One customer, Carlos C., noted the standout hospitality paired with extraordinary dishes, making The Barrel a must-visit for both locals and visitors.
The menu is a true journey through innovative culinary creations. Begin your meal with the decadent Poseidon's Feast, a luxurious platter of the freshest seafood, including Alaskan king crab legs and buttery scallops. Priced at $104, it’s an indulgent choice for seafood lovers. For a more intimate starter, consider the Goat Cheese Salad, perfectly seasoned and an excellent prelude to the culinary adventure that awaits. As Jamie L. shares, even the appetizers are a highlight, setting the tone for memorable main courses.
When it comes to the main attraction, the Confit De Canard commands attention with its red wine-braised duck leg, served alongside velvety pomme puree for $46. The Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass takes seafood to another level, featuring a crisp golden crust and lush cauliflower veloute, priced at $53. Each dish has been masterfully prepared to strike a balance between flavor and artistry, as praised by diners like Mia M., who commended the innovative revamp of the menu.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert! The New York Cheesecake offers a creamy finish to your meal at $16.99, while the Sticky Toffee Pudding serves as a warm, comforting conclusion, drizzled with luscious toffee sauce.
But what truly sets The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar apart is the exceptional service spearheaded by Cleo, the talented bartender and manager. Guests consistently praise her for crafting the ultimate espresso martini—a drink that has captured the attention of many on social media and continues to delight all who taste it. Her expertise, coupled with a remarkable wine selection, makes this bistro not just a restaurant, but a destination worth revisiting.
In summary, The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar is a culinary haven that invites you to savor every moment. With exquisite dishes, an impressive wine selection, and top-notch service, it’s a spot that guarantees satisfaction. Whether you're looking for a casual evening out or a special occasion, this delightful bistro promises an unforgettable dining experience. Don't miss out on visiting this charming establishment!
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“ The service was superb, every single dedicated staffer helped woth eachothers tables and were close by on case you needed anything, A rare sight. The ambiance was comfortable and inviting l. Simple artistry that just seems to blend well together. The reason for the visit was of course the espresso martini my date has seen it on tic tok and it was one of the best in the area and of course she had to try one and it didn't disappoint. The goat cheese salad well seasoned and a perfect way to start the meal. For an entrée we got the Tagliatelle- it had clams mussels and crab. The noodles were made with squid ink which enhances the flavor . It did need some salt and we mentioned it to the waitstaff but not enough to ruin the overall experience. Great location staff and food will definitely return ”
“ The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar in downtown San Mateo has truly outdone itself with its recent menu revamp. The culinary team has masterfully blended Mediterranean influences to craft dishes that are both innovative and deeply satisfying. The photos speak for themselves -- enjoy! If you happen to catch Cleo, you're in luck. She's an absolute joy! ”
“ Walked by this restaurant on a rainy evening and saw that it was packed so I knew I had to make a reservation to go tory it out- restaurant is beautifully decorated (focused on wine) and super comfortable seating- tables, bar, outdoor. Made a reservation via Open Table. Immediately greeted and we sat at the bar per request, even though my reservation was for a table. Quickly greeted by Cleo - really outstanding in both wine knowledge and service. Got fantastic food recommendations - I am a pescatarian, and there were so many options. Ordered tuna appetizer, lobster risotto and the bread pudding. The wine selection was outstanding, and I personally thought that the bottles were reasonably priced. As a studying/student sommelier I recognized about half of the [well respected] wine manufacturers; ordered a wine flight, and purchase a bottle. I don't live in the area, but will absolutely make the drive to go back to the Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar! ”
“ Every time I visit The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar, Cleo makes the experience exceptional! She is hands down the best bartender--her cocktails are perfectly crafted, especially the espresso martini, which is the best I've ever had. She has an incredible ability to balance flavors, making every drink memorable. Beyond her bartending skills, Cleo is also a fantastic manager. She ensures the restaurant runs smoothly, maintains a great atmosphere, and always provides top-tier customer service. Her attention to detail, leadership, and genuine care for both guests and staff set her apart. If you're looking for a place with amazing drinks, great ambiance, and top-notch service, The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar is the spot--and Cleo is a big reason why! ”
“ Great service and company with nice glass of wine and great filet mignon tacos. Highly recommend. Cleo helped me today she's great. I will be coming back for something else on menu. ”
“ Good food, great service, great craft cocktails, made fast and delicious! Filet mignon flat bread and tuna tar tar I would recommend again and again. ”
“ Went to The Barrel and Bistro Wine Bar for the first time with my bestie, and wow--I'm already planning my next visit! First things first: the espresso martini? TO DIEEEEE FOR. Seriously, I couldn't get enough and wanted to keep going back for more. Smooth, perfectly balanced, and just the right kick--easily one of the best espresso martinis I've had. I really liked how there was mini toasted marshmallows as a garnish. Cute and tasty! For food, we shared a few dishes, and everything was delicious. The Fusilli Primavera was packed with flavor, with perfectly cooked pasta and a variety of veggies (artichoke, mushrooms, peas, and zucchini) smothered in a creamy pesto sauce. The caesar salad with grilled chicken was fresh, had generous portions, and was great for sharing. We also got half a dozen raw oysters, which were fresh and briny--exactly what you want in a good oyster. Paired with some Tabasco, cocktail sauce, mignonette sauce, and a squeeze of lemon. The perfect combination. Also would like to make an honorable mention our lovely waitress, Gigi who took such great care of us tonight! She was so attentive and sweet. I was also glad that she was honest with how much food to get. I came in hungryyyy and wanted to order the whole menu, however the 4 items we got was the perfect amount. I wanted to add on truffle fries, tuna tar tar, brussels sprouts, a whole steak, etc. but I knew my best friend and I wouldn't have been able to finish everything. Another reason to make me want to come back to try more and new items! Portions were big, service was great, and we left absolutely stuffed and happy. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to! ”
“ I don't remember how I found this place, but I wanted to go somewhere new for my birthday, and decided to try this place. I booked a reservation on yelp for 7pm on a Thursday, but my fiance and I took Caltrain and ended up getting here a bit early. The woman who greeted us had no problem seating us and took us to a table by the expo window. The downtown area was pretty quiet, but this place was PACKED. All of the workers were moving quickly, navigating through the tables, and it was a bit loud from all the guests and workers. Despite the noise and sheer number of people packed into this place, it was still a pleasant evening. The workers are quick, efficient, and super friendly. Since I was by the expo window and bar, I was watching all of the servers run back and forth. All of the servers worked together to make this an amazing experience. They helped each other serve food, run drinks, and clean tables. Our server was also super pleasant and attentive. As for the food and drinks, it was all AMAZING. We started off the night with the berry mojito and the passion fruit martini. My fiance actually ordered the berry mojito, but it was sooo good I had to steal it. Both drinks were refreshing. The berry mojito was on the sweeter side, but it tasted like it had real fruit juice in it. The passion fruit was tangy, but had a nice sugar rim to balance it out. For appetizers, we ordered the sautéed prawns and they were in some sort of lemon butter sauce. They were creamy, rich, and lemony. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and tasted great with the bread. I told my fiance I could eat a whole plate of these. My fiance and I also decided to get the meat sampler which was an amazing idea. All of the meat was cooked perfectly. They also gave us three different sauces to dip the meat into and each one was amazing. I liked the chipotle aioli and lemon herb sauce. My fiance liked the teriyaki sauce, which was good, but definitely a light flavor. The asparagus was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The potatoes were good, but nothing special. Lastly, we got the chocolate lava cake, which was light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet. It was served with a coffee ice cream and whipped cream. My fiance also ordered an espresso martini, which looked great, but tasted even more amazing. The only let down was that they forgot it was my birthday ha ha. I put it down in the reservation, but they seemed to have forgot. They sang to quite a few other parties, but not me. Oh well, I still loved this place. Also, if you're looking for a quiet, intimate dinner, don't come here... but if you're looking for a pretty perfect dining experience, you should come here because the food is all amazing!! ”
“ The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar has a gorgeously contemporary interior lined on both sides with shelves and shelves of wine bottles. The food menu offers an eclectic mix of Mediterranean and American-inspired dishes with elegant plating and fresh ingredients. The Barrel Sampler Plate came with a huge variety of appetizers including prosciutto slices, provolone wedges, olives, calamari, spring rolls, bruschetta topped with chopped tomatoes, and crab cakes, all served with three different dipping sauces. My favorite component (of the platter and the entire meal) was definitely the crab cakes, which had a crispy exterior and seafoody interior! We continued with the Spanish Octopus, a grilled tentacle served over arugula; the Beef Carpaccio, thin slices of beef topped with arugula, Parmesan, and onion rings; and the Smoked Salmon Flatbread, a toasted flatbread topped with Norwegian smoked salmon, creme fraiche, arugula, and capers. The Little Gem Salad came with candied pecans, orange wedges, cherry tomatoes, sliced radishes, cucumbers, crumbled feta, and Green Goddess dressing, and I added a grilled salmon fillet, which was disappointingly dry. Finally, the Chicken Parmesan was a thinly pounded, breaded chicken breast fillet topped with marinara sauce and melted provolone cheese. Overall, each dish here was tasty in its own way without being overcomplicated, and the attentive service and romantic atmosphere made this a great restaurant for an elevated meal. ”
