76 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM The glass is always half full at these exceptional wine bars. the beat on your eats eclectic and ever-growing wine list features a mix of exceptional local and California wines to European wines,” says co-owner Sema Tosun, who runs Rouge Lounge with her husband. Make sure to accompany your glass of pinot with prime ribeye tacos, Italian flatbreads or curated cheese platters, then settle in for a little live music. 890 Laurel Street. Closed Mondays. the wine room PALO ALTO Malbec or merlot? Sauvignon or syrah? You’ll find them all at The Wine Room, a welcoming spot right off the main drag of Palo Alto’s University Avenue. Within this small adobe house with its red-tile roof, you’ll find an unpretentious but cozy space with plenty of places to hang out—the perfect locale for an evening of shared moments and intimate conversation. If the weather is warm, enjoy outdoor seating in a plant-lined, European-style courtyard in amour amour SAN MATEO Come for the wine, stay for the tapas at this intimate downtown gem. With an impressive menu that skews Spanish and French (with a large dollop of Italian), you’ll want to alternate tippling tempranillo with an array of irresistible house-made dishes like seared scallops, Spanish meatballs and goat cheese crostini with fig jam. The eclectic European decor evokes a romantic holiday vibe that’s ideal for date night. Known for its friendly, convivial ambiance, Amour Amour is also a great place for catching up with friends. You’ll want to settle in with a bottle or two, fill the table with scrumptious small plates and make a night of it. 305 E 4th Avenue. Closed Sundays. rouge lounge SAN CARLOS Stop and smell the rosé at Rouge Lounge, a place that brings the high life to the everyday with twinkling chandeliers, a fireplace, red curtains and a Parisian-style patio. An ode to feminine strength, Rouge Lounge is a womanowned establishment that proudly displays prints of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe on its cheery cherry-colored walls. “Our {food coloring} the alley flanking the building. “Think of us as your friendly neighborhood lounge,” the owner shares on The Wine Room website. “I just wanted to create a place for a more sophisticated crowd (dare I say adults, maybe grown-ups) to hang out.” 520 Ramona Street. Open daily.
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