Grape Gatsby: A 20s Themed Elite Mixer @Calave Wine Bar

This event was off the hook. I just love themed dress-​up parties. It’s such a fitting venue for the theme as well.
On to the first stop. The starter wine was very refreshing for the hot day. I liked the grapefruit and mint in the drink. The bartender was friendly and clearly explained what the drink was.
I loved the fact that Calave offered the Unilocal squad a taste of their latest creations. The presentations of the platters were amazing. Whether it’s PB&J, macarons, popcorn, etc, they were great tasting and great looking as well. Who knew such simple foods could taste so well.
The bartenders at Calave were helpful in choosing some wines to try. I also appreciated the ½ off on additional tastings. The only thing I would change about this would be the lack of knowledge of the servers in the second vendor. They didn’t seem to know a lot of the wines they were serving and the wines were served at inappropriate temperatures as well.
The owner was also helpful in explaining how the wine bar can be used for coporate events.
It was a great event to catch up with old friends and also meet some new ones as well.

Haven’t been to a YEE in a while, so this was a great one to ease back into it! Elite only events are always nerve-​wracking for me because you never know what to expect, but as always I met some very nice people and had a fun time! Thank you to Drea L., Flor D., and Eve K. for not making me feel so crazy about sweating bullets. It was very hot that day!
There were three wine and spirit vendors showcasing their liquid gold. I didn’t want to drink too much so I only tried the Jardeseca apéritif and Robert Hall’s Orange Muscat. Both were good. The apéritif did a great job at cleansing the palate and the Orange Muscat was sweet and refreshing. We also got a drink ticket for a full glass of wine — I went with a very light chardonnay.
Calave has an upscale and intimate space, but I don’t see this as a good place for large groups, unless you sit to the left, where there is a lounge area. The staff were all very nice as they made their rounds.
The light bites that stood out were the two peanut butter sandwiches. I really liked the cheese and caramelized onions one — reminded me of french onion soup. with peanut butter! I also liked the baked brie. Sooo tasty!
Overall, I had a great time. It was so awesome to get more Unilocal schwag too! I scored a flask! Love repping Unilocal!Thanks to Candice and the team!

PB&Js are always the same: peanut butter, marmalade, grilled onions. What? Yeah, that’s real. There was cheese and grilled onions in one of the grilled (!) PB&Js. And it was delicious. I don’t know much about gastronomy but I do know an objectively delicious dish when I taste it, and this is it. Trust me.
I think that it’s easy to focus on the most surprising dish at a new restaurant, but what about the rest?
The truffle popcorn was great for very light fare. I would eat truffle oil on cardboard, so the popcorn was a nice edible alternative.
When we were at Calave, there were a couple «tester» menu items that were circulating the room. One that I truly hope makes it: the sweet baked brie. It included cranberries and the butteriest pastry crust I’ve maybe ever tasted on a baked brie (embarrassing but true: I’ve had MANY. Melty cheeses FTW). If this is offered eventually, please imbibe.
I haven’t tried all the wines yet, but one that I’d like to highlight that was on the real, paid menu: the rose. There’s only one option currently, and it’s a satisfying one. When there’s a heat wave in the Silicon Valley, nothing is tastier or more refreshing than a rose (and this is coming from an avid and enthusiastic beer-​drinker). And that bartender, Darien. Man, he was the best, and made me feel like I was a beautiful wine genius for ordering what was literally the only option in its category. Darien, let’s be friends.
The ambiance of Calave is the trickiest element to describe. It’s pretty sexy and date-​worthy, but not engagement-​dinner level. It’s beautiful enough to bring your out-​of-​town parents yet unpretentious enough to bring your grandparents who typically get the senior discount menu at Denny’s. (Granted, this will be far nicer than Denny’s and with fewer screaming children. My point, however, stands.)
The official recommendation list for an occasion to go to Calave:
+ Date (first, twentieth, four-​thousandth)
+ Family dinner (better without kids, but accommodable)
+ After-​work drinks
+ Catchup with old friend/​coworker (bonus: it’s right off of the Cal Ave Caltrain stop)
+ Client dinner (if a small party)
+ Out of town and looking to dine alone at a place that fits your travel per diem but still provides a unique experience
+ Networking event (if they can rent out the whole space)
+ Probably most occasions, except maybe a large group event during normal business hours, and also don’t propose here, though who is reading Unilocal reviews specifically for that? If you are, please contact me because I think you’re the coolest.

Shout out to Candice and Donna for putting on a lovely Unilocal event!
A cute wine bar located in Palo Alto’s California Avenue with a nice vibe and décor.
We were greeted warmly by the staff who were very accommodating throughout the night.
Some of the foods that I remember included:
Truffle popcorn — Hello, how bad can that be? Yum!
Various macaroons — assorted in flavors and colors presented on a lovely tiered platter.
Peanut butter sandwiches — 1) PB and apple on wheat toast, and 2) PB with Gruyère cheese and caramelized onions which surprisingly worked well together. It is one of those things that you don’t want to knock it till you try it.
Baked Brie — 1) Brie baked in puff pastry with pinenuts; 2) Brie baked in puff pastry with mushrooms served with water crackers and green apple.
Drinks — A few vendors offering muscat, viognere and assorted red wines. We were also given a ticket for any wine on tap. Any additional glasses was 50% off. Looking at the wine menu they definitely have an assortment of wines to choose from.
Seating was plentiful around the large bar, and smaller seats available around the perimeter.
It was a warm day that afternoon so after the sun was setting a few of us went outside and enjoyed the slight breeze.
It was definitely a bit crowded and the warm weather made it even more cozy, but it also gave ma chance to meet some awesome Unilocal Elites like Eve K., Flor D., Ellen L, and Dorothy L!

Meet new people, CHECK.
Enjoy delicious libations, CHECK.
Sample tasty food, CHECK.
Celebrate a new business, CHECK.
Seems like all the makings for another awesome event, right?
Huge props to Candice and Donna for putting on a GRAPE GATSBY night. I love the pun and the theme.
If you have never been to an event before, here’s what to expect:
The Unilocal ambassadors will greet you with smiles and name tags.
You will stumble on some cool SWAG. I lucked out and got a flask.
Vendors will provide you food and drinks, so make sure you partake!
I sampled :
+PB&J with apple and the one with gruyère and onions. Both were good.
+Brie with mushrooms and the one with pine nuts.
+Macaroons-​BONUS and delicious.
+Wines from Chile, Paso Robles, and something that involved herbs and grapefruit.
Enjoy the crowd and don’t be shy. At one point, I was sweating along the best of them.
Truly fun evening and definitely the reason I Unilocal.This had to be on my «must try» list, and I finally got to try it. I have been to a couple of Unilocal events this year, and they always leave me with a smile. Great venue, great cast of characters, and i’ll definitely come back.
Welcome to Palo Alto, CALAVE. Here’s to continued success.

Dresses, wine, and PB&J. How could you not love that combo?
From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, the smell of truffle oil popcorn embraced my senses. I’m a fan of the popcorn, but would prefer a tad more salt (or even better, truffle salt). You can’t go wrong with truffle though!
My first tasting was at the vendor table. I loved the Robert Hall Orange Muscat — a bright, sweeter wine, bursting with citrus. I also tried the Jardesca, a deceptively light-​bodied 18% abv apéritif wine. The bar was pouring generous glasses of on-​tap wines, but I opted to not drink anymore.
I was next enticed by the mini macarons. The flavors were good, though the outside shell could have used a little more chew to contrast with the generous filling.
Not long after, servers came out with trays of PB&J sandwich bites. On a previous visit, I tried the apple one and thought the wheat bread detracted from the overall taste. This time I was able to taste the original with orange jam and the caramelized onion & gruyère. Mmm, both of these were bolder, gooier, and more suited to the wheat bread. I’m a fan.
The last thing I tried was the Baked Brie with Jalapeño. This was really delicious, and I hope to see it on future menus!
One thing to note is it gets really loud inside, as the space reflects sound. Both at this event and during a busy dinner evening, it was really hard to hear people right in front of me. Not a big deal though and easily attenuated with some sound absorbing panels.
Kudos to Candice and the Calave team for organizing and hosting this awesome event!

Classy event at Calave with their great staff and fellow Unilocalers.
Calave is a cool, modern wine bar right on California Avenue with an interesting selection of unique beers and wines.
Best food of the night was pastry filled with brie and mushrooms. Fantastic.
Loved meeting some new people, especially Richard, Monica, Prianka, Katherine and Candice. Made my first Unilocal event a positive one!
Big thanks to Candice and Calave for a great night!

Thank you again to Candice and Donna for another lovely event! It was a little crowded but added to the atmosphere of a fun a lively Gatsby event! PLENTY of boooooooze and glamour. What a fun place for a gathering! I liked how all the staff was swagged out and really looked 20s!
I got to try the rose on tap which was deliciousness. The artisan PB&J were amaaaazing. My favorite is the classic with marmalade! Yumyumyum! The truffle popcorn was gobbly good.
Everyone looked swank and I tried my best but probably wasn’t as ritzy as I wanted to be. Case of the Mondays.
I will likely be back to Calave for a date night.

Haven’t been to an elite event in 5 years and this was a great one to return to.
Food: 4, Service: 5, Atmosphere: 5
Eve award: unexpected peanut butter sandwich combinations
Return worthiness: yes
Highlights:
— Staff: incredibly accommodating and friendly. Really stood out and made the experience wonderful.
— Macaroons: light but heavy on flavor
— Peanut butter sandwiches: one with apple and another I called french onion soup in sandwich form (Gruyère and caramelized onions).
— Brie: pine nuts and garlic put a delicious twist on the traditional version in the pastry.
— Wine list: not your run of the mill stuff. Tried a varietal I’d never had before (carmenere from Chile).
— Outside tables: after the sun mellowed out a bit, they were a pleasant place to sit on the sidewalk
— Not too crowded and good vibe: probably just the right amount of people so there wasn’t any mad dash to grab food off the tray to get anything
— Swag: Unilocal flasks were the best. Only a few around but I snagged one.
Lowlights:
— Not much room to move around: with the large square bar and tables with wine tasting, space was at a premium
Had a nice time checking out the new place which only opened 2 months ago and will be back.

Another great event — thanks Candice and Donna!
Plenty of great samples to go around, from wine to nuts to sandwiches to brie en croute. Very friendly and helpful servers and employees. I got a very generous pour for my drink ticket, which was appreciated.
Also met with some other friendly Unilocalers so that was cool. As a male, I was significantly outnumbered here… single guys, you may have missed out. Most of the social mixers I’ve been to have the opposite ratio — WAY too many dudes and two chicks. I am not single so it was moot.
Anyhow, fun times and exposure for a great business!

I love it when the Unilocal team puts together events where we can smartly dress up while sampling a hot new business, that I may not have been aware of. Tonight was such an event, this time I had the pleasure of being treated like a VIP at Calave Wine Bar in Palo Alto.
Upon ordering my first drink at the bar, the attentive bartender noticed the not so pleasant reaction on my face when I tasted the rose, he then quickly offered to pour me a sauvignon blanc that was smooth and refreshing. I also was pleasantly surprised the cute little pb&j sandwiches were toasted, a small but important touch for me.
Calave’s focal point is the large wine bar in the center with ample standing space around the bar, with a seating area off to the side and plenty of outdoor seating, which was especially appropriate during this warm night.
All in all, this event put together by Candice G and Donna T, was extremely enjoyable and the staff at Calave were amazing and generous. Kudos to the South Bay Team for another successful YEE.

«‘Twas a Speakeasy in Palo Alto one night…» It sure as hell as was.
Really enjoyed the vibe of this gathering. The venue is super cute and trendy. It’s a great combination of contemporary style with old/​golden touches.
The wine selections were pretty tasty (Cabernet, Voignier, a blend, apéritif-​18% proof!) but my favorite was my free glass of the well Pinot. It was super smooth going down and paired really well with the food tastings.
The food was really interesting too. We had this pastry shell filled with cheese and mushroom, which was tasty. I also tried the peanut butter sandwich with onion and Gruyère, really god combination-​then again, I love PB so I’ll be biased. :) There were spiced nuts (which were a little too spiced-​almost Indian in flavor?) and some buttery-​herbed pop corn that was nice and light but still had a slight herby flavor.
The servers were very sweet, brought us water and other things we needed without us having to find them. I really enjoyed the people here, too. It was a great event to meet some cool friends who are also Elite and, of course, seeing Candice is always a blast!
I must also say that, as an English teacher, I truly appreciated the name of this event and am soooo glad I was picked to go to it. Cheers, old sport! :-D

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Before I begin, I must admit that i’m not a huge fan of wine. Maybe it was because of my first experience but I never thought I could get over it. Regardless, I can’t pass on an opportunity to go to another Unilocal Event and see my old friends and meet new ones.
Oh man, when I first arrived, the sun was just beating down and everyone crowded inside to get out of the sun. I started my drinking adventure with the Aperitiva in the front; apparently you’re supposed to drink it before a meal. I loved it because it was very light and the add-​ons (mint, grapefruit, etc) made it very refreshing.
Next, I believe I started to pig out on the many different dishes being brought around. Some of the dishes included: Macarons, Caramelized onion PB&J, Apple PB&J, Truffle oil popcorn, and their new plate of brie w/​crackers and/​or bread. The one thing that I wanted to put the spotlight on must be their PB&J. My god, they definitely know what they’re doing, I can’t really describe it, but I’m sure you had a chance to try it too.
Throughout all of that, I continued trying the different types of wines while Dan was super gracious enough to teach me about the origins of his wines. To be honest, it’s going to be really hard to retain that knowledge but it’s cool to know how climate affects the growth of wine grapes.
Lastly, I want to give a huge shout out to the staff at Calave. They were incredibly friendly and extremely accommodating to our crowd. Also, special shout out to Alicia (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) because I accidentally LeBron’d her with my camera: P

All dressed up with everyone looking dapper and sophisticated, while enjoying finger licking good mini pb&j sandwiches, macarons, and of course, sipping fine vino. Does one written sentence do this event justice? No Flap’n way. The pb&j with gruyère and caramelized onions was so tasty, i had to actually stop mid-​chew, and peek underneath my nose at what I was enjoying.
Calave is nestled along California Ave in Palo Alto with many other interesting restaurants within a stone’s throw. The staff at Calave during this event were warm, friendly, eager to please, and smartly dressed might I add.
Candice and Donna has again put together an event that brings together style and substance while showcasing another local hidden gem. They say being aware is half the challenge in seeking out new establishments you would would drool over and the Unilocal South Bay Team has given me yet another fine business to whole heartedly recommend and come back to.

It was good times at this Unilocal elite event. It was such an honor to be invited to this event and to be a Unilocal elite period.
All the wines were great. Some real refreshing wines. I like the mocha in the bold ones.
With all the free wine tasting and my free drink ticket I didn’t even need to buy a drink but even if I did it woulda been half off because I am a Unilocal elite, yay.
What a great honor, man they really hooked it up. I am totally not worthy.
There was soo much cool swag here too.
I got me a nail file, some mints, chapstick, bottle opener.
The roaring 20’s theme was really cool.
I shoulda donned a tommy gun but I didn’t have much time soo I just came in a suit.
I like how all the staff was decked out like roaring 20’s too.
All the snacks were excellent.
The different kinds of peanut butter sandwiches were really good.
I tried one of each kind .
I loved the macaroons.
The popcorn with truffle oil was the best popcorn I’ve ever had.
They had these crackers with the best cheese ever.
I met some really cool people at this event.
There seemed to be a lot of people from Boston here.
The ambiance, the temperature, I am definitely feeling this place.
I am sure I’ll be back even without it being a Unilocal event.
I am glad I got too meet Candace .
She’s super cool just like I thought
OH the parking was great too.
I had soo many options.

This event was so awesome! Thank you Calave and Candace :) The truffle popcorn and baked brie (the one with mushrooms) were amazing! I loved trying the different wines and the Jardesca aperatif. The folks behind this wine bar are awesome. I’ll definitely bring my friends here!

A warm afternoon spent being enlightened about South America’s signature wines? Yes.
An intimate space with top notch service from waitresses and bartenders? Yes.
Fantastic crowd who shares the same passion about foods, meeting people, and having a good time? Yes.
Am I proud and spoiled as Unilocal Elite? Amazingly YES :)
Thanks to the wonderful staff and owners, the awesome wine vendors, Candice+Donna, who made this event come live! The biggest gem today, besides catching up with a couple of elites and meeting a few new ones — was talking to the wine connoisseur about peanut butter and jelly sandwich pairing with their unique selection of fine (but not overly pricey) wines. Can’t wait to see that idea play out on their actual menus!
One suggestion to the establishment:
— Wall sound absorbers. On one hand, we loved that the space is cozy and made for a closer circle of friends. However, it got a tad bit loud in there to have a chill conversation without having to yell.
Can’t wait to dress up at the next event — totally left the house in a hurry this morning: P I’ll be back for the Torrentos!

A hearty (or should I say Gatsby) thanks for Candice and the Calave staff for a wonderful event. I certainly had a grape… I mean, great time!
Noms:
* Popcorn — For anyone who has ever questioned the best oil for popcorn, it is truffle oil without a doubt. Addicting!
* Pb and YAY (drop the j) — So excited to try the pb and onion. A few people saw my eyes when they brought out that plate. The peanut buttery and sweet onion combo was an explosion for the taste buds.
* Cheese — The brie was flavorful with a hint of sweetness. Even if you don’t like cheese, your taste buds would have been deceived by this creamy goodness.
* Nuts and olives — Set out very artfully in cute little containers!
* Vino — I really enjoyed the orange and samplngs. The hint of citrus notes really added another dimension.
Atmosphere:
They should knock down the wall next door to expand because a place this amazing will certainly fill its small space. The space is quite quaint and our group packed it full. The size definitely gives it a personal feel.
Da peeps:
Furthermore, it was great to see old friends and meet new ones. The individuals who attended were certainly a great crowd, and we were really able to delve into some hilarious and meaningful conversations.
Schwag:
I was happy to add to my Unilocal schwag a Unilocal nail file, bottle opener, and key chain. There were more goodies like the Unilocalstick, Unilocal mints, and I spied a Unilocal flask.
it’s all about the experience; Calave and this event signed, sealed, and delivered. #pbjellytime

A special thank you to Candice and the staff of Calave for creating such a memorable and fun night for us wine and appetizer lovers. This wine bar was very easy to find and there is a nearby parking lot that you can park at very close by after 5PM.
Walking into Calave, I was greeted by its gorgeous interior design. There were separate Unilocal tables serving different types of drinks, followed by an «island» bar in the middle where you can order even more drinks!
I’m not much of a drinker, but I am definitely a huge foodie. The appetizers that Calave served today included grilled PB&J sandwiches, grilled caramelized onion sandwiches (also with PB&J inside!), crackers with bree and mushrooms, and more. Everything was absolutely scrumptious and came out fresh out of the kitchen. The employees were also very friendly and knowledgeable of the entrees being served.
I was very happy to meet new faces and am grateful to attend such an awesome event! Thanks Unilocal for introducing me to both new places and new faces :) The best part of the night was when Candice mentioned to remember where Calave is located, «Cal Ave» is on California Avenue. The unison of «OHHH“s all at once as we all realized the meaning behind the name just really made my night, haha.

«So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.» –The Great Gatsby
I love the Roaring 20s, the era of Prohibition, Flappers, slick gangsters, the Charleston, and one of the greatest novels of all time! Leave it to our leading Flapper and CM, Candice, to make a themed party at a wine bar on a Monday night in Palo Alto as cool as one of Gatsby’s lavish parties!
Calave Wine Bar was the perfect setting for such a fête! Classy, spacious, slick, and even the staff looked like extras straight out of the Gatsby movie. Oh, but where was Leo…
We were greeted with sweet apéritif wine, Jardesca, as well as wine tastings from Robert Hall from Paso Robles, and Car Men Air from Chile (both divine). If those weren’t enough to get you busting out your best Charleston dance moves, then a full glass at the center bar might do the trick! I went with the 2014 Arriviste Rosé from Napa, perfect for this warm summer evening. Darian the bartender was awesome, as were all the staff! One of the owners, Becky, was very gracious and genuinely wanted our feedback on some of the appetizers they brought out and were testing out.
My faves: the Truffle Popcorn (I die!) was perfection, and who doesn’t love a good gourmet PB&J? Oh but wait, then my mind was blown when they brought out grilled PB + gruyère + caramelized onion sandwiches… who knew such a combo could be so crazy good? And then the mushroom baked brie with crackers and sliced green apple… Gatsby would be proud.
Thank you Candice G, Donna T, and the Calave Wine Bar staff for a Roaring good time!