What a great find! We sat upstairs and liked the decor and ambiance. Our server seemed to be more interested in himself than us at times but we managed him through the dinner - other servers seemed more robust and on their game than ours. But once the food started arriving at the table all shortcomings were forgiven and forgotten. This was a nice upscale cuisine find indeed, with a very nice wine list and generally good service. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and funky atmosphere and I'm looking forward to trying it again. Who knows, maybe next time I'll get a server who isn't having a bad hair day ;-)
(4)
Mia L.
We were looking for a place to eat as after our flight I was feeling a bit hungry. We stop by a pub first n since the beer didn't satisfy my hunger we walked across the street to find this place still serving food. It's a wine bar which is shocking to hear the kitchen closes late. Oddly I was craving fries and so that's what I ordered on the side. I had a salad. Overall not too bad. Filled me up.
(4)
Kaori M.
I came here for dinner not for alcohol. Had cream pasta and duck and salad. Duck was very nice. Pasta was creamy enough. I ordered the large size but for me it was tiny. I had to eat another dinner at home.
(3)
Smart Shopper G.
Our group consisted of the cast of a show at Palo Alto Players, which means that we're always looking for a place to go after the shows to hang with our friends and family. We were SO hoping that Gravity would be that place. FAIL. We will NEVER go back to this place, no matter how many oysters they serve at happy hour or any other time, for that matter. We had spoken a few days in advance with one of the restaurant managers about reserving the 2nd floor for a large post-show group. And we did indeed bring a big group who spent a lot of money there. They were severely understaffed (the one server we had was overwhelmed and in way over his head) which is a surprise because they knew all 25 of us were coming. The food and drinks took forever on top of the pissy eye-rolling-I-could-care-less attitude from the server. What really offended us was that when it came time to split the bill, the managers were basically royal a-holes towards us. They were unwilling to come up with a solution and instead just argued with us--even though we had asked in advance if we could split the bill. Why are you arguing with us? Don't you want our money? I don't want to believe it was because we were Asian American but I just know that I'm not ever going back to this place nor would I recommend anyone else go either. This is a shame because I had been there 2 previous times with just a handful of people and I had enjoyed my experience. The next weekend, we all went to Gordon Biersch instead and had a fabulous time. Now THOSE people know how to deliver good service.
(1)
Sophia Y.
Coming in, we asked if we could use a gift card from PA Creamery (who are owned by the same owners) and I immediately felt the drop in attentiveness and service as soon as they saw that. We were lead to our table and throughout the night, I felt that our service was kind of spotty even though we tipped in cash which I'm sure was their biggest concern anyways (Sorry - apparently I'm pretty bitter about this). Anyways, for dinner: - I started with a Raspberry beer, which was really good and my sister got their non-alcoholic cocktail (bartender's choice) and it literally tasted like a can of Dole pineapple juice poured into a glass. Totally not worth it. - For appetizers, we got the mussels which were really good. The tomato broth that it was cooked in was spot on and give me a side of bread and I could have had that as my entree. - For my main course, I got the Radiatori which was beef ragu, with truffle oil. There's probably a reason why I don't usually order pastas when I eat out. The pasta was ok and the sauce was just okay and the only thing that helped the meal was the truffle oil and the small amount of shredded beef on top of the pasta which was really tender. knowing that, I would have chosen something else. - My sister got the Duck Confit as her main course and while the flavor was good, it was really dry and overcooked. The side of mushrooms, spinach, and beans was okay. Overall, the service wasn't that great and most of the food was just okay. For the prices that this place charge, I don't know if I would come back... without my gift card!
(3)
bianca d.
Took my team here for dinner and the food was absolutely fantastic! Great ambiance, clean, fantastic wines and a delicious menu. They gave us enough time to enjoy each course which we greatly appreciated. Definitely will be back :)
(5)
Daniel B.
Dined on Monday, 7/13/2015 with my wife for a date night. My wife had been there before and the first thing I noticed as I walked in was a sexy modern vibe. Edison lights in large glass globes hung above raised wooden tables with bench stools. There was a large booth in the back and a clean looking full bar. We sat by the exposed clay tile/brick wall near the kitchen. Not terribly busy since it was a Monday night and not particularly noisy. The drink menu has new and old world wines; about a dozen each of whites, reds, and a few roses and sparkling wines. There were a couple selections for a few of the varietals. Aside from wine they have a decent beer and cocktail selection. They offer a full dinner menu with cheeses, charcuterie, and oysters to start along with salads and appetizers. We ordered a trio of bruschetta which came out a bit limp--only one of the toasts was actually toasted. The toppings and bread itself were cloyingly sweet. The worst offender was essentially a candied fig. The bread was unimpressive and reminded me of a Safeway baguette sliced cold. Not an impressive start. For dinner my wife had the bucatini with a spicy tomato and pancetta sauce. I had a bite and we agreed the pasta was overcooked and the watery sauce pooled at the bottom of the bowl. Far too many pasta sins on one plate. For my entree the waiter suggested the braised prime beef short rib over polenta with a horseradish cream. The shortrib came dry and bland, and the polenta was lumpy. The small amount of horseradish cream added a very welcome bright note to the dish, but not enough to save it. The waiter asked about the dish and I mentioned it was average. He promptly put in an order for a burger for me and noted that he tried the short rib and agreed it wasn't their best showing. He also surprised me with an extra glass of the wine I was drinking. The burger was decent with a well browned brioche crust, fresh traditional toppings, and the meat was a nicely cooked medium rare save one portion which somehow well done. The fries, more like potato shavings, were nicely seasoned yet due to the differing sizes some ended up a bit soft. I heard Gravity was only a wine bar for a few years and it showed on the plate--two stars overall for the food. The service and the vibe, on the other hand, were excellent. I was particularly impressed that the waiter tried the dish I sent back. Would go back for the wine and atmosphere, and possibly a burger.
(2)
Sarah L.
A little meh here and a little meh there... I;ve been here quite a few times now, both for happy hour and dinner, each have been fine but more recently I've been consistently neglected through the entire dining experience. The last time I was there we made reservations online and went for happy hour, we each ordered a drink, the waitress was very prompt and informational... then they changed waiters, three times. No one really knew who we 'belonged' to so to speak, and we kept yearning for our first waitress to come back and help us. Unfortunately she was the only one, her and the bussers. All in all I would try this again but if I get treated like this for a third time I probably will not return. The good stuff: great oysters and fabulous wine selection for happy hour.
(3)
Chris L.
Service was attentive and the desserts were ok. Good vibe and decor. One of the few places open late in downtown.
(4)
Doris m.
Best and only (I think) late night spot in Palo Alto to dine. Thurs-Sat after 10 they have a discount on oysters which is the primary reason for my visit. I've tried many things on their menu, some of my favorites are: steak tartare with quail egg, sauteed prawns in brandy pink peppercorn cream, Romaine Salad and the burger.
(5)
Sara W.
Pete is the best bartender for my late night after work drank!!! Jon is fantastic as well... just don't get there super late, like at last call, because it's last call and ain't no sticking around
(5)
Bori B.
Went to dinner with some friends to drink some wine. I got the steak and frites which was delicious and cooked to my liking. My friend and I also ordered carafes individually and didn't realize that it was actually a substantial amount of wine, but a great deal if you plan on drinking around 2 or more glasses of wine. Great atmosphere, great service. Definitely would go back!
(4)
Jessica L.
5 stars all the the way. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a vegetarian and love their new vegetarian menu, but the service is impeccable and the ambiance can be romantic without being too old-fashioned. Very hip and trendy with the high tables. Delicious White Sangria and great wine selection, people pile in here after the wine room closes.
(5)
Arushi S.
Classy ambiance and not too loud, making it a good place to catch up with someone on a weekend night. I've been here a couple times to eat or grab late night drinks. Unlike many of the establishments near University avenue, this place is actually open later in the night. The upstairs dining room is more formal and mainly for eating whereas the downstairs lounge is the casual, wine-bar area. The actual entrees have tasted standard for an upscale, Palo Alto eatery with nothing particularly inventive. I'm actually a bigger fan of the appetizers than the entrees. I love the *duck liver mousse* - great consistency and a little smokey, although there is a slight aftertaste. The *steak tartare with quail egg* is also excellent. Spread the yolk so it gets onto every bite and eat it with some crostini. It's a bite of crispy heaven. This isn't really a family-restaurant but we recently came in a party that included two younger children. Not only did our chicken-nugget-loving kids enjoy both of the aforementioned appetizers but the servers were very attentive to their mini-me needs!
(4)
Rene C.
We came in for a little pre Christmas gathering with close friends. Our party of six were seated at a large table near the window and it was perfect. The service was excellent and even with a few late arrivals, our server made sure he came over and made sure they had drinks in front of them. The food was better than I expected, my wife's spicy pasta dish was especially delicious and loved that the kitchen cooked the noodles to al dente perfection. I went with the burger, which again was another winner. Topped with sharp white cheddar cheese it was good to the last bite. And again, kudos to the kitchen for grilling my burger to a spot on medium rare. Even though this is a "wine bar", they have a full bar and the bartenders are experts at mixing that perfect cocktail.
(4)
Lisa T.
Came here for date night after we had dinner at Evvia. We decided we wanted to grab drinks after since we already had our fancy pants on. :) Yelped a bar nearby and found Gravity. Despite it's average star rating, I really enjoyed this Wine Bar and am glad we decided to stop by. I suggested doing the wine flights since I couldn't decide on one wine and I figured what better way to get into my date's pants than with a few glasses of wine. JK! But no seriously, this is the perfect place to get your date drunk. Our wine flights were practically full sized wine glasses. After a flight each, we were definitely at a good point of inebriation. So, bro tip: be sure to take an Uber if you decide to come here after for drinks. I will definitely be back!!!
(5)
Lindsay M.
I went here the other night for a private event and was expecting some cheese and crackers paired with some wine--but OMG was I ever surprised! Not only do they have a killer cocktail menu with specialty mojitos and my personal favorite a French 75 their wine, beer and whiskey selection was impressive. We were served a variety of appetizers that were AMAZING. I will seriously be coming back to this place for the beef short ribs and polenta alone! Their food tastes like someone's grandmother slaved all day in the kitchen and the service was fabulous! I am already looking forward to my next meal here.
(5)
Megan M.
I love this place and always have. Never disappoints. Been coming here since it opened. :)
(5)
Joe S.
Great drinks! They have a good happy hour that I recommend hitting up. Their Charcuterie plate is worth getting.
(4)
Kevin C.
Solid service, solid food, solid A! Made a reservation for Saturday night to celebrate a special someone's birthday. I called in advance if they would be willing to set up flowers if I brought them in beforehand, and they were more than happy to accommodate. I showed up about 20 minutes before my reservation time, and the hostess was able to set them up beforehand. We were seated upstairs and they went out of their way to save the table by the corner so the two seats were seated next to each other. Ended getting a few appetizers; the steak tartare was phenomenal (must try), and the beet salad was a great refresher (although I can't recall what dressing they put). For the entrees, we had the duck confit and braised beef...Mmmm absolutely delicious! They have a two nice sections for the bar, and beautifully decorated all around. Great place to hang out with friends and grab a few drinks!
(5)
Dwight S.
Walked in for happy hour, only to find ALL the tables were reserved. Huh? When I asked a manager about it, he was rude and confrontational. Don't waste your time.
(1)
Heather A.
Great drinks, great atmosphere and delicious food! We shared the charcuterie Spanish, San Francisco and Coppa combo, then the mussels appetizer. The peach cobbler dessert was phenomenal. Christian was also an outstanding bartender! I love this place for after-work-decompression! Definitely my mood/tempo :)
(5)
Naomi T.
Sometimes you just cannot shake off that Vino mode. Gravity Bistro is perfect for the occasion. Nothing fancy nor stuffy. Modern but definitely not "wannabe". In addition to alley of fine dinning menu, there are make-your-own charcuterie or cheese plate, large or small. 4 different wine flights offered for fun seekers. Very much accessible. Chablis, Rose, Bruschetta trio, 3-meat charcuterie plate + T&T = $50 You will leave this place feeling more civilized.
(4)
Lejla M.
I love their wine selection, their menu is great (beef ragu pasta is sooo good,,beef tartar is out of this world, according to my husband:) It can get too loud, though..maybe a date night on Monday is better then on Friday or Saturday..:)
(4)
Tiffanie L.
Even though the atmosphere was romantic and intimate, I came here with a close friend at 10pm on a Sunday night. I meant to only nibble, but I ended up eating a full meal. This was my third dinner! We were the only table and our waitress was very nice and attentive. We had fresh oysters (so good!), ragu, and steak tartare. I'd definitely come back, especially for a date.
(4)
Jen S.
We had a girls night out here and our waiter was so pretentious and rude I will never go back. Every time a new person showed up or a drink was empty our waiter would appear. Great! But man if you weren't sure what you wanted ASAP he would make comments, sigh and disappear. Several of us asked for wine recommendations-wouldn't you know every single wine he suggested was $19! Ha! Typical. He also implied we were taking up too much space. I find it interesting in a Tuesday night at 9pm that having 8 women eating and drinking could be some kind of imposition. The drinks were ok and the food was fine...the bill had the gratuity included and I hate these things because waiters like this just ruin what would otherwise be a great night. It's really just an average place!
(2)
Chris Y.
I ordered the risotto and was very disappointed. One of the blandest risottos I've had.
(2)
Lucian H.
I have been to this place for the first time on jan 13th and this is the last time as well. I wanted to order duck liver mousse with port, I had no idea what "port" is, so I asked the waiter about this particular dish, I have received an "appetite killer" answer: - it's something illegal in California, probably gross Very "professional" answer, a place where I will never put my footstep again!!! Since I was really hungry, I decided to go around the corner and eat a burger! I returned back just for my friends but even drinking water was really "gross" after! I don't know about other waiters, but some here I guess really hate their job. My friends stopped me for not complaining to the management, however, considering how many choices are around the area, the management should consider training them... Or being more selective when hiring!
(1)
Keane H.
Ate here with 4 friends about 2 weeks ago and enjoyed every bit of it. We were seated at a table of six right by the window which is perfect as it allowed for a bit more privacy. The hostesses and waiters were very kind and knew about all the food and beverage items we asked questions about. They were not too intrusive either and came at the right moments. The food menu was a great size with not too many options that it overwhelmed me, but just enough items to make me think hard between a few items that stood out in my mind. I ended up choosing a pasta with truffle butter that left me full and completely satisfied at the end. With my meal I had a nice Pinot that was great quality for the price paid. My only constructive comment is that the lighting is a bit too dim.
(4)
Helen T.
We came here not so hungry, but ended up eating a lot! We started with some cheeses and chacuterie and a bottle of wine to share. I got the pan fried chicken thighs and gnocchi and the flavor really surprised me! I tried my husband's duck confit, but the chicken won over the duck! Ended the meal was delicious apple crostada!
(4)
Michael C.
Decent Place. Nice Classy ambiance and a pleasant set up. The service is pretty decent, our waiter was helpful and polite. The main knock I have against this place it the prices on the menu. I felt the prices on the wine menu were a bit extravagant and the food is simply OK. None of the dishes we had were spectacular. We tried the Cheese plate, Oysters and a pasta dish. The Cheese plate was just a standard wine tasting platter you can find anywhere. The bread that accompanied it was tasty. The Oysters were probably the best part dish we had, the pasta was very disappointing. Pasta was overly tangy, and tasted too much like tomato sauce from a can. Willing to try this place a couple more times, I was told we got the wrong dishes. However, I'm in no rush to return.
(3)
Stephanie A.
This place can host comfortably all kinds of outings, I can see myself enjoying a loud girls night here, or a romantic evening just as well as I enjoyed our couples night here, last night. It is rear that we go out with this group and all are happy with the location choice. I'm not sure how it is on a Friday or Saturday night when the crowds are out, but at late Sunday it was only partially full with nice crowd and cozy atmosphere. The young man behind the bar knows his wines well, and the servers are attentive without being pushy or snotty as it happen sometimes in other neighboring wine bars... We didn't want to eat so late and ordered a few of their appetizer plates. Loved loved loved the cheese plate and the nice Cabernet they chose for me, also enjoyed the beet salad, although they should call it a salad with some decoration of beets. Their breads are delicious the brown is sweet and rich, the white is fluffy and addicting. The part of the table that enjoy see food so late at night gorged the oysters and the salmon with beans. I've noticed that the salmon dish is very similar to the salmon plate being served at Sam's chowder house, but at gravity it is less greasy. The desserts are not to be missed. Seriously! All in all a beautiful pleasant place I'd love to visit more.
(4)
Rheanna C.
I'll say this place was just ok. Reading the reviews now I'm upset that I didn't get the short ribs like I'd wanted to. I got the duck liver mousse to start. Amazing!!! That was the best part of the meal. The steak tartare with quail egg was next. I love me some capers but the entire dish tasted like one big caper! I couldn't even taste the steak. Unfortunate. I got the mussels next & was promised a tasty, spicy dish. The mussels were tiny & the broth was eh. The best part was the house made lamb sausage in it. It could have used salt, red pepper & some white wine. Very bland. Finally I got the scallop entree. Big mistake! Again, I should have tried the short ribs but I compromised. The scallops were cooked well, luckily, but needed salt. The sauce & black rice....I almost wanted to complain that I paid $26 for 3 scallops & bland crap. At least make a good sauce! Ended on that disappointing note. And the server made a comment about us really "hating" the scallops as a sarcastic joke. Well hm...there's only 3 on a plate so we ate them but we left the crap underneath...so actually yeah I hated them but am too nice to say anything. I'm a server too & have made that joke, but only when they're literally licking the plate clean & grinning from ear to ear. At that point I'm pretty sure I looked pissed. Overall disappointed but the atmosphere was really nice. So I may go back & change up my menu selections.
(3)
B N.
We were a party of 14 on Easter Sunday (no small task) and had a most memorable family dinner here. Kermit was our server and he is truly a professional. His helping staff also did an amazing job of keeping water glasses filled and plates cleared. I believe Melinda was the other servers name. Regardless, everybody helped and we couldn't have left happier. The recommendations were perfect and everyones meal was delicious. I really appreciated the ambience and decor of the restaurant. We will all be back and look forward to another great dining experience.
(5)
Justine M.
Came here for a few drinks this past Wednesday afternoon. My friend and I were the only ones in the place, and the waitress at the time was very friendly and attentive. However, she didn't really seem to know beers -- I told her I was thinking about ordering the one sour beer on the menu, and she brought me a pilsner to try as a "similar" alternative. Weird, but she was pleasant about bringing the original sour beer I'd wanted after I'd given the pilsner a try. The place started to liven up around 4:30, around which time another waiter took care of us. He was super nice and friendly, too, but we never saw him again after we'd gotten the drinks and snacks we ordered from him -- we eventually had to ask another waiter for the check (and this was about 1.5 hours later!). Happy hour food and drink prices are decent, but consistency of service needs some improvement.
(2)
Karma K.
The food was good - albeit it pricey- definitely $$$ not $$. The food was generally good, but we asked to be seated somewhere quiet and then a very loud, large party. I told the waiter several times about my food allergy (gluten), and then he brought me a cheese plate with bread.
(3)
Annie J.
This is a nice place (with very cool lighting), but the food is decidedly mediocre. We came on a Friday night, and the restaurant was more than half empty. Never a good sign. Also a bad sign: when we sat down the song playing in the background was Train's "Meet Virginia." Also, I know this is a wine bar, but I think it's pretty strange that the only vodka choices they have are Belvedere and Kettle One. Definitely skip their mixed drinks. We started with the charcuterie, which was delicious, but admittedly hard to mess up. For my main, I had the duck confit with lentils. It was fine, and in fact, would have been better had they served it to me when it was hot. But it was not nearly as good as the duck confit at the Village Pub in Woodside. Out of the other dishes I tried, I would say the pastas looked and tasted best. The coq au vin was ridiculous. It was literally a hunk of wine braised chicken on a plate. Seriously? As others have mentioned, the portions are small here. You'll need to get some appetizers if you really want to feel full after this meal. Of course, if you're mostly coming for the wine, then that's not such a big deal. Our server was attentive enough, but she didn't seem to know much about the menu, and in fact told us incorrect information about the oysters and a beer someone in my party ordered. Just a heads up.
(3)
Amir A.
The service and ambiance here are great. I really enjoy the decor they had and the high seats/wooden tables. The food is more tapas styled so I had: Steak tartare w/ quail egg - my favorite hands down. Just overall delicious when put together with the small dried pieces of cracker/toast. Oysters - Delicious! Braised beef short ribs - very tender and chewy. It was good, but the texture and flavors were simply okay nothing amazing. Duck Confit - cooked very well. Tender and juicy. Chef's selection of ice cream - small, great flavors, and not overly sweet. Only drawback was the pricing. Some entree dishes cost far too much for what they are.
(4)
Y W.
Hahaha, we had hair in our food and it smelt like cat litter. We had a meetup group and we were all looking forward to Gravity. This was a very funny but horrible trip. I will not be coming back and I don't recommend this place.
(2)
Cath M.
**3.5 STARS** S.O. suggested this place for date night... and again... he did a good job with his research! It was a Sunday night... so I made reservation but upon walking in... it wasn't packed but when we were leaving... there was a line out... so I suggest making a reservation via Open Table to bypass the wait. Ambiance was warm and modern... definite date place especially with the nice dimmed lighting... service was good when it was slow but of course during its peak... it got slow. Onto the vino and the food (will only discuss what I ordered... I didn't taste what the S.O. ordered...) - white wine flight: it was actually a decent pour for each 3 glasses... however I'm spoiled with the labeling factor which they didn't have... not to mention the server that brought it to me identified them so quickly... that I didn't get which was which. Therefore, if I wanted to order more of a certain wine... I wouldn't be able to do so since I didn't know which was which! Slow it down server if you're not going to use the label. - brie cheese (don't remember which kind it was but it was brie-like that our server suggested...) it was actually a decent portion... though the bread (3) was a tad limited and so was the walnuts... something's gotta give? - prosciutto: didn't really like what this came with... mostly pickled stuff... but it was plenty enough to go with my brie. - House Marinated Olives: this was actually quite good with the white pairing... plus it was plenty enough that I didn't get to finish most of it after wards. - dessert wine flight: this was actually good... but it took a while for them to bring it to us b/c they got busy. S.O. was done with his dessert and I had yet to start mine... half a star off that! Overall... it was a nice romantic Sunday "date" night... mellowed us out and we were able to beat the crowd before it got really busy.
(3)
Joel V.
I had huge expectations for GRAVITY BISTRO & WINE BAR after looking at photos and reading the reviews on Yelp. We went for our work Xmas lunch and it was surprisingly quiet there which was fine by me. I was all set to order their Braised Short Ribs with Polenta or the Pan Fried Chicken Thighs with Gnocchi. Both looked incredible on Yelp. Much to my chagrin, neither item was on the lunch menu! Crap! I settled for the Bistro Burger with White Cheddar and Fries. The burger was actually pretty solid - the beef was fresh and thick, the bun was excellent, and the veggies fresh. The fries were actually just ok. I took a bite of two desserts - a Blackberry Brandy Bread Pudding and a Apple Crisp with Caramel Gelato. The Apple Crisp was very good, and the bread pudding was meh. Overall, this is a nice spot in Palo Alto for a meal, but I definitely recommend going for their much more extensive dinner menu. 3.5 stars.
(3)
Pri Y.
This place had everything I was looking for: from Italian music to a loud ambiance. From a long wine list to delicious charcuterie. There's nothing I would change about it. It was very romantic so glad I brought my boyfriend. Appetizer: salami charcuterie Meal: He got the beef short ribs and they were as tender as they were delicious. I got the filet and frite and it was cooked to perfection Dessert: lots and lots of wine
(5)
Winnie C.
Shhhhh.... This is my secret place to go to for lunch where it isn't super crowded and loud. Maybe because it's a wine-bar that people don't know they serve decent lunch here as well. I love burratta cheese so always go for the sandwich here. As for the wines, I notice they try harder to avoid the typical Napa/Sonoma wines. I DID experience bad service here during dinner time, but Lunch is awesome. (Judith the waitress is always so nice/friendly/etc). I've also enjoyed their Duck salad for lunch.
(5)
Carol C.
Hello, little pocket of nightlife in Palo Alto! Gravity is a classy, quieter place to have a meal and drinks or just a chill venue to round out your night. It's not cheap, non-happy hour prices are mostly more than $12 for the cheapest glasses of wine or cocktails, but I will have faith that it's because the selection is truly quality. The one beef I have is that their tables are very wide which makes conversing a little difficult but #firstworldproblems. What I really want to RAVE about though and have managed to contain myself from doing for a whole paragraph now is their friggin CHOCOLATE BUDINO. Basically a beautifully amazingly dark molten lava cake served with some seriously fantastic vanilla gelato. WOWOOWWOW. So rich. So molten. So many inappropriate noises coming from my direction. It was INCREDIBLE. I without fail at any restaurant order the closest variant they have of my beloved lava cake and this is actually one of the best I've ever had. Holy cacao beans, I was basically a melted puddle of chocolate by the end. Will definitely return to try out their food and cocktails. But nothing will eclipse you, my chocolatey love, I will come back for you!
(4)
Peggy S.
Friday night, when the man wanted a beer and I wanted to stay classy, we decided to escape from the sweaty crowd at Rudy's and NOLA to enjoy some peace and quiet time (and quite honestly, return to civilization), we headed over to Gravity and were able to get seated immediately. Gravity wasn't peaceful nor quiet. This place was buzzing with energy and the aroma drifted through the air from their kitchen. We sat at a table right in front of the bar so we could see how the entire team worked together seamlessly. Matt ordered a glass of Allagash White (yes, it was poured from a glass bottle into a wine glass, classy!) and I got a glass of 2006 Sauvignon Blanc and it came in a carafe. We decided to also get a quick bite to eat because we had just came from a mostly vegetarian potluck dinner and well, you know, the man needed red meat to go with his beer. We ordered steak tartare with quail egg on a bed of watercress and served with some toasted baguette. This was my first time having steak tartare and I have to say, it was surprisingly good! Matt broke the quail egg yolk on top of the steak tartare and we spread it on the baguette. The crunchy baguette added texture to the creamy, almost spread-like consistency of the tartare and the slight bitterness of the watercress made the dish more refreshing and removed the potential greasy aftertaste in your mouth. The dish, while soft and delicate, was very flavorful! Then Matt started to feel adventurous and ordered "sweetbread". I had no idea what sweetbread was until last night... turned out what we had was a veal's thymus gland! It was lightly breaded and fried, served with chanterelle mushroom on a bed of arugula. I was blown away by this dish! At first bite, the "sweetbread" was tender, soft of had the consistency of a bite of tender chicken... or fried alligator. But as you chewed on, you'd slowly taste the "glandiness" of the sweetbread. It had a very, very slight metal flavor and at the end, it was very creamy and felt like it coated the back of my throat. I think this was a really good dish to try if you've never had sweetbread! For what we ordered, the price here wasn't bad at all, very reasonable. The service was fast, friendly and professional. We'd definitely return! And maybe next time for an actual dinner!
(5)
Hannah B.
Wow! I can't say enough what a fabulous place this is- especially the WINE! My husband had been here before, and he wanted to go back for his birthday for some drinks & dessert. We sat at the bar & ordered some flights- he got the Pinot noir flight & I got the sparkling wine flight. While we were sipping our WONDERFUL wine, we noticed a familiar face. Gravity's sommelier, Suzanne, had helped us a few times at Safeway & we both LOVED her & thought she was the most knowledgable sommelier we had ever met. So now she is working for Gravity & they are incredibly lucky to have her. She is a truly delightful person who has devoted her life to her love of the art of wine. Her passion for wine comes through not only in her words but in the wine on the menu. Every wine has been carefully chosen to give the customer a really great experience. We look forward to going back to Gravity & tasting more of their exceptional wine offerings courtesy of the lovely & remarkably intelligent Suzanne Chowla.
(5)
Danielle L.
Ok, I admit it. I am spoiled by The Wine Room. So going into the Gravity Wine Bar, I am looking for a certain ambiance in my "wine bars". What I got is a restaurant that serves wine and really pushy waiters who try and encourage you to have dinner there. If you are a restaurant, fine. Don't call yourselves a wine bar and set up wine bar expectations. The food is expensive, they don't have many shared appetizers, and the wine list is...ok? The last time I went, me and my friend ended up leaving after our glass of wine because we felt uncomfortable, due to the waiter who wanted us to have dinner there. I've been here three times now, and it just doesn't have the right vibe for me. Sorry Gravity Restaurant with a wine list...it's not you (yes it is), it's me.
(2)
Samson B.
Tonight I spoke with one of the staff (Kent) over the phone to make an order for my party that would be arriving shortly. I ended up ordering the spare ribs and the pan roasted chicken. There was some confusion over my order which is understandable, however, when I spoke with Kent again to sort out my order I was met with ridicule and a holier than thou attitude. I was berated over the phone and made to feel unimportant. It was the worst customer service experience that I have endured in a long time. Regardless of how good the food is, service is very important, alienating your customers is not a good way to run a business. I pray that they do not allow Kent to pick up the phone again, lest they lose another customer.
(1)
Michael T.
We had the short rib and the risotto. The short rib was good but the polenta was a little bland. The risotto was undercooked and a little dry. The wait staff earned all 3 stars.
(3)
Ben H L.
I came to meet up with my friend here and I'll say this upfront...I'm not a wine guy. I'm a beer guy but I've read a few issues of Wine Enthusiast and looked up stuff on Wikipedia so I'm not entirely ignorant. Since I wasn't feeling very adventurous, I decided to forego getting a red wine flight and getting some mixed drinks. Luckily, we got here during the Happy Hour. So we ordered entirely off the Happy Hour specials: burrata, charcuterie plate, fries, red sangria, white sangria, and a mojito. Total bill $32! I wonder if happy hour is why people go to work so early so that they can hit up places before 6pm for cheap eats and drinks? Damn I think I have to get up earlier now... The burrata and fries were great...the charcuterie came with pepperoni, salami, and prosciutto. I liked the burrata the best for $5 as it's a nice accompaniment of salt to go with my drinks. Our server was very helpful in giving us time to make up our minds and bringing out our food as quick as lightning. I also scored 100 Opentable dining points for making my reservation here...only 19 more reservations before I get $20 in dining cred! May come back again for another HH here since this location provided good value with nicely chosen decor and style inside the dining room.
(4)
Amanda L.
Took my sister here for a birthday dinner and the food was delicious! We ordered the braised beef short ribs and the duck confit, both of which were fantastic, and our server was very friendly. Will definitely be coming back
(4)
Lorraine C.
This is one of those places you must go to if you like relaxing chill music and good atmosphere. Wine list and menu are astounding with many eclectic wines and cocktails. Wine bar flights are good sizes and no skimpy portions on desserts or meals. I had a "French Martini" which is a cosmo with pineapple instead of cranberry juice. I also tried the Chocolate Budino very nice rich chocolate lava and Ice cream. My man loves wine so he had the red wine flight, he loved it. Service deserves top marks with no pressure to leave after you pay the bill. What else can I say? What a wine bar should be. Thanks guys!
(5)
Kevin N.
Came here during Restaurant Week in a party of six. We made reservations on open table and were seated immediately. They had a $35 prix fixe menu that offered several choices for a three course dinner. What I ordered: Seared Ahi Bruschetta - This was by far the best course of the night. The ahi was cooked perfectly and the white bean puree helped unite the whole dish. Absolutely delicious. Wild Mushroom Risotto - Pretty meh. The consistency and texture of the risotto was good but it seemed slightly bland to me. I thought it could of used a bit more mushroom. You can definitely taste the truffle oil if you dig that stuff. I'm not the biggest fan of truffle so I was pretty indifferent about it. Caramelized Apple Bread Pudding - I generally tend to pass on dessert, but I think I enjoyed this more than my entree. It wasn't overly sweet which I appreciated, and was a nice warm dish to cap off the meal before heading off into the cold night. Overall, Gravity provided a solid meal with an enjoyable atmosphere. Although, I'm not too sure I would come back to have a regular meal as the prices are a bit on the steep side without the portion size to show for them. Random Note: Restrooms are on the second floor, customers were required to take the back elevator up as they had a private dining party upstairs.
(3)
Kyle J.
Came to Gravity for the 3rd time last week with my girlfriend. We sat at the bar and ordered a carafe of one of the mid priced wines (I think the carafe was in the $30-35 range). The wine was good and the atmosphere was really nice. My complaint is that the service was really poor (this may be a generous description). The bar was not very busy (maybe 2 other couples) which is why the poor service stuck out so much. When we ordered the bottle, the bartender gave us a disgusted look that we didn't purchase a full bottle and then didn't even pour the wine for us when he served it. Just set it in front of us with 2 empty glasses. The whole experience felt like we were an inconvenience to Gravity not a valued customer. We live in downtown Palo Alto and ended up walking down the street to Joya (another high end restaurant / bar) to get a glass of Sangria before we ended the night. They were incredibly gracious which made the comparison of Gravity even greater. Recommendation to Gravity: I can just as easily drink wine in my backyard as I can at your restaurant. I came here for the service/experience, please focus on providing that to your customers.
(2)
Ella S.
Gravity Bistro & Wine Bar is the best place to get a drink in Palo Alto. It is not overly crowded and the waiters are attentive. The layout of the place is conducive to both private conversations and for groups of friends. I've never eaten there so I cannot vouch for the food, but it is relaxed, pretty and welcoming!
(5)
Evelyn K.
Definitely a wine bar, first and foremost. For that, I give them kudos. Decor downstairs is a bit stark and minimalist (but it works), with high bar-level dark wood tables and stools. Restrooms are upstairs, which is a little annoying. I went here several times after they opened, though it has been a while. Can be a fun experience. The food is pretty good. A bit pricey, small portions and almost overly-attentive service. You feel pressured to constantly order more and more things because they keep coming by and asking, as well as looking at you as you sit and try to enjoy your wine and food. The food is extremely rich (high fat); I wish they had more lighter options on the menu.
(3)
mong linh n.
from all the reviews and pics i was excited to give this place a try. im going to keep this review really short. we had a large group of girls, so that means i get to try almost everything on the menu. everything i tried was bland and fell short of something. nothing stuck out. not even one item on the menu. although, i do remember that our server was super helpful and accommodating. +++ for customer service only. probably a good place to just grab a glass of wine. overall, i give them 2.5 stars.
(2)
Kirsten A.
I usually think wine and cheese bars are going to be full of pretentious people (remember the South Park episode with the smug epidemic?) eating overpriced cheese, drinking overpriced wine, and discussing a depressing book or foreign film. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was not the case with Gravity. The environment is very laid-back, dare I say casual. The prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. I ordered the Bistro Burger, well-done with white cheddar. The rest of the group enjoyed the duck liver and truffle fries, along with various wines and a cheese platter. All in all, pretty good service; always there to refill my water right away. Always making sure we were enjoying our meal. It is a nice place to go for an event (such as this night, a birthday dinner). The bill was pretty expensive, but for the amount of people and for what we got I can't really argue. Would definitely recommend it.
(4)
anne c.
A first: after ordering lots of food and wine, was told by the maître d' that since they were busy that night we'd 'had the table long enough' (90 minutes), and were told our check was being closed out and we should move to the bar if we wanted to order dessert. Wow. I completely understand needing the table, and would sympathize 100% if they apologized and said a reservation was waiting or something to that effect. We were quiet, spent a decent amount (~$120/couple for 3 couples before tip) - really pretty rude service. Will not be back.
(2)
Trung N.
This is a place I could imagine myself eating often at.. for an item that's now banned in CA... UGH.... With that thought aside.. I would still say their selection of small eats are still great minus the aforementioned item. The steak tartare and the sweetbreads are pretty much what I would go towards.. and exactly what I ordered when I first came here. The tartare is delicious with the quail egg.. and the sweetbreads (if you've never had it before) has a peculiar texture that makes it an interesting treat. Prices are reasonable for what you get. I'll have to come back another time and try out their entrees. The duck confit looks very appetizing.
(4)
Manisha S.
3.5 stars. Went for dinner with 3 girlfriends on a Tuesday night. Parking was impossible as always in PA but this of course not the fault of the restaurant. We got complementary mini bruschettas that were tasty. We ordered the burrata cheese and the bruschetta appetizer. For dinner we got the butternut squash risotto, salmon and scallops. Everybody really loved the food but the portions were ridiculous. I'm not even a big eater but honestly, the portions should have been 2-3X what they were sized. Really disappointing. The apple dessert with gelato was again, delicious but way too skimpy on the gelato. Bottom line - go for a drink or for happy hour, not when you are hungry for a full dinner!!
(3)
Michael C.
This is how a modern wine bar should be. I was debating between 4 or 5 stars when I realized that I haven't had a better overall experience at any other bar. We arrived for an afternoon tasting at 4:30pm last Saturday. It was still early so good seats were plenty. I noticed something about Happy Hour, but it didn't seem to apply to Saturday. The interior was tastefully dimmed and lit with Edison bulbs. Rich wood tables and dark accents made intimate promises for an oenological evening. We were seated at a table by the bar and Chris commenced with our initiation. More than an ordinary server, Chris was our guide through this first visit. He led us through the menu and discussed our taste preferences to get the best fit. We started with the flight of reds to get our bearings on their cosmopolitan selection. We added the cheese platter with 3 selections. And, I couldn't resist their international beer collection and went with a Saison ale from Belgium. Before our drinks arrived, Chris brought us an amuse bouche, which was a first for me at a wine bar. Chris introduced each wine in the flight and I had my beer in a wine glass, fancy times and another first. Later, when I didn't find the Saison quite agreeable, Chris noticed that and offered a replacement beer. However, as the beer was fine in its own right, I had no problem just chocking it up to an experience. But his consideration was priceless. The cheese platter was a real treat. Three delightful cheeses complemented with six pairings, including some fruit bread. For $12, it was a steal. Then we ordered another red, a Howell Mountain cab from an unfamiliar winery in St. Helena. Still, the reputation of the appellation is well deserved as we both found the cab to be excellent. After muscling through the Saison, I went for the Erdinger Dunkel. Now that's a beer. Both Chris and another server agreed it was their favorite. The Dunkel is a beautifully crafted beer with amazing fragrances and a supple feel. It's range expanding tastings like this that keep me excited to keep tasting. I can definitely see myself spending entire evenings with this delicious nectar. Two wonderful hours later, we tabbed out at $95 with tax and tip. For the location and the high quality of the drinks and pampering by Chris, we felt it was a bargain. Since we didn't get to dinner this time, we look forward to another visit since their menu had some very reasonable prices, about $15-25 per entree.
(5)
Chow C.
Place was great! They offered wine flights and very good food selection for a wine bar! Ordered couple of small plates to share - bruschetta, which was nicely presented! but bleh... Mostly veges as topping...healthy I guess. Meat balls- super tasty! Highly recommended, there were 4 meat balls with cheese on top. There is an upstairs too and they gave us a super cozy corner seat! Sweet! Wine flights are reasonably priced too! We had flights which ranged from $14-16. Three pours of 2 ounces each. One improvement they can make though is offering better wine selection from California region especially. I had an out of town visitor who did not fly 10000 miles to drink Spanish or Italian wines... The wine bottle selections we're not fantastic either...
(4)
Betty N.
**JUST THE WINE AND CHEESE, PLEASE** 3.5 stars. Came here to support the Dining Out For Life with other fellow Yelpers and friends on a Thursday evening. Downstairs ambiance was nice with the low hung light bulb lamps and exposed brick walls. ORDERED: *BEET SALAD ($9) - Haricot Vert, Cara Cara Oranges, Parmesan, Dijon Vinaigrette was good. But I like fresh beets to be simple. It would have been better WITHOUT the oranges and greens, to be honest. *PAN ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS AND GNOCCHI ($15) - Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs, Gnocchi, Rapini, Rosemary-Olive Jus was good, but not memorable. The chicken could have used more flavor. Like thyme and other herbs. *GLASS OF WHITE WINE ($11) - Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape '09 was beautiful and delicious. Service was so-so. I had to flag down the bus boy for my eating utensils. I had a taste of the cheese plate and that was fantastic. Next time, I would skip the hot plates and go straight to the cheese plates and wines. Good spot for dates and meeting co-workers. RECOMMEND.
(4)
Cara P.
Excellent wine selections. Well chosen flights including dessert flight. The food was delicious, a nice complement to the food. The whole package for a foodie. The pairings are really nice. Staff is very friendly as well. Great service! Will definitely return.
(5)
Sophie Y.
Came here for Silicon Valley Restaurant Week - $35 three course prie fixe menu. I think most of the things on that menu weren't on their normal restaurant menu, but I could be wrong. I got the Ahi Bruschetta, Mushroom Risotto, and Apple Bread Pudding. The Bruschetta was good, tuna was pretty fresh but the dish was pretty small. I expected there to be more than just one piece of the bruschetta. My risotto was pretty good portion size and it was really tasty. The risotto was cooked well and it was a good consistency - noot mush at all but still very creamy. Apple bread pudding was pretty good but it was my first time having real bread pudding... not sure if it's my favorite dessert but I had no complains about the bread pudding here :) The atmosphere was pretty nice, they had a nice area upstairs too where there was a private event. Not sure if I would come back because it's a bit pricey but we had a pretty enjoyable experience!
(3)
Mandy B.
Cute little spot in downtown PA. Reasonably priced, friendly waitstaff, and tasty food! The carbonara was a highlight (dividedly chewy though - I personally love my pasta al dente), and the waiter was very patient in helping us choose a wine to fit our tastes and budget. By no means is this a destination spot, but if you are in the area, this is one of your better options for catching up with some friends over some nice and wine and good food. The ambiance is excellent, and I would absolutely return.
(4)
Tomas P.
I've now been to Gravity twice and each visit has impressed me, from the service to the food quality. On my first trip I tried the Merguez sausage that was the most memorable thing I had. On my second trip I had a 3 cheese / 3 meat place that was delicious. The steak tartare was excellent. The red wine flight is the way to go (better than the Spanish flight).
(5)
H T.
i've been here a few times, and it's pretty fun. it's a nice place for either a romantic evening or for a group outing. if you get here for happy hour, you can get some pretty good wine and food deals. i liked the caponata and oysters here in particular.
(3)
Michelle W.
Came here for my foie gras fix before it gets banned. The upstairs is gorgeous and I loved the intimate setting. The bf and I ordered: Seared Foie Gras: delicious, foie gras serving was quite small for the price Torchon Foie Gras: creamy.. very good, paired well with the tomatoes Braised Ribs: extremely tender, the mashed potatoes were delicious with the sauce Duck Confit: very good, but the portion was small for the price Iberian Flight: 1 of the red wines .. I believe it was the Temperanillo, was extremely bland.. didn't find any that I liked in the flight Sparkling Wine Flight: The brut and the proseco were good, wasn't a fan of the Rose Overall, the service was impeccable and the portions, although entrees were smaller in size, were all very good. We spent about $100 for the 2 of us.
(4)
Tara H.
I went on a blind date to Gravity Wine Bar recently. Thank goodness the blind date was intelligent and entertaining - the best combination in a dining companion. I ordered a white wine flight and the chicken and gnocchi. The chicken skin was on the super crisp side - as in, difficult to cut crispy. Overall the dish had good flavors and the shaved asparagus with panacetta was wonderful. The hostess/manager was very attentive, along with the waitstaff and the table bus boys. All in all a pleasant experience! Recommended!
(3)
Collin W.
What a great restaurant! I had Kent as a server for my birthday and graduation celebration and he did such an amazing job. We were coordinating wine selections for a dozen people, a couple of allergies and my 86 year-old Grandmother. Kent figured out a way to accommodate everyone's needs in good fashion. The food was amazing (try the oysters) and not too pricey, but above all the service was the best (thanks Kent).
(4)
Ronald T.
Guy had the braised beef short ribs with mascarpone polenta. The polenta was creamy and flavorful, and the short ribs were fork tender. Girl had the bucatini with pancetta, simple red sauce, and parmesan. I didn't try it, but it looked fairly unremarkable to me. Girl did not finish her dish, but she was also feeling under the weather, so maybe that explained it. Overall an appropriate ambience for a date night, as it was lively yet intimate. The majority of the seats were like elevated bar seats, so they were not particularly comfortable. Otherwise, it was an A-OK place. I would recommend going at least once, but I don't really see myself going a second time.
(3)
Tom N.
The worst service ever! The young manager (I supposed since he dressed up nicely) brought some dishes to my table. Then 30 second later, he came to take them back and said " they are not yours!" He didn't forget to give me the look without an apology!
(1)
Heather s.
Perhaps our group mistake was to come here for dinner - but they do call it a wine bar & restaurant. Perhaps I just didn't do my Yelp pre-research and ordered the wrong things. Liked the ambiance. Liked the high top seating. Two floors - each with a bar and seating area. With its low ceilings, it did get quite loud on a Friday evening. So our group of 8 had to shout across the ends of the tables - not the best place for catching up. Our server was a little awkward... Possibly a little green for a big group. He actually asked to remove our menus before we'd ordered entrees "so they don't get dirty" - really?!?! They're paper menus, what do you expect? But the refilling of water and timing of food was efficient enough. We all enjoyed our glasses of wine - they have a good selection and I drank a lovely pinot noir (I especially liked the little personal decanter). Appetizers we shared: - CHEESE PLATE ($18 for large) - came with walnut bread (which is a little weird for the types of cheeses - you'd expect crackers or regular bread), and too few slices at that. We were left with a lot of cheese at the end with nothing to spread it on. - HOUSE MARINADED OLIVES ($5) - standard. - BRUSCHETTA ($8) - Three small slices - one each of portabello goat cheese, truffled white beans, and tomato. Way too overpriced for these, and not even that good. I opted to be vegetarian for the meal and ordered the RISOTTO ($15) - cooked with peas, mushrooms, and arugula. Had potential but it was only so-so, being slightly undercooked. I wished I'd ordered the burger or steak & frites. Maybe next time. I'm willing to give them another shot - maybe for their 4-6pm happy hour.
(3)
Claudine V.
Glad to have found a place open late even during the week in palo alto that has their kitchen open late , till 1 am , on Fridays and Saturdays. They have a great selection of wines , nice ambiance and good food. I have to come back and try other dishes but so far I like the beef tartare but it needs more salt. The free bread they give reminds me of what my mom use to make for me- white bread without the brown edges. I would suggest to change their bread to like french bread, ciabatta or some type of bread less plain than what they offer. Anyway, good service, lovely place for a drinks, apps or just an intimate date. Will probably come back here again.
(3)
R H.
I loved this place, The food was excellent, portions were a fair size, wine selection was great, and nothing about it was trying too hard. Understated, laid back, good food. When I arrived with my friend, the chef brought over an amuse bouche (sp?) that was amazing - it was like an eggplant, tomato compote or tapanade on two little toasts, but it was flavor explosion waiting to be had! My friend ordered a salad and I ordered the burrata and the quail egg steak tartare which was beautifully presented and delicious. Our server was very helpful in terms of helping us select wine, although he could have smiled more - I appreciated his guidance. All in all, a great experience. I would go back again!
(4)
Kevin K.
Visited for my second time this weekend, and will most certainly will not be back again. My biggest issue with gravity was the service. I understand you are trying to be an upscale wine bar, but when I came in and asked for a bottle of wine in the $40-60 price range, i was treated to a blank stare and the following response "for $70-$90 dollars we have some nice bottles, but in that price range I just don't know." Seriously? You don't know your own wine list? You have over 20 bottles under $60 and you can't recommend 1? Unbelievable. My second issue is the ludicrous portion size. If I pay $25 for the filet frites, I would hope to get more than a 3-4 oz serving.
(1)
Rishi G.
Gravity is the whitest place in Palo Alto - which is already pretty white. The only way it would be any whiter is if there was a combination Yoga / Yacht Club co-op out back. That being said, this place is awesome. I had Foie Gras here literally minutes before it became illegal last July. These guys pushed the envelope and didn't give in to the government until the last minute. Otherwise the short ribs are also melt-in-your-mouth amazing. And the wine list is great, with generous pours. I find the service a little snooty - even for Palo Alto. I think too many of their staff were trained somewhere in Orange County with the snob kings. But if you're willing to deal with that - I'd really recommend this place. *Unlike* other places in Palo Alto, it's not going to rape your paycheck, pull out, and bukkake on your credit card.
(4)
David B.
This is by far my most adored place in downtown Palo Alto to drink and talk. I don't know the wine selection well enough to comment on that, though I've had some interesting drinks here. The Riesling from Australia was good...so was this unique wine from France that tasted very briny...like oysters. I drunkingly wrote down the name in my iphone notes as "Deponte melon debourgogn". However, be prepared to shell out at least 50 plus for a decent bottle. What I like most about this place is the environment. Places like Nola are hip and all...but it's so loud. I hate having to shout over the noise when I need to catch up with people. Gravity provides a quieter atmosphere, friendly sommeliers, and wine usually is a nice gradual slide into getting buzzed.
(4)
Andrew C.
Barbera and a bistro burger and steak tartare with wonderful company in a fantastic environment that plays music from this decade and serves food that's relevant to the current world of gastronomy.
(5)
Dave P.
We enjoy trying different places so we gave Gravity a try. We started out very well with the cheese plate - the highlight of the experience. The brussel sprout salad, not so much. We ordered the risotto which had good flavor but was under-cooked. We ordered the swordfish special which too was good but the white beans suffered from the same undercooked state as the risotto. The noise level was VERY high and I suppose the late hour contributed to the intoxicated state of a couple patrons. This is not a place we would recommend or return...
(2)
William R.
Place is dope. Kent is a server here and I believe he exemplifies all that is right with the industry. The music was spot on and the drink and cheese selection is what I liked and will come back for.
(5)
Caroline T.
Came here last minute and loved how easy it was to make reservations through open table. Like Kathy D., I also had Kent as my server and he made our dining experience perfect! He was so kind and friendly, possibly the best server ever :). Our prime rib took a while; however, Kent noticed and offered us a drink on him. I chose a Riesling and he served us a Mozel Riesling, which went perfectly with our Pot de Creme. Food: -Arrancini: They served us these fried risotto balls as an amuse bouche on a bed of a arugula. The outside was lightly fried (not too greasy) and the inside consisted of risotta and I believe goat cheese! The goat cheese was of mild stinkiness but the arugula cut into it perfectly. -Pomme Frites: LOVE. Skinny crisp fries with parmesan and truffle. I love thin and crispy fries and these go right up there with Left Bank and Chapeau! Came with an olive oil aioli. My only issue with this was that they charged and extra $2 for them to be truffle fries. (Total : $6) -Steak Tartare with Quail Egg: If a dish has a quail egg, I will almost order it. The quail egg added such a unique flavor to the tartare. Due to the generous portion, I ate half of the tartare before I popped my yolk. Only con to the dish for me was that it was lacking citrus. -Duck Liver Mousse: $10 for two triangular slabs of pate. Wonderfully liver-ly for me, but bland for others. Went well with the included cornichon and honey mustard. I asked for extra crostinis , which I thought would be annoying to the waiters but they were so kind :) -Prime Rib: Large slab or prime rib served on french green beans (tender with a hint of citrus) and fingerling potatoes. Loved the presentation. Au jus was served in pour spout and horseradish cream (my favorite) was alongside it. Potatoes were perfectly crispy! The prime rib was tasty but slightly salty. -Coppa: $8 for 6 slices of Copps seems pricey to me. It was peppered so the coppa was equally spicy and salty. -Chocolate Pot de Creme: Topped with homemade whip cream (fluffy and not too sweet) and a shortbread cookie. The chocolate creme was thick and wonderfully chocolatey. However, I wished they added berries to the dish. My Riesling went amazingly well with the dessert. Made me forget that I wanted berries haha. Such a fun and cute place. We called it a man cave with its dim and woody furniture :p
(4)
Diana Y.
--------------WEDDING RECEPTION ONLY-------------- I came here for a dear friend's wedding reception and she had rented out the entire restaurant. First of all, what a beautiful intimate place to have a wedding reception. The food she had there was all de
(4)
Anya M.
I wasn't even hungry.. But when I sat down at the bar next to a girl eating a pasta dish the smell amazed me! So I had to order the truffle pasta dish they had!! It was so delicious!!! I worked in the service industry and put myself through college bartending and the service was very attentive with friendly bartenders and a beautiful ambiance!! Loved it!!
(5)
Jon P.
I've waited for this day. I've been at hundreds of restaurants around the world and this was the one that made me finally submit a yelp review. This is my first yelp review ever. Think about that for a second. First of all my date and I came in and the snobby maître d' was on the phone shaking his head as of to say "no, we are too busy" while the hostess seated us. It was about 7 pm. We were greeted by the waiter who said "glasses of wine are on the back of the menu" versus a "hello, our specials for the evening are..." Strike one. I proceeded to order a bottle of 2010 pinot only to hear back from the waiter that there was no more and we should select the seriously overpriced 2005 vintage. Strike two. After we ordered our apps the maître d' came and asked us to move our seats to the corner because another party was coming in. While this had never happened before in my life we gladly obliged. Not more than five minutes later the servers had broken apart out table from a recently consolidated table to accommodate two other diners. Strike three. This has to be the worst restaurant experience I've ever had in my life. Decent food to be fair but they ruined my night. The poor waiter was helpless and the assistant manager tried to comp our first round of drinks to make up for it. Rude. Classless. Not service oriented. Appalling. That's how I would describe our experience at Gravity.
(1)
Rose L.
After searching Yelp for a bar open later than midnight on a Thursday night that wasn't packed with college kids, we found Scotty's. We happily trekked a few blocks only to find Scotty's was closed nearly two hours before their posted closing time. Boo, Scotty's! Fortunately, Gravity was a pleasant, OPEN surprise right next door! Yes, it is a wine bar, but they have a decent bottle beer selection including Czech Rebel, Old Engine Oil, Scrimshaw, some kind of white ale, and several others. Bartenders were super attentive, and even though closing hour is posted as 1 am, they let us order another beer at 12:55. Crowd is much more sophisticated than the sports bars in town. Several older patrons but also some younger ones who demonstrated a lot of class. We liked it so much we returned the next night. They have a really nice upper level, too. Great for groups.
(4)
jim d.
I love this place. Upscale food and drinks with a causal atmosphere. Gravity has an excellent choice of craft beers. I was a kid in a candy store. Meals: - Steak Tartare w/ Quail Eggs -- Delicious. The crackers/toast is a bit hard to bite into. - Steak and Frites -- Excellent. Perfectly cooked medium rare. Only problem is that for that price you only get a 4oz. steak which is a lot smaller than most comparable restaurants. - Mostaciolli Carbonara -- Not a fan. Nothing stands out.
(4)
Maryam G.
I was here for drinks and appetizers. The place is cozy and the service is flawless. The wine list can be interpreted somewhat exotic at a good price range. They offer French, Spanish, Chilean and Portuguese wines while most of them can be found in stores. The cheese plate was decent and when they noticed we were out of bread (which was part of the cheese plate and not served separately), they quickly brought us some more. Overall it's a good place to relax and enjoy your drink while in good company.
(4)
Kathy D.
I am a huge sucker for awesome customer service.. and AWESOME is what I got from Kent, our waiter/server, for the night! Thank you Kent for an awesome first experience at Gravity Wine Bar. That just made me want to come back for more already. Gravity is a cute, dim lighted wine bar on emerson, which I totally loved. Plenty of seating via high chairs, seating at the bar, or booths in the back. The bartenders and waiters are all great with their humor and suggestions. Their suggestions sucked me into getting more delicious appetizers. Ordered: ++Truffle Pomme Frites- skinny fries with lots of truffle flavor to them. I loved it. Make sure to ask for aioli sauce to accompany these fries. Great size for an appetizer. ++Seared Foie Gras- accompanied by baguette pieces, pomegranate and pineapple chunks. This was delicious but I wish I got more than one slice of foie gras for $12. My uncle just went here last night and took a picture of his, where he got 3 pieces of foie gras! How unfair!!!!! I paired this with a wannabe sauternes, which was a great combo. I don't remember exactly the white wine I ordered. It wasn't on the happy hour menu but it was much like a riesling. I love the amount they give, which is plenty, and the wine pourers it comes with. Very unique and classy. Happy hour 4 to 6pm! Definitely will be coming back here. and hopefully give me more foie gras please? :)
(5)
Sunil R.
Another entrant in the crowded Univ Avenue place. I give it a semi-enthusiastic thumps up. The ambience was nice and cozy, they have a huge area upstairs as well. Good selection of scotch and a full bar. Food was pretty good as well. So why only 2 stars? The bartender was a grouch, just seemed pissed off and super unfriendly. I was sitting at the bar and kept going to other people to get what I needed just to avoid this dude. This was Friday evening 3/25. Another bar tender, apparently the new guy who has been there only a week or so, joined later in the evening and he was AWESOME. Apparently he just moved from LA. I forget his name, give him a raise and fire the other guy!! Get a new bar tender and I will be back! If not, too many other choices in the area to come here and deal with a total downer.
(2)
Liz B.
Since this update only confirms what I initially thought about this place, I'm going to skip right to what matters: Bottom Line: Gravity sold me instantly on their Manhattans, and time and time again has repeated their ability to provide me with everything I care about - ambiance and food. It's got a brick wall that is unabashedly a brick wall, how can this do anything but make you happy when you see it?
(5)
julie c.
Comfortable and chic atmosphere for a nice evening out with girls or your s/o. Leave the kids at home.
(4)
Kelly T.
This is a joke; this place is a joke... except for their food.. pretty amazing... Argh, I Love/Hate you! Doing a Girl's night we picked Gravity for some apps and drinks since it fit into all our criteria of what we were looking for; Wine, Martini's and delicious food. Our server John, when asked, was on point with his wine knowledge and suggestions for cheese. We shared the Bruschetta Trio, Charcuterie Plate and picked a Trio of Cheeses. All was fantastic until out of nowhere, we got the bill put on the table when we were clearly not finished. He did not ask my friends if they wanted another round nor did he acknowledge our friend who came in and sat down with menu in hand. Just plop. He seemed genuinely annoyed when my friend ordered a drink at the bar but he had clearing made it obvious he was ready to clock out. He even stated that a new server would be helping us. In comes the witch.... When the brown haired, jolly-sized server came around, I smiled and waved her over to order more drinks for everyone and she looked at me and turned around. I just looked at my friends in disbelief. I tried again; no eye contact returned. Oh but how she returns out of nowhere when my Fiance shows up and goes over the different options of beer with him. Mind you, I even stated out loud when she came up to him that she had not helped us and I had been trying to get her to come over to us. She rolled her eyes and continued to speak only to him. Never did they follow up with us to ask if we needed anything and then we had to go to the bar to get other drinks; she also never let us know she was closing out or to order from the bar. When we did go to the bartender (EXCELLENT BARTENDER!), I could clearly hear her bitching about our table... Wow... supreme service? What is even more pathetic is the Manager, probably MOD, was watching this whole thing go down and let her continue to act like a crass *itch. He sat at the bar later just eating away.. I even stated to the bartender that the girl server was horrible and he apologized (thanks!) but the Manager chomping away, said nothing about it... I'm sorry I am complaining about your crap servers but don't you want to improve your service skills? For such good food and wine, I hate that this place has ridiculous service. I Love/Hate you!!!
(1)
Christine P.
Incredible and reasonably priced (we were shocked for it being Palo Alto) dinner. Great wine selection. You can't go wrong!
(5)
Vivian H.
We came here near the end of the night, so we were.. a bit rowdier than usual, you could say. They were still really nice and we ordered a drink each. I had a nice gimlet, the men had sangrias (lol). The red was good, the white tasted like punch. Not a whole lot of personality to the place, but nice for a date probably. Dimly lit and spacious for privacy.
(3)
paul c.
Stumbled upon this wine bar bistro on a Monday night. Great wines and both dishes (lamb chops, steak) were excellent. Service was average - not much value add. Prices were a bit high. Regardless, I would come back for the quality of food and wine. Beer selection was decent, as well.
(4)
Athena S.
Upgrading this place.... We shared apps of buratta cheese & the steak tartare with quail egg Also shared entrees: short ribs with polenta & the duck confit with lentils Quite impressive overall, including my champagne flight. Forgot what kind of red he ordered, guess I am not exactly aware of anything I'm not personally consuming (read: selfish date) Anyway, had to update since my last couple times there weren't so exciting.
(4)
Jennifer T.
I've only been here once but it was nice, good selection of small bites and my main dish HOLY Decliciousness! It was a simple pasta slathered with a parmesan cream sauce with pancetta, holy crap that was so good I wanted to lick the bowl! The service was a little slow though and forgetful..luckily it wasn't busy so we just remined him to bring me more wine!
(4)
C V.
I would put this place at about 3.5-4 stars. The environment and service is great. The food I got at happy hour was just okay. I will probably try this place again since I only tried 2 appetizers. The place does get a little loud in the evening, so you have to speak a little more loudly in order to have conversation.
(4)
Jim P.
there must be better as the area was PACKED yet this place was quiet...and the food was "fine".
(2)
Jiwon K.
I like their ambience and their cheese plate, but the food is definitely too expensive for the quality you get. Go for the wine and cheese, not the pasta!
(3)
Scott W.
I used to like this place and it is a decent place for drinks late at night. The service is bad, though. Food stops at midnight. We came in at 1155p wanting wine and ice cream scoops. They said no to the ice cream (I know, it was an incredible ask to take a bucket out of a freezer and scoop some frozen milk into a bowl). Then, they reluctantly (clearly irritated) said yes. In the end, they never brought the ice cream but tried to charge me for it anyway.
(1)
Julie J.
Went to this restaurant with a fun group of 40 somethings for a friend's birthday celebration. The wine was good. The food was okay. The service was terrible. Our waiter had zero personality. I would never go back to this place. Also, it was Sat. night and they weren't busy at all. I would expect the waiter to interact with us, did I mention we are a fun (not obnoxious) group? Too many awesome restaurants in Palo Alto to waste my time or money here again.
(1)
Roy C.
Came here for a simple lunch. Found the service to be very attentive. The menu had enough things on it that looked really good that it took me a while to decide. Just means I'll have to come back. It was super affordable and serving sizes were just right (for a lunch).
(4)
Morgan E.
Very fun little place. For the first time in a very long time, my husband and I had a night off from the kids and around midnight he decided he was starving. I wasn't up for Denny's. I found out that this place was open until 2am on Saturdays and was delighted. The food was excellent! The wine list was perfect in my opinion and the prices are reasonable. I will agree with others on the service. Our waiter was almost never around. We had maybe twenty minutes of waiting from being seated to even being able to order a drink. Once we ordered food, it did come out pretty quickly. Then towards the end we had a very hard time getting her attention to get our bill. She wasn't rude but she definitely wasn't very nice. Who cares, the food was excellent, the wines were well-selected and the ambiance was perfect (although a little LOUD since it has brick walls and no sound-absorbing materials inside and there was a drunk table of 10 nearby that was having a very good time, a good sign, I guess).
(4)
Nicole L.
Let's start with the good: I came here last night with a group of five friends, none of whom had been to Gravity before. I picked it mainly because it had "wine bar" in the title and took a reservation for six on a Saturday night. The atmosphere was modern and cozy and the service was good. Overall, Gravity was way more spacious than I would expect of a wine bar, especially in downtown Palo Alto. I'm on a pretty strict healthy eating regimen with my wedding just a few months away, so I started with the warm Brussels sprouts salad and a glass of pino grigo. Both were delicious. Now on to the not so good: While the Brussels sprouts salad was really tasty, it was pretty tiny for the price. I believe it was around $11 and came in a very small bowl. Thankfully I also ordered the mussels, which came with grilled focaccia (which I did not eat). They were okay, but I wouldn't order them again, especially not for $13. Granted I ordered two appetizers as my meal, for the prices, the portions were really small. Most of my friends ordered normal entrees and those portions didn't look too big either. I didn't order dessert, but a few others did, and that looked delicious. Overall, I'd come back to Gravity for wine and cheese or dessert, but I'd skip it for a full meal. I think maybe if they changed their name to "Gravity Wine Bar," leaving off the "Bistro," I'd have different expectations, but I recommend not coming for dinner.
(3)
Roderick S.
Sit at the bar and enjoy their selection of beers and wine. Also try their burger! It's on a Brioche bun and tastes excellent. I ordered mine Medium. I will certainly be coming back.
(4)
Adrienne M.
Despite the fact that I don't drink wine, I've been wanting to come here for awhile. I'd heard good things about the food and I believe this restaurant is from the same people who own Reposado (which I like) and Peninsula Creamery and Scratch (both of which I want to try). We had an OpenTable certificate to use and this seemed like a suitably exciting place to use it, so we came here tonight. We arrived around 7:30 on a Friday night and the place was packed and very LOUD. It's a (lovely) small space with low ceilings and it gets loud in there very quickly. It was a little annoying having to shout at each other to be heard, but other than that I really like the atmosphere. It's very scene-y and I was surprised how dressed up people were. We were in jeans and felt seriously outclassed by everyone in suits and dresses. (As an aside, I'm not sure who all these classy people are or where they came from - it was Friday in Silicon Valley, people wear jeans to work!) I had the market fish of the day ($19), which was white salmon in a light tomato-based sauce with fingerling potatoes. It was outstanding. The salmon was perfectly cooked and the potatoes were some of the best I've ever had. My fiance had the filet & frites (also $19), which he loved. I didn't try the filet but I stole a couple fries and they were very good. Both of us were very happy with our meals, although the portions were really small, especially the filet. We also decided to get dessert since we were not really full from our entrees. I had the chocolate pot de creme ($7) and my fiance had the apple tart with caramel sea salt gelato ($7). His dessert was fantastic, and I say that as someone who is not a fruit dessert person at all. The gelato was especially delicious. My dessert was a huge disappointment, however. I expected it to be rich and decadent. Instead it tasted exactly like the chocolate pudding my father used to make me from those grocery store Jello packets. Don't get me wrong, I like that pudding, but it's something I can easily make at home and not worth $7. My favorite part was the shortbread cookie that came with it. If you've read any of my reviews, you know how much of a chocoholic I am, so for my favorite part of a chocolate dessert to be a shortbread cookie says a lot about how disappointing the dessert is. The service was also really lacking. While our water glasses were always refilled promptly, our waiter disappeared for long periods of time and we had a hard time tracking him down. We made eye contact with him and it still took him forever to come to our table. We also never received bread, although we saw some other people who did. Despite the bad service and lackluster dessert, we both really liked our meals here and agreed that we would like to come back. Food-wise I think the entrees are comparable in quality to Birch Street (formerly Bistro Elan), which offers some similar menu items, and considerably cheaper. Our entrees were the most expensive, and the rest of them ranged from $12 to $16, which is very reasonable for this kind of food. It wasn't perfect, and the service especially could really use improvement, but it was a very nice meal.
(4)
Courtney R.
I came here once when The Wine Room was too crowded and was glad I did. The place is a bit less intimate then most wine bars, but they have plenty of space for larger groups which I like. They have both an upstairs and downstairs, and serve tapas and dinner. In addition they have a bar to sit at if you don't' want a table. I came here with a few friends and we each had a glass of wine. It was actually a very large glass/decanter. I ended up getting a bit tipsy unexpectedly. The waiter was so helpful in assisting us in picking out a wine, he even brought some small tastes for us to help make a decision. I love Reds and they had some nice Deep, Oaky kinds here. Even Better everything was VERY Reasonably priced. Overall I had a great experience. Not the best wine bar in the world. But worth popping in during the week. The prices are good and the servers are nice, so that's A-OK to me
(3)
Christina D.
Absolutely marvelous--went with my DF/neighbor today---I was recommended and had the brioche burger (breads baked in house to die for) with shoestring fries soooo yummo and the romaine salad perfect not overly dressed--so much yummy food brought back half to the teen son who snarfed it up in two seconds!!!!!! service supreme will go again and again and bring hubby next time and family and friends heard the night time is a bit loud--who cares I love loud and fun and they have a quieter upstairs-- lunch however was great and quiet and well, a great experience! I think this place is a hidden gem to fabulous for words-----
(5)
Cy P.
Ambiance was good, food was bland.
(3)
Karen C.
My friend and I went to Gravity for dessert one night after dinner nearby. We sat in the bar area on the first floor. There is also a large dining area on the 2nd floor (which is where the bathrooms are too). We decided to share a glass of wine which they were more than happy to do. They actually ended up giving us way more than one glass full. Nice touch! I had the panna cotta and my friend had the lemon pot du creme. I really liked mine. Nice and smooth. Good vanilla flavor. My friend said hers was good too. I am not a big lemon fan but my friend liked it. I definitely want to go back there and try their entrees as the menu had some good options. We were there on a Sunday night so the place was not very busy but it looked like a nice wine bar to hang out in on a busier night.
(4)
Tiffany C.
Was surprised to find such a gem in my own back yard. Came here for a night of wine and desserts, and everything was excellent. The service was great, and it's always difficult to go wrong when it comes to wine or dessert. No complaints here. Will definately be going back.
(5)
Alice A.
Love this place, now a go to in downtown Palo Alto. Fantastic and reasonably priced food and great drinks (both wine and good cocktails). Good for either a dinner for two upstairs or meeting friends downstairs.
(5)
Seán O.
This is a solid option for combining wine and light meals with a pleasant ambience in downtown Palo Alto. They have a decent selection of wines that are carefully chosen and are reasonably priced. They also have a fully stocked bar and the bartenders seem to know what they are doing. Service is usually efficient and attentive. They have a lot of space, but even with this don't expect to walk in and get a table at peak hours. One advantage of the spaciousness is that they can accommodate larger groups, and they do this pretty well. I've been at dinners with up to 15 people here and things have gone without a hitch, which I've usually found is an excellent diagnostic for operations being streamlined more generally. The food is really tasty, but in my opinion it is a little overpriced, especially considering the portions. This lost Gravity my fifth star. I have never eaten here and been full without ordering at least three courses, which with wine usually works out to be ~$40. If you're not quantity-centric, then you will likely thoroughly enjoy your meal. Last time I was here, they had Mexican Coca-Cola! For the non-drinkers (among which I didn't number) this was a fun novelty that people remarked on. Overall a reliably enjoyable place to relax with food and wine. I'll be going back!
(4)
Do-Hee K.
W-O-W. Just ate here for the first time this past week after hearing about it for months from my friends at work and I have to say that I was super impressed! I went in thinking it would be another shi-shi restaurant with overpriced, mediocre pasta options and I came out, ready to rave about the restaurant. My two girlfriends and I split the steak tartare appetizer (AMAZING) as well as the burrata plate (can't really go wrong there). I ordered the small Bucatini entree. The flavors were to superb and the portion size was just right. I have a huge appetite but was more than satisfied with the "small" entree size. My two friends each got one of the other pasta entree options and they were both delicious also. All in all - had a great first experience at Gravity and can't wait to go back.... soon!
(5)
Michael C.
Went on date night. Food was great. Nothing to heavy, and the wine selection was great. The service was great too. We sat upstairs and it was quite cozy. Our reservation was for 7:30 and the place was fairly full, but by 8 it was packed. If you plan on going make a reservation. I would return.
(4)
N. M.
Cute little two story place in PA... By far one of the BEST scallop dishes I've had in ages. Chocolate budino was top shelf and paired with a sparkling glass of cava, my night after 13 hours of work was sipped with success! Everyone was inviting and helpful, smiles, and of course made sure there were no nuts/tree nuts touching or involved with my meal. I will definitely be back for round two of dessert and hopefully try another entree... Unless the scallops brain wash me again
(5)
Simran K.
This review is for drinks only - Great ambiance, good wine and beer selection and friendly staff. Came here around 11pm on a Friday night and it wasn't too packed. Perfect place to grab a drink with a small group of friends.
(5)
Nelly M.
Went to gravity for the first time for happy hour with two girlfriends. The decor was sleek and stylish, but still laid back and comfortable. The restaurant was busy but still easy to find a table and less hectic than other local HH places. We enjoyed quite a few HH dishes: Fresh oysters-Amazing! 5/5 Fried Olives-yummy 4/5 wanted more Truffle fries-so good! 4/5 Cheese plate 4/5 very good! Polenta-4/5 Delish! Eggplant bruschetta- 4/5 very fresh and flavorful Grilled oysters-Did not try but friend loved them Good variety of HH cocktails and wine!
(4)
Ivy C.
Fanciest hot dog I've ever had in my life. Great wine, great service and happy hour.
(4)
Elaine T.
I was back and forth between Gravity or the bar next door, but Gravity looked to have a nicer atmosphere - Gravity it was! A friend and I arrived around 10:30pm. There was a good number of patrons but still some tables downstairs. It was a bit loud for a wine bar but after a couple glasses of wine, all the noise drowned out. Oh wine...I love you. We each did a flight of red and white wines (all generous pours and change frequently). We also called for a charcuterie plate as well. The fat on the Spanish prosciutto picante is TO DIE FOR (extremely buttery and melt-in-your-mouth). Highly recommended! Overall pretty good experience. Very elegant yet cozy space for a relaxing time.
(4)
Jessica S.
I don't know why I haven't been here before. It's a great date spot or a place to meet and catch up with friends. I love the ambiance and intimate feel - imagine dim lighting & dark wood tables. The place is two levels - definitely like upstairs better as it seemed more quiet and easier to have a conversation. My last time here we had already eaten dinner and since I had looked at the menu earlier I knew I wanted to try out the red wine flight and my friend opted for the same. The three wines were beautifully presented in front of us in the order that it should best be tasted. We had a great time talking without being disturbed or rushed to close our check. The wine list definitely has plenty of items (reds/sparkling) that I want to try out. Definitely am looking forward to coming back again soon!!
(4)
PatrickandNicole L.
Came here with a large group for a birthday party. They had to seat us at two separate tables but they were next to each other so that wasn't a big deal. We understand its hard to find places to accomodate big parties without having pre-set menus so appreciated that. The food was ok. I had the mussels and the sauce was pretty tasty. The only thing that we thought was strange was we asked them if they did anything for birthdays and they said yes. Soon after they came out with two desserts for our two birthday girls and then charged us for them. We probably would have been fine with paying for them but it would have been nice to know that ahead of time and been able to pick them ourselves.
(3)
Nguyen P.
3 stars because it's pricey for what you get out of it and service is a bit lacking. Otherwise decent place for some casual drinks and snacks. I've had a pleasant dessert wine flight and, of course, desserts. The experience is more like that of a restaurant (as opposed to a wine bar where servers like to chat about the wines).
(3)
Stephanie H.
The downstairs at Gravity is an inviting place to grab a bottle or a flight of wine. It's a nice date spot and they have some interesting wine selections. This past visit, our waitress was very pleasant and attentive, perhaps too much so? The previous experience was dreadful! I came here with two girlfriends and we were seated upstairs, which was completely dead...um we were in search of nightlight. The initial plan was to have a bottle of wine, but we didn't wish to stay seeing as the vibe was off. So we thought we would ease the not ordering a bottle of wine blow for our waiter by ordering a dessert. When we told the waiter about our change of plans, he very rudely said, "Are you serious?" WE WERE!
(3)
Eve K.
Unexpected excellence in food and wine tucked away in downtown Palo Alto. Lovely date spot to meet up with great friends. Cost to worth it rating: 4.5 (entrees under $20) Food: 4.2 Atmosphere: 4 Service: 4 Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Red wine flight: I love wine, but I can be picky about them and this flight was delicious. It was not just run of the mill boring and had one of out favorite small producers from Santa Barbara (Whitcraft) and a heavenly fruity primitivo. - Duck: perfectly done in the traditional form with a crispy skin and tender dark meat. -Burger: hub thoroughly enjoyed this incredibly juicy burger topped with white cheddar Midlights: - Burrata: think I'm spoiled by previous versions that turned me onto this cheese, so this version was just ok for me Lowlights: - Lemon shortcake: too extra dry so didn't care for it though the marinated strawberries were nice Didn't know what to expect from this place whose location used to be more of a bar scene/club, but I liked it a lot and will be back.
(4)
Marissa C.
4.5 Stars The boyfriend and I came here because I wanted to get one last taste of Foie Gras before it was banned. Surprisingly the bar does not have a tv but I guess it makes the place more classy? The decor and ambiance inside was intimate and modern indeed. Our server was very down to earth and friendly. Only concern was that she took awhile to come back to our table to take our meal order after receiving our appetizers (minus 1/2 star). Appetizers: Oysters - From somewhere in Washington, but they were HUGE (that's what she said) Seared Foie Gras - Pretty good cut, and tasted heavenly! The little dices of fruit (i think it was peaches or mangos) that came with it added just enough sweetness and texture. Entrees: Duck Confit - My boyfriend got this and he said it was REALLY good. I tried some of the duck, and it was very flavorful, and not too oily like how they serve it at Chinese restaurants. Braised Short Ribs - SO GOOD!! This dish is a MUST when you eat here. By far the most tender short ribs i have ever tried! I guess it was supposed to come with a potato, but with my food allergies, I substituted it for fries instead and yummmm! These fries reminded me of in n out fries with a house seasoning! So good.... There is a large selection of wines here along with some cocktails and beer. We didn't order any wine, but instead I got the peach Bellini. Even though I had 2 of them, there wasn't very much peach flavor, in fact, i would have to say only about 10% of peach flavor (minus 1/2 star). Other than that, we were way too full to order dessert, but I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a good place to eat in Palo Alto!
(4)
Assana F.
Good selection of wine and cocktails, and not too-shabby of a food. But the treatment we got from the maitre d' was so abysmal that we will never go back to this place. 4 of us were meeting at 6:30 for drinks in advance of an 8:00 dinner reservations. I was the first to arrive. The maitre d' insisted on looking up our reservation, even though I kept saying we want to have drinks first. First he claimed we didn't have a reservations and it wasn't until another waiter who was standing behind him who pointed out our names that he acknowledged we did have one. Then he is so scandalized that I'm there so early. I repeated for the 5th time that we are meeting for drinks first and I asked to be seated at one of the two empty tables in the bar area. He barks that it is taken. Then I point to another, and he does the same, all along insisting we go upstairs and sit at our dinner table. Meanwhile another couple walks in - without reservations - and he seats them at one of the two tables. Whatever. Upstairs, on an empty floor, he attempts to seat us near the bathroom, by the bar, right next to the only other guests, a large loud group. Really?? Never again.
(1)
Ingrid C.
I've been here a few times and I've found that it's pretty reliable. It's a good standby place in Palo Alto, but yet, it doesn't seem to be crowded during peak weekend nights. At least I know I can get a good meal without a wait! It's definitely not a typical wine bar - it's a full out restaurant. The prices, at first glance, seem pretty reasonable, and the portion sizes are very appropriate! I know others might not like the overfill/multiple meal options, but I don't eat very much, and I like that I can finish my meal here without feeling like I'm about to give birth to a food baby. They have good oyster service, nice pastas, great short ribs, and delicious duck confit with lentils. The wine list is pretty good, as well. All and all, I'm happy with Gravity, and it's a great place in my regular rotation.
(4)
JJ s.
Its my first time at Gravity bistro, and some things I enjoyed some I didn't. The atmosphere was nice but the tables where really close together but cozy. I was waiting at the bar to be sat, and the waiters kept saying '' excuse me''. So with that I felt weird, but once I sat down it was a lot better. Great apps to try the brussel sprouts and the cheeses . I was a little thrown off with the portion size of the entrees pretty small, I was actually hungry after eating my entree. I had the short ribs, I tried my friends duck and she enjoyed it but said it was a little salty , and I would have to say the same with my ribs. I also had the apple tart dessert I enjoyed that a lot. So next time I would skip out on the entrees and just enjoy my wine, cheese, and desserts. The entrees are too pricy for what you get.
(3)
Tahira A.
I'm a big fan of wine tasting and this is one of the few places in Palo Alto that offers wine flights. The space itself is really nice and classy. Gravity also offers a menu of light food/appetizers. This is a great place for a light dinner + drinks and an awesome place to start the night in downtown Palo Alto. + Do order the Champagne Flight. Bubbly and tasty! - Don't order the Dessert Wine Flight. Nasty!
(4)
Jenn G.
I really wanted to like this place, but I was disappointed. The space is very modern. It would be nicer if it wasn't so bright. Came here on a Friday night with the bf. The wine list is large but when we asked the server questions about specific ones (no descriptions on the wines), he was clueless. He didn't even know if it the French wine we asked about was red or white. We got the cheese platter with 3 cheese and it came with a few pieces of crostini. We asked for more crostini to go with the cheese and what was brought to us was stale and hard as brick. It was clear that the server was new because he didn't really know what he was doing. After the cheese plate, he brought us new utensils for our dinner (steak knife). He asked if he should clear the old utensils and I said I wanted to keep my knife for the remainder of the cheese. He said "oh I'll just take it." which was weird because I specifically said I wanted to keep it. He would re-fill our water, but forget to pour us more wine. Bf got the filet and frites. The firtes were bad! The potato was undercooked. I've never hated fries in my life and I really hated these fries. The only saving grace was that we got a carafe of Syrah that was really good and was inexpensive. I'm willing to give this place another try but it was definitely one of my most disappointed experience in downtown Palo Alto.
(2)
Will R.
Five stars for the food and service! Went here on a Wednesday evening for date night on the recommendation of a friend and was pleasantly surprised. Our pleasant and knowledgeable server, Kent, recommended two excellent wines for our competing palates. The short ribs were unbelievable and fell apart with barely a touch. The swordfish was excellent and seasoned just right. For dessert we enjoyed the Apple Crostada. All highly recommended!
(5)
Devin S.
I love this place. The wine selections are great, the servers are nice, the happy hour here is a steal. The Duck Confit is terrific and the bread pudding is the best! If it's still on the menu the Ampelos Syrache Granache wine by the glass is very fruity and medium in body. Ask for Brian the sommelier if you want to discuss wines he is very gracious and knowledgeable. Also what kind of website is yelp if they say sommelier is spelled wrong? Helloooo anything hospitality related should be in their text dictionary!
(5)
Danielle B.
Had a great "half-iversary" dinner with my boyfriend a couple of weeks ago at Gravity. He told me that this place used to be some ultra lounge place, and I'm glad that Gravity took over the space. To start, we had some olives (pretty sure they gave these to us accidentally, but we weren't complaining), and the bruschetta trio (yum!). For the main course, I got the short ribs with the polenta, and my man got the chicken. Both were pretty darn tasty. Our flights of bubbles (me) and reds (him) hit the spot. We skipped out on dessert that night, since I was probably craving ice cream as usual. The atmosphere and service were great. And being accustomed to SF prices, it was a pleasure to see that all entrees were under $20! I would definitely come back here for some wine, and perhaps another dinner (but we'll probably pick someplace else for the full anniversary dinner).
(4)
A.c. D.
Came here for the first time with a group of my girlfriends for Friday night drinks...cozy atmosphere, good happy hour menu...we ended up staying all night ordering small plates and trying everything from the cocktails to wine to after dinner drinks and coffee...our waiter was excellent ...upstairs looks perfect for a larger group dinner...we will be going back here... Try the cheese plate, fried olives, cucumber martini and French onion soup
(5)
Dani Z.
Recently discovered this place and given that foie gras is being outlawed in a few days, a few girlfriends and I came here for apps/dinner/drinks. We arrived at 5:45pm, and our server promptly told us that we had 15 mins to order off of the Happy Hour menu, which had a $10 seared foie gras app! Yay for us. We also got the truffle parm fries, oysters, and calamari for appetizers. The foie gras was okay, the crostini it came with was pretty tasty although I wasn't a fan of the pickled (?) apricots/peaches that were also on the plate. The calamari was okay but the truffle fries were delicious. I couldn't stop myself from trying to devour all the fries in the bowl! (And for $4 on the happy hour menu, super good deal too!) After our apps we sat around a while and then decided we were going to get dinner too. I had the roasted chicken with gnocchi. The portion sizes are pretty small here given the price ($18 for my dish). But the chicken was very tender and juicy and the gnocchi wasn't bad. The ambience is nice. I don't know how long it's been around, but it was quite empty when we came. The first floor has bar stools and high tables and upstairs has normal restaurant seating. I would come back here for their Happy Hour because it really is a good deal (although ending at 6pm is rather early), but I don't think I'd be too eager to recommend it as a dinner place.
(3)
Emily Y.
Everything you'd want in a wine bar. Our server was awesome - sooo chill. Though we arrived LATE on Thursday night, we weren't rushed AT ALL. What a refreshing and fabulous feeling that was! We ordered the burrata cheese which came with toasted points...the veggie risotto...and the apple tart with caramel gelato. Every dish was unbelievable. Seriously. The food was SO good. I had a Belgian beer - Season-something? and it was brought out to me in a burgundy glass: I kid you not. How classy is THAT?!! My heart was won and and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Suzanne K.
Really wanted to love this place as the friend who suggested we go has great ideas. But not Gravity Bar. Not tonight. Service was poor with two dishes wrong - including forgetting to bring one? Food was mediocre with portions small. Waiter seemed overwhelmed but place was empty. I liked the concept and hope they can work it out...
This is a rather upscale wine bar w/ various kinds of beers (imported from all over!). I was disappointed to learn that this isn't a full bar so the bartender was unable to make me my mudslide but that's OK. As I sat at the bar, a single plate of a piece of salami and ground mustard was brought out.. complimentary to tickle the palette.. cute and it was scrumptious! I actually eat salami w/ yellow mustard when I'm feeling the need to eat a fatty piece of meat w/o having to do any kitchen work on it. As I was browsing the menu.. I thought to myself, "This menu is not extensive but it gives diners a lot of variety however, I wish the description was made available" because some sounded delicious but at the same time, I don't want to order something that I don't want (like seafood) and I did not want to continue to ask the nice bartender. Oh yes, I ordered a Diet Coke.. it's not on tap.. she took out the cool looking grey bottle, opened it, then poured it over some ice in a fancy glass.. I ordered the bruschetta trio.. white truffle beans, tomato herb, and the other goat cheese w/ portobello mushrooms.. I am not 100% sure of these descriptions but I ate all 3 and it was super tasty.. the bread was not too crunchy and wasn't soggy from the toppings at all and the presentation was simple yet elegant at the same time! I ordered for my main entree the chicken thighs w/ gnocchi and some au jus.. there were 2 chicken thighs, maybe 6 gnocchi, the au ju sauce, and 3 stalks of greens (I don't know my vegetables apparently) but everything taste wonderful together.. the chicken was succulent, slight crisp at the skin (I took the skin off of the other piece) and the gnocchi was nice and soft, chewy although not much flavor.. Overall experience- excellent! The ambiance- thumbs-upsky! The layout, the decor, the lighting fit very well for an intimate evening of drinking. Though the place isn't big, it's supposed to be an "intimate" setting anyhow..
(4)
Amy C.
I love Gravity! The space is so warm and cozy, the wine is nice and the food is delicious! I ordered the burger & fries and let me tell you...juicy & DE-LICIOUS. Our waiter was nice enough to let us taste a few wine options before choosing a bottle. My girlfriend and I came for a nice night out, spontaneous, and we wound up drinking an entire bottle of wine over about an hour or so. I love to have mtgs here because its quiet but also upbeat. Fresh, young but private and easy to talk. Definitely recommend!!
(5)
Ashley Q.
This place is well furnished and has a great ambiance to it. The lighting is beautiful and the music is very relaxing. The sparkling wine flight was delicious, although I wish I had just purchased a full glass of the Collet, Champagne Brut, Aÿ France NV because it was the best out of the three. My husband and I shared a small plate of olives, which were good but not worth the $5 price tag. We also shared the Fritto Misto... the seafood was very fresh, but I wasn't a fan of the seasoning. It was much too salty and the only thing that cut it was the lemon on the side squeezed generously over the seafood. We will definitely come back again, but not for the food.
(4)
Sheena G.
Great ambiance, service, an experience. Wine selection was great and food options were delicious and reasonably priced. Have to go back for their fixed Sunday dinner. Service was excellent.
(5)
Rommel M.
I had dinner with friends here to celebrate my birthday and so glad that we had a reservation. It was a Friday night and the place is packed! We were seated on the first floor, where the bar is. Which is another plus, because it is more lively and fun on the first floor than the 2nd floor. It can be loud downstairs, but you can still have a good conversation with your friends and will hear them well. We had oysters, Fritto Misto, Pan roasted sweet breads for appetizer. For main entree - Duck Confit, Grilled Merguez Sausage and Braised Beef Short Ribs. The short ribs are so good and so tender. You don't need a knife to slice it. You can use your fork and it will fall apart. For dessert - Profiteroles and Apple Crostada. I think they can do better on their dessert menu. It was good specially with the dessert wine flight. Service is good, but it can be better. Amazing place to hang out on a Friday night. I will be back soon!
(4)
Heather U.
Good little wine bar in a neat area of Palo Alto near campus. Had a red wine flight and some snacks with friends. Service was alright but not super. Prices were probably a little high. I could probably be convinced to come back, though I probably won't seek out Gravity Bistro.
(3)
F H.
We had young French guests and were looking for an elegant yet relaxed restaurant on or close to University. The place has great ambiance, is stylish, relatively quiet and perfect for good conversation. They have a nice bar, too, if that is what you're looking for. Gravity was spectacular! The service was top notch, very professional, attentive and knowledgeable about the food and the wine. Everyone was very happy with the 4 appetizers we shared and entrees we ordered. The vegetarian in our group was delighted by a custom created satisfying yet elegant meal. The cheese course was accompanied by perfect sidekicks. The desserts were divine; I was very partial to the chocolate pot de crème. The bill was about $50 per person incl. tax, excl. tip, which is reasonable considering the quality of the food and service over 3 courses (including wine - generous amount poured per glass). Not sure why they call themselves a wine bar, when their restaurant is this good.
(5)
David R.
Great spot in downtown Palo Alto. Excellent atmosphere, great food. Perfect spot for night out with friends. Check out the mostaciolli carbonara and the radiatori ragu. Lively space downstairs and a more quiet conversation/meeting space on the second floor. Second floor is great for quiet conversation or romance.
(4)
Brandon F.
I found this place on a quick search for an awesome dinner place in Palo Alto with some friends. I'm not from the area, but I was up for the weekend to visit some family and some college buddies who live up there now. The reviews and menu looked promising, as well as the environment. My cousin and I showed up early for the reservation, and just posted up at the bar waiting for the rest of the party. They had a good alcohol selection, but no draught beer. No biggie! They had Flying Dog Raging B**** so you can't go wrong with that. The bartender was on point for how busy it was, and kept the drinks coming. About half our party showed up, and we were sat. We waited for the rest, and ordered. The waiter was pretty understanding about the rest of our party being late (due to the BART strike?). The prix fixe menu was definitely a great deal, which my buddy and his wife ordered. I tried some of his duck liver was pretty damn awesome! I ordered the beef short rib with mascarpone polenta, and it was crazy good! The short rib was so tender that I picked it apart with my fork!! The polenta was creamy and perfectly seasoned (alot of places oversalt polenta). My cousin had the seafood pasta, and he said it was spectacular. For dessert, we all shared the lemon pot de creme and the apple crostata. Each one was amazing! I wish I was hungrier, so I could have ate more that night. They were so many good choices on the menu that I definitely will go back there next time I'm up there. I was recommended the carbonara by this lady sitting next to us at the bar earlier in the evening, who said that she gets it all the time. Definitely would recommend to anyone!!
(5)
Glo O.
1 Star for the great happy hour deal 1 Star for the nice waiters/servers - each time I've been here, the service has been great. 1 Star for the delicious wine and cute flights. -2 stars for the shitty hostess. Each.And.Every.Single.Time.
(1)
Elizabeth S.
I came here for a bday dinner and we sat upstairs. The menu was set which was no problem. The portions were just entirely way too small for the prices, and they are really nothing I'm going to rave about. All the food was almost bland. The duck confit was pretty disappointing. It came off the leg shredded and quite dry laying in a bed of purple lentils which didn't have much flavor. There was a slow roast that came with some polenta. That was okay but once again nothing to rave about. The other dishes were equally mediocre, grilled shrimp, some brussell sprouts salad with pieces of tangerine or something. The monochromatic brown colored interiors are nice under the dramatic lighting, but there was no artwork on the wall (maybe downstairs) which left the space kind of bland and uninteresting. There was also no music which would have been great with the good wine we were having. The good things: The service was great and the staff was friendly. This is to be expected in places like this though. I may come back to the wine bar but the food should be better- more flavor and less overcooking.
(2)
Brian D.
Good food, good wine list, excellent setting. Once they sort out issues with snobbish waiters, we'll be set. This is my go to place, but the variable quality of service (example: waiter disappeared last friday for 15 minutes, only to return smelling like smoke) makes me hesitant to make this restaurant a staple.
(3)
Angelica V.
I went to Gravity for a friend's birthday last week and was not impressed at all by the service, food or overall environment. I read the reviews before going and did not have high expectations, yet I was still disappointed. To start, we had quite the snippy server who seemed to be inconvenienced by our group of 6. We ordered a few appetizers, everything was meh, nothing spectacular. Entrees were the same, no one at the table made a comment about their food at all. No one was eager to talk about how good their dish was, everyone just quietly ate their meal...probably thinking about going to In 'n Out afterwards. We got our check and were shocked at how expensive it was...this was in part because the server had added 4 entrees to our meal from the table across from us. He didn't seem apologetic, but no surprises there. I doubt I would ever come back here and would discourage anyone looking for a savory, filling meal from going.
(1)
Dan J.
I'm a blue collar eater who doesn't mind paying a little extra for a nice meal. Although the food here is good, it doesn't warrant the elevated downtown Palo Alto prices. The alcohol selection is exceptional, but a few dollars too presumptuous. My one knock on the food, which overall is above average, would be the sausage which is way too small for the massive bun they stick it in. It's a great sausage, but the bun dwarfs it. Killer brussels... Killer short ribs.... If you order wisely, a good bite could be had, but beware of the cascading bill.
(3)
Audrey C.
Gravity Bistro & Wine Bar has started becoming my go-to place to catch up with girl friends or even for dates! Their downstairs, loung-y area is very casual, while their upstairs dining room is a bit more formal. Both areas are great and serve their purpose - space for a drink and light bites or a full meal. Across various occasions, I've ordered a glass of wine or gone through a wine flight. There's a good selection of flights, something for every palette, and they seem to highlight some great wines that you can later order by the glass. I've actually never ordered an entree, but their cheese, charcuterrie and appetizer selection is all great. They are all perfect for sharing and pairing with wines.
(4)
Linda T.
Pretty cheap drinks! I bought a Moscow Mule for $9. Not too sure when is happy hour, but the prices were fairly good for it as well. It's a small place, but seems like a nice place to go for a few drinks and maybe some appetizers. The guy next to me got a pasta dish that looks really appetizing!
(4)
Anita T.
A nice classy wine bar great for small bites and drinks. We came here a couple times after dinner. Their oysters were fresh and the wine list was decent and price was reasonable.
I have to agree with one of the other reviewers "A little meh here and a little meh there..." I've been to Gravity several times now over a period of 2-3 yrs and it seems to get a little less enjoyable each time. The most recent performance a few weeks ago was particularly lackluster with its burnt scallops and forgotten salad course. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll return.
(2)
Paul L.
Downstairs is casual dinning and upstairs is more formal. Met up with some friends and a few flights of wine. Appetizers were okay, nothing mind blowing. Pasta was bland.
(3)
Melanie B.
Suzanne is fantastic! She knows her wines and is a massive asset to the restaurant/bar. For discovering and trying new wines, this place is amazing! Food wise, it's really good but it is not a serious gastronomic experience. It's all about the wines, the service, and the atmosphere.
(5)
Mary S.
I love coming to Gravity, especially on date nights with my husband, and I still really like coming here for an occasional glass of wine; but I feel as if it hasn't been as great as it use to be. I recently had dinner and drinks here with my friend, and we just were not impressed or happy with the food. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great, just so-so. It's not cheap by any means, so I was a bit disappointed; however, I won't stop coming here. It's now just a pre-dinner drinks spot for us at this point.
(3)
Wonhee P.
Review on Happy Hour only: Gravity has 4-6 pm Happy Hour from Monday to Friday, and it's a great deal. I am willing to say, the best deal in town. They have $5 oysters (for 3) and $2 oyster shooters. They also have $6 and $8 wine by the glass and $5 pomme frites with shaved truffle-infused cheese on top. I had a $8 pinot noir and I was pleasantly surprised. I expected them to stick me with their worst pinot for Happy Hour but no, even if this was their worst pinot, it's far better than any other happy hour wines you'd have. The $5 pomme frites is so large that one person probably shouldn't finish it (I did...oooops). I thought the oysters had a little bit too much of the sea smell on them at first, but the tomato broth in the cockitail in the end nicely masked the smell when I actually ate the cocktail. This is definitely going to be my Happy Hour spot (especially now that yelp has declared me the "duchess" of Gravity...), and everyone should, too!
(5)
Catherine L.
Smelled like fish upon walking in.. their menu seems heavy of seafood so I'll give them that. Their cocktails were ok. Old fashion was interesting, not the typical but decent. The peach bellini was too sweet and watered down. The wait for a table was ~ 20 minutes on a Saturday night.
(3)
Eric F.
While I dig the atmosphere here - spacious and elegant with dark wood all around, the price and execution just don't quite match up. The selection of classic cocktails was impressive and my Manhattan was quite well done, but charging ~$15 was borderline egregious. For food, a small sampling included the burrata and frisee salad with poached egg. The former was fresh and I enjoyed the mix of savory egg yolk and acidity from the vinaigrette from the latter. Our server had a great sense of humor too and while it's a bit pricey here for what you get, I think the HH selection would make a return visit worthwhile.
Classy but chill place. I came with a group that's been here before, so the waitstaff definitely hooked it up with some drinks on the house :D. I got the seasonal mocktail, which was probably just grapefruit juice, but I really enjoyed it! They have a pretty good food menu as well. We got a couple orders of the fries which were seasoned and cooked nicely. I also appreciated that they brought us all water glasses and kept them refilled throughout the night, even for people with drinks. I always feel dehydrated after even a little alcohol, so that was great. I definitely plan on coming back!
(5)
Allister D.
This wine house is an intimate place with lounge seating, high tables for group tastings, a full bar with bar-seating, etc. the place is pretty dim which creates this intimate atmosphere. They carry an extensive amount of wine bottles as well as a full set of cocktails. They also serve food for pairing such as meats and cheeses. Gravity now serves lunch and that's being advertised as we speak. This is flat out one of the most comfortable luxury wine bars I've been to. I came after work with my scrubs on and it was totally fine. It's more of a casual type crowd and vibe. Nothing stuck up here. Judith who was my bartender recommended me a Domaine de L'Arjolle which was a fruity but calm cabernet. It didn't have a huge bite to and the scent wasn't overwhelming. Judith has such a great personality and she will help you with a great wine that suits your mood. Thanks Judith!
(5)
Sindy T.
So happy to find this place! They are open till 2am while most places in Palo Alto are closed. Their blackberry bread pudding is awesome along with a glass of Failla Sonoma Pinot noir--I have been looking for bread pudding in Palo Alto for like forever! What a perfect ending to a Friday night especially after an underwhelming date!
(4)
Alice C.
Pleasantly surprised...all the other restaurants in the area we booked so we came here to celebrate my Sister's birthday. We were a little nervous...thankfully the menu had a great selection, prices were very reasonable, and the bar produced some great drinks. We were excited to eat. Pate appetizer - delicious (ask for additional bread) Duck confit - tender and tasty Beef ragu - my favorite! Pasta was light & airy Short ribs - tender and tasty - really liked the polenta Scallops - cooked perfectly We tried 3 desserts and all of them amazing! Bill came out to $80 per person with drinks. Might be a little noisy if you want an intimate romantic dinner but great if you want to catch up, laugh loud and enjoy great food and drinks. Bonus: service was on point for our party of 5. Love the decor and ambiance. Only gave it four star because at one point it got a little loud that we had to shout. Just remembered, they do have a quieter upstairs (where the bathrooms are) away from the bar. But I prefer downstairs for people watching.
(4)
Gina B.
This used to be my go to spot for happy hour in Palo Alto, but I've seen the service and food decline over the last few months. The food is not as flavorful and our truffle fries were soggy this last time. While sitting at the bar I noticed 4 wine glasses with dirty looking water in them. I asked the bartender what they were because they were sitting right in front of us and quite distracting. Apparently the new owner wants them to measure out the perfect pour each time and those glasses are for reference. I found it to be cheap and gross. You should hide that away instead of distracting me from your delicious food with dirty grenadine water. On the plus side the marscapone polenta and charcuterie plate never disappoint! This place has great potential and really did open with a bang, just not sure what's been going on lately.
(3)
Katie R.
My family and I had a great experience at Gravity this past weekend. We arrived rather early in the evening and had the upstairs almost to ourselves, but by the time we left it was packed! Kent, our server, really made the entire experience amazing. He counseled my father on different beers, chatted with my mother about their Midwestern upbringings and was extremely attentive all night even as his other table was an ever-growing party of about 12. A friend joined us after we had ordered our entrees but he was able to rush in her order so her food arrived only minutes after ours! We started with a three cheese platter and really enjoyed how the cheeses matched their garnishes (I realize that is a given, but the plate was well put together). I had the rabbit linguine which was an unusual order for me, but I enjoyed the way everything came together. My friend ordered the pasta with a beef ragu which wasn't that incredible, but she was happy. My parents split the roast chicken and loved it! My father also had the french onion soup and was very satisfied. We split the apple crostada and the chocolate dessert. The crostada was very sweet which is something I like and the chocolate was extremely rich, to the point where we couldn't finish it, but we enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Alan A.
To put it bluntly, this place blows!!! My fiancee and I had been invited out to dinner here last Friday evening. We had a party of six. Among the dishes that were ordered were Sauteed Prawns, Prosciutto Americano, Duck Confit, Sea Scallops, Radiatori, Lamb Culotte Steak, some wine and iced tea. The bill came out to around $340.00 for all of us. Being that there was a party of six, there is a manditory 18% tip that was added to our bill. That might be acceptable "if" we got good service. However, our servers were horrible. Once our food was brought to the table, our waitress and busboy disappeared! We were seated upstairs, and there was only another table with a party of two sitting up there with us. When I say the help disappeared, that isn't completely true. Our waitress was at the other end of the room chatting up a storm with two other employees. Both our waitress and busboy, never came by the table to clear our empty plates, or refill our beverages. We finally met up with the manager at the end of our meal, and we conveyed our disappointment with the lack of service. He apologized, and told us that he'd have to get his staff's side of the story. It is okay to ask your staff for their side of the story; however, it is highly unlikely that they are not going to admit to you that they weren't doing their jobs. The manager initially told us that he would take off the tip all together. Then he changed to say that he'd only deduct 3% of the tip, so the standard 15% percent of the tip would still have to be paid for the lousy service that we never received. To sum things up, the food tasted okay, but the portions were small. The service was absolutely terrible, and the inept manager's lack of customer service skills made this an evening to forget. None of us will ever be returning to this place again.
(1)
Trace H.
I have been to Gravity a few times with friends (GNO), and more recently on a date. The cuisine is sophisticated in that there are wine pairing recommendations, wine flights offering selections from around the world, unique menu offerings, cheese platters and oysters! I have enjoyed every meal that I have had there (about 5x now). I am a foodie. My friends and I are active runners, so our meals are "go hard or go home because we'll burn it off tomorrow". We've tried almost everything on the menu for family style sharing. Nothing ever disappoints! My only note is to encourage Gravity to up the game on the bruschetta just a little bit. Gravity is off of the main strip (University) and therefore, may be a bit easier to get into as a walk in. The acoustics work really well...I could easily hear my companion, but could not hear the conversation of the table sitting directly next to us. Nice. The service was outstanding every time. The kitchen closes late, 10:30pm-ish?, maybe later...which is rare on the peninsula... A great destination B if you are hungry.
(4)
Beverly m.
Ten days ago seven of us decided to have a "girls night out" and one of our party who lives in Palo Alto suggested "Gravity". At first I was put off because they would not seat us yet as one person was late, and we were about 10 min. early. They also were hosting a large private event on the second floor/balcony/ It was an event for a VERY well known high tech crowd. We were soon seated after this small confusion and the evening went by very smoothly. First, let me commend our wait person, Kent, who was outstanding, He was a seasoned professional with an excellent command of the food and the cocktails. He managed all seven of us flawlessly, and was an asset to the dining experience. The items are mainly "tapas" style and small plates. Desserts, while uneventful, were outstandingly executed. The appetizers were super, in fact we were delighted that seared foie gras was on the menu after its two year ban in California. Seared Foie Gras with a Huckleberry Port reduction -- what can I say but "c'est manifique. " The Duck Confit was a delight. I normally do not care for duck, finding it too greasy or too dry. This was just right / It was accompanied by wilted tomatoes and watercress in apricot vinaigrette. Desserts were the usual suspects, Pannacota with raspberry sauce, bread pudding etc. The cocktail menu was super, broken into two categories, "Classic" and "Modern " As a person who LOVES a good cocktail, I was feeling delighted and was waiting for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to glide into the room doing a snappy two step. Prices are the norm for the Palo Alto high tech crowd, but well worth the cost. I would return again and ask for the same server. Street parking was a bit tough, but doable. A fun evening with good friends, and food, what more do you want? I defo would return.
(5)
Kelly R.
Lovely ambiance (nice lighting, plenty of open space) but pretty mediocre food. They know their wines. Let your server know what you're feeling, and (s)he will return with some great wines to pair with your food. The burrata is so creamy and delicious; if you're only going to get one appetizer, get the burrata. The calamari was fine but nothing special. In terms of entrees, I had to force myself through my ahi salad, which I found to be painfully bland. I think most others really enjoyed their food, so maybe this just isn't their best dish (or maybe it was a fluke) -- in any case, based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend going with this dish. My favorite dessert was the apple crostada, which comes doused in caramel and topped with gelato (strangely, the rest of our party hated this). Mmmm! We also had the lemon pot and chocolate budino, which were standard but not my cup of tea.
(3)
Claire S.
When we went, it was completely empty (the day after Christmas is NOT a popular luncheon day), but I've walked by on a Saturday night when there were no tables open and a completely packed floor, so I know it's just weird timing. We decided to keep it light, so not much was ordered. I went with the burrata sandwich, with tomatoes, arugula, basil-mascarpone cream, and grilled squash. While I felt like it was a bit bland at times (mascarpone and burrata are not the most flavorful of dairy products), it was still quite excellent. The roll it was on was fluffy and amazing, and every bit was devoured. The side arugula salad was surprisingly good, as well - well dressed, fresh, and tasty. We didn't try any of their wines, as the only menu we were presented with sold wine by the bottle only, and we weren't looking to get plastered at 1 in the afternoon, but overall, a charming little place with delicious food to check out. Side Note: the bread and olive oil they bring to your table is amazing. Seriously, it's some of the softest, most delicious free bread you'll ever have. Try it.
(4)
Alice Z.
4 stars for drinks, 2 stars for food. Tons of wine flights! There's one for sparkling, one for white, and one for red. Portions aren't huge, but the prices are cheap and totally worth it. There's also sake, tons of beer, etc. High top tables and great ambiance for drinks. Food was unfortunate for the most part. The chef seemed to have miss the entire memo that the main ingredient in Bruschetta (other than bread) should be diced tomatoes. Mussels and Burrata were OK, nothing special. Raw oysters were anorexic looking, Duck liver mousse was the only good dish out of the ones we ordered.
(3)
Ryan D.
Came here for drinks with a paleo-diet enthusiast (which means lots of meat and wine, apparently). The downstairs is nice, has a very open feel to it. We came on a Wednesday night so we got seats immediately. The service here was awesome. I'm not much of a sommelier (my taste has been honed exclusively on bagged wine), but the server guided us through the red wine flight and suggested a few cuts of meat (lomo and prosciutto) to go along with it. He stopped back frequently to check up on us and point out tasting notes. I really enjoyed both the meat and wine selections, and the prices weren't too outlandish. Definitely a good time- even if your oenological background is lacking.
(4)
Shauna K.
great food, but a pit pricey for how much you get. also, the downstairs can be really loud. upstairs is a great date spot!
(4)
Koshika S.
- Not a bad happy hour and nice servers, also nice enough food, hence the 2 stars. Cons: -Second wine pour came in a chipped decanter. Yuck! -AWFUL rude "hostess" at the door. Really, the word "hostess" becomes an oxymoron when attributed to this young la
(2)
Stephanie A.
DO NOT GO HERE UNLESS YOU WANT THE FOLLOWING: - poor service -a manager who has no conflict resolution skills and is a close talker -a snotty hostess -a sweaty waiter who is trying his best despite crappy management and kitchen mistakes and a huge section -to wait over 20 minutes for a hamburger that isn't even cooked right when it comes out -charged fees for things you aren't told about. -status check on your drink orders after 10 minutes have passed By the time I left this place, I was so upset with the horrible service and management I can't believe people keep coming. According to the waiter when he brought us our bill, "when the manager saw we brought a cake" (after we ate it and were given forks/knifes/plates), he had to charge us a $3.00 cutting fee each. We asked to see the manager. He came up and said we were stealing business from him by bringing in the cake, we understood and said we didn't mind paying it, HAD SOMEONE TOLD US AHEAD OF TIME, his solution after going back and forth was to "go half on it" ::gasp:: ummm... I think he was missing the point. The only reason this place gets one star is because after a lengthy conversation, he decided to waive the fee. I could go on in paragraphs, but I don't want to waste anymore of my time (or those reading it) on this place. Go somewhere else in Palo Alto, there are plenty of options and it will be well worth it!
(1)
Kevin N.
In all my years of going to restaurants, bars, etc. I have never run into as many issues as I have here. There are far too many great places in downtown PA that won't make you feel like they're doing you a favor by letting you into their place. Ok, so my company is 2 blocks away and we head there at 4:30pm on a Monday to celebrate our product launch. 3 of us show up first and let's the host know it's a party of 12. Host is like, "hmm...not sure how I can fit you guys in." I'm looking at the place and it is completely empty. Zero people, lots of tables, not an issue, right? Well, the guy was very worried about what his place would look like by 7pm since we didn't have reservations, even though it was only 4:30pm. Dude, your place is empty, why not just seat us and deal with your 7pm crowd 2.5 hours later when it comes around? Beside, we'll all be gone before 7pm anyway. Then we got into a debate if we "really" were going to have 12 people show up or if it's just going to be 8. Otherwise, our seating would be extremely complicated. Manager walks over and lectures us about how they need to maintain ADA compliance, so we can't put tables together or else there won't be any wheel chair access. Hello, we're not freakin' idiots. We can move if we see a person in a wheel chair coming through. She continues to demonstrate how to stand if we had people stand rather than sit at our table, pressing her stomach directly against the edge of the table. 10 minutes into it, I'm thinking I'd love to walk out and not patronize a place that was too snooty to know we had a lot of moola to spend, but it would've been too hard to get the other peeps re-routed to a different locale. We finally get seated. Host doesn't know to take orders all at the same time, but rather goes to each person individually and then runs the order and back again, runs the order, back again. This is obviously disruptive to maintain any conversation. I ask the host how long they've been open. He says almost a year. Wow, that's not acceptable behavior for having been open that long. When we do order, he recommends NOT to get one of each app between our two separate tables, but instead share. So the ultra thinly sliced meat platter comes to our table, cheese platter to the other, bread on their table, olives on ours. WTF, this isn't right. So we request to order again what he initially talked out of. Nothing memorable about the food. The meats were just ok, nothing special. The cheese wasn't that great either. Water guy didn't get new incoming peeps in our party water or extra plate settings. Plus when one of the girls in our group needed to use the restroom, they were like, "where are you going?". They were super nervous whether to have her go by the elevator to not disrupt their private party upstairs or to let her just use the stairs. Manager had to be consulted to address this question...ultimately, they decide stairs is ok. I watched the clock as the first warm bodies outside of our group shows up...1.5 hours later. These guys need to recheck their "consumer focused" attitude. I REFUSE TO GO HERE EVER AGAIN...EVEN IF I'M NOT PAYING FOR IT!!!!
(1)
Mary Ann M.
I went to Gravity for a legal service company's cocktail party during happy hour. They had an abundance of wine and their cheese and deli meats trays were very fresh. I would return here for a happy hour. I am not sure how dinner would be, but this is an ok spot for wine and cosmos. The ambiance is nice, and do not be deceived by the small downstairs area, there is a bigger upstairs area as well.
(3)
Carol G.
Originally a little put off by the high bar tables and seats, but they do have regular tables upstairs and two booths at the back downstairs. Two of us ordered the same meal: squash blossom salad, steak & frites, and pot du chocolate. Everything was outstanding for flavor and we felt for price. Service was friendly and attentive. One of us had a rose' flight and the other one had Anderson Valley Beer. Our drinks were much to our liking as well. Would definitely recommend this place, especially now that it seems to be on Open Table as well. Look forward to its being open for lunch too.
(5)
liz c.
Honestly speaking, I think I would choose sharing a 2 buck chuck in my car with a friend, using foam cups, than coming here. I mean, for what you pay for, it just doesn't seem worth it. In a nutshell: - Manager seems overly concerned with parties who arrive before happy hour rush (ie, my friend and I arrived around 4:30. She deliberated for a long time on where to seat us though the place was nearly empty) - Appetizers are so so; pommes frites are not good if you do not eat them immediately so if you plan to munch or graze, don't get them. Bruschetta is so-so. - Service is inconsistent but consistently awkward. First time, waiter was overly informative about making a wine recommendation without answering our actual questions. Also left between taking orders for each person which was strange. Second time bartender was sweet and very informative but easily flustered when asked to make a recommendation (she did mention she was new). - Ambiance is nice and definitely has an up scale tone to it but the service is not on par with the image they are trying to create I might come back.. but I might not.
Great spot in Palo Alto, the food was excellent, but the selection of wines was a bit off and the service was so so. (it may have been I was sitting at the bar, but come on, front and center).
(4)
Jason L.
I used to come to Gravity all the time. My classic quiet-but-cool watering hole at 4:30pm, nice early dinner at 5:30pm, etc. But then, the other day, I came in. It was busier than usual and we were mainly drinking and not eating. So they didn't give us a table - OK. But they put us at the very end of the bar, where the cherries and toothpicks are. After being ignored for drinks, when they finally came, I had nowhere to put them. The cherries took all the space. The food and wine are good. But being treated like this is less than 2 stars.
(2)
Joanna R.
Just came here the other night and had the best service. My friend has not been feeling well and didn't like her meal ...and they offered to make her something else to her liking. She politely refused as she wasnt that hungry anymore and they took her meal off the bill. Now that's service. I had the braised short ribs with polenta... YUM!!! I could have used a little more sauce, but I didnt ask..that's okay, it was still amazing! My other friend had the same and almost licked her plate clean. The food is a little pricey, the wine list was extensive and reasonably priced, and the service was awesome. 4 stars from this lady.
(4)
J. P.
We decided to try Gravity Wine Bar while visiting Palo Alto for a trade show. It had great reviews, so we made a reservation for a Wednesday evening. I was concerned it would be crowded at 7:45 pm, but it was fairly quiet. We ate upstairs, which was less noisy and had more space. I understand this is a wine bar, so I'm not going to take points off for wanting a better selection of vodkas; however, be prepared to have a pretty limited alcohol selection beyond wine. The waitress was very nice and attentive. We started with the beef tartare... it was VERY tasty-- well-seasoned and nicely portioned. I then had the mussels, which were also quite flavorful-- though very small-portioned. My husband had the filet and frites which he really enjoyed. We finished off with chocolate pot de creme and the pana cotta, which were both done just right. Overall, it was a great meal. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. The meal price does add up very quickly, so if you're trying to get a meal under a $100 for 2 people, this isn't the place. However, it didn't seem to faze the students seated all around us (I obviously had the wrong parents when I went to college!). If you aren't a wine person, the food is stand-alone, which is nice. That being said, since the food does hold its own, it would be nice if they had more of a drink selection beyond wine.
(4)
James P.
We came here for restaurant week ($35 prix fixe menu), so I can only review what we had. First off, the food was very well-prepared and the flavors interesting, but I don't know if I was impressed enough to come back for a normal meal, and this is pretty much the theme of my review. Everything was good, but nothing made me WOW enough to want to come back The stuffed dates were actually really good, the mushroom risotto was good but not spectacular enough to distinguish it from any other risotto I've had, and the chocolate tart was again, well-done but nothing out of ordinary. The duck that my friends had was also very good, but the halibut was a little dry and tasteless, though that is to be expected from halibut in general. Overall, a very solid choice for classy-ish food, but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Matthew C.
One of my favorite new places in Palo Alto. Try starting your meal with the fritto misto... one of my favorite main dishes is the duck confit with lentils. Every other dish I have tried here (short ribs, pasta, burger, charcuterie) has also been outstanding. It will not be long until this place gets "discovered" by everyone else and you will not be able to get a table. I am surprised by how well everything is running despite being newly opened. Prices are very good for the quality of food. Nice scene downstairs , but a nice quiet place for dining is also available upstairs. Greta place for large groups.
(5)
Thomas O.
The wine selection was great... as the name of the place would suggest. The food... the food was very mediocre. Nothing was bad... but nothing stood out. I am not even sure what we ordered. I think my date got the fillet and I got some sort of scallops. The waitress was very nice and very helpful.
(3)
Kari S.
What do bartenders do in a wine bar? Seriously, I don't know what they do here. The only thing I can figure: answer patrons' questions because the wait staff is unable (or is unwilling) to do so. My group came here for a birthday gathering. The ambiance was decent--modern and clean. It was a Friday night and the place was busy although not overly crowded. Our waiter, however, was inattentive and uninformed. He had no opinions about wine and didn't feign interest in the group. I had inquired if mead was on the menu (turns out, no) and because I was on the topic, I asked if he knew what the difference was between honey wine and mead. *crickets* He gave me one of the blankest stares I've ever received... froze.... eventually thawed and said he would find out. I told him not to worry about it, "after all, that's why G*d made the iPhone." Flash forward 30 minutes: the waiter (after being asked for the third time to bring more bread slices to the table) drags the bartender over to my corner. She is standing somewhat uncomfortably before me when she informs me that I had a question and that I had requested her presence. It is then my turn to give a blank stare. After the longest 20 seconds known-to-man, the little hamster wheel in my head started turning...oh! Mead! (given the actual exchange with the waiter and the passage of time, that topic had since cleared my brain). And I told the bartender, "oh yes, I had asked the waiter what the difference between honey wine and mead." Given some background information and something to do, the bartender finally looks more comfortable. And we proceed to have a quick discussion about mead, honey wine, and the differences and/or similarities therein. I'm giving Gravity an extra star because it was *only* owed to this exchange that one of our fellow (eaves dropping) patrons informed our table that there is an honest-to-goodnees meadery in nearby Sunnyvale (it's called Rabbit's Foot). What a find (that I will soon visit and review)! And, I never would have known about it were it not for my fellow Gravity patrons. And yet, Gravity itself is lacking gravitas. This merely adequate facility inflates its self worth with high prices and a general swank look. It pales in comparison to the many other good wine bars on the Peninsula. Do yourself a favor and go to Savvy or 840. Or better yet, since you're in the neighborhood, go to Palo Alto Creamery.
(2)
Sergei B.
The bistro part of it (food) is OK but underwhelming. Not bad, not good -- nothing special.
(3)
Rebecca G.
The wine selection is extensive without being overwhelming. You can have a reasonably-priced flight if you feel non-committal and want to try an assortment of either white, red, or sparkling wines. Food was reasonably good, and the service was attentive, but cold and stiff at first. The waiter was pushy with the wine orders and seemed to get friendlier as we neared the end of our meals. Minus one star for the pressure, seemingly to inflate the bill.
I enjoyed this place. Good food and wine, a little on the pricey side and service could have been a touch better but overall it's a good place to spend the evening.
(3)
Alexandra I.
We had our Valentine's Day dinner here and it was perfect! Great wine selection and I love that they offer by the glass, bottle, or an in-between size that I can't remember the name of right now that is 2/3 of a bottle. We shared a bottle of the in-between size of a pinot noir and it was fabulous. I got the filet and it came with YUMMY fries. Maybe one of the best fries I have ever had and one of the tops steaks I have had as well. We skipped dessert but saw what others got and it looked BOMB. Loved this place!
(5)
Neda S.
I've been here a couple of times and my experience hasn't been great. Service is absolutely horrible. This last visit, we sat at the bar and ordered drinks from the bartender who actually got in a fight w/ the owner infront of us and quite right there. I must admit it was awkward watching it. Given that they lost our order and had to take it again, the owner was nice enought to not charge us for our drinks. Also, for those of you that are really into wine, their wine list is NOT impressive at all. Their wines are low to mid average if I were to rate them. Cheese plates and other food are good but a little pricy for what you get. Overall, it's an ok place and easy to get seated if you walk in but I wouldn't choose to go here again.
(2)
Alan L.
Just wanted to write a quick couple of lines, as I haven't yet had a chance to sample much beyond dessert and wine, but the customer service was great and worth mentioning. Our group of 7 rolled in here on Friday night around 7:30 pm. We just planned to crack open a few bottles of wine and chat over dessert, but immediately noticed that the downstairs bar area was crowded and that a spot wasn't likely. It was looking like we'd need to wait quite a while or move on to another venue. That's when Pat, one of the two hostesses, stepped in. I had a very pleasant chat with her and she invited us to hang around the bar and she'd see what could be done. In about 15-20 minutes, she had a table cleared for us and we were all set. I wouldn't expect any popular place in Palo Alto to be able to accommodate a pretty decent-sized group on such short notice, and smack in the dinner rush, so I really want to emphasize that I appreciated Pat's efforts. Once seated, we were never rushed or encouraged to order food, and our waitress was happy just to check on us periodically once our wine and dessert orders were in. I will definitely come back and update this review once I've had a chance to taste the food offerings, but again, I think the customer service alone here merits a positive mention.
(4)
Tam T.
Food here is super bland. My mistake for coming here to eat. ONLY COME HERE FOR WINE, CHEESE and h'orderves!! Left with a hefty bill and not satisfied. The servers were pretty nice though. Atmosphere is dim, loud and small.
(2)
Joyce L.
This wine bar is so cute! I absolute adore the lighting and the way the whole place is set up. Its definitely a great place to spend Friday or Saturday night with some friends, chatting over wine and a platter of cheese. Oh I especially need to mention the cheese. Its delicious! You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Alex K.
I like the food, it's reasonably priced and inventive. Portions are modest, but tasty. Service was very friendly. Didn't really like the wine flights, but I'm not a wine expert. It was odd that of the 5 or so wine flights there was not a single wine from California.
(4)
Angeline K.
I love the modern decor and ambiance of this wine bar (even despite it being very very empty on a Sunday evening). I wonder if this place is more bumpin during the week for happy hour or Friday/Saturday nights. There is a second floor that was completely empty. My friend and I were greeted rather politely by a bald man who did double duty as our host and waiter for the evening. He was soooo polite it was almost awkward, and it just got more and more awkward as the night progressed. He didn't seem to have a very good command of their wine list (which I thought in my head was a major faux pas... you work at a wine bar so you really should know the wine list, especially for patrons like me who know nothing about wine). Then when he brought out our 3 cheese plate, he was about to tell us which cheese was which and he totally had a brain fart and couldn't remember any of them. My friend actually had to say, "Isn't THAT one manchego?", much to his embarrassment. I felt so bad! The chef just happened to be passing by and rescued our waiter from further embarrassment. It was hard to get angry/frustrated with the guy because he admitted to being new and he was genuinely nice and you could tell he was trying his best.... even after dropping our utensils on the floor while he was clearing our plates after we finished up with our entrees, haha. Poor guy just couldn't get a break! Anyway, on to the food... (it took a loooong time for our food to come out, especially the entrees) Cheese Plate - We go the Camembert/Percorino/Manchego trio. They were all very good but I guess you can't really go wrong with cheese unless the cheese itself just happens to be bad. It was served with preserves, candied walnuts and diced tomatoes. Bruschetta - Blech, would not recommend.The only one that tasted ok was the roasted tomato-garlic compote. The portabello goat cheese and truffled white bean ones were really gross. Bistro Burger - not bad and the patty was actually cooked medium rare like I asked but the patty also ended up soaking up the entire bun and by the time I finished half of my burger I couldn't really even eat the second half because the bun was so sopped up with the patty juice. The french fries were of the skinny variety, they were ok. Not sure if I'd consider coming back. The food was just alright, which was kind of disappointing because so many things on the menu sounded delicious.
(3)
Aravind G.
We were a part of 6 and went for lunch. We'd made a reservation, but there wasn't a need as there wasn't anyone else there. The atmosphere was cozy and warm and the service was good. I tried the game hen and liked it very much. Overall a good experience.
(4)
Andy E.
After hearing great things about Gravity from some friends I was excited to try it out. Boy was I disappointed! The wine, service and ambiance are all good. But the portions were too small. We averaged 1.5 main courses per person and that was after several appetizers. The foie gras was especially a let down. Sorry Gravity. I won't be coming back.
(2)
Linda L.
wine friendly menu + friendly sommelier + interesting wine list
(3)
Balajee V.
Great ambiance, good wine selection and cheese! Great place for a date!
(4)
Sofia S.
We came here on a Friday evening as part of a large birthday party. My husband ordered the flight or red wine and I ordered the flight of white wine. Neither of us are super knowledgeable about wine but we know what we like and don't like and neither flight was a big hit for us, should have just ordered a glass. We also ordered the cheese and meat appetizers and they were pretty good, then again, it's not like they actually cooked anything there so it would be hard to mess up putting cheese and meat on a plate. The portions were pretty big but also pretty pricey at $18 per appetizer (you can get a smaller/cheaper version but then you would not get to try all of the meats and cheeses). What annoyed me to no end is how inattentive the server and bussers were to us. The place was fairly busy but that should not be an excuse. We ran out of water and seriously had to flag them down to give us more, starting with a small wave and ending in standing up and waving our glasses in the air because they were that clueless. Typically I would never do this at a restaurant because I think it's rude to the staff but they seriously were not paying any attention and not glancing our way. So finally they re-filled our glasses but then 10 minutes later when I'd finished my water I asked for a bit more, the waiter assured me he'd get it and then disappeared. I mean, it's water for God's sakes! Shouldn't you be willing to serve it to your patrons who are trying to sober up before their drive home?! I ended up asking a lady who was serving a different table and she was really nice about it. Overall I've had better food and much better service, I doubt we'll be back, especially with a large party.
(3)
Amy W.
The ambience of this place was quite lovely. The food was quite nice. The wine flight was mediocre. Service was very good. I was in the mood for a glass of wine and this came up as a nearby wine bar option with food. We sat in the bistro area upstairs which has some nice spaces for large groups. We ordered the red wine flight which consisted of a pinot noir, sangiovese, and something that started with a "v" (ventente?). I didn't really care for the first two (a little too acidic for my taste) but the last one was okay - it had a much better finish. I'm still learning how to taste wines so you can take my comments with a grain of salt, especially since they probably change these flights up from time to time. We ordered the sweetbreads appetizer, which was delicious. The sweetbreads were pan-seared and served atop a bed of greens, corn, and mushrooms. It was delightful. The saltiness of the sweetbreads contrasted with the sweet corn and mushrooms was very, very good. I would definitely order this again. Then we shared the braised short ribs entree. The short ribs were very tender. The sauce from the short ribs accompanying the polenta with mascarpone cheese was very nice. The short ribs were good, but I've had better. And, there was no bone -- having the bone on makes it much better. Next time I'll try one of their other entrees. I'm very happy to have found a pretty good restaurant with decent prices amidst all of the mediocre high-priced restaurants in Palo Alto!
(4)
Brian K.
A fun, sophisticated, approachable wine bar in downtown Palo Alto. The tables and lighting are amazing! Great decor. Not quite true luxury, but approachable high-quality. We shared a wine flight and a cheese plate. The Burgandy flight was good, not great - with the 3 wines not quite telling much of a story. I would like to see the option to create your own wine flight or just more of them (they had 5 total I believe). The cheese was an aged gouda. It was very soft for an aged gouda. The accompaniments were grapes, walnuts, dried fig, and a nut bread. I wish they would have treated the walnuts, served fresh figs, and had pairing that were more tied to the cheeses. So good value, great service, good wine, and good decor/ambiance. They definitely have opportunities to make it better though.
(4)
Pauline L.
3.5 I really enjoyed the cozy and warm space of Gravity, especially given how packed some of the other lounges and wine bars were in downtown Palo Alto. In addition to a full wine list and some flights, the menu has a diverse array of appetizers, cheese, charcuterie, entrees, and desserts. My friends and I ordered the duck liver mousse pate, a small cheese plate, warm brussels sprout salad, braised short rib, and chanterelle mushroom risotto with truffle oil. The brussels sprout salad was quite good and the pate serving was fairly generous. I wasn't a huge fan of the short rib as I found it a bit chewy. The risotto was rich with mushroom flavor and might be better off shared as a group appetizer. All of the food is solid and come in reasonable size portions, although it wasn't the same as restaurant quality. My glass of pinot noir came with a little beaker, so the pouring was a good size. It's a bit pricey, but Gravity is a good option for people who want to try wine and have a menu of food options, as well.
(3)
Ana B.
What a nice surprise ! Don't let the fact that this place is between a sports bar and a liquor store fool you, I walked by many times wondering if it was any good , and....YES IT IS . What we had: Beet salad Risotto Short ribs Merguez sausage Profiteroles Bread pudding Everything was exquisite , the ambiance is one of simplest I've seen, yet so elegant and warm. I was tempted to give it 5 stars but the service was a little slow. Simple, tasty, food! I'm a fan .
(4)
Danielle B.
We had dinner here with my parents last night and really enjoyed it. Starters: -parents had oysters, which they liked and said were fresh -we shared the bruschetta starter- liked it very much, and especially enjoyed the one with goat cheese and asparagus. Will have to replicate this at home! Mains: -risotto- perfectly cooked- Tris liked it but I'm not a big fan of truffle oil so it wasn't my favorite. Definitely cooked nicely though. -Shortribs- A bit dry. Could have used more of the sauce, which was yummy. Polenta was ok. -Duck- best dish that was ordered. Duck was nicely cooked and the lentils that go with it are AMAZING! Everyone ordered different wines and enjoyed them. Atmosphere is quite nice- loved the soft feel of the wooden tables and the lighting. Service was a little messy in terms of mixing up Tris' entree and also just being a bit slow. But that was made up for by the friendliness of our server who gave Tris a nice pour for the mix-up. A reasonable place for good food in Palo Alto- We'll be back :-)
(4)
Brian G.
We went to Gravity for the first time recently. They've been opened for almost a year (December 2010) and the service felt like they had just recently opened. A few things that bugged me: 1. You MUST make a reservation. You won't get a table without one. We had a res but I was surprised that for a wine bar you need a reservation. 2. Don't expect good service. It took forever for everything we ordered to come out from the bar and the kitchen. At one point the hostess took an order for us since our server was no where to be found. She recommended a great wine. 3. Now I'm not a wine snob or a wine glass snob. But...if you're a wine bar you should at least serve red wine in red wine glasses. When they brought our bottles of red to the table they started putting down white glasses. We played ignorant and simply asked "oh are these red glasses?" They said they were out of red glasses downstairs but could run upstairs to see if they had some. They did- all was better. Things I really liked about the place: 1. The food was good, not great, good. 2. The decor is great, it's a very cool space. Great for larger parties upstairs, but see #1 above. I love the other restaurants the owners of Gravity have, Reposado and Scratch. I will continue to visit them but will not return to Gravity. If I were you I'd continue to walk by and just admire the nice decor on the inside.
(2)
Jenna K.
The ambiance is really nice. My husband and I were obsessed with the lights. Totally gorgeous. The prices are reasonable and the menu looked fun and gourmet. We only had some aged gouda. It really wasn't aged long enough, but that's hardly Gravity's fault. It was served with some nut bread (couldn't eat it because I'm allergic to wheat), raw walnuts (I wish they were toasted a bit), dried figs (I wish they were fresh) and some champagne grapes. We ordered a Burgundy wine flight. Two whites (a chablis and something else) and a red (I can't remember either). I thought it was interesting to have a white and red flight. I would have preferred an all red flight. Looking at the other flights, there didn't seem to be a common thread pulling them together. I like to compair terrior or year. I guess I'm just snobby.
(4)
Catherine B.
We love Gravity. It's consistently tasty food at great prices, decent service, and reservations are usually available most nights of the week. We are here often, and claim it as our last minute hangout routinely. This past NYE we needed to add 2 more people and David made some on-the-fly modifications to accommodate. Seriously, love this place!
(5)
Anil V.
Certainly , the place to be . A good place with varied selection of wine . The Moment we entered , we were already sure that this place is pretty good to be . The Person who attended us , certainly has a very good knowledge about Wine and its making . He Recommended a wine to us which made our evening . The Food is Yumm . The place carries the ambiance to sit , lay back and get a good taste of Wine .The music played behind is very good and nostalgic . IM COMING BACK HERE FOR SURE .
(5)
M T.
We had our rehearsal dinner and pre-wedding drinks upstairs at gravity, and they did a beautiful job. Food was delicious, and we had an excellent time tasting wines and choosing signature cocktails for our night. Patricia was very sweet and responsive throughout the process - it was probably one of the easiest parts of our wedding to plan. One gripe was that a tip jar was placed on the bar on the night of the actual event when we were covering all drinks and gratuities for our guests, so I did not appreciate that. However, it was quickly taken away when we brought it to their attention. Innovative and yummy cocktails and great food. Probably on par with prices to host an event in the Palo Alto area.
(5)
Marcus A.
Don't come here to eat food. The pasta we got didn't taste good and it didn't taste like a carbonara. Also the large size was very, very small. The pasta tested like it was heated. On the positive side, and the reason this place didn't get one star. It had good wine and the place is pretty itself is nice.
(2)
Cindy N.
Good place to have a girls-night out for late evening.
(4)
Vanae T.
trekking back to my old stomping grounds, i was super happy to find a good wine bar in palo alto. the service is excellent. very friendly. choice of wines - lovely. and the food was delicious. we had: - filet mignon (medium rare, made perfectly) - the fries were great! - the brushetta was pretty good the ambiance is low-lighting. it's filled with young professionals, you know, silicon valley types. not quite too stiffy. i'd definitely go here again.
(4)
renee H.
I love that the restaurant is simple, yet delicious. I have never ordered a bad meal. It's great fresh food at reasonable prices. The wine is delicious, the service is great, and the atmosphere is wonderful. It's a great place to eat and drink on a weeknight.
(5)
Jigar C.
Good for small casual (or somewhat dressy) evenings. Good wine selection and food menu. Prices are reasonable too so I'd definitely go back.
Just had my second meal at Gravity and don't understand the low rating. I eat out all the time in the Palo Alto Area and feel like my two experiences at Gravity were both exceptional. They have an incredible wine selection and it's priced reasonably. Service was excellent both times and its been easy to get a reservation. I've had the duck confit and the scallops as entrees and really enjoyed both. Appetizers are varied and at this point I think I've had most of them and enjoyed all. I'll also say that there cheese selection is outstanding and if you love a cheese tray after (or before) a meal then they will do you right. It's a bit noisy (adds to the atmosphere) but I was always able to have a great conversation while enjoying an excellent meal. This is a solid four stars maybe even four and a half stars.
(4)
Kim N.
From the old Melt space, the owners of Reposado/Peninsula Creameries have opened a sleek new wine bar in downtown Palo Alto. After watching the excellent overtime MNF game, we were thinking of getting some coffee but detoured here instead. The space is very nice with blonde wood tabletops, light colored paint and dimly lit with filament lamps. The place does have a full menu including entrees, so I'd see this as a restaurant with a small menu and a huge, very interesting wine list. Tried a Para (port) from Australia, a German Icewine and a traditional Portugese Madeira, which were all very good. Speaking to our server she seemed to indicated that the menu would change seasonally and that the wine list which is already quite good, will expand. I think this is a great new place for post dinner drinks but Im looking forward to seeing what their eats are like too. 4.25 stars
(4)
Dani L.
I've been to the Gravity Bar twice and both times had the same bad experience. The food is good and the ambiance is fair. The service, however well intentioned, is downright incompetent. On my first visit, my appetizer and entree were brought to the table at the same time, while I was still working on my cheese place and pre-dinner aperitif. Thinking that this was perhaps a one-off mistake, I went back, and actually told the waiter to please pace the meal appropriately - as if this should be necessary at a place that charges upwards of $20 per entree! To my dismay, my burrata plate AND my risotto were both brought to the table before I was even done with the cheese and sparkling wine that we were having pre-dinner. You get the picture. Not going back for a third try.
(2)
Daniel R.
This place is cool! Slightly fancier place for after work when you want to grab a glass of wine. I It's a nice place with a great energy for a date or to catch up with old friends. And, the prices are pretty reasonable for what you get. No complaints.
(5)
O O.
Looks like a great place from the outside. Have attempted to make a reservation on two separate occasions. Both times they dropped phone call and seem uninterested. Hope their food and service is actually better onsite.
(2)
Lee T.
Pros - beautiful lounge/restaurant, serves pate, great wine glasses (petty I know, but to be honest some places don't have glasses that are conducive to a good wine drinking experience Cons - crappy wines with fancy names that are significantly marked up, does not have a full bar I ordered the almond liquor for dessert and was charged $8 for it. Seems pretty reasonable, except I got literally a 1 ounce pour. When I asked about it, the waiter said that dessert wines are more expensive so they can't give more than a 1 ounce pour. I thought his response was funny so I looked up the drink...a full 25 ounce bottle would cost me a total of $11. That would mean, that for every bottle that Gravity goes through, they're making $189!!! That's a bit unbelievable and very ridiculous. I started looking up other bottles of wine on the menu...all ranged around $12-15/bottle. Sorry, I miss my old wine bars in Arizona...Cafe Boa...you were the best.
(1)
Adam T.
Went here last night for an after work drink with the boy. We both order flights, I the red, he the white. We were practically alone in the place, though based on the way they were staffed, I can only assume it gets slamming later on a Friday night (very odd to me - used to the east coast, after work drink thing, and that is just not done, apparently, out west). Our waitress (behind the bar) was incredibly sweet, answering our questions, but staying out of our way while we were chatting and drinking. They also served marinated olives as an "amuse bouche" (I know I just slaughtered the French. Sorry.). The experience was great and while the prices weren't cheap, they were only about a buck more than at the Wine Room and this place is SO MUCH NICER! Clean, elegant space, very urban feeling (a la Reposado - no surprise, since they are owned by the same guy), friendly staff. Will definitely, definitely be back. Now they just need happy hour specials...
(4)
Marilyn T.
This is in the old Melt space, redone to look like a classy wine bar. No liquor, but they do have a good number of wines by the glass, along with many beers and flights for around $10-15 for most. They're open all day, so you can come in any time. We started with complimentary wine sauteed onion crostata. We then got crisp arancini with melted cheese inside and a cheese plate (3 for $18), of which the goat cheese was the star. The mussels are plump, but the shoestring fries drenched in the broth is the best part of the dish. The space is pretty large, especially with the upstairs area. It has a very relaxed wine var atmosphere with a good selection of small plates, and it's a place you can chill and linger with friends after work. Service has been variable on different visits, from regular to super polite. It's easy to miss when you're walking by it, but is a nice addition to the downtown PA area (courtesy of the owners of Reposado and Scratch.)
(3)
Anna T.
A group of us stopped in for after work dinner and drinks. Even though this is billed as a wine bar, the food can not be overlooked. The wine list is extensive and even though, I am not much of a beer drinker, the hand crafted brews looked appealing. The real surprise in the whole gorgeous setting was the food. Our table sampled many of the appetizers. The overwhelming favorite were the mussels with french fries. Sounds strange but we inhaled them! For entrees, there were too many amazing ones to pick from : Duck confit with lentils were out of this world, a very moist perfectly done 5 oz. fillet, and the braised short ribs with mascarpone polenta, all winners. The executive chef stopped by to see how we liked everything. He was very personable and excited to hear feedback. Will definitely go back to this inviting and tasty place. Would highly recommend it.
(5)
judy n.
came with a girlfriend in town. Moule frite w pernod - Yum! Mussels and fries?! definitely worth ordering as an app. Tried 2 whites that night Protocolo and Damelano. I'm more a fan of the former.
(3)
Candy C.
Cheese plate: Camembert and Aged Gouda (I can't remember the third) along with figs and caramelized sweet onions and bread. Delicious! Appetizer: Fried squash blossom filled with ricotta cheese on a bed of greens. Tasty! A small dish in and of itself, but it was satisfying enough. Different, but good. Entree: Braised short ribs with mascarpone polenta. You MUST order this!!! It is so super duper yummy and flavorful. The meat just melted in my mouth! It is THAT good I am telling you!!! Must NOT pass this up! And the polenta! Mmmmm!!! Lawrd! I am totally craving for it right now. I would come back here just for this even if I am alone. Aaaaah! Seriously delicious!!! Dessert: I told my friend that I was way too full to have anything else, but we ordered the Blackberry bread pudding anyway. Drizzled with caramel sauce, I practically inhaled the entire slice, leaving just a mere bite for my friend. Didn't I just get done saying I'm too full?! This dessert just closed the deal. MmmmMmmmMmmmm good! Service was good and ambiance was simple. I didn't get to try any of the wines although my friend did and said it was quite gratifying. I asked for iced tea, they had none.
(3)
Nader F.
I don't really care for wine that much but this place has a fairly decent craft beer selection. Can't picture myself coming here over Rose & Crown (across street) too often. Service was quick and friendly. The food looked very tasty!
(3)
H. H.
Been here a few times. My daughter had their "duck confit" and fell in love with it. I've had to take her back 3X for more. At lunch today I had their lamb sausage, sort of an adult hot-dog. Tasted great. Upstairs is a classy white linen tablecloth restaurant, downstairs is a casual high table (barstool) and bar situation. The staff here is really nice.
(4)
Andrew W.
Gravity is the newest restaurant from the Restaurants from Scratch group that includes, reposado and the peninsula creamery. I like the design of the restaurant. There is a lot of dark wood, brick and yellow light coming out of what look like reclaimed bottles. The crowd is very loud. It feels like a yuppie bar, a lot more sport coats than you would normally see on the street. But, I wouldn't call it upscale. I can't remember if there were tablecloths or not. We sat on the second floor. It was a little more quite, but not that much. Also, it looked like it was incomplete. The bar on the second floor was covered in boxes. It kind of felt like i was eating in an industrial storage facility. The service was not very good. The server did not know much about the wines and i felt like we were abandoned at times. The wine flight was not very good. They were all unbalanced somehow. One was way too sour, one was too bitter. The other one was nice, but needed more alcohol behind it. I didn't really care for any of them and would not order the red wine flight again. They only had three different flights. It wasn't too expensive ($15), but not that good either. I liked the food. We had the sweetbread appetizer. It was nice. A little salty. I prefer my sweet breads more creamy and less coated in starch and pan fried. They were a little hard and lacked that milky consistency that good sweetbreads have. Also, the mushrooms in the dish tended to overpower the rest of the dish. The sweetness of the corn and the peppery-ness of the greens was wahsed out by the mushrooms. We also had the short ribs. They were very tender. The sauce needed a little acid to make it pop. Also, there needed to be some fresh herb to open up the texture of the dish. It was a little one note. soft meat on creamy polenta. The polenta was very good. the marscapone added a nice sourness that accentuated the corn flavor. My biggest problem with the food was that the rest of the menu was completely unappealing to me. I am glad that the things we got were good, but I felt nauseated when the table next to us got their frito misto. It did not smell fresh at all. Oh, well. Stick to the things that we ordered and don't go for the wine flight. I am glad that we went here. I love trying out new restaurants. I probably won't be coming back.
(3)
Andrea B.
Loving this spot right down the street from work. It has quicking become my happy hour spot. My only complaint is the the bread choice with the cheese it's kinda off. It isn't your typical baguette it has raisins. I don't mind raisins, but with blue cheese or any cheese on the menu it's not the best pairing. When we asked for a different kind of bread we where then given facaccia again another odd pairing with cheese. Gravity will contiue to be my after work hang out, but I just thought I'd mention the bread.
(4)
Huey K.
All I can do is compare this place to the Wine Room. Gravity's larger. The Wine Room can get really packed, but you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a place to sit at Gravity on Friday after work. The Wine Room has a more homey feel, so it depends what you're looking for. If you want a place that has couches and sofas, then Gravity isn't it. Gravity has actual food. I've only had the charcuterie, but lots of salty meat goes well with wine.
(4)
Karen K.
Soon to become my go-to place to meet friends for dinner! Came here twice to meet out of town friends for dinner. I ordered the short ribs the first time and the burger the second time. I do love me some tender succulent ribs and the burger came with fries that were so addictive, my friends ordered a side order to satiate our need for more fries. ... going in reverse order, let me break down the starters for you - *Indulge in: -the burratta: pillowy cheese you just want to put your head upon and drift off into blissful slumbers -beef tartare: ask for more crostini, you'll need it to scoop up the yumminess *Consider: -bruschetta trio (3 puny bruschettas that are tasty *yum sweet corn with truffle oil* but awkward to share) -Fritto Misto (eh... not much to say - typical fried seafood collection) *Skip: -country pate (a smidge too dry for my taste and I'd easily go without next time) Of course, no meal is complete without dessert and we ordered the chocolate pot de creme. Yelpers, I don't love pot de creme as they tend to be too heavy for me, but this one was oh so good... if I hadn't a care for table manners I would have licked that ramekin clean, but we live in a cultured society where that is apparently frowned upon. It wasn't too heavy and just sweet enough without overpowering you. They had a decent wine list but I wasn't able to indulge too much as I have to drive people home. (Alas...) Service is friendly and knowledgeable. I'm definitely coming back.
(5)
Alireza A.
We ordered the Halibut but it was so dry that had to be sent back. They didn't charge us for them but it was very unfortunate to see the food quality of Gravity go down like this over last 3 years. It used to be my favorite restaurant but now it's just okay.
(3)
Mike C.
I had my birthday party this year at Gravity. Gravity reserved a large table me which is uncommon with wine bars. The staff did an excellent job taking care of a large party. Our server, Aaron, was top notch and provided excellent service. He brought out fresh glasses for every bottle of wine and made sure everyone was getting what they needed. The wine is list is extensive. And Aaron was quite knowledgeable about the wines. I came back for dinner a few nights later and found the food to be good as well. The prices are an excellent value for Palo Alto. Given that the venue is quite new, I expect it to get even better over time.
(5)
Karla L.
Just love that there is a place to have a nice glass of wine and a nibble on a Saturday night in Palo Alto and not have to SCREAM to be heard. I met a friend on a weekend and we got a table upstairs. A really nice vibe with enough going so you do not feel like you are in an empty room but low key enough that we could hear each other. I had the champagne flight and it was yummy. I love getting to taste the three different types of bubbly. We had the brussels sprouts and the arancini. The brussel sprouts ( a vegetable I think is very underrated and I wish people would stop saying such mean things about them) were to die for - a tasty savory little salad with bacon and other great little flavors in it and the arancini a little warm rice and cheese ball of love. I finished with a glass of dessert wine that rocked, a beautiful moscatel from Portugal. A nice addition to the PA dining and wine bar scene.
Returned to try some of their food! Ordered the bistro burger, duck pate, and mussels. Everything was DELISH! Food came out very quickly and service was attentive. Will definitely return for more!
(5)
Katelyn M.
Came here again, and noticed that prices have increased a few bucks a plate. Was disappointed to find that my two of my favorite wine labels listed on their online menu - Bella (zinfandel) and Justin (cab sauv) - were no longer available. I didn't see any others on the menu that really jumped out at me, so I tried a Cotes du Rhone, which was good. Serving sizes are on the smaller side - appetizer plates are more to serve one or maybe two people (at $8-12/plate). I was very excited to try stuffed squash blossoms only to find that for our table of four they have us only one tiny squash blossom. The greens, mushrooms, and artichokes adorning the plate were delicious...but only 1 squash blossom. It was sad. I bought 4 of the same squash blossoms at the farmers market two days later for $0.50 and the appetizer was $9. ...hmm... I still think the servers are excellent, friendly and attentive. My water glass was always full. The coffee was good. But I had to write an update and dock a star to make sure my review more accurately reflected the reality of Gravity. Will I be coming back? Definitely!
(4)
Jacie N.
Their happy hour is amazing- they have a great selection of yummy cocktails, wine, and beer and really delicious appetizers that are more than your usual fries or calamari (although they have those too, and they're really good!). I love the ambiance, it's never too loud or crowded so it's a great place to catch up with friends. The service is really great! However, the dinner menu is pretty small and the food is good but not totally impressive. The wine menu is great and the wait staff is very knowledgeable, they were able to answer all our questions about their wine selection.
(4)
B B.
Went with a group of friends and arrived early on a Tuesday. We had 7 people (one check). Our waiter was hit and miss. We had to "flag him down" several times for service. We ordered some food. The burgers were great but the risotto was not right. It was like oily rice with some mushrooms and asparagus thrown in. The chef apparently said that he makes his risotto "different and earthy". Whatever. Also, our waiter forgot some wine orders toward the end of the evening. Then, caught unawares (no mention of this when I made the reservation), a 18% gratuity was auto added to our bill. Would not have subjected my friends to this had I known in advance. Other places in Palo Alto are just as good or better without poor service.
(2)
Nadia C.
I went here last Saturday with my husband a friend. It was a forced choice as we wanted to eat at Evvia but did not have a reservation and it was a long wait. We walked through it to find it a little empty and hoping we get a seat quick. We were led upstairs and it was a good dining area. I did not even know if this was just a wine bar till I read about it after our dinner. For such an uninformed decision, it was surprisingly not bad. We had entrees with wine and the bill for 3 people was $120. The food is not really great but the service is good. In all, not bad for a last minute dine-out decision but if you have the time to plan this might not be the best on the block.
(3)
Rick F.
Nice new addition to the downtown scene. Good selection of wines you don't find everywhere, all the time. Nice food, great service.
(4)
Lucas P.
Came here for a date night on Friday with my fiance. I'd been a handful of times before, but only for drinks after eating elsewhere This time we decided to try it for both. We started off with the bruschetta, which was a little disappointing. There were three normal sized pieces of bread, each with their own topping: one with trio-cabernet onions & olive tapanade, another with truffled mushroom duxelles, and the last with tomato compote. Only the last was really solid. We then moved on to an arugula salad that was pretty tasty. We then split the filet and frittes entree, which was also good though pretty small. Overall, the place has a nice ambiance and the food is pretty good, though not great. However, it leaves a little to be desired and the prices are a bit high for the product.
(3)
Sabrina E.
I had a great time when I popped in on a Wednesday night. We sat at the bar & got a bubbly flight. The service was amazing. I think that it was the manager that came over & chatted wine with us. It was a pleasure to meet him, as he was very knowledgable & friendly. It wasn't very crowded, but I don't mind that at all. I prefer a little elbow room. The service & oysters were a joy! I would go back for dinner.
(4)
Noelle O.
Food was good, but kind of pricy. I had the chicken breast and my husband the short ribs, and we really enjoyed both. Portion sizes are pretty small. The atmosphere feels a little corporate, mainly because they force their staff wear shirts with the name of the restaurant on them. Kind of cheesy. They should lower the lights a little as well.
(3)
Tara T.
Went there on a Friday night a couple weeks ago with 2 friends. Place was pretty empty for dinner on a Friday night - maybe its pick up? Here is what we thought: -Sparkling White Wine Flight = meh it was okay, nothing to write home about. -Frito Misto = Pretty bland. Enough for 3 people to snack on. -Bistro Burger: Yummy. Definitely the most tasty thing on their menu. -Friends got the salmon and pasta dishes: Both said they were bland. One had to add salt and pepper to the pasta. Both dishes were suuuuuuuuuper tiny, so I shared my burger! -Regular glass of wine: TINY TINY pours. I'm talking less than 2 fingers...no joke! Overall, the decor was cute, clean and quiet. Would I go back? Um no thanks. This place was overpriced with very very bland food. Jazz the food up a bit and have better wine pours and I might come back.
(3)
Emily M.
I've been here twice now. I like the selection of wines, but I feel like they are a tad overpriced. Especially because the food is so inexpensive! I almost feel like if the food was more expensive, the wine prices would make sense! My entree was $16, which is nearly the same price as a lot of the glasses of wine! So, it's easy to think you're not going to spend much on dinner because entrees are all around $15.00. But throw in 2 glasses of wine per person and you've got a pricey meal on your hands. Enough about prices- on to the food. The first time I had the chicken thighs with farro, which was excellent. BF got the steak frite. The steak was good, the frite were NOT. Very soggy and undercooked. Second time around, I got the short ribs, served with mascarpone polenta. Very, very tasty and a bargain at $16.00. BF got the bucatini, which was in a delicious, rich, garlicky marinara sauce. Both times we went, we were given complimentary amuse bouche- one was marinated olives and a glass of sherry. The other was crostini and tapenade. We greatly appreciated the tasty treats. The second time, we also got bread and olive oil with our dinner, baked next door at the Creamery. Yum! Our server was very kind and remembered us the second time around. I'm happy to have the addition of another wine bar that doesn't get as packed as the The Wine Room on Ramona and has better service than Vino Locale.
(4)
Christelle C.
Went there yesterday. It felt like a snobbish place. We arrived without reservation and were harshly told that we had to wait to be seated (by our to-be waiter for the night). The host brought us to the nearest table available. Within the following 5 minutes the server came to see us 5 times, which was more then the remaining of the night. It was also quite loud. We ordered a lot of appetizers which were good and drank a lot of wine by the glass. I was not impressed by the flights. As someone else said, it is hard to select wine when they only state which valley it's from. I'm lucky I have some knowledge of wine so I could make better decision. The selection wasn't as big as I would have liked it to be. It's more of a restaurant that serves wine than a wine bar. I don't think we'll go back, event if the overall experience was ok. There are better wine bar in Palo Alto.
(3)
Iris W.
Went here last night with a large group for a birthday party. Let me start with positives: 1) cool name 2) very nice inside-good atmosphere 3) wine and beer were yummy 4) food tasted pretty good Ok now for the negatives: 1) uncomfortable chairs. 2) the waiter poked me 3 times!!(don't appreciate being touched while dining by the waiter) 3) my wine came to the table way after everyone else got theirs and after someone got their cheese plate. 4) we ordered and appetizer. It didn't cone so we asked for it. Everyone got entrees, still no appetizer, had to ask for it again. Finally got it.
(3)
Sarah J.
What an upgrade from that dumpy, sketchy "ultra lounge" Melt! I love this place. I must say that I only love this place as a WINE BAR. Not a restaurant. The food is in tiny portions and totally overpriced, but I love the atmosphere and the wine selection. Get the white wine flight- yum! The servers have always been super friendly to me - usually with free green olives - and you can't beat the location. So glad to have this new addition to downtown PA!
(5)
Katie Y.
My girlfriend went in to ask about having a small party there, and the woman she talked with was very rude! They also wanted a $3000 minimum for 15-20 people. Um, so we're talking 200/head and we weren't even asking to rent the place out--we just wanted to reserve a table for 15 for like 1 1/2 hours. Unbelievable. The woman also repeated about 10 times that she would NOT move the tables around for us (which was weird, since we never asked about this and had no special desire to move the tables). Needless to say, we'll be having the party elsewhere!
(2)
Karla E.
We ate here a few nights ago and had a nice table for two upstairs in the bistro section. The food and wine were good. Our waiter was good, albeit the waitstaff could use a little more support. Our plates were never cleared in time for the next course. In fact when our main course came a waiter (not ours) asked me to lift up my dirty dishes so he could put my main course down on the table. I gave him my old dishes and he said "could ya keep your silverware please" (and not in the nicest tone). Odd not to just bring fresh, clean silverware like most upscale places do normally. Anyway, much of our meal was spent looking at our empty/finished dirty dishes that needed to be cleared away (hate that!). Our main problem with this place, and it's something they could easily fix, is that the lighting upstairs is way, way, way too bright overall. It was so bright and had almost a family-style chain restaurant feel, which was bizarre for an upscale, modern wine bar/bistro. I had one halogen track light burning a hole in my eyes all night and I had to keep moving to the side to avoid it. Note to the manager: A dimmer switch is desperately needed for upstairs... it would make the entire experience so much better for your customers. I noticed I'm not the only writing about this in these reviews!
(2)
Brittany S.
My husband and I got out of a movie at the Stanford Theater about 9:15 and walked over here for dinner last Saturday night. We had reservations and were greeted with a smile by the lovely hostess - the ambiance is wonderful and the service (especially from Kent, our server) was fabulous. We never had empty water glasses and our items were served beautifully. Kent knows his wine and gave us great advice about wine and food choices. We had the shortribs, the risotto, a cheese plate, and some wine flights - all were excellent. We had a lovely evening at a relaxed pace and felt it was the perfect place for an anniversary dinner, although we would come back with friends for a more casual evening too. They can accommodate larger groups for dinner at some of their big tables and they have a fun bar table atmosphere downstairs we would check out again on a future visit. Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Kelsey H.
My boyfriend and I went there one night and had a great experience. We went there for a second time and the owner was there and he took a look at my boyfriends I.d. and thought it was fake (it was absolutely not) and told us he would not serve us and we had to leave. The first time we spent lots of money and left a great tip. The food is good and the fact the kitchen is open until 1:30 is fantastic but the owner made the whole experience very uncomfortable. Management is rude to the staff and any customer under the age of 30 it seems.
(1)
Shawn L.
Without a doubt, one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. Incredibly poor service was the primary problem. - 10 minute wait to get a glass of wine . . . at a wine bar, while sitting at the bar? - People that came in quite a bit after me were served first - we're talking a cheese plate folks; I'm not sure what could have caused the delay. - My beverage was served in a filthy glass - Once I finally received the cheese . . . it wasn't what I ordered . . .and this was after the bartender had re-confirmed my order. This whole thing took at least 30 - 40 minutes, just to make it through a cheese course! That was the last straw. I canceled the rest of my meal and left. This place has pretty good reviews so I suppose my experience may have been an outlier; needless to say, I will never go back to try again.
(1)
Stacey W.
Excellent food, great service, and upscale atmosphere without feeling stuffy. Pricing was surprisingly reasonable ($18 entrees). Not too crowded on weekends (we didn't have to wait on a Saturday night!). We had the short ribs and short rib pasta, which was cooked perfectly.
(5)
Thanh Thuy B.
For lunch, portions are not so great for the price. For dinner, this place is very loud and the menu is not very inventive.
(2)
todd h.
My wife and I had several appetizers here recently and had a great overall experience. I'd been once before just to the bar, but she had not been before. I think initially the dark interior and small entry way make it somewhat unwelcoming, or may give you the sense of having to commit once inside. We're glad we went in though. One of the wait staff (Jonathan) greeted us outside actually and that was kind of nice. He was our server as well and was really great as were the rest of the staff. The food was excellent. We had the asparagus salad, the beet salad, the bruschetta and the cheese plate. All were very tasty, fresh and well prepared. Only the white bean bruschetta did we think needed a little work. They seemed undercooked and too large for the bread. They had nice mellow music playing, and it was a place you could have an actual conversation in a normal voice. I don't particularly care for the dark, enclosed feel, but that's just me. My wife thought it was cozy and relaxing. We'll definitely return.
This place was expensive and the serivce was sooooooooo bad. The only bartender made terrible drinks and did not honor offering Happy Hour prices. Probably not all together his fault as he's trying to serve a 2 story restaurant all on his own. Nevertheless my Mojito tasted a little like cough syrup. The food was good but over priced. And we were all cramped at the Bar, the manager tried to come stick an extra chair, when I said please don't were cramped as it is kept insisting, so I said, if that happens I'll get my check and leave, and so it happened. We had to leave. Not Happy. :(
(1)
E W.
Delicious flavors every time. Knowledgable staff helps with wine choices, and is typically spot on. All of the following are FANTASTIC! warm pancetta and brussels sprouts salad pancetta, grilled asparagus, and pecorino salad beef tartar with quail egg - divine! wild mushroom risotto - comfort on a plate filet mignon and frites duck confit with lentils and port wine short ribs over mascarpone polenta Having been here twice, I would now skip the charcuterie and cheese plates. Uninteresting pairings on both and high price for cheese and meats you can get at Piazza's or Whole Foods.
(5)
David J.
Service was extremely slow 1) It took 15 mins just to get drinks for 3 people. 2) we waited 1 hr+ to get our food Food wasn't cooked correctly to order 1) We ordered a burger with no cheese but it came out with cheese (fail) 2) we ordered pasta with no pancetta because we had a vegetarian and it came outwith pancetta (fail) Incorrect billing 1) Because of the poor service I decided to tip less($6). But when I got my credit card bill there magically became $19. I understand that it's really just a small $13, so there's really no point in contesting -- I will however post this negative review. On the upside, food was great and if it were not for the crappy service, I'd go back again.... what a shame.
(1)
Kat D.
We recently swung by Gravity because we were looking for a place that was open late with food and drinks. We were happy that Yelp suggested this place and that we didn't have to resort to going to some of the more mediocre and loud Palo Alto spots on a Saturday night. The place is very nice instead - definitely looks like it was designed by the same folks who did their other restaurant Scratch - with an exposed brick wall, low lighting but you can still see, and clean wood tables. Starting with the alcohol list, I would have to agree with other folks that their prices are definitely steep for beers and wines. However, at this point, we didn't really care and I was happy that the waitress actually steered me towards a nice glass of wine and it was a tasty. In terms of food, we just wanted some nibbles so we ordered mussles & fries and a plate of charcuterie. All of the above was great and really hit the spot. Unlike what previous reviewers have said, the fries look underdone, but they tasted twice fried and were pleasantly crunchy. They were definitely a little salty, but when I'm having a drink it tasted fine. Service overall was very good -- not too interruptive as previously indicated but they kept our water glasses full and cleared plates when done to make more room on the table. Overall, it was a little pricey, but I think worth it when you take a few things into account: (1) It's a nice spot to just get American fare off of University that's not just burgers; (2) you can avoid the loud crowds at the other bars off of University and enjoy a more "adult" atmosphere without the pain of college kids everywhere; (3) They serve food and don't feel as stuffy when you compare it to the Wine Room; and (4) Give it a little time to work out the kinks because it's tough when you open some place new.
(4)
Jody F.
Its well located, straight forward and good food well priced. Great place to meet with friends/ co-workers mid week etc...
(4)
Dave S.
I would give this place 3.5. Service was good but not outstanding, appetizers were amazing but the entrees were nothing to write home about. Good value though and solid selection of wine.
(4)
Jayne L.
we came here for dinner before quiz night at the rose & crown. I liked the place -- all the food was excellent -- foie gras, sweetbreads, confit, merguez sausage and beef tartare I want to go back. That's why the place gets such a good rating. The wine in the wine flights was not the best and the bartender didn't really know much about wine. Interesting choices though, and it would have been nice if someone could have actually spoken to us about them. The owner/manager did not come over to answer questions. Our recommendation + If you want a wine bar, walk down the street to Lavanda. Come here for the food. I don't know why it doesn't get more of a crowd, though Really puzzling. Although there appeared to be as many servers as people in the restaurant, we just could not get the eye of our server to get the bill. That was problematic
(4)
Elliott H.
Good food, good drinks and no wait to be seated. The upstairs (where we sat) was a bit loud for a restaurant but otherwise the ambiance is nice.
(4)
S K.
Although I am hardly a wine fan, the food and cozy ambiance was enough to win me over. There are two levels, each warmly lit and pretty full. Despite that, we were seated immediately. The waiter was very friendly and was able to turn the bucatini into a vegetarian option with a replacement of mushrooms for the pancetta. I tried that and the chicken with rosemary-olive jus on the waiter's recommendation. Both were absolutely amazing, unlike any other dinner I've had on University. The chicken was cooked to perfection, and the glaze complimented it perfectly. The bucatini, which just seems like thick pasta, came covered in a delectable, slightly spicy sauce. Unlike many places, the amount of food they served was just right. Not so much you end up taking half the meal home with you, and not so little you feel gypped for the price. The only complaint I had was about the cucumber cocktail. It was so strong and bitter, I could barely take more than a few sips. I will attribute this to my own foolishness in ordering a cocktail instead of wine in a place that touts itself as a wine bar.
(4)
Stephanie K.
Finally made it there last night! the evening started off to be promising with good company, an upbeat waitress, and interesting flight of reds. When it the food arrived it looked awesome, and the burgers were cooked to perfection. But almost all of our food was WAY too salty (french fries don't count in the calculation). The wild Alaskan salmon special, which could have been really nice, was probably the worst offender. I didn't even realize just how so over salty it was until I plowed through three big glasses of water a couple of hours later. I mentioned that the food was pretty salty to the waitress. She she was apologetic and said she would let the chefs know., but still... I realize now that instead of just eating the salmon, I should have sent it back. So, consider yourself forewarned....
(2)
Kristin D.
Came here on a Thursday night just looking to have a glass with a friend. We decided on Gravity after The Wine Room looked too packed and the noise level made a conversation hardly possible. Upon entering, the hostess asked if we wanted to sit by the bar or at a table (we chose a table) and then informed us that they would close soon. I liked the heads up, that way closing time wouldn't come as a surprise. We quickly decided on two Pinots (the one from Alsace was fantastic, the "Witness" something was good as well) and then got a three cheese plate as well. Throughout the little time we spent there, our server Kent made sure we were well taken care of and happy with what we ordered. He was friendly and chatty but in no way too much so. When 11pm rolled around, we thought we should hurry to get out but we were not rushed at all- contrary to many other places where the staff just wants to get out once it's closing time. The five stars are earned by a combination of great service by Kent, good wine selection, and that there was actually room for us :) Also, though we didn't take advantage of it, a kitchen that stays open until 11pm is great! Overall, I will definitely be back!
(5)
Steve T.
I was pleased with this wine bar. It's on par with what I'd expect, the wine wasn't too outrageously priced, and the service was decently fast. I arrived on an early Saturday night with a friend and was promptly seated. We shared apps and drank a bottle of red. Good people-watching. I wouldn't necessarily rave about Gravity, but it definitely is a nice place to come on a date or relax with friends over a nice bottle.
(4)
Jen L.
Always assumed this was just a place to grab drinks. But PA was crowded on a saturday so we gave the food here a try. My grilled salmon was excellent and my friend's hamburger was great. The waiter was nice and accomodating despite our frequent requests for leaving sauces on the side. The pot de creme is also terrific. Prices are reasonable for the area. I'll definitely be coming back here.
(5)
Tom A.
Quality food, moderate prices, good service and environment. Not much to say negative about Gravity. I had the braised short ribs with marscapone polenta and my fiance had the duck confit with lentils and wine/fig reduction. Everything on both our plates was quite good, if not delicious. The bread they serve is 5 stars. It was like eating savory cake...dense but light, buttery and salty. They make it in house and it is fantastic. I knocked off 1 star because I think the wine prices are a smidge too high. Nothing under $10/glass of decent quality. They have this option of getting 3 2oz taster glasses for $15. 1 was good, 1 was meh, and the 3rd wasn't very good at all. Nowhere near the $15 price that we paid for it. However, the prices for the entrees are quite reasonable. $12-15. They aren't "American" portions, but definitely enough.
(4)
Shweta V.
Food was a-ok; not too vegetarian friendly. Best things on the menu here IMO is the bread they serve and sparling wine flight. Friendly service; good place to hang out on a weekend evening.
(3)
Denise E.
We came here with a group of seven. I thought the food was very good. My husband had Steak and Frites and thought it was very good. I had a peach and butter lettuce salad, which was great. I also had the roasted chicken thigh which was served on a bed of couscous with fresh corn and a tarragon sauce. I thought it was excellent. I had the lemon strawberry shortcake which was just okay -- a bit dry. Friends had the risotta which was also wonderfully flavorful. We had two bottles of wine, a nebiollo and a syrah. Both were fine. I would definitely come back for the food -- prices were quite fair. Also maybe we were lucky, but I thought the service was excellent -- very attentive but not overbearing. Our server had a great sense of humor.
(4)
Stanford M.
Twice as good as Zibbibo at half the price!
(5)
Matt G.
We really enjoyed our first visit to Gravity. The service was good -- the waiter allowed us to try a couple of wines before we ordered a carafe -- and the food was delicious. We split a great brussel sprouts, pancetta and grapefruit salad, and our mains (braised short ribs on polenta, and duck confit with lentils) were excellent. We finished with an apple crostata with salted caramel ice cream -- yum!! This is a great option in downtown PA because it is of no particular ethnicity, just a bistro with good food and wine.
(4)
Bret W.
Sometimes you walk into a new place and it just instantly feels right. Gravity Wine Bar is that way for me. Actually, "wine bar" is sort of a misnomer in this case because they have a full bar and restaurant in addition to a great selection of wines. And the food really is extraordinary - the warm brussel sprout salad is a taste sensation, and the short ribs on polenta just absolutely melt in your mouth. Or, if you want more traditional wine bar fare, the cheese and charcuterie plates are wonderful. Either way, you can't go wrong. I love this place.
(5)
Jermaine R.
This is a neat little wine bar with some pretty good food. They have a decent selection of beer as well, like the Unibroue la fin du monde from Quebec. We tried a delicious sampling of charcuterie. I had the grilled merguez sausage in a fresh, house-made bun -- basically a deliciously fancy hot dog. It's served with dijon and tasty french fries. All the dishes are nicely plated. The ambiance and lighting is really warm and sleek. Service is a little slow at times, but always friendly. It's not too crowded around 6pm, but it does get booked later. I hope they open for lunch at some point.
(4)
Robin K.
I went here with three of my girlfriends for a girl's night out dinner. We wanted to go to a nice place where we could sip some wine and get a steak. Three of us ordered the filet and frites. I often judge a restaurant by their filet as I order it "black and blue". Only the top restaurants will actually cook my filet this way. This tells me that they choose very high quality meats, as it has to be in order to cook it this rare. When the steak came out, it was cooked perfectly. I was so happy. It was the best filet I've had in the Bay Area so far. My two other girlfriends that ordered the filet were extremely satisfied. We also ordered a cheese plate as an appetizer. It was very delicious as well. The manager was very accommodating and even brought our food out to us. He was very friendly and nice. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone. I've eaten at Gravity only once before and was just as pleased. It just might be the best place to get a filet in downtown Palo Alto.
(5)
craig w.
My wife and daughter went here this evening and had a really great experience. The wine list is incredible. They had fine Zin with a nice cheese platte paired with brucetti.The carmelized shallot really completed the dish. The decor is modern but clean and welcoming. The general manager was very friendly and told us all about the plans for the decor and menu. We will be back and look forward to this being a new and highly successful establishment in Palo Alto.
(5)
Dave K.
Definitely loved this place. They have a nice bar downstairs with a wide selection of beers and wines. It gets a little packed on the weekends, so I would recommend going early especially if you got a big group. I haven't tried the food menu but from the looks of it, it seems pretty nice. It's a good place to go for a casual night out with friends or if you want to take your girl out for a few drinks.
(5)
Anna C.
Delicious food, knowledgeable sommelier (with perfect wine suggestions) and clean, modern, rustic-inspired decor. We recommend the halibut and the Peach Pie dessert. It was so hard to choose! Two gripes: the Asian hostess has attitude and looks like she should work in the mall instead of an elegant wine bar, and the bathrooms are upstairs and in the back. Quick tip: If you don't get a tall table downstairs, request one upstairs- there's more room to stretch out, you are closer to the bathrooms and it's more private.
(4)
Kat M.
We visited the Gravity Wine Bar a few weeks ago with a small group of friends. The upside - super friendly and knowledgeable waiter, pretty good food (I had the risotto and my husband had the burger), great Irish beer (red ale). The downside - the fire alarm rang through a large portion of our dinner and, once it stopped, then the piped-in Christmas music (it was November and not yet even Thanksgiving) took over. After complaining to the manager, she was able to shut off the fire alarm but not the Christmas music. I love "Jingle Bells" but not BEFORE Thanksgiving. The food (and alcohol) was good enough to give it another try.......so keep posted.
(3)
Ruth-Anne S.
We came here with another couple and had a delicious meal so we came back when my parents came to visit and celebrated my mom's birthday. The food was very good with all of our party of 7 enjoying each of our appetizers and entrees. The service was a bit slow and my mom didn't get her entree when the rest of our party did. The restaurant more than made up for that hiccup. They really went above and beyond what I would expect. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Brian K.
Really nice service, great food. Classy.
(4)
Randy R.
Knowledgeable and friendly staff, interesting wine selection. Food is very good and very reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
(5)
Sam W.
The atmosphere and decor was amazing. We had an early dinner (6pm), so there weren't very many people at all. The service was good; my water glass was never empty, which was amazing because I drink a lot of water when I eat, and it's a necessity to me. I had the duck confit. It was amazing. The cabernet-fig jus melded perfectly with the duck. I would definitely order it again. My date got the pan-roasted chicken thighs. He liked his dish, and after trying it, I agreed that it was good. We also ordered the pate de campagne. The pate itself was not bad. My only complaint would have to be that there was too little bread provided compared to the amount of pate. Also, one of the three tiny slices of bread was very burnt. Overall, I would definitely recommend Gravity.
(5)
Jonathan F.
If you're looking for a place to have a nice dinner on a weeknight that's not too crowded, this is the place to be. Most of the times they'll even serve you a free appetizer dish while you're waiting, like carmelized mushrooms and onions over a toasted crostini. Their Fritto Misto and Steak Tartar are good appetizers, and their Bucatini and Duck Confit are pretty good main dishes. Try their Apple Tart Tatin for dessert. Good food, good atmosphere, great prices for a restaurant in downtown Palo Alto.
(4)
Sonal P.
Great little place in downtown PA. We were at Scotty's next door and decided to check this place out. The manager seated us and informed us that they have only been open a couple of months. The ambiance was great. Its spacious, but cozy. Great place for groups and couples. The crowd seemed sophisticated cool, not too old or too young, which I like. The service was great...our waitress was super friendly and knowledgeable. And the wines were great. We tried a flight of whites that featured a delicious sauvignon blanc. We didn't eat dinner, but we did try the cheese platter which was good. May try the food next time, but will definitely be back for wine.
(4)
Rachel T.
Love it! And the gm is usually the host who greets you at the door and he is also a somalie... REALLY GREAT and down to earth guy. He brought out a free pairing for us to try with one of our dishes. Highly recommend.
(5)
Natasha C.
I think this is soon become a favourite of mine in Palo Alto. Their wine selection is great and I love that they do flights of a variety of types of wine. All their pours are pretty generous (both when you get a flight and when you just get a glass) and the staff is very friendly and attentive. We shared a cheese plate and a pot de creme - yummm, all delicious, especially the pot de creme. A highlight for me was their dessert wine flight - 4 different wines that went from a lightly sweet madeira to a rich, velvety port that worked well altogether. Ambiance was great - unique, warm, and cosy decor. Definitely tangential but I loved their light fixtures and the solid wood tables. Great for a dinner date or drinks!
(5)
Becky B.
Went last night with hubby. We started with bubbly and both enjoyed our glasses. We ordered bruschetta but somehow the waiter didn't hear us order that. He was very apologetic when we asked about it. Apologized several times. It was okay. They brought us an amuse bouche that was tasty. I had the filet and fries for $19. Had some red wine recommended by the waiter. It was a little too warm so I put a tiny ice cube in and that helped. Hubby had the bucatini and red wine too. Both were great. The bucatini was a reasonably-sized. For dessert we split vanilla panna cotta and a chocolate pot de creme. Both were tasty. It's a very pretty restaurant and we enjoyed the dinner. We will be back.
(3)
Andrew P.
I am a fan of the duck confit. Not too heavy (greasy) and always prepared just right. The portion is a little small for the price IMO but the flavor is a delight so I'm not complaining. My favorite thing about this place though is the fact that the kitchen doesn't close until 11pm. That's right! 11pm!! Perfect for those of us still sitting in our offices at 1030 and desperately seeking something close that's not Subway or pizza.
(5)
Michelle K.
I think the owners have taken the reviews to heart because I had a great experience at Gravity Wine Bar. My friend and I both had wine flights and the pours were quite generous. The food was excellent -- I had the bucatini and she had the Merguez sausage. My one quibble is that the portions are moderate-to-small. They are fine for the ladies, but I wouldn't bring a ravenous man here. Minus half a star here. Desserts... meh. The Prosecco poached pear was definitely overpriced. It was good, but not $7 good. I wouldn't order it again. The honey ricotta crostada my friend ordered was pretty yummy, but they should think about dropping down the prices for the desserts. Minus half a star for that. The atmosphere was great, the service perfect.... overall a pretty good experience. I would definitely return.
(4)
Karne N.
We've been here with friends twice now and the place was pretty empty on both occasions. The food is very tasty and nicely presented, but pricey, We've had the steak frites (both are excellent) and the fresh salmon (very good). Beet salad is always good (although somewhat small on the beet portion) as was the onion soup and the shaved asparagus. Wines by the glass are very expensive, but the flights are a good choice. I had the Iberian flight and enjoyed two out of the three wines. Nice portions, $13 price. Though the food is enjoyable, it's an expensive outing and not one we would do on a regular basis. Service was friendly and we were not rushed at all. 3.5 stars
(3)
Jennifer H.
Excellent food and wine. A bit noisy downstairs but less so upstairs. Fabulous hostess.
(5)
Kristy H.
This is an excellent place to just unwind and be taken care of. The down stair area is both cozy and stylish, with low lighting and a friendly vibe.The bar staff are friendly and knowledgeable, with several someliers on staff, and the servers are polite and unobtrusive and also ready and waiting to serve. I've had several dishes there and enjoyed each one, but I must say that their Chicken thigh is something not to be missed, and their Pot de Creme is heavenly -- And, I don't know what kind of alchemy the chef is using with the mushrooms, but whatever it is, it's spectacular! The last time I ate there both the manager and the Chef were kind enough to come to my table and ask if everything was as I liked it to be -- and I can assure you it was. This place has only been open since December and is still growing into its own; I've been there when it's packed, but have also been there when there were only 4 people (at 5pm). I love this place, and I'm gonna keep coming back! To remark on another persons comment about the wine pours being tiny: I am really surprised to read that! I've always had generous pours.
(5)
Don S.
I have been there twice. The first time it was mediocre, the food was decent but too salty the second time the service was so bad we wound up leaving as soon as we could and going over to Gorden Birch. During the course of our meal they asked us if we were happy 8 times! We were trying to talk. They cleared my plate while she was still eating, took away my wine glass while she still had some in hers (this is in addition to the 8 interruptions). The bread was too salty to eat. It also does not have many California wines. The people that work there seem nice and the manager was mortified when I complained so I do not wish them ill, but I much prefer the style of Vino Locale where I can eat and drink at my own pace, chat and chill.
(2)
Anne R.
This place is super cute! Their wine list is great and reasonably priced. However their food menu needs work. Give them a few more months to work out the menu, before you commit to an opinion of them. I'll definitely go back in the spring!
(4)
Pete B.
Food and service was excellent. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Tim C.
Other wine bars were full, so having seen Gravity open recently, I decided to come by here with some work colleagues. I was pleasantly surprised - our server was very friendly and helpful. We got given an amuse bouche consisting of a glass of sparkling and some bruschetta which was nice. We got a couple of different flights, and the arancini. The wine was fine, maybe a little overpriced, but enjoyable. The arancini was excellent. I'd go again.
(4)
anna p.
I really enjoyed the wine at this place and service. Extremely friendly staff. Great atmosphere.
(5)
Savita P.
Went here for the first time for dinner with hubby last night. We got there around 8:15pm and found it to be busy & buzzing but not packed; we were seated immediately. The decor and ambience was great; loved the high tables. Food was good, not great - we had Bruschettas, pan-friend chicken thighs and a grilled salmon. However, the most disappointing aspect of our visit was the service. A young lady with a disinterested smile served us. She never said a word beyond what was necessary to get our order placed and served. She rudely placed the menus and the final check in a very indifferent manner and walked away ... and I doubt she was too busy to say a kind word or be warm. We were quite shocked by the behavior especially considering that this place is run by the same management that owns Scratch in Mountain View and Reposado in Palo Alto - we've frequented both these places numerous times and have always had wonderful service. We ate dessert elsewhere as we just didn't want to sit around here for any longer... Sad!
(2)
Simon G.
Awesome, undiscovered, and very French (portion size).
(5)
Marie P.
I had high hopes for this place but sadly was let down. The menu is not very vegetarian friendly. The amuse-bouche was weak. Dry crostini with barely a chopped mushroom. The entree portions are small. I ordered the bucatini and while the flavor was good, I would have loved a scratch of bread offered with my meal.The wines by the glass (red) are very warm, no where near cellar temperature. Our waiter didn't seem to love his job. Probably wouldn't revisit.
(3)
Jeff L.
We went on a Friday night and we enjoyed our time. Hostess was nice. Service was good. We had some wine and the cheese and meat appitizers. The food was a bit non tradional and the beer choices were the same. It is a good change of pace bar. I would call it romantic more modern and clean.
(3)
Ash T.
i suppose if you come here just for wine, it works. but if you come here expecting an interesting time, not so much. came here on friday and was bored out my mind by the lethargic crowd. also, the bruschetta i got was not all that fantastic. wont' be back here for a while if ever.
(2)
Tiffany H.
Fantastic place to go on a Saturday night for a glass of wine and a cheese plate!
(4)
ryan n.
great great food - cheese portions and selections are good but a tad pricey. ...plenty of butter; rich food. braised short ribs perfectly salted. ...will come back for cocktails too, good ambiance.
(4)
Cameron N.
Gravity delivered on atmosphere, selection and quality of wine, and service. The red flight was well curated.
(5)
Ben D.
The food was terrible. The ribs were cafeteria quality. Two of us ordered the ribs and were appalled. The duck was mediocre. Bland salad. Completely overrated
(1)
Robin T.
Only been there once so far, but was pretty impressed. Great atmosphere, fantastic and knowledgeable wait staff, the wine flight was great (get one of these!), the food was really good too. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Julia B.
My husband and I have been here a couple of times now, one time for drinks and dessert, the other for a drink. The drinks selection is good and the atmosphere is nice (lighting not too dark/ light; music ambient etc.). I think, though, the wait staff are a bit too intrusive. Once the initial glass is poured, I would prefer to decide when I need a top up. The attentive service is nice, but they need to step back just a notch as it feels a bit rushed and that they're trying too hard.
(4)
Whitney L.
The food is great, initially the wine selection was horrible but this has really improved (they must read their yelp reviews), the Justin cab on the list is very good and they're food is wonderful, chef Andy knows what he's doing
(4)
reema s.
Great ambience and good food. Fun place with a group.
(4)
john m.
So this place is a solid 3.5 stars... not quite at 4 yet but since they're new I will give them the benefit of the doubt and go with a 4. Nice atmosphere inside and friendly staff, but the one drawback to me was everything was salty. It wasn't just my dish, everyone commented that their dish was noticeably salty.
(4)
Nanette A.
Started out at Evvia, but got seated at a table right near the entrance and it was already starting to get noisy there. Ended up at Gravity and couldn't have been happier. Great service and great food. I cannot comment on the wine list as I don't feel expert enough to do so, but the experience here was so pleasant. First of all, it was quiet for some time since we arrived at about 6:15 on a Friday. It did get noisier later on, but not until about 7:30 or 8 p.m. so we could actually have a conversation without yelling (hard to do these days in most restaurants!) One of the wait staff informed us that we'd be receiving a small plate gratis, but we received delicious olives instead. When we asked him about it, he arranged to have the other dish brought out as well. The wait staff was very knowledgeable about the wines and the food was unique and exquisite. My friend and I shared a salad and a main dish and each had wine which was enough and very reasonable for the quality of the food and wine. Our waitress was very attentive. We were surprised to see another seating area upstairs as well. I highly recommend.
(4)
Brittany B.
I have been here a handful of times by now, and it's a great quaint spot. The service is attentive, and the food comes out pretty fast which is always a plus. So here's the crazy part... I was vegetarian for 3 years and one night I said, "I want a burger." Normally I'd head straight to in n out, but I have to say (and hopefully no one will hunt me down for this), but their burgers are amazing, and just do it for me. Super flavorful and juicy. Let's not also forget their meatballs, which I always start of with when I go there. Yum!
(5)
Lindsey B.
Skip it. Hostess was unwelcoming when we arrived and our table was not ready. Food was overpriced for the portion sizes, and some of it was poorly prepared. Appetizers (beet salad, burrata, meatballs) were comically small for sharing amongst our 5 person group. Meatballs were dry and lacked flavor. My duck confit came out a full 5 minutes after the rest of the table had been served, and was so overcooked and dry that it was difficult to cut with a knife. And, the mandarin orange sauce alongside it was icy cold. Our waitress made frequent attempts to up-sell, which was annoying. The beef short ribs and lemon pasta were much better than the duck.
(1)
Nicole R.
This is a fantastic bistro for dining as a large group. We were a group of 10 people and they treated us very well, never a glass was empty or a plate bare! Our table had a Sangiovese which was enjoyed by all except me. I stuck to a glorious Sav Blanc from New Zealand. It was a vintage I had never tried and it was crisp and fresh. Perfect for cutting through the meal. The menu at first glance looked unremarkable, but everything I had was fantastic! It reminded me of traveling through Italy. Simple foods, fresh ingredients and the food is incredible. I tried the Frito Misto which was a delicious mix of calamari, lemon slices, fennel and olives. Hard to go wrong with fried food, and this was one of the best plates of Calamari I have had for a long time. Next I had the Frisee salad with poached egg. It is a delicious mix of bitter greens, soft yolk goodness and salty bacon bits. I could eat this every night for dinner. Next I had the special, seared Ahi Tuna on a bed of bitter greens with a butter sauce. It was fantastic, though overcooked for my liking. I like things on the rare side. The Tuna was fresh, and the bitter greens offset the butter and tuna very well. Finally for dessert, we shared a selection off the menu. The Apple crostada with caramel gelato caught my eye and was fantastic. The Meyer lemon pot de creme was also quite good! Some of my companions ordered coffee which was served in a french press at the table. It looked good, but I did not try. Overall, a great place to bring someone you want to impress. Bellissima!
(5)
Stephen H.
Make sure you eat upstairs. As other have said, it can get a little loud downstairs. The food, however, is very good. My husband had the grouper which he says was one of the best fish fishes he's ever had. I had the lamb chops and they were delicious. We'll be back.
(4)
Nancy N.
Quickly- a girls night raw oysters craving! Was a touch hesitant as my previous oyster experience left me curious - shall I say fearful with why my late night oysters were not served on ice and had ginormous barnacles - anyway no one got sick. But THIS visit!!! Hashtag Wow! The Tomales Bay oysters were fantastic! Shucked to perfection! Amazing! First grade! The flights of wine! Um shall we say finely paired - we had the white flights and the Spanish flights! Ah- May- zing!!!! Seriously awesome quality, price point and ambiance- we also had a side of olives! Super delish! Tiny, classy, tastey and refine! Shall I say near perfection- a symbiotic vibe of gastro fun!
(5)
Megha A.
Our reservation was for 7 at 715 on a Wednesday night. Palo Alto has been pretty poppin' lately so I'm glad we had a reservation. First, the service was AMAZINNGG. I wish I got our waitress' name but she was patient, had great recommendations, and even though her gratuity was guaranteed (we were a party of 7) she didn't skimp on any aspect of the service. Second, everyone reallyyy liked or LOVED their wine. I got a sparkling wine flight and all of the wines were REALLY good. My only complaint on this was that I wish they gave a bit more wine in each of the glasses for the flight! Third, the food was really good! The fried brussels sprouts are definitely NOT to be missed, and they had some creamy pasta dish (first on the entree menu) that was AMAZING. I got the duck confit which was okay, but overall, each of the dishes ranged from pretty good to REALLY good. The ambiance is perfect for a pretty lively (but not crazy) night out with friends, where you want to have some really good wine, some good eats, and some great laughs. TL;DR This is one of the best places in Palo Alto for HH/dinner for your $$ (portions/quality), even though it's not as well known.
(5)
Sydney G.
Ok, so I raved in my last review about how awesome Gravity is. I really did have many fantastic meals at Gravity. But, I just went there last week on a Monday, and found the food to be meh level. The wine was great..but my entree of beef ribs w/ mascarpone polenta, which I've found to be really great in the past, was very average. Meat was a bit dry and unflavorful, and the polenta was creamy but bland. I also tried my friend's rabbit linguine, and found it to be similarly boring. The cheese plate we shared as an appetizer was good..but how can you mess up cheese anyway? The waitress was also kind of rude to us the whole time..a new experience as well. Usually the servers have been super nice and friendly, and willing to give some good wine advice! Anyway-maybe they have a different chef on Mondays or something? Have to downgrade my review sadly. I'll try it again on a weekend and see if its better, there really is a dearth of good restaurants in Palo Alto.
(3)
Troy T.
I tried #Gravity this weekend with a small group and wasn't disappointed but wasn't blown away either. Service was okay. There were times we wondered where the server disappeared to but there were times I wondered why they kept filling glasses of water that weren't empty. Of the six of us, no one complained about their entrees and actually seemed to like what they had ordered. Some reviewers have put down certain dishes (and I tried a dish or two) but I thought everything was fine. I'd probably go back but there wasn't anything that stood out that would make me want to.
(4)
Michael E.
This review is only for happy hour. Popped in yesterday before dinner and was happy to see a pretty decent happy hour menu with prices to boot! I was pleasantly surprised that the most expensive glass of wine at $8 - can you say DEAL. The selection was good and I had a nice Oregon Pinot. Followed that up with a Sazerac which was a bit on the bitter side. The truffle fries are very tasty.
(4)
Yurika v.
This place is a nice wine bar in downtown Palo Alto. Their Moscato is my favorite. Kermit (bartender upstairs) was super friendly, checked in on us several times, and was wonderful. Very personable and likeable guy. :) 5 stars to him...and 5 stars for their Moscato too!
(5)
Yana K.
Awesome bar, great tasty food. The foie gras wasn't perfect though. I loved the fried calamary and the cheese plate.
(4)
Diana T.
The bf and I went here for a Friday night dinner date and our experience wasn't that great. First, I had made a reservation through Open Table. The first choice in seating was going to be in their downstairs area, which I knew I didn't want because it was super loud and not conducive to a nice, date-like dinner. I requested an table upstairs, which was definitely better in terms of the volume. We ordered cheese and meat as an appetizer and they were pretty tasty. Nothing that particularly blew my socks off. The wine flights were also to my liking as well as the cornish game hen. Overall, the food was tasty and delicious, but the place just didn't sell it for us to return. Thanks though.
(3)
Trish C.
Okay. I don't normally write reviews while in the middle of the meal, but damn this is a good place. There were two wine bars I was made aware of. Tried the first which was okay, forgettable. This one though? Looooove at first taste, bite, and sight. I ordered the white wine flight, which has been both light and strong enough to hold their own with this carbonara dish, which isn't as heavy as it sounds. I ordered a half-order, and its all flavor, pasta cooked perfectly, just a fabulous dish for someone who needed something good in life to enjoy right about now. I mean, if a nuclear bomb landed on top of me right now, I'd die happy. Seriously. Great place. Bartender knows his stuff both on the wine and food sides.
(5)
Hasan D.
I had the meatballs and the red wine flight. Very good and I wasn't charged for the former. I also got a cheese plate for free. One star off, for when I decided to explore the upstairs, a patron engaged in a conversation with me ending with, "I doubt you had 3 glasses of wine". Love, I can count. And really, I'm English, do you SERIOUSLY think I can't handle my alcohol?
(4)
Lorrie M.
This place has been so many things ... I honestly don't even know what it is anymore. But I decided to meet up with a good friend last year (yes this is a year old review ... yikes ...) and found this place to be just ok. It used to be a club, I remember, way back, and the setup really hasn't changed much. They sort of have this snobby feel like ... they HAVE to seat you because they're trying to make it upscale, but honestly this doesn't work. I like my wine bars casual, trendy but relaxed. Don't think too highly of yourselves .... The wine was ok, I don't think it was great value for money. We ended up getting a bottle because the glasses choices were ... meh. The bartender seemed impatient with us since it was me and my guy friend, and not the two girls flirting shamelessly with him next to us. We paid no attention to him except feeling like he was rushing us to finish our bottle. I can't speak for the food, but the staff here chit chats a lot. We sat in the end corner where the waitresses / waiters come and get other folks orders from the bar ... and they just lingered around and conversed quite a lot of times ... Overall, it's alright. There are better places to grab wine and food in Palo Alto.
(3)
Jennifer G.
Awesome interior and welcoming environment. Just one star off for feeling rushed by our waiter to choose an entree. I also wish the menus were less scattered bc I didn't know where to focus my attention on. They have a menu for the entrees of the day, another one for bottles only, another for appetizers entrees desserts, and another one for I forgot.. Also the menu doesn't do a great job of explaining what dishes contain. But- the steak tartare was amazing!!! I haven't had it since 2012 in Paris and have been craving it since. Also why my bf chose this place for valentines day :) sad I didn't get the duck liver mousse :'( I'm kind of crying inside. Our bread pudding didn't end up getting out through and it got delayed-- so our waiter and the owner went thru lots of trouble (it seemed) to get it rushed to us and even gave us $10 back for the hassle. Very sweet and professional. Tip: get the most out of your experience
(4)
Joyce H.
Very sad to be giving Gravity a one star review. The first few times I went there, I only had dessert wine and desserts. I thought it was great. The service was ridiculously slow but for dessert and a night cap, not a big deal. Considering I usually visit at 10 p.m., it's amazing. I've ordered almost all their desserts at some point. My favorites are the "Peach Crostada," with vanilla bean gelato, the "Chocolate Budino" and the "Lemon Pot de Creme". I am also a huge fan of the carmel and sea salt gelato. ($8 each) Since I liked getting dessert there, I decided to go in for dinner. I was actually really excited because I thought it would be a great experience. I was wrong. Upon sitting down, we found our waitress to be the rudest person we ever met. She constantly ignored us, bypassed our table and forgot to check in with us. Not two feet away on either side were two tables who seem to get all the smiles, jokes, water refills and assistance. One table even sat down after us and got to order first. After sitting for 25 minutes, she took our order. I had the "Bruschetta Trio-Peperonata" which consisted of Sicilian eggplant, grilled asparagus with white corn and goat cheese on toasted bread, for $8, as my appetizer. The appetizer was good. Very flavorful and the best thing I ate that night. I also ordered the "Duck Confit" with baby sunburst and zucchini squash, and a sweet red pepper gastrique for $17. It was tough as nails to eat. We also ordered some fries. When they came, a different waiter, slap them down, and left, as I said "excuse me, can I have some ketchup?" The two tables around me heard and try to wave the guy back but no acknowledgment. I sat for at least 10 minutes, waving at my waitress, before giving up and walking to the bar and asking for ketchup. After the bad dinner, I wanted to salvage the dinner by getting dessert. The waitress showed up 20 minutes later, put the check down and never suggested dessert. At that point I changed my mind about spending any more time there and left. I decided that dinner was never going to happen again but at least I still had a late night dessert place. I recently went in 5 minutes to 12 a.m. The kitchen closes at 12 a.m. When I walked in, I said, "can I order gelato?" They said "the kitchen closes at 12." I pulled out my phone and said "can I please just have two scoops of gelato? It's 5 minutes till 12." They said they would ask. The waiter said it was ok and I ordered one glass of dessert wine. He brought me and my boyfriend two glasses. We didn't object to the wrong order because he said he would get me some gelato and I didn't want to waste the wine. So we sat, sipping on our wine for 45 minutes waiting for our gelato! Then a check came for two glasses of wine and two scoops if gelato that we never received. My boyfriend walked to the bar where the waiter was. My boyfriend states "we never got the gelato." To which the waiter replied "are you sure," as if we ate it and forgot. My boyfriend said "yes." There was no apology, or basically any reaction to the messed up order. Then the waiter said "I need to get the manager to void it." After a few minutes, the manager came over and said "you never got the gelato?" Again my boyfriend said "no." With no apology, not a bit of interest in our experience, he handed my boyfriend a new check. Sadly... We are no longer regulars after that experience.
(1)
Alysia S.
Planned a company holiday dinner here for a group of 8. The process was easy through Open Table reservations and I called ahead earlier in the day to confirm. It was a first time visit for the entire table. The upper seating area was the perfect setting and the holiday decor with dim lighting and trendy music really set a nice dinner atmosphere. Great wine selections and the menu items looked and tasted delicious! All attendees were pleased with their selections. It was a successful dinner party from appetizers through to dessert/coffee. The service was excellent and attentive, clearing away our empty plates and even changing out our wine glasses for the next ordered bottle of wine. I would definitely come back here on my own!
(5)
Payal V.
This place is great! It was bustling. We were a very large group, but our waiter was not flustered at all. He did a great job of keeping our orders straight and accommodating our dietary restrictions. He was very well versed in the menu. The food? Fabulous! There were so many things that were appealing to me. I chose the scallops. They were prepared with chanterelle mushrooms, crispy kale, pancetta, and a grapefruit reduction. All the flavors were so well balanced. I couldn't get enough of it! My dining companions got the risotto, meatballs, bruschetta, and beet salad. All of us cleaned our plates. Not a single morsel was left on our plates. For dessert we got the apple crostata and flourless cake. Again, nothing was spared I only tried the apple crostata and I was blown away. I heard the waiter mention that we got the last one of the night. I intend to return many more times!
(5)
Corina G.
Seriously, if your closing have the courtesy to acknowledge the people that walk in, and change your hours of operation!
(1)
Nora E.
I tried Gravity for the first time yesterday with a group of 10 people. We started with a fantastic cheese plate and then ordered a variety of entrees among ourselves. Everyone was deeply pleased with their choice. I myself ordered the "Radiatori, Beef Ragu, Truffle Oil, Parmigiano Reggiano" and have to say it was the best pasta I've had in the U.S. I also tried bites of the steak, which was good, and the duck with peppercorn sauce, whose side of beans and farro was out of this world. Also the staff was very friendly and attentive. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Jennifer L.
Nice little place to grab a snack and drinks after some bar hopping. Loved the ambiance in here. The food was delicious. Especially enjoyed the sausage and cheese plate. The Bellini I had had the perfect amount of Michigan cherry tartness. A little pricey but nothing out of the ordinary I would expect from downtown PA. They also have a lovely upstairs and an elevator if you don't wish to use the stairs.
(4)
Denise L.
Came by for a drink before dinner. They had a happy hour menu that looked pretty great, but went for a peach bellini. Our bartender John was very friendly and introduced my friend and I to Dickel's whiskey. So yummy! Great place to catch up with friends with a drink or a bite to eat.
(4)
Aaron M.
Still a huge fan. I was a little scared because they don't have foie gras anymore, and that was my favorite dish there, but they have other big winners: -Steak tartare. Probably my favorite presentation of this dish on earth is at Gravity. Quoting my previous review of it: "served with egg and some 'just salty enough' shredded cheese plus a couple herbs, it's as light and miraculous as this dish was designed to be." And for $10?? Do it. - Burrata! If you've never had it and like rich cheese, do it. It's buffalo milk mozzarella, served soft and a little wet, with olive oil and a bit of salt... but ask for more salt just to do it justice. $8. - Charcuterie! They let you choose from a few things they offer. Our fav was the prosciutto Americano... This came at the recommendation of our well-informed (and funny) bartender, who also acted as our server. Yes, we showed up on a Friday night without a reservation and were lucky to get seats at the bar. We also had the butternut squash risotto, which wasn't bad but not our favorite... we would have liked more squash... and after the above dishes it seemed to lack punch or exotic flavor. We also had the sparkling white wine flight, which had a huge variety though I'm not sure I'm qualified to say I loved or hated any of them. The really interesting thing, and only for hardcore beer fans, was the Allagash Curieux, which is a beer mellowed in bourbon casks. Expensive and worth it - if you're into that kind of thing. Speaking of expensive: they'll be glad to sell you a shot of Louis XIV scotch for about $300, if you must. As always, a fun vibe with a well dressed crowd... exposed brick, high tables, and those cool old school light bulbs with exposed amber filaments.
(5)
Anna W.
Meh... I should have expected the subpar experience given the other reviews but I wanted to give it a chance. This place has so much potential based on the location and appearing charm of the ambience, which is quite deceiving. The portions of food are tiny for the price. The wine flights are ok...small pours and over priced. We ordered a cheese plate which was simply dropped off at our table without any explanation of the cheeses (which is usually standard for the waiter to at least point out which is which, but I guess we figured it out ourselves.) We also ordered the bruschetta trio which was basically like buying a few jars of tapenade and fig jam from trader joes and spread on a few pieces of cold stale bread. We did actually really enjoy the short ribs and polenta dish. Won't be back for the food, but maybe for a wine flight if we are waiting for a table at one of the many other options nearby...
(3)
Maggie C.
I've only been here once, but I really liked the ambience and the space. The aesthetic has a lot to do with whether I like a place, and this one passed the test. I had the sparkling wine flight which was good. I also shared 2 of the appetizers and 2 entrees. The food was good- I'd give it a B+. It's not my top dinner choice but I love it for wine and conversation.
(4)
Yael H.
The food and drinks were good but our server was eh. He was kind of grumpy and made us feel unwelcome.
(4)
Gary S.
First time here and me and my girl loved it. The food was amazing. I recommend the spare ribs and kent for a server. Definitely going back
(5)
Max W.
Honestly this place was amazing. Great atmosphere and such a lively crowd of people in a very relaxed environment. Our waiter's name was Kent and he was awesome. Answered all the questions we had about the menu, was humorous and respectful at all times. He had the perfect balance between not being helpful and being annoyingly helpful. Great beer and wine selection and foods is very filling.
(5)
Claire W.
Based on my wine connoisseur friends this wine bar has good selection of wines and they even let you bring your own bottle here with a corkage charge. I only had appetizers there. The portions were so substantial I did not need to eat dinner afterwards. I liked their frisee salad, which comes with a perfectly poached egg on top, some crispy smoked bacon bites and the smooth dijon mustard vinaigrette that went well with the frisee. We also sampled four different type of cured meat and they were all great. The fried calamaris were good too and not too greasy. It was not very busy on the Saturday evening we were there and plenty of seating on the 2nd floor too. Definitely a good happy hour place and I will need to come back to try their main course.
(4)
Steve g.
After landing late to SFO I struggled to find somewhere in Palo Alto that would balance good food, wine, and, oh by the way, open for business. Then I stumbled upon Gravity!! To my surprise, not only was the kitchen still open at 10:45 pm on Memorial Day but oysters were seriously discounted after 10:00 pm!! Who has late night oyster specials?!? And Stan Getz playing in the background?!? Really?!? Have I found my west coast oasis?!? Staff was super nice and gave me a taste of a good Zin. Stuck with the Malbec but it was a nice gesture. The Cornish Hen was just outstanding and if it wasn't so late, I would have loved the deserts I'm sure. Great place!! Highly recommend if you haven't been.
(5)
Tammy N.
My first wine bar - I think I'm gonna be addicted! The boyfriend brought me here for Valentine's Day dinner a few nights ago and in already feening for more wine! I was in the mood for a red so I got the Ampelos Syrache Syrah/Grenache, Santa Barbara '08. Our server recommended it as a delicious medium body but it still seemed light to me. Wasn't very bitter and sweet, it smelled great. The boyfriend got the London porter that was a huge fan of as well. I think it's cute how they pour the beers into wine glasses as well. For appetizers, we got the Rockefeller oysters and bruschetta trio. The oysters were very fresh, roasted and topped with spinach, pancetta and cream sauce. Most of the Rockefeller oysters I've had before tasted fishy or had a weird after taste. My favorite from the bruschetta trio was the truffle mushrooms with sprout pods on top. The boyfriend got the spare ribs which he loved. I tried a bite and it reminded me how much I love braised spare ribs. Ah, the juicy flavor and the meat just falling apart was wonderful. We're not much of a polenta couple so we gladly skipped on that. I got the Monticello carbonara. There was plenty pancetta in the dish & I loved the whole slices of garlic in it. Yeah, the meals were in the smaller end but that's usually what you get at a bistro my dears. C'mon, it's downtown PA. It's more of a quality over quantity experience. I thoroughly appreciated how patient and helpful our server was. The decor is dim and the lights are awesome. I'd love to come back to try the wine flights and happy hour prices. If you're looking for somewhere different and a little fancy to take your date, come here!
(4)
Rosalynd D.
Love to meet up with friends over a glass of wine or scotch here. Atmosphere is casually refined and enjoyable. The butternut squash risotto was terrific!
(5)
Guido R.
Love this place, deserves a better rating on here. Great ambiance and love that it's open late when most places in downtown Palo Alto close early (especially coming from big cities like Rome and New York). As someone else said, definitely has a NYC feel. Food is great as are the cocktails. Only negative aspect is that it can get a bit too loud during peak hours.
(5)
Andre R.
I don't often write negative reviews, but when I do, its because of shitty service. Had a horrible experience here last night. The waiters are completely rude and the service is horrible. I came with a group of co-workers for drinks, it was around 10:30pm, and not too busy. We proceeded to order drinks at the bar, and then I found a table that we could all sit down at in the corner. The servers started making a big deal out of us sitting there, told us that if another party came they would ask us to go back to the bar, and they pressured us to buy more drinks. My coworker, who was driving, decided to order another drink just to shut them up, and they didn't even bring it to her, but they put it on the bill. Every waiter was rude mannered, kept looking over at our table, and didn't come back to take any more drink orders. Long story short I would never come back here, terrible service.
(1)
Ellen L.
i met up with my friend for happy hour, and we were fortunate to have arrived about 15 minutes before the end of their happy hour, which ends promptly at 6pm. while we were browsing the happy hour menu offerings, our waiter was kind enough to inform us of the time, so that we would not miss the 6pm cutoff. we chose: **burrata cheese - mmm, warm, melted, ooey-gooey cheese. this was delicious! i would have ordered more, but i had to save my stomach for dinner later that evening. **garlic cheese fries - very well made, perfectly crisp with just the right amount of salt, oil, cheese and GARLIC! who doesn't love garlic on their fries? the garlic was what made these fries, and made my night! **charcuterie - i'm not a fan of raw meat so i did not partake, but i watched my friend enjoy every bite of this nice selection of meats and pickles i ordered a white sangria which was smooth and crisp, the perfect accompaniment to the savory appetizers that i enjoyed. in terms of the ambiance, this is definitely a great place for date night or a special occasion. i absolutely loved the decor and layout as it was very well designed and very comfortable. note that the restrooms are upstairs. additional seating is also upstairs, although, during my visit, i didn't see any guests seated on the second floor. on a slightly negative note, i did feel that they were in a rush to get us out, even though it wasn't a particularly busy night. overall, a very good experience with their happy hour food, drink, and ambiance.
(4)
Dario P.
We had dinner last night and we were not impressed by the food, which was overall mediocre. We were served some fruit bread with olive oil at the beginning...such a weird combination....we proceeded with mussels in tomato sauce and meat balls....again a not very desirable match:-( wine was expensive, on average 20 dollars per glass.
(2)
Alison D.
Enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Gravity with work colleagues here on Friday night. We were a group of ten seated upstairs, and service was good. Wine was delicious, as were the charcuterie, cheese plate, and prawn appetizers. But the highlight of my evening was the scallop entree-- cooked to perfection and wonderful flavors. The scene was bustling and lively, the lighting is good, definitely a great place to celebrate.
(4)
Omar L.
Surprisingly good place. More of a 3.5, almost 4 star. I'd suggest coming here on a Sunday because it gets ridiculously packed on Saturdays (if you're hear to eat and be able to talk to your friends). I came here with family on Easter Sunday for an early dinner, and food was pretty good. I had the lamb shoulder (on the Easter menu) was moist and the mash potato was good (but a little salty) but the truffle oil made up for it. The dessert (chocolate cake) was moist, and I expecting a lava cake but turns out it wasnt. Service: Service was pretty attentive Parking: Street parking but there's a lot down the street.
(3)
Judy V.
I went to DTPA on last Friday for our weekly date night and originally was planning to go to Nola's for a couple of drinks, however, it was super packed so we decided to give gravity bistro a try. It is a cute date night wine bar kinda place with a huge selection of wine and delicious appetizers. We ordered a bottle of pol celment sparkling wine, charcuterie and bruschetta trio. For the charcuterie we order the large plate which came with 5 different cuts of meat (yummy), pickles and bread. It was a lot of meat but we weren't complaining because other wine places are usually really skimpy with their portions. The bruschetta was mediocre and the wine was good. I can't wait to go back to try other dishes because the entrees looked really good. Everything is priced fairly and service was good.
(4)
Stephanie W.
Met someone for lunch here and loved the ambiance. Felt a bit like NYC. 5 stars. Menu was fantastic (5 stars), had a hard time choosing what I wanted - everything sounded fresh & yummy. Settled for the french onion soup and the grilled shrimp salad. Both were solid (3.5 stars). Service was acceptable (took a long time to clear our plates and refill water glasses, but ordering was easy and food came quickly). 3 stars, It's Palo Alto, so be prepared for tricky parking at peak hours. I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Cyrus R.
As of 12/25/14 no Italian red wines on the menu. And for the love baby jesus: stop bumping my chair when I sit at the bar!
(4)
Kristine R.
Review for Happy hour only. Gravity has a decent happy hour with lower priced appetizers ranging from calamari to fries to a charcuterie platter. There's a decent selection, but still pricey in my opinion, there's cheaper options around the area. But onto the review: As mentioned they have lower priced appetizers ranging from $4-6. I've had the: *Calamari - standard, but the aioli sauce is tasty. Last time we went though, they skimped on the portions, it had about ten pieces. *Charcuterie platter - comes with a selection of meats: proscuitto, salami and one more which I can't remember. There's also gherkins and a spicy mustard that comes with it. *Fried olives - always good, there's a little breading on it and it's fried. * Truffle fries - YUM, can't fail these either. * Slider - meh, $4 for such a small piece of food -- skip it. As for the drinks specials they have various glasses of wine for $6-$8 and also cocktails. I usually just go for a glass of wine. Service is usually OK. but my big thing is price, if you want a cheaper option for happy hour, there's other spots in the area. The ambiance is nice and quiet though if you're looking more for that.
(3)
Eila S.
Let me start this review out by professing my love for cheese and all that it stands for. I had the Pecorino, Gouda, and Goat Cheese and let me tell you I was in dairy heavy and lactose intolerant hell. The bucatini was to die for. The atmosphere is awesome - very trendy and mellow. It's a little too dim for my taste but that may just be because I have poor vision to start with. Honestly, if I had a bigger stomach, I probably would move in.
(5)
Celeste B.
We tried Gravity for the first time after getting a recommendation from a friend, and I really wanted to love it. The wine list was great, the menu was interesting and the happy hour prices were good. I would have given Gravity 4 stars except that half of the food we ordered wasn't served warm enough - in particular the truffled pommes frites were cool, which wasn't appetizing. My husband and daughter each ordered the short ribs (which had been particularly recommended); my daughter love hers but my husband's meat was almost all gristle. So bottom line: food is inconsistent.
(3)
Jon S.
Highly recommended for a different dining experience in Palo Alto. Not noisy and busy but good service, cool music and great food. We had bruschetta, mussels, game hen, and the grouper special. Wine flights were a reasonable cost and not the typical wine choices coming from Greece, South Africa, Austria etc. Try it.
(5)
Shanna N.
This is a great spot to get some drinks and good food mid week! I've always sat downstairs and usually will get a bottle of wine and maybe a light dinner and just spend time unwinding with good company. Haven't been here for a full dinner, but the salads and desserts I've tried have been quite good! I like the ambiance and service best of all. Probably gets busy on weekends.. I recommend coming mid week!
(5)
Christina L.
Here's the situation: my coworkers are on the verge of disowning me if my answer to "Where should we grab happy hour?" is once again (for the hundredth time), "Gravity!!" I can't help it! Gravity is by far the best happy hour available in the area AND there is always seating available! Food is delish, drinks are awesome and prices are more than reasonable with decent serving sizes. The only negative is the happy hour is a very strict 4-6 pm with the cutoff stringently enforced. Here's just some of the greatness that they offer on the happy hour menu: -Burrata: I am such a sucker for burrata. If you've never had it it's like a super creamy mozzarella that you can smear onto a piece of crostini. Simple dish, just burrata and crostinis. -Eggplant Caponata: At $3 this dish easily wins for most bang for your buck. It's a bowl of eggplanty goodness served with crostinis (tip, ask for more) -Calamari: Expertly fried, tender on the inside crunchy on the outside with a bomb aioli. Comes with fried olives or lemons...I've seen both, I've seen one or the other. -Cheese and charcuterie plates: Good cheeses, good meats, good standby. -Duck mousse: Only one that I would skip. I'm usually a fan of pate but this is just one crostini with one heaping mass of pate that's not really really great. -Polenta: Served in a bowl with tomato sauce. Good thing it comes with a massive spoon because you're just going to want to shovel it in. -Fries with truffle oil: It is exactly what it's named and it's awesome. -Oysters: Awesome and a good deal. We've only tried the raw and grilled but they are both delicioius. Overall wesome happy hour spot. They're tables look like they accommodate up to 6 and that's how many people we usually roll in with. If you're planning on checking out Gravity I would highly recommend (for HH!). Now I just need to work on how to continue to convince the coworkers to keep coming...
(4)
John H.
No beers on tap, only bottles. Bottled beer selection tend to favor the $10+ range. Meatball appetizer tiny, anemic, and plain tasting despite the wonderful sauce color. Salad was equally anemic and uninteresting. Good shoestring fries.
(2)
Sean J.
Great little spot in downtown Palo Alto for a drink and late night food. The bartender was great and very attentive even though they were short staffed, he made sure everyone was taken care off. The drinks were good. Food menu had a good variety, but small enough to know you were getting quality. Had a good experience and will definitely come back again.
(4)
Rebecca S.
3.5 stars sums this place up pretty well. Classy little wine bar in downtown Palo Alto that's on the pricier side. I ordered a beet salad and for $9 I was expecting something more aligned with an entree salad... instead, what came out was quite possibly the tiniest salad known to man. I think even the most emaciated hollywood celebrity would have looked at this thing and laughed. Two things that were great about Gravity: - The BREAD: Holy amazeballs (yes, I really just said that), this is some delicious bread! Soft, spongy, light, and a little bit sweet, Gravity's bread is some of the most unique and tasty I've ever had at a restaurant. Went very well with our wine, and endless loafs made up for my tiny salad. - Affordable wine: Stoked that our $30-ish bottle of Pinot Grigio was really good! I'm certain I'll be back, but this time I'll make sure I don't come too hungry. Definitely a cute place to come hang out with the girls. Hooray wine!
(3)
Albert N.
Short story: -Service was terrible -Food was mediocre Longer story: I came here for my sister's birthday. We arrived while the place was about a quarter full but it took some time for a waiter to see us, slowly walk over, and then ponder where to put us (again, the place was only about a quarter full. We could have sat literally anywhere there was not a body). The waiter would only come around every 20 minutes or so. This was a problem, since he came around to give us water, 20min wait, asked for drink orders, 20 min wait, got our appetizer orders, 20min wait, dinner. The food was very mediocre. If it was a sad diner somewhere, you'd say "well, I guess the food makes sense here." I had the filet and frites. It was needlessly expensive for a pile of stale fries and a steak about the size of a flip-phone. No one in our party liked their food. We all kind of ate it reluctantly. When we got our check, they had added another table's order to our bill. Awesome. No apologies to us. Writing this review, I am reminded of how annoyed I was by this experience. If I could give it 1.5 stars, I think that would be more appropriate.
(2)
Greg F.
The food to price point is a great deal. They do a great gourmet on the fairly reasonable budget. I'm sure that their main money maker is the wine, because m meal was ridiculously good ad almost cheap for the quality! They also throw 4-star service into the mix, which certainly made me feel like a somebody important! Oh and they have a Great beer list!!! I strongly suggest it!
(4)
Rachel D.
Super disappointed. The wine was okay. The French onion soup was also okay; it's overly reliant on the admittedly FANTASTIC gruyere for flavor. The soup itself was pretty bland. Finally, service was awful. The bussers were great but my waiter really didn't seem to give a crap that I existed (and it was a v e r y slow night, so no excuses). I'd planned on ordering more but decided to cut dinner short because service was so bad.
(2)
Cat C.
Classy wine bar in downtown PA. You may just redeem the area for me Gravity because parking in this area is horrible! I've been to Gravity twice and both times thought it was a good spot. I haven't ordered any food here but I've seen the appetizers and the portions for those look a little small. Drinks are decently price. I'd recommend the white sangria, it's yummy! I was surprised that the place was packed on a Tuesday night. Service was alright. It's a step up from my favorite wine bar in San Mateo, but I'd have to say Gravity would be a runner up.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Karla G.
What a great find! We sat upstairs and liked the decor and ambiance. Our server seemed to be more interested in himself than us at times but we managed him through the dinner - other servers seemed more robust and on their game than ours. But once the food started arriving at the table all shortcomings were forgiven and forgotten. This was a nice upscale cuisine find indeed, with a very nice wine list and generally good service. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and funky atmosphere and I'm looking forward to trying it again. Who knows, maybe next time I'll get a server who isn't having a bad hair day ;-)
(4)Mia L.
We were looking for a place to eat as after our flight I was feeling a bit hungry. We stop by a pub first n since the beer didn't satisfy my hunger we walked across the street to find this place still serving food. It's a wine bar which is shocking to hear the kitchen closes late. Oddly I was craving fries and so that's what I ordered on the side. I had a salad. Overall not too bad. Filled me up.
(4)Kaori M.
I came here for dinner not for alcohol. Had cream pasta and duck and salad. Duck was very nice. Pasta was creamy enough. I ordered the large size but for me it was tiny. I had to eat another dinner at home.
(3)Smart Shopper G.
Our group consisted of the cast of a show at Palo Alto Players, which means that we're always looking for a place to go after the shows to hang with our friends and family. We were SO hoping that Gravity would be that place. FAIL. We will NEVER go back to this place, no matter how many oysters they serve at happy hour or any other time, for that matter. We had spoken a few days in advance with one of the restaurant managers about reserving the 2nd floor for a large post-show group. And we did indeed bring a big group who spent a lot of money there. They were severely understaffed (the one server we had was overwhelmed and in way over his head) which is a surprise because they knew all 25 of us were coming. The food and drinks took forever on top of the pissy eye-rolling-I-could-care-less attitude from the server. What really offended us was that when it came time to split the bill, the managers were basically royal a-holes towards us. They were unwilling to come up with a solution and instead just argued with us--even though we had asked in advance if we could split the bill. Why are you arguing with us? Don't you want our money? I don't want to believe it was because we were Asian American but I just know that I'm not ever going back to this place nor would I recommend anyone else go either. This is a shame because I had been there 2 previous times with just a handful of people and I had enjoyed my experience. The next weekend, we all went to Gordon Biersch instead and had a fabulous time. Now THOSE people know how to deliver good service.
(1)Sophia Y.
Coming in, we asked if we could use a gift card from PA Creamery (who are owned by the same owners) and I immediately felt the drop in attentiveness and service as soon as they saw that. We were lead to our table and throughout the night, I felt that our service was kind of spotty even though we tipped in cash which I'm sure was their biggest concern anyways (Sorry - apparently I'm pretty bitter about this). Anyways, for dinner: - I started with a Raspberry beer, which was really good and my sister got their non-alcoholic cocktail (bartender's choice) and it literally tasted like a can of Dole pineapple juice poured into a glass. Totally not worth it. - For appetizers, we got the mussels which were really good. The tomato broth that it was cooked in was spot on and give me a side of bread and I could have had that as my entree. - For my main course, I got the Radiatori which was beef ragu, with truffle oil. There's probably a reason why I don't usually order pastas when I eat out. The pasta was ok and the sauce was just okay and the only thing that helped the meal was the truffle oil and the small amount of shredded beef on top of the pasta which was really tender. knowing that, I would have chosen something else. - My sister got the Duck Confit as her main course and while the flavor was good, it was really dry and overcooked. The side of mushrooms, spinach, and beans was okay. Overall, the service wasn't that great and most of the food was just okay. For the prices that this place charge, I don't know if I would come back... without my gift card!
(3)bianca d.
Took my team here for dinner and the food was absolutely fantastic! Great ambiance, clean, fantastic wines and a delicious menu. They gave us enough time to enjoy each course which we greatly appreciated. Definitely will be back :)
(5)Daniel B.
Dined on Monday, 7/13/2015 with my wife for a date night. My wife had been there before and the first thing I noticed as I walked in was a sexy modern vibe. Edison lights in large glass globes hung above raised wooden tables with bench stools. There was a large booth in the back and a clean looking full bar. We sat by the exposed clay tile/brick wall near the kitchen. Not terribly busy since it was a Monday night and not particularly noisy. The drink menu has new and old world wines; about a dozen each of whites, reds, and a few roses and sparkling wines. There were a couple selections for a few of the varietals. Aside from wine they have a decent beer and cocktail selection. They offer a full dinner menu with cheeses, charcuterie, and oysters to start along with salads and appetizers. We ordered a trio of bruschetta which came out a bit limp--only one of the toasts was actually toasted. The toppings and bread itself were cloyingly sweet. The worst offender was essentially a candied fig. The bread was unimpressive and reminded me of a Safeway baguette sliced cold. Not an impressive start. For dinner my wife had the bucatini with a spicy tomato and pancetta sauce. I had a bite and we agreed the pasta was overcooked and the watery sauce pooled at the bottom of the bowl. Far too many pasta sins on one plate. For my entree the waiter suggested the braised prime beef short rib over polenta with a horseradish cream. The shortrib came dry and bland, and the polenta was lumpy. The small amount of horseradish cream added a very welcome bright note to the dish, but not enough to save it. The waiter asked about the dish and I mentioned it was average. He promptly put in an order for a burger for me and noted that he tried the short rib and agreed it wasn't their best showing. He also surprised me with an extra glass of the wine I was drinking. The burger was decent with a well browned brioche crust, fresh traditional toppings, and the meat was a nicely cooked medium rare save one portion which somehow well done. The fries, more like potato shavings, were nicely seasoned yet due to the differing sizes some ended up a bit soft. I heard Gravity was only a wine bar for a few years and it showed on the plate--two stars overall for the food. The service and the vibe, on the other hand, were excellent. I was particularly impressed that the waiter tried the dish I sent back. Would go back for the wine and atmosphere, and possibly a burger.
(2)Sarah L.
A little meh here and a little meh there... I;ve been here quite a few times now, both for happy hour and dinner, each have been fine but more recently I've been consistently neglected through the entire dining experience. The last time I was there we made reservations online and went for happy hour, we each ordered a drink, the waitress was very prompt and informational... then they changed waiters, three times. No one really knew who we 'belonged' to so to speak, and we kept yearning for our first waitress to come back and help us. Unfortunately she was the only one, her and the bussers. All in all I would try this again but if I get treated like this for a third time I probably will not return. The good stuff: great oysters and fabulous wine selection for happy hour.
(3)Chris L.
Service was attentive and the desserts were ok. Good vibe and decor. One of the few places open late in downtown.
(4)Doris m.
Best and only (I think) late night spot in Palo Alto to dine. Thurs-Sat after 10 they have a discount on oysters which is the primary reason for my visit. I've tried many things on their menu, some of my favorites are: steak tartare with quail egg, sauteed prawns in brandy pink peppercorn cream, Romaine Salad and the burger.
(5)Sara W.
Pete is the best bartender for my late night after work drank!!! Jon is fantastic as well... just don't get there super late, like at last call, because it's last call and ain't no sticking around
(5)Bori B.
Went to dinner with some friends to drink some wine. I got the steak and frites which was delicious and cooked to my liking. My friend and I also ordered carafes individually and didn't realize that it was actually a substantial amount of wine, but a great deal if you plan on drinking around 2 or more glasses of wine. Great atmosphere, great service. Definitely would go back!
(4)Jessica L.
5 stars all the the way. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a vegetarian and love their new vegetarian menu, but the service is impeccable and the ambiance can be romantic without being too old-fashioned. Very hip and trendy with the high tables. Delicious White Sangria and great wine selection, people pile in here after the wine room closes.
(5)Arushi S.
Classy ambiance and not too loud, making it a good place to catch up with someone on a weekend night. I've been here a couple times to eat or grab late night drinks. Unlike many of the establishments near University avenue, this place is actually open later in the night. The upstairs dining room is more formal and mainly for eating whereas the downstairs lounge is the casual, wine-bar area. The actual entrees have tasted standard for an upscale, Palo Alto eatery with nothing particularly inventive. I'm actually a bigger fan of the appetizers than the entrees. I love the *duck liver mousse* - great consistency and a little smokey, although there is a slight aftertaste. The *steak tartare with quail egg* is also excellent. Spread the yolk so it gets onto every bite and eat it with some crostini. It's a bite of crispy heaven. This isn't really a family-restaurant but we recently came in a party that included two younger children. Not only did our chicken-nugget-loving kids enjoy both of the aforementioned appetizers but the servers were very attentive to their mini-me needs!
(4)Rene C.
We came in for a little pre Christmas gathering with close friends. Our party of six were seated at a large table near the window and it was perfect. The service was excellent and even with a few late arrivals, our server made sure he came over and made sure they had drinks in front of them. The food was better than I expected, my wife's spicy pasta dish was especially delicious and loved that the kitchen cooked the noodles to al dente perfection. I went with the burger, which again was another winner. Topped with sharp white cheddar cheese it was good to the last bite. And again, kudos to the kitchen for grilling my burger to a spot on medium rare. Even though this is a "wine bar", they have a full bar and the bartenders are experts at mixing that perfect cocktail.
(4)Lisa T.
Came here for date night after we had dinner at Evvia. We decided we wanted to grab drinks after since we already had our fancy pants on. :) Yelped a bar nearby and found Gravity. Despite it's average star rating, I really enjoyed this Wine Bar and am glad we decided to stop by. I suggested doing the wine flights since I couldn't decide on one wine and I figured what better way to get into my date's pants than with a few glasses of wine. JK! But no seriously, this is the perfect place to get your date drunk. Our wine flights were practically full sized wine glasses. After a flight each, we were definitely at a good point of inebriation. So, bro tip: be sure to take an Uber if you decide to come here after for drinks. I will definitely be back!!!
(5)Lindsay M.
I went here the other night for a private event and was expecting some cheese and crackers paired with some wine--but OMG was I ever surprised! Not only do they have a killer cocktail menu with specialty mojitos and my personal favorite a French 75 their wine, beer and whiskey selection was impressive. We were served a variety of appetizers that were AMAZING. I will seriously be coming back to this place for the beef short ribs and polenta alone! Their food tastes like someone's grandmother slaved all day in the kitchen and the service was fabulous! I am already looking forward to my next meal here.
(5)Megan M.
I love this place and always have. Never disappoints. Been coming here since it opened. :)
(5)Joe S.
Great drinks! They have a good happy hour that I recommend hitting up. Their Charcuterie plate is worth getting.
(4)Kevin C.
Solid service, solid food, solid A! Made a reservation for Saturday night to celebrate a special someone's birthday. I called in advance if they would be willing to set up flowers if I brought them in beforehand, and they were more than happy to accommodate. I showed up about 20 minutes before my reservation time, and the hostess was able to set them up beforehand. We were seated upstairs and they went out of their way to save the table by the corner so the two seats were seated next to each other. Ended getting a few appetizers; the steak tartare was phenomenal (must try), and the beet salad was a great refresher (although I can't recall what dressing they put). For the entrees, we had the duck confit and braised beef...Mmmm absolutely delicious! They have a two nice sections for the bar, and beautifully decorated all around. Great place to hang out with friends and grab a few drinks!
(5)Dwight S.
Walked in for happy hour, only to find ALL the tables were reserved. Huh? When I asked a manager about it, he was rude and confrontational. Don't waste your time.
(1)Heather A.
Great drinks, great atmosphere and delicious food! We shared the charcuterie Spanish, San Francisco and Coppa combo, then the mussels appetizer. The peach cobbler dessert was phenomenal. Christian was also an outstanding bartender! I love this place for after-work-decompression! Definitely my mood/tempo :)
(5)Naomi T.
Sometimes you just cannot shake off that Vino mode. Gravity Bistro is perfect for the occasion. Nothing fancy nor stuffy. Modern but definitely not "wannabe". In addition to alley of fine dinning menu, there are make-your-own charcuterie or cheese plate, large or small. 4 different wine flights offered for fun seekers. Very much accessible. Chablis, Rose, Bruschetta trio, 3-meat charcuterie plate + T&T = $50 You will leave this place feeling more civilized.
(4)Lejla M.
I love their wine selection, their menu is great (beef ragu pasta is sooo good,,beef tartar is out of this world, according to my husband:) It can get too loud, though..maybe a date night on Monday is better then on Friday or Saturday..:)
(4)Tiffanie L.
Even though the atmosphere was romantic and intimate, I came here with a close friend at 10pm on a Sunday night. I meant to only nibble, but I ended up eating a full meal. This was my third dinner! We were the only table and our waitress was very nice and attentive. We had fresh oysters (so good!), ragu, and steak tartare. I'd definitely come back, especially for a date.
(4)Jen S.
We had a girls night out here and our waiter was so pretentious and rude I will never go back. Every time a new person showed up or a drink was empty our waiter would appear. Great! But man if you weren't sure what you wanted ASAP he would make comments, sigh and disappear. Several of us asked for wine recommendations-wouldn't you know every single wine he suggested was $19! Ha! Typical. He also implied we were taking up too much space. I find it interesting in a Tuesday night at 9pm that having 8 women eating and drinking could be some kind of imposition. The drinks were ok and the food was fine...the bill had the gratuity included and I hate these things because waiters like this just ruin what would otherwise be a great night. It's really just an average place!
(2)Chris Y.
I ordered the risotto and was very disappointed. One of the blandest risottos I've had.
(2)Lucian H.
I have been to this place for the first time on jan 13th and this is the last time as well. I wanted to order duck liver mousse with port, I had no idea what "port" is, so I asked the waiter about this particular dish, I have received an "appetite killer" answer: - it's something illegal in California, probably gross Very "professional" answer, a place where I will never put my footstep again!!! Since I was really hungry, I decided to go around the corner and eat a burger! I returned back just for my friends but even drinking water was really "gross" after! I don't know about other waiters, but some here I guess really hate their job. My friends stopped me for not complaining to the management, however, considering how many choices are around the area, the management should consider training them... Or being more selective when hiring!
(1)Keane H.
Ate here with 4 friends about 2 weeks ago and enjoyed every bit of it. We were seated at a table of six right by the window which is perfect as it allowed for a bit more privacy. The hostesses and waiters were very kind and knew about all the food and beverage items we asked questions about. They were not too intrusive either and came at the right moments. The food menu was a great size with not too many options that it overwhelmed me, but just enough items to make me think hard between a few items that stood out in my mind. I ended up choosing a pasta with truffle butter that left me full and completely satisfied at the end. With my meal I had a nice Pinot that was great quality for the price paid. My only constructive comment is that the lighting is a bit too dim.
(4)Helen T.
We came here not so hungry, but ended up eating a lot! We started with some cheeses and chacuterie and a bottle of wine to share. I got the pan fried chicken thighs and gnocchi and the flavor really surprised me! I tried my husband's duck confit, but the chicken won over the duck! Ended the meal was delicious apple crostada!
(4)Michael C.
Decent Place. Nice Classy ambiance and a pleasant set up. The service is pretty decent, our waiter was helpful and polite. The main knock I have against this place it the prices on the menu. I felt the prices on the wine menu were a bit extravagant and the food is simply OK. None of the dishes we had were spectacular. We tried the Cheese plate, Oysters and a pasta dish. The Cheese plate was just a standard wine tasting platter you can find anywhere. The bread that accompanied it was tasty. The Oysters were probably the best part dish we had, the pasta was very disappointing. Pasta was overly tangy, and tasted too much like tomato sauce from a can. Willing to try this place a couple more times, I was told we got the wrong dishes. However, I'm in no rush to return.
(3)Stephanie A.
This place can host comfortably all kinds of outings, I can see myself enjoying a loud girls night here, or a romantic evening just as well as I enjoyed our couples night here, last night. It is rear that we go out with this group and all are happy with the location choice. I'm not sure how it is on a Friday or Saturday night when the crowds are out, but at late Sunday it was only partially full with nice crowd and cozy atmosphere. The young man behind the bar knows his wines well, and the servers are attentive without being pushy or snotty as it happen sometimes in other neighboring wine bars... We didn't want to eat so late and ordered a few of their appetizer plates. Loved loved loved the cheese plate and the nice Cabernet they chose for me, also enjoyed the beet salad, although they should call it a salad with some decoration of beets. Their breads are delicious the brown is sweet and rich, the white is fluffy and addicting. The part of the table that enjoy see food so late at night gorged the oysters and the salmon with beans. I've noticed that the salmon dish is very similar to the salmon plate being served at Sam's chowder house, but at gravity it is less greasy. The desserts are not to be missed. Seriously! All in all a beautiful pleasant place I'd love to visit more.
(4)Rheanna C.
I'll say this place was just ok. Reading the reviews now I'm upset that I didn't get the short ribs like I'd wanted to. I got the duck liver mousse to start. Amazing!!! That was the best part of the meal. The steak tartare with quail egg was next. I love me some capers but the entire dish tasted like one big caper! I couldn't even taste the steak. Unfortunate. I got the mussels next & was promised a tasty, spicy dish. The mussels were tiny & the broth was eh. The best part was the house made lamb sausage in it. It could have used salt, red pepper & some white wine. Very bland. Finally I got the scallop entree. Big mistake! Again, I should have tried the short ribs but I compromised. The scallops were cooked well, luckily, but needed salt. The sauce & black rice....I almost wanted to complain that I paid $26 for 3 scallops & bland crap. At least make a good sauce! Ended on that disappointing note. And the server made a comment about us really "hating" the scallops as a sarcastic joke. Well hm...there's only 3 on a plate so we ate them but we left the crap underneath...so actually yeah I hated them but am too nice to say anything. I'm a server too & have made that joke, but only when they're literally licking the plate clean & grinning from ear to ear. At that point I'm pretty sure I looked pissed. Overall disappointed but the atmosphere was really nice. So I may go back & change up my menu selections.
(3)B N.
We were a party of 14 on Easter Sunday (no small task) and had a most memorable family dinner here. Kermit was our server and he is truly a professional. His helping staff also did an amazing job of keeping water glasses filled and plates cleared. I believe Melinda was the other servers name. Regardless, everybody helped and we couldn't have left happier. The recommendations were perfect and everyones meal was delicious. I really appreciated the ambience and decor of the restaurant. We will all be back and look forward to another great dining experience.
(5)Justine M.
Came here for a few drinks this past Wednesday afternoon. My friend and I were the only ones in the place, and the waitress at the time was very friendly and attentive. However, she didn't really seem to know beers -- I told her I was thinking about ordering the one sour beer on the menu, and she brought me a pilsner to try as a "similar" alternative. Weird, but she was pleasant about bringing the original sour beer I'd wanted after I'd given the pilsner a try. The place started to liven up around 4:30, around which time another waiter took care of us. He was super nice and friendly, too, but we never saw him again after we'd gotten the drinks and snacks we ordered from him -- we eventually had to ask another waiter for the check (and this was about 1.5 hours later!). Happy hour food and drink prices are decent, but consistency of service needs some improvement.
(2)Karma K.
The food was good - albeit it pricey- definitely $$$ not $$. The food was generally good, but we asked to be seated somewhere quiet and then a very loud, large party. I told the waiter several times about my food allergy (gluten), and then he brought me a cheese plate with bread.
(3)Annie J.
This is a nice place (with very cool lighting), but the food is decidedly mediocre. We came on a Friday night, and the restaurant was more than half empty. Never a good sign. Also a bad sign: when we sat down the song playing in the background was Train's "Meet Virginia." Also, I know this is a wine bar, but I think it's pretty strange that the only vodka choices they have are Belvedere and Kettle One. Definitely skip their mixed drinks. We started with the charcuterie, which was delicious, but admittedly hard to mess up. For my main, I had the duck confit with lentils. It was fine, and in fact, would have been better had they served it to me when it was hot. But it was not nearly as good as the duck confit at the Village Pub in Woodside. Out of the other dishes I tried, I would say the pastas looked and tasted best. The coq au vin was ridiculous. It was literally a hunk of wine braised chicken on a plate. Seriously? As others have mentioned, the portions are small here. You'll need to get some appetizers if you really want to feel full after this meal. Of course, if you're mostly coming for the wine, then that's not such a big deal. Our server was attentive enough, but she didn't seem to know much about the menu, and in fact told us incorrect information about the oysters and a beer someone in my party ordered. Just a heads up.
(3)Amir A.
The service and ambiance here are great. I really enjoy the decor they had and the high seats/wooden tables. The food is more tapas styled so I had: Steak tartare w/ quail egg - my favorite hands down. Just overall delicious when put together with the small dried pieces of cracker/toast. Oysters - Delicious! Braised beef short ribs - very tender and chewy. It was good, but the texture and flavors were simply okay nothing amazing. Duck Confit - cooked very well. Tender and juicy. Chef's selection of ice cream - small, great flavors, and not overly sweet. Only drawback was the pricing. Some entree dishes cost far too much for what they are.
(4)Y W.
Hahaha, we had hair in our food and it smelt like cat litter. We had a meetup group and we were all looking forward to Gravity. This was a very funny but horrible trip. I will not be coming back and I don't recommend this place.
(2)Cath M.
**3.5 STARS** S.O. suggested this place for date night... and again... he did a good job with his research! It was a Sunday night... so I made reservation but upon walking in... it wasn't packed but when we were leaving... there was a line out... so I suggest making a reservation via Open Table to bypass the wait. Ambiance was warm and modern... definite date place especially with the nice dimmed lighting... service was good when it was slow but of course during its peak... it got slow. Onto the vino and the food (will only discuss what I ordered... I didn't taste what the S.O. ordered...) - white wine flight: it was actually a decent pour for each 3 glasses... however I'm spoiled with the labeling factor which they didn't have... not to mention the server that brought it to me identified them so quickly... that I didn't get which was which. Therefore, if I wanted to order more of a certain wine... I wouldn't be able to do so since I didn't know which was which! Slow it down server if you're not going to use the label. - brie cheese (don't remember which kind it was but it was brie-like that our server suggested...) it was actually a decent portion... though the bread (3) was a tad limited and so was the walnuts... something's gotta give? - prosciutto: didn't really like what this came with... mostly pickled stuff... but it was plenty enough to go with my brie. - House Marinated Olives: this was actually quite good with the white pairing... plus it was plenty enough that I didn't get to finish most of it after wards. - dessert wine flight: this was actually good... but it took a while for them to bring it to us b/c they got busy. S.O. was done with his dessert and I had yet to start mine... half a star off that! Overall... it was a nice romantic Sunday "date" night... mellowed us out and we were able to beat the crowd before it got really busy.
(3)Joel V.
I had huge expectations for GRAVITY BISTRO & WINE BAR after looking at photos and reading the reviews on Yelp. We went for our work Xmas lunch and it was surprisingly quiet there which was fine by me. I was all set to order their Braised Short Ribs with Polenta or the Pan Fried Chicken Thighs with Gnocchi. Both looked incredible on Yelp. Much to my chagrin, neither item was on the lunch menu! Crap! I settled for the Bistro Burger with White Cheddar and Fries. The burger was actually pretty solid - the beef was fresh and thick, the bun was excellent, and the veggies fresh. The fries were actually just ok. I took a bite of two desserts - a Blackberry Brandy Bread Pudding and a Apple Crisp with Caramel Gelato. The Apple Crisp was very good, and the bread pudding was meh. Overall, this is a nice spot in Palo Alto for a meal, but I definitely recommend going for their much more extensive dinner menu. 3.5 stars.
(3)Pri Y.
This place had everything I was looking for: from Italian music to a loud ambiance. From a long wine list to delicious charcuterie. There's nothing I would change about it. It was very romantic so glad I brought my boyfriend. Appetizer: salami charcuterie Meal: He got the beef short ribs and they were as tender as they were delicious. I got the filet and frite and it was cooked to perfection Dessert: lots and lots of wine
(5)Winnie C.
Shhhhh.... This is my secret place to go to for lunch where it isn't super crowded and loud. Maybe because it's a wine-bar that people don't know they serve decent lunch here as well. I love burratta cheese so always go for the sandwich here. As for the wines, I notice they try harder to avoid the typical Napa/Sonoma wines. I DID experience bad service here during dinner time, but Lunch is awesome. (Judith the waitress is always so nice/friendly/etc). I've also enjoyed their Duck salad for lunch.
(5)Carol C.
Hello, little pocket of nightlife in Palo Alto! Gravity is a classy, quieter place to have a meal and drinks or just a chill venue to round out your night. It's not cheap, non-happy hour prices are mostly more than $12 for the cheapest glasses of wine or cocktails, but I will have faith that it's because the selection is truly quality. The one beef I have is that their tables are very wide which makes conversing a little difficult but #firstworldproblems. What I really want to RAVE about though and have managed to contain myself from doing for a whole paragraph now is their friggin CHOCOLATE BUDINO. Basically a beautifully amazingly dark molten lava cake served with some seriously fantastic vanilla gelato. WOWOOWWOW. So rich. So molten. So many inappropriate noises coming from my direction. It was INCREDIBLE. I without fail at any restaurant order the closest variant they have of my beloved lava cake and this is actually one of the best I've ever had. Holy cacao beans, I was basically a melted puddle of chocolate by the end. Will definitely return to try out their food and cocktails. But nothing will eclipse you, my chocolatey love, I will come back for you!
(4)Peggy S.
Friday night, when the man wanted a beer and I wanted to stay classy, we decided to escape from the sweaty crowd at Rudy's and NOLA to enjoy some peace and quiet time (and quite honestly, return to civilization), we headed over to Gravity and were able to get seated immediately. Gravity wasn't peaceful nor quiet. This place was buzzing with energy and the aroma drifted through the air from their kitchen. We sat at a table right in front of the bar so we could see how the entire team worked together seamlessly. Matt ordered a glass of Allagash White (yes, it was poured from a glass bottle into a wine glass, classy!) and I got a glass of 2006 Sauvignon Blanc and it came in a carafe. We decided to also get a quick bite to eat because we had just came from a mostly vegetarian potluck dinner and well, you know, the man needed red meat to go with his beer. We ordered steak tartare with quail egg on a bed of watercress and served with some toasted baguette. This was my first time having steak tartare and I have to say, it was surprisingly good! Matt broke the quail egg yolk on top of the steak tartare and we spread it on the baguette. The crunchy baguette added texture to the creamy, almost spread-like consistency of the tartare and the slight bitterness of the watercress made the dish more refreshing and removed the potential greasy aftertaste in your mouth. The dish, while soft and delicate, was very flavorful! Then Matt started to feel adventurous and ordered "sweetbread". I had no idea what sweetbread was until last night... turned out what we had was a veal's thymus gland! It was lightly breaded and fried, served with chanterelle mushroom on a bed of arugula. I was blown away by this dish! At first bite, the "sweetbread" was tender, soft of had the consistency of a bite of tender chicken... or fried alligator. But as you chewed on, you'd slowly taste the "glandiness" of the sweetbread. It had a very, very slight metal flavor and at the end, it was very creamy and felt like it coated the back of my throat. I think this was a really good dish to try if you've never had sweetbread! For what we ordered, the price here wasn't bad at all, very reasonable. The service was fast, friendly and professional. We'd definitely return! And maybe next time for an actual dinner!
(5)Hannah B.
Wow! I can't say enough what a fabulous place this is- especially the WINE! My husband had been here before, and he wanted to go back for his birthday for some drinks & dessert. We sat at the bar & ordered some flights- he got the Pinot noir flight & I got the sparkling wine flight. While we were sipping our WONDERFUL wine, we noticed a familiar face. Gravity's sommelier, Suzanne, had helped us a few times at Safeway & we both LOVED her & thought she was the most knowledgable sommelier we had ever met. So now she is working for Gravity & they are incredibly lucky to have her. She is a truly delightful person who has devoted her life to her love of the art of wine. Her passion for wine comes through not only in her words but in the wine on the menu. Every wine has been carefully chosen to give the customer a really great experience. We look forward to going back to Gravity & tasting more of their exceptional wine offerings courtesy of the lovely & remarkably intelligent Suzanne Chowla.
(5)Danielle L.
Ok, I admit it. I am spoiled by The Wine Room. So going into the Gravity Wine Bar, I am looking for a certain ambiance in my "wine bars". What I got is a restaurant that serves wine and really pushy waiters who try and encourage you to have dinner there. If you are a restaurant, fine. Don't call yourselves a wine bar and set up wine bar expectations. The food is expensive, they don't have many shared appetizers, and the wine list is...ok? The last time I went, me and my friend ended up leaving after our glass of wine because we felt uncomfortable, due to the waiter who wanted us to have dinner there. I've been here three times now, and it just doesn't have the right vibe for me. Sorry Gravity Restaurant with a wine list...it's not you (yes it is), it's me.
(2)Samson B.
Tonight I spoke with one of the staff (Kent) over the phone to make an order for my party that would be arriving shortly. I ended up ordering the spare ribs and the pan roasted chicken. There was some confusion over my order which is understandable, however, when I spoke with Kent again to sort out my order I was met with ridicule and a holier than thou attitude. I was berated over the phone and made to feel unimportant. It was the worst customer service experience that I have endured in a long time. Regardless of how good the food is, service is very important, alienating your customers is not a good way to run a business. I pray that they do not allow Kent to pick up the phone again, lest they lose another customer.
(1)Michael T.
We had the short rib and the risotto. The short rib was good but the polenta was a little bland. The risotto was undercooked and a little dry. The wait staff earned all 3 stars.
(3)Ben H L.
I came to meet up with my friend here and I'll say this upfront...I'm not a wine guy. I'm a beer guy but I've read a few issues of Wine Enthusiast and looked up stuff on Wikipedia so I'm not entirely ignorant. Since I wasn't feeling very adventurous, I decided to forego getting a red wine flight and getting some mixed drinks. Luckily, we got here during the Happy Hour. So we ordered entirely off the Happy Hour specials: burrata, charcuterie plate, fries, red sangria, white sangria, and a mojito. Total bill $32! I wonder if happy hour is why people go to work so early so that they can hit up places before 6pm for cheap eats and drinks? Damn I think I have to get up earlier now... The burrata and fries were great...the charcuterie came with pepperoni, salami, and prosciutto. I liked the burrata the best for $5 as it's a nice accompaniment of salt to go with my drinks. Our server was very helpful in giving us time to make up our minds and bringing out our food as quick as lightning. I also scored 100 Opentable dining points for making my reservation here...only 19 more reservations before I get $20 in dining cred! May come back again for another HH here since this location provided good value with nicely chosen decor and style inside the dining room.
(4)Amanda L.
Took my sister here for a birthday dinner and the food was delicious! We ordered the braised beef short ribs and the duck confit, both of which were fantastic, and our server was very friendly. Will definitely be coming back
(4)Lorraine C.
This is one of those places you must go to if you like relaxing chill music and good atmosphere. Wine list and menu are astounding with many eclectic wines and cocktails. Wine bar flights are good sizes and no skimpy portions on desserts or meals. I had a "French Martini" which is a cosmo with pineapple instead of cranberry juice. I also tried the Chocolate Budino very nice rich chocolate lava and Ice cream. My man loves wine so he had the red wine flight, he loved it. Service deserves top marks with no pressure to leave after you pay the bill. What else can I say? What a wine bar should be. Thanks guys!
(5)Kevin N.
Came here during Restaurant Week in a party of six. We made reservations on open table and were seated immediately. They had a $35 prix fixe menu that offered several choices for a three course dinner. What I ordered: Seared Ahi Bruschetta - This was by far the best course of the night. The ahi was cooked perfectly and the white bean puree helped unite the whole dish. Absolutely delicious. Wild Mushroom Risotto - Pretty meh. The consistency and texture of the risotto was good but it seemed slightly bland to me. I thought it could of used a bit more mushroom. You can definitely taste the truffle oil if you dig that stuff. I'm not the biggest fan of truffle so I was pretty indifferent about it. Caramelized Apple Bread Pudding - I generally tend to pass on dessert, but I think I enjoyed this more than my entree. It wasn't overly sweet which I appreciated, and was a nice warm dish to cap off the meal before heading off into the cold night. Overall, Gravity provided a solid meal with an enjoyable atmosphere. Although, I'm not too sure I would come back to have a regular meal as the prices are a bit on the steep side without the portion size to show for them. Random Note: Restrooms are on the second floor, customers were required to take the back elevator up as they had a private dining party upstairs.
(3)Kyle J.
Came to Gravity for the 3rd time last week with my girlfriend. We sat at the bar and ordered a carafe of one of the mid priced wines (I think the carafe was in the $30-35 range). The wine was good and the atmosphere was really nice. My complaint is that the service was really poor (this may be a generous description). The bar was not very busy (maybe 2 other couples) which is why the poor service stuck out so much. When we ordered the bottle, the bartender gave us a disgusted look that we didn't purchase a full bottle and then didn't even pour the wine for us when he served it. Just set it in front of us with 2 empty glasses. The whole experience felt like we were an inconvenience to Gravity not a valued customer. We live in downtown Palo Alto and ended up walking down the street to Joya (another high end restaurant / bar) to get a glass of Sangria before we ended the night. They were incredibly gracious which made the comparison of Gravity even greater. Recommendation to Gravity: I can just as easily drink wine in my backyard as I can at your restaurant. I came here for the service/experience, please focus on providing that to your customers.
(2)Ella S.
Gravity Bistro & Wine Bar is the best place to get a drink in Palo Alto. It is not overly crowded and the waiters are attentive. The layout of the place is conducive to both private conversations and for groups of friends. I've never eaten there so I cannot vouch for the food, but it is relaxed, pretty and welcoming!
(5)Evelyn K.
Definitely a wine bar, first and foremost. For that, I give them kudos. Decor downstairs is a bit stark and minimalist (but it works), with high bar-level dark wood tables and stools. Restrooms are upstairs, which is a little annoying. I went here several times after they opened, though it has been a while. Can be a fun experience. The food is pretty good. A bit pricey, small portions and almost overly-attentive service. You feel pressured to constantly order more and more things because they keep coming by and asking, as well as looking at you as you sit and try to enjoy your wine and food. The food is extremely rich (high fat); I wish they had more lighter options on the menu.
(3)mong linh n.
from all the reviews and pics i was excited to give this place a try. im going to keep this review really short. we had a large group of girls, so that means i get to try almost everything on the menu. everything i tried was bland and fell short of something. nothing stuck out. not even one item on the menu. although, i do remember that our server was super helpful and accommodating. +++ for customer service only. probably a good place to just grab a glass of wine. overall, i give them 2.5 stars.
(2)Kirsten A.
I usually think wine and cheese bars are going to be full of pretentious people (remember the South Park episode with the smug epidemic?) eating overpriced cheese, drinking overpriced wine, and discussing a depressing book or foreign film. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was not the case with Gravity. The environment is very laid-back, dare I say casual. The prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. I ordered the Bistro Burger, well-done with white cheddar. The rest of the group enjoyed the duck liver and truffle fries, along with various wines and a cheese platter. All in all, pretty good service; always there to refill my water right away. Always making sure we were enjoying our meal. It is a nice place to go for an event (such as this night, a birthday dinner). The bill was pretty expensive, but for the amount of people and for what we got I can't really argue. Would definitely recommend it.
(4)anne c.
A first: after ordering lots of food and wine, was told by the maître d' that since they were busy that night we'd 'had the table long enough' (90 minutes), and were told our check was being closed out and we should move to the bar if we wanted to order dessert. Wow. I completely understand needing the table, and would sympathize 100% if they apologized and said a reservation was waiting or something to that effect. We were quiet, spent a decent amount (~$120/couple for 3 couples before tip) - really pretty rude service. Will not be back.
(2)Trung N.
This is a place I could imagine myself eating often at.. for an item that's now banned in CA... UGH.... With that thought aside.. I would still say their selection of small eats are still great minus the aforementioned item. The steak tartare and the sweetbreads are pretty much what I would go towards.. and exactly what I ordered when I first came here. The tartare is delicious with the quail egg.. and the sweetbreads (if you've never had it before) has a peculiar texture that makes it an interesting treat. Prices are reasonable for what you get. I'll have to come back another time and try out their entrees. The duck confit looks very appetizing.
(4)Manisha S.
3.5 stars. Went for dinner with 3 girlfriends on a Tuesday night. Parking was impossible as always in PA but this of course not the fault of the restaurant. We got complementary mini bruschettas that were tasty. We ordered the burrata cheese and the bruschetta appetizer. For dinner we got the butternut squash risotto, salmon and scallops. Everybody really loved the food but the portions were ridiculous. I'm not even a big eater but honestly, the portions should have been 2-3X what they were sized. Really disappointing. The apple dessert with gelato was again, delicious but way too skimpy on the gelato. Bottom line - go for a drink or for happy hour, not when you are hungry for a full dinner!!
(3)Michael C.
This is how a modern wine bar should be. I was debating between 4 or 5 stars when I realized that I haven't had a better overall experience at any other bar. We arrived for an afternoon tasting at 4:30pm last Saturday. It was still early so good seats were plenty. I noticed something about Happy Hour, but it didn't seem to apply to Saturday. The interior was tastefully dimmed and lit with Edison bulbs. Rich wood tables and dark accents made intimate promises for an oenological evening. We were seated at a table by the bar and Chris commenced with our initiation. More than an ordinary server, Chris was our guide through this first visit. He led us through the menu and discussed our taste preferences to get the best fit. We started with the flight of reds to get our bearings on their cosmopolitan selection. We added the cheese platter with 3 selections. And, I couldn't resist their international beer collection and went with a Saison ale from Belgium. Before our drinks arrived, Chris brought us an amuse bouche, which was a first for me at a wine bar. Chris introduced each wine in the flight and I had my beer in a wine glass, fancy times and another first. Later, when I didn't find the Saison quite agreeable, Chris noticed that and offered a replacement beer. However, as the beer was fine in its own right, I had no problem just chocking it up to an experience. But his consideration was priceless. The cheese platter was a real treat. Three delightful cheeses complemented with six pairings, including some fruit bread. For $12, it was a steal. Then we ordered another red, a Howell Mountain cab from an unfamiliar winery in St. Helena. Still, the reputation of the appellation is well deserved as we both found the cab to be excellent. After muscling through the Saison, I went for the Erdinger Dunkel. Now that's a beer. Both Chris and another server agreed it was their favorite. The Dunkel is a beautifully crafted beer with amazing fragrances and a supple feel. It's range expanding tastings like this that keep me excited to keep tasting. I can definitely see myself spending entire evenings with this delicious nectar. Two wonderful hours later, we tabbed out at $95 with tax and tip. For the location and the high quality of the drinks and pampering by Chris, we felt it was a bargain. Since we didn't get to dinner this time, we look forward to another visit since their menu had some very reasonable prices, about $15-25 per entree.
(5)Chow C.
Place was great! They offered wine flights and very good food selection for a wine bar! Ordered couple of small plates to share - bruschetta, which was nicely presented! but bleh... Mostly veges as topping...healthy I guess. Meat balls- super tasty! Highly recommended, there were 4 meat balls with cheese on top. There is an upstairs too and they gave us a super cozy corner seat! Sweet! Wine flights are reasonably priced too! We had flights which ranged from $14-16. Three pours of 2 ounces each. One improvement they can make though is offering better wine selection from California region especially. I had an out of town visitor who did not fly 10000 miles to drink Spanish or Italian wines... The wine bottle selections we're not fantastic either...
(4)Betty N.
**JUST THE WINE AND CHEESE, PLEASE** 3.5 stars. Came here to support the Dining Out For Life with other fellow Yelpers and friends on a Thursday evening. Downstairs ambiance was nice with the low hung light bulb lamps and exposed brick walls. ORDERED: *BEET SALAD ($9) - Haricot Vert, Cara Cara Oranges, Parmesan, Dijon Vinaigrette was good. But I like fresh beets to be simple. It would have been better WITHOUT the oranges and greens, to be honest. *PAN ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS AND GNOCCHI ($15) - Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs, Gnocchi, Rapini, Rosemary-Olive Jus was good, but not memorable. The chicken could have used more flavor. Like thyme and other herbs. *GLASS OF WHITE WINE ($11) - Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape '09 was beautiful and delicious. Service was so-so. I had to flag down the bus boy for my eating utensils. I had a taste of the cheese plate and that was fantastic. Next time, I would skip the hot plates and go straight to the cheese plates and wines. Good spot for dates and meeting co-workers. RECOMMEND.
(4)Cara P.
Excellent wine selections. Well chosen flights including dessert flight. The food was delicious, a nice complement to the food. The whole package for a foodie. The pairings are really nice. Staff is very friendly as well. Great service! Will definitely return.
(5)Sophie Y.
Came here for Silicon Valley Restaurant Week - $35 three course prie fixe menu. I think most of the things on that menu weren't on their normal restaurant menu, but I could be wrong. I got the Ahi Bruschetta, Mushroom Risotto, and Apple Bread Pudding. The Bruschetta was good, tuna was pretty fresh but the dish was pretty small. I expected there to be more than just one piece of the bruschetta. My risotto was pretty good portion size and it was really tasty. The risotto was cooked well and it was a good consistency - noot mush at all but still very creamy. Apple bread pudding was pretty good but it was my first time having real bread pudding... not sure if it's my favorite dessert but I had no complains about the bread pudding here :) The atmosphere was pretty nice, they had a nice area upstairs too where there was a private event. Not sure if I would come back because it's a bit pricey but we had a pretty enjoyable experience!
(3)Mandy B.
Cute little spot in downtown PA. Reasonably priced, friendly waitstaff, and tasty food! The carbonara was a highlight (dividedly chewy though - I personally love my pasta al dente), and the waiter was very patient in helping us choose a wine to fit our tastes and budget. By no means is this a destination spot, but if you are in the area, this is one of your better options for catching up with some friends over some nice and wine and good food. The ambiance is excellent, and I would absolutely return.
(4)Tomas P.
I've now been to Gravity twice and each visit has impressed me, from the service to the food quality. On my first trip I tried the Merguez sausage that was the most memorable thing I had. On my second trip I had a 3 cheese / 3 meat place that was delicious. The steak tartare was excellent. The red wine flight is the way to go (better than the Spanish flight).
(5)H T.
i've been here a few times, and it's pretty fun. it's a nice place for either a romantic evening or for a group outing. if you get here for happy hour, you can get some pretty good wine and food deals. i liked the caponata and oysters here in particular.
(3)Michelle W.
Came here for my foie gras fix before it gets banned. The upstairs is gorgeous and I loved the intimate setting. The bf and I ordered: Seared Foie Gras: delicious, foie gras serving was quite small for the price Torchon Foie Gras: creamy.. very good, paired well with the tomatoes Braised Ribs: extremely tender, the mashed potatoes were delicious with the sauce Duck Confit: very good, but the portion was small for the price Iberian Flight: 1 of the red wines .. I believe it was the Temperanillo, was extremely bland.. didn't find any that I liked in the flight Sparkling Wine Flight: The brut and the proseco were good, wasn't a fan of the Rose Overall, the service was impeccable and the portions, although entrees were smaller in size, were all very good. We spent about $100 for the 2 of us.
(4)Tara H.
I went on a blind date to Gravity Wine Bar recently. Thank goodness the blind date was intelligent and entertaining - the best combination in a dining companion. I ordered a white wine flight and the chicken and gnocchi. The chicken skin was on the super crisp side - as in, difficult to cut crispy. Overall the dish had good flavors and the shaved asparagus with panacetta was wonderful. The hostess/manager was very attentive, along with the waitstaff and the table bus boys. All in all a pleasant experience! Recommended!
(3)Collin W.
What a great restaurant! I had Kent as a server for my birthday and graduation celebration and he did such an amazing job. We were coordinating wine selections for a dozen people, a couple of allergies and my 86 year-old Grandmother. Kent figured out a way to accommodate everyone's needs in good fashion. The food was amazing (try the oysters) and not too pricey, but above all the service was the best (thanks Kent).
(4)Ronald T.
Guy had the braised beef short ribs with mascarpone polenta. The polenta was creamy and flavorful, and the short ribs were fork tender. Girl had the bucatini with pancetta, simple red sauce, and parmesan. I didn't try it, but it looked fairly unremarkable to me. Girl did not finish her dish, but she was also feeling under the weather, so maybe that explained it. Overall an appropriate ambience for a date night, as it was lively yet intimate. The majority of the seats were like elevated bar seats, so they were not particularly comfortable. Otherwise, it was an A-OK place. I would recommend going at least once, but I don't really see myself going a second time.
(3)Tom N.
The worst service ever! The young manager (I supposed since he dressed up nicely) brought some dishes to my table. Then 30 second later, he came to take them back and said " they are not yours!" He didn't forget to give me the look without an apology!
(1)Heather s.
Perhaps our group mistake was to come here for dinner - but they do call it a wine bar & restaurant. Perhaps I just didn't do my Yelp pre-research and ordered the wrong things. Liked the ambiance. Liked the high top seating. Two floors - each with a bar and seating area. With its low ceilings, it did get quite loud on a Friday evening. So our group of 8 had to shout across the ends of the tables - not the best place for catching up. Our server was a little awkward... Possibly a little green for a big group. He actually asked to remove our menus before we'd ordered entrees "so they don't get dirty" - really?!?! They're paper menus, what do you expect? But the refilling of water and timing of food was efficient enough. We all enjoyed our glasses of wine - they have a good selection and I drank a lovely pinot noir (I especially liked the little personal decanter). Appetizers we shared: - CHEESE PLATE ($18 for large) - came with walnut bread (which is a little weird for the types of cheeses - you'd expect crackers or regular bread), and too few slices at that. We were left with a lot of cheese at the end with nothing to spread it on. - HOUSE MARINADED OLIVES ($5) - standard. - BRUSCHETTA ($8) - Three small slices - one each of portabello goat cheese, truffled white beans, and tomato. Way too overpriced for these, and not even that good. I opted to be vegetarian for the meal and ordered the RISOTTO ($15) - cooked with peas, mushrooms, and arugula. Had potential but it was only so-so, being slightly undercooked. I wished I'd ordered the burger or steak & frites. Maybe next time. I'm willing to give them another shot - maybe for their 4-6pm happy hour.
(3)Claudine V.
Glad to have found a place open late even during the week in palo alto that has their kitchen open late , till 1 am , on Fridays and Saturdays. They have a great selection of wines , nice ambiance and good food. I have to come back and try other dishes but so far I like the beef tartare but it needs more salt. The free bread they give reminds me of what my mom use to make for me- white bread without the brown edges. I would suggest to change their bread to like french bread, ciabatta or some type of bread less plain than what they offer. Anyway, good service, lovely place for a drinks, apps or just an intimate date. Will probably come back here again.
(3)R H.
I loved this place, The food was excellent, portions were a fair size, wine selection was great, and nothing about it was trying too hard. Understated, laid back, good food. When I arrived with my friend, the chef brought over an amuse bouche (sp?) that was amazing - it was like an eggplant, tomato compote or tapanade on two little toasts, but it was flavor explosion waiting to be had! My friend ordered a salad and I ordered the burrata and the quail egg steak tartare which was beautifully presented and delicious. Our server was very helpful in terms of helping us select wine, although he could have smiled more - I appreciated his guidance. All in all, a great experience. I would go back again!
(4)Kevin K.
Visited for my second time this weekend, and will most certainly will not be back again. My biggest issue with gravity was the service. I understand you are trying to be an upscale wine bar, but when I came in and asked for a bottle of wine in the $40-60 price range, i was treated to a blank stare and the following response "for $70-$90 dollars we have some nice bottles, but in that price range I just don't know." Seriously? You don't know your own wine list? You have over 20 bottles under $60 and you can't recommend 1? Unbelievable. My second issue is the ludicrous portion size. If I pay $25 for the filet frites, I would hope to get more than a 3-4 oz serving.
(1)Rishi G.
Gravity is the whitest place in Palo Alto - which is already pretty white. The only way it would be any whiter is if there was a combination Yoga / Yacht Club co-op out back. That being said, this place is awesome. I had Foie Gras here literally minutes before it became illegal last July. These guys pushed the envelope and didn't give in to the government until the last minute. Otherwise the short ribs are also melt-in-your-mouth amazing. And the wine list is great, with generous pours. I find the service a little snooty - even for Palo Alto. I think too many of their staff were trained somewhere in Orange County with the snob kings. But if you're willing to deal with that - I'd really recommend this place. *Unlike* other places in Palo Alto, it's not going to rape your paycheck, pull out, and bukkake on your credit card.
(4)David B.
This is by far my most adored place in downtown Palo Alto to drink and talk. I don't know the wine selection well enough to comment on that, though I've had some interesting drinks here. The Riesling from Australia was good...so was this unique wine from France that tasted very briny...like oysters. I drunkingly wrote down the name in my iphone notes as "Deponte melon debourgogn". However, be prepared to shell out at least 50 plus for a decent bottle. What I like most about this place is the environment. Places like Nola are hip and all...but it's so loud. I hate having to shout over the noise when I need to catch up with people. Gravity provides a quieter atmosphere, friendly sommeliers, and wine usually is a nice gradual slide into getting buzzed.
(4)Andrew C.
Barbera and a bistro burger and steak tartare with wonderful company in a fantastic environment that plays music from this decade and serves food that's relevant to the current world of gastronomy.
(5)Dave P.
We enjoy trying different places so we gave Gravity a try. We started out very well with the cheese plate - the highlight of the experience. The brussel sprout salad, not so much. We ordered the risotto which had good flavor but was under-cooked. We ordered the swordfish special which too was good but the white beans suffered from the same undercooked state as the risotto. The noise level was VERY high and I suppose the late hour contributed to the intoxicated state of a couple patrons. This is not a place we would recommend or return...
(2)William R.
Place is dope. Kent is a server here and I believe he exemplifies all that is right with the industry. The music was spot on and the drink and cheese selection is what I liked and will come back for.
(5)Caroline T.
Came here last minute and loved how easy it was to make reservations through open table. Like Kathy D., I also had Kent as my server and he made our dining experience perfect! He was so kind and friendly, possibly the best server ever :). Our prime rib took a while; however, Kent noticed and offered us a drink on him. I chose a Riesling and he served us a Mozel Riesling, which went perfectly with our Pot de Creme. Food: -Arrancini: They served us these fried risotto balls as an amuse bouche on a bed of a arugula. The outside was lightly fried (not too greasy) and the inside consisted of risotta and I believe goat cheese! The goat cheese was of mild stinkiness but the arugula cut into it perfectly. -Pomme Frites: LOVE. Skinny crisp fries with parmesan and truffle. I love thin and crispy fries and these go right up there with Left Bank and Chapeau! Came with an olive oil aioli. My only issue with this was that they charged and extra $2 for them to be truffle fries. (Total : $6) -Steak Tartare with Quail Egg: If a dish has a quail egg, I will almost order it. The quail egg added such a unique flavor to the tartare. Due to the generous portion, I ate half of the tartare before I popped my yolk. Only con to the dish for me was that it was lacking citrus. -Duck Liver Mousse: $10 for two triangular slabs of pate. Wonderfully liver-ly for me, but bland for others. Went well with the included cornichon and honey mustard. I asked for extra crostinis , which I thought would be annoying to the waiters but they were so kind :) -Prime Rib: Large slab or prime rib served on french green beans (tender with a hint of citrus) and fingerling potatoes. Loved the presentation. Au jus was served in pour spout and horseradish cream (my favorite) was alongside it. Potatoes were perfectly crispy! The prime rib was tasty but slightly salty. -Coppa: $8 for 6 slices of Copps seems pricey to me. It was peppered so the coppa was equally spicy and salty. -Chocolate Pot de Creme: Topped with homemade whip cream (fluffy and not too sweet) and a shortbread cookie. The chocolate creme was thick and wonderfully chocolatey. However, I wished they added berries to the dish. My Riesling went amazingly well with the dessert. Made me forget that I wanted berries haha. Such a fun and cute place. We called it a man cave with its dim and woody furniture :p
(4)Diana Y.
--------------WEDDING RECEPTION ONLY-------------- I came here for a dear friend's wedding reception and she had rented out the entire restaurant. First of all, what a beautiful intimate place to have a wedding reception. The food she had there was all de
(4)Anya M.
I wasn't even hungry.. But when I sat down at the bar next to a girl eating a pasta dish the smell amazed me! So I had to order the truffle pasta dish they had!! It was so delicious!!! I worked in the service industry and put myself through college bartending and the service was very attentive with friendly bartenders and a beautiful ambiance!! Loved it!!
(5)Jon P.
I've waited for this day. I've been at hundreds of restaurants around the world and this was the one that made me finally submit a yelp review. This is my first yelp review ever. Think about that for a second. First of all my date and I came in and the snobby maître d' was on the phone shaking his head as of to say "no, we are too busy" while the hostess seated us. It was about 7 pm. We were greeted by the waiter who said "glasses of wine are on the back of the menu" versus a "hello, our specials for the evening are..." Strike one. I proceeded to order a bottle of 2010 pinot only to hear back from the waiter that there was no more and we should select the seriously overpriced 2005 vintage. Strike two. After we ordered our apps the maître d' came and asked us to move our seats to the corner because another party was coming in. While this had never happened before in my life we gladly obliged. Not more than five minutes later the servers had broken apart out table from a recently consolidated table to accommodate two other diners. Strike three. This has to be the worst restaurant experience I've ever had in my life. Decent food to be fair but they ruined my night. The poor waiter was helpless and the assistant manager tried to comp our first round of drinks to make up for it. Rude. Classless. Not service oriented. Appalling. That's how I would describe our experience at Gravity.
(1)Rose L.
After searching Yelp for a bar open later than midnight on a Thursday night that wasn't packed with college kids, we found Scotty's. We happily trekked a few blocks only to find Scotty's was closed nearly two hours before their posted closing time. Boo, Scotty's! Fortunately, Gravity was a pleasant, OPEN surprise right next door! Yes, it is a wine bar, but they have a decent bottle beer selection including Czech Rebel, Old Engine Oil, Scrimshaw, some kind of white ale, and several others. Bartenders were super attentive, and even though closing hour is posted as 1 am, they let us order another beer at 12:55. Crowd is much more sophisticated than the sports bars in town. Several older patrons but also some younger ones who demonstrated a lot of class. We liked it so much we returned the next night. They have a really nice upper level, too. Great for groups.
(4)jim d.
I love this place. Upscale food and drinks with a causal atmosphere. Gravity has an excellent choice of craft beers. I was a kid in a candy store. Meals: - Steak Tartare w/ Quail Eggs -- Delicious. The crackers/toast is a bit hard to bite into. - Steak and Frites -- Excellent. Perfectly cooked medium rare. Only problem is that for that price you only get a 4oz. steak which is a lot smaller than most comparable restaurants. - Mostaciolli Carbonara -- Not a fan. Nothing stands out.
(4)Maryam G.
I was here for drinks and appetizers. The place is cozy and the service is flawless. The wine list can be interpreted somewhat exotic at a good price range. They offer French, Spanish, Chilean and Portuguese wines while most of them can be found in stores. The cheese plate was decent and when they noticed we were out of bread (which was part of the cheese plate and not served separately), they quickly brought us some more. Overall it's a good place to relax and enjoy your drink while in good company.
(4)Kathy D.
I am a huge sucker for awesome customer service.. and AWESOME is what I got from Kent, our waiter/server, for the night! Thank you Kent for an awesome first experience at Gravity Wine Bar. That just made me want to come back for more already. Gravity is a cute, dim lighted wine bar on emerson, which I totally loved. Plenty of seating via high chairs, seating at the bar, or booths in the back. The bartenders and waiters are all great with their humor and suggestions. Their suggestions sucked me into getting more delicious appetizers. Ordered: ++Truffle Pomme Frites- skinny fries with lots of truffle flavor to them. I loved it. Make sure to ask for aioli sauce to accompany these fries. Great size for an appetizer. ++Seared Foie Gras- accompanied by baguette pieces, pomegranate and pineapple chunks. This was delicious but I wish I got more than one slice of foie gras for $12. My uncle just went here last night and took a picture of his, where he got 3 pieces of foie gras! How unfair!!!!! I paired this with a wannabe sauternes, which was a great combo. I don't remember exactly the white wine I ordered. It wasn't on the happy hour menu but it was much like a riesling. I love the amount they give, which is plenty, and the wine pourers it comes with. Very unique and classy. Happy hour 4 to 6pm! Definitely will be coming back here. and hopefully give me more foie gras please? :)
(5)Sunil R.
Another entrant in the crowded Univ Avenue place. I give it a semi-enthusiastic thumps up. The ambience was nice and cozy, they have a huge area upstairs as well. Good selection of scotch and a full bar. Food was pretty good as well. So why only 2 stars? The bartender was a grouch, just seemed pissed off and super unfriendly. I was sitting at the bar and kept going to other people to get what I needed just to avoid this dude. This was Friday evening 3/25. Another bar tender, apparently the new guy who has been there only a week or so, joined later in the evening and he was AWESOME. Apparently he just moved from LA. I forget his name, give him a raise and fire the other guy!! Get a new bar tender and I will be back! If not, too many other choices in the area to come here and deal with a total downer.
(2)Liz B.
Since this update only confirms what I initially thought about this place, I'm going to skip right to what matters: Bottom Line: Gravity sold me instantly on their Manhattans, and time and time again has repeated their ability to provide me with everything I care about - ambiance and food. It's got a brick wall that is unabashedly a brick wall, how can this do anything but make you happy when you see it?
(5)julie c.
Comfortable and chic atmosphere for a nice evening out with girls or your s/o. Leave the kids at home.
(4)Kelly T.
This is a joke; this place is a joke... except for their food.. pretty amazing... Argh, I Love/Hate you! Doing a Girl's night we picked Gravity for some apps and drinks since it fit into all our criteria of what we were looking for; Wine, Martini's and delicious food. Our server John, when asked, was on point with his wine knowledge and suggestions for cheese. We shared the Bruschetta Trio, Charcuterie Plate and picked a Trio of Cheeses. All was fantastic until out of nowhere, we got the bill put on the table when we were clearly not finished. He did not ask my friends if they wanted another round nor did he acknowledge our friend who came in and sat down with menu in hand. Just plop. He seemed genuinely annoyed when my friend ordered a drink at the bar but he had clearing made it obvious he was ready to clock out. He even stated that a new server would be helping us. In comes the witch.... When the brown haired, jolly-sized server came around, I smiled and waved her over to order more drinks for everyone and she looked at me and turned around. I just looked at my friends in disbelief. I tried again; no eye contact returned. Oh but how she returns out of nowhere when my Fiance shows up and goes over the different options of beer with him. Mind you, I even stated out loud when she came up to him that she had not helped us and I had been trying to get her to come over to us. She rolled her eyes and continued to speak only to him. Never did they follow up with us to ask if we needed anything and then we had to go to the bar to get other drinks; she also never let us know she was closing out or to order from the bar. When we did go to the bartender (EXCELLENT BARTENDER!), I could clearly hear her bitching about our table... Wow... supreme service? What is even more pathetic is the Manager, probably MOD, was watching this whole thing go down and let her continue to act like a crass *itch. He sat at the bar later just eating away.. I even stated to the bartender that the girl server was horrible and he apologized (thanks!) but the Manager chomping away, said nothing about it... I'm sorry I am complaining about your crap servers but don't you want to improve your service skills? For such good food and wine, I hate that this place has ridiculous service. I Love/Hate you!!!
(1)Christine P.
Incredible and reasonably priced (we were shocked for it being Palo Alto) dinner. Great wine selection. You can't go wrong!
(5)Vivian H.
We came here near the end of the night, so we were.. a bit rowdier than usual, you could say. They were still really nice and we ordered a drink each. I had a nice gimlet, the men had sangrias (lol). The red was good, the white tasted like punch. Not a whole lot of personality to the place, but nice for a date probably. Dimly lit and spacious for privacy.
(3)paul c.
Stumbled upon this wine bar bistro on a Monday night. Great wines and both dishes (lamb chops, steak) were excellent. Service was average - not much value add. Prices were a bit high. Regardless, I would come back for the quality of food and wine. Beer selection was decent, as well.
(4)Athena S.
Upgrading this place.... We shared apps of buratta cheese & the steak tartare with quail egg Also shared entrees: short ribs with polenta & the duck confit with lentils Quite impressive overall, including my champagne flight. Forgot what kind of red he ordered, guess I am not exactly aware of anything I'm not personally consuming (read: selfish date) Anyway, had to update since my last couple times there weren't so exciting.
(4)Jennifer T.
I've only been here once but it was nice, good selection of small bites and my main dish HOLY Decliciousness! It was a simple pasta slathered with a parmesan cream sauce with pancetta, holy crap that was so good I wanted to lick the bowl! The service was a little slow though and forgetful..luckily it wasn't busy so we just remined him to bring me more wine!
(4)C V.
I would put this place at about 3.5-4 stars. The environment and service is great. The food I got at happy hour was just okay. I will probably try this place again since I only tried 2 appetizers. The place does get a little loud in the evening, so you have to speak a little more loudly in order to have conversation.
(4)Jim P.
there must be better as the area was PACKED yet this place was quiet...and the food was "fine".
(2)Jiwon K.
I like their ambience and their cheese plate, but the food is definitely too expensive for the quality you get. Go for the wine and cheese, not the pasta!
(3)Scott W.
I used to like this place and it is a decent place for drinks late at night. The service is bad, though. Food stops at midnight. We came in at 1155p wanting wine and ice cream scoops. They said no to the ice cream (I know, it was an incredible ask to take a bucket out of a freezer and scoop some frozen milk into a bowl). Then, they reluctantly (clearly irritated) said yes. In the end, they never brought the ice cream but tried to charge me for it anyway.
(1)Julie J.
Went to this restaurant with a fun group of 40 somethings for a friend's birthday celebration. The wine was good. The food was okay. The service was terrible. Our waiter had zero personality. I would never go back to this place. Also, it was Sat. night and they weren't busy at all. I would expect the waiter to interact with us, did I mention we are a fun (not obnoxious) group? Too many awesome restaurants in Palo Alto to waste my time or money here again.
(1)Roy C.
Came here for a simple lunch. Found the service to be very attentive. The menu had enough things on it that looked really good that it took me a while to decide. Just means I'll have to come back. It was super affordable and serving sizes were just right (for a lunch).
(4)Morgan E.
Very fun little place. For the first time in a very long time, my husband and I had a night off from the kids and around midnight he decided he was starving. I wasn't up for Denny's. I found out that this place was open until 2am on Saturdays and was delighted. The food was excellent! The wine list was perfect in my opinion and the prices are reasonable. I will agree with others on the service. Our waiter was almost never around. We had maybe twenty minutes of waiting from being seated to even being able to order a drink. Once we ordered food, it did come out pretty quickly. Then towards the end we had a very hard time getting her attention to get our bill. She wasn't rude but she definitely wasn't very nice. Who cares, the food was excellent, the wines were well-selected and the ambiance was perfect (although a little LOUD since it has brick walls and no sound-absorbing materials inside and there was a drunk table of 10 nearby that was having a very good time, a good sign, I guess).
(4)Nicole L.
Let's start with the good: I came here last night with a group of five friends, none of whom had been to Gravity before. I picked it mainly because it had "wine bar" in the title and took a reservation for six on a Saturday night. The atmosphere was modern and cozy and the service was good. Overall, Gravity was way more spacious than I would expect of a wine bar, especially in downtown Palo Alto. I'm on a pretty strict healthy eating regimen with my wedding just a few months away, so I started with the warm Brussels sprouts salad and a glass of pino grigo. Both were delicious. Now on to the not so good: While the Brussels sprouts salad was really tasty, it was pretty tiny for the price. I believe it was around $11 and came in a very small bowl. Thankfully I also ordered the mussels, which came with grilled focaccia (which I did not eat). They were okay, but I wouldn't order them again, especially not for $13. Granted I ordered two appetizers as my meal, for the prices, the portions were really small. Most of my friends ordered normal entrees and those portions didn't look too big either. I didn't order dessert, but a few others did, and that looked delicious. Overall, I'd come back to Gravity for wine and cheese or dessert, but I'd skip it for a full meal. I think maybe if they changed their name to "Gravity Wine Bar," leaving off the "Bistro," I'd have different expectations, but I recommend not coming for dinner.
(3)Roderick S.
Sit at the bar and enjoy their selection of beers and wine. Also try their burger! It's on a Brioche bun and tastes excellent. I ordered mine Medium. I will certainly be coming back.
(4)Adrienne M.
Despite the fact that I don't drink wine, I've been wanting to come here for awhile. I'd heard good things about the food and I believe this restaurant is from the same people who own Reposado (which I like) and Peninsula Creamery and Scratch (both of which I want to try). We had an OpenTable certificate to use and this seemed like a suitably exciting place to use it, so we came here tonight. We arrived around 7:30 on a Friday night and the place was packed and very LOUD. It's a (lovely) small space with low ceilings and it gets loud in there very quickly. It was a little annoying having to shout at each other to be heard, but other than that I really like the atmosphere. It's very scene-y and I was surprised how dressed up people were. We were in jeans and felt seriously outclassed by everyone in suits and dresses. (As an aside, I'm not sure who all these classy people are or where they came from - it was Friday in Silicon Valley, people wear jeans to work!) I had the market fish of the day ($19), which was white salmon in a light tomato-based sauce with fingerling potatoes. It was outstanding. The salmon was perfectly cooked and the potatoes were some of the best I've ever had. My fiance had the filet & frites (also $19), which he loved. I didn't try the filet but I stole a couple fries and they were very good. Both of us were very happy with our meals, although the portions were really small, especially the filet. We also decided to get dessert since we were not really full from our entrees. I had the chocolate pot de creme ($7) and my fiance had the apple tart with caramel sea salt gelato ($7). His dessert was fantastic, and I say that as someone who is not a fruit dessert person at all. The gelato was especially delicious. My dessert was a huge disappointment, however. I expected it to be rich and decadent. Instead it tasted exactly like the chocolate pudding my father used to make me from those grocery store Jello packets. Don't get me wrong, I like that pudding, but it's something I can easily make at home and not worth $7. My favorite part was the shortbread cookie that came with it. If you've read any of my reviews, you know how much of a chocoholic I am, so for my favorite part of a chocolate dessert to be a shortbread cookie says a lot about how disappointing the dessert is. The service was also really lacking. While our water glasses were always refilled promptly, our waiter disappeared for long periods of time and we had a hard time tracking him down. We made eye contact with him and it still took him forever to come to our table. We also never received bread, although we saw some other people who did. Despite the bad service and lackluster dessert, we both really liked our meals here and agreed that we would like to come back. Food-wise I think the entrees are comparable in quality to Birch Street (formerly Bistro Elan), which offers some similar menu items, and considerably cheaper. Our entrees were the most expensive, and the rest of them ranged from $12 to $16, which is very reasonable for this kind of food. It wasn't perfect, and the service especially could really use improvement, but it was a very nice meal.
(4)Courtney R.
I came here once when The Wine Room was too crowded and was glad I did. The place is a bit less intimate then most wine bars, but they have plenty of space for larger groups which I like. They have both an upstairs and downstairs, and serve tapas and dinner. In addition they have a bar to sit at if you don't' want a table. I came here with a few friends and we each had a glass of wine. It was actually a very large glass/decanter. I ended up getting a bit tipsy unexpectedly. The waiter was so helpful in assisting us in picking out a wine, he even brought some small tastes for us to help make a decision. I love Reds and they had some nice Deep, Oaky kinds here. Even Better everything was VERY Reasonably priced. Overall I had a great experience. Not the best wine bar in the world. But worth popping in during the week. The prices are good and the servers are nice, so that's A-OK to me
(3)Christina D.
Absolutely marvelous--went with my DF/neighbor today---I was recommended and had the brioche burger (breads baked in house to die for) with shoestring fries soooo yummo and the romaine salad perfect not overly dressed--so much yummy food brought back half to the teen son who snarfed it up in two seconds!!!!!! service supreme will go again and again and bring hubby next time and family and friends heard the night time is a bit loud--who cares I love loud and fun and they have a quieter upstairs-- lunch however was great and quiet and well, a great experience! I think this place is a hidden gem to fabulous for words-----
(5)Cy P.
Ambiance was good, food was bland.
(3)Karen C.
My friend and I went to Gravity for dessert one night after dinner nearby. We sat in the bar area on the first floor. There is also a large dining area on the 2nd floor (which is where the bathrooms are too). We decided to share a glass of wine which they were more than happy to do. They actually ended up giving us way more than one glass full. Nice touch! I had the panna cotta and my friend had the lemon pot du creme. I really liked mine. Nice and smooth. Good vanilla flavor. My friend said hers was good too. I am not a big lemon fan but my friend liked it. I definitely want to go back there and try their entrees as the menu had some good options. We were there on a Sunday night so the place was not very busy but it looked like a nice wine bar to hang out in on a busier night.
(4)Tiffany C.
Was surprised to find such a gem in my own back yard. Came here for a night of wine and desserts, and everything was excellent. The service was great, and it's always difficult to go wrong when it comes to wine or dessert. No complaints here. Will definately be going back.
(5)Alice A.
Love this place, now a go to in downtown Palo Alto. Fantastic and reasonably priced food and great drinks (both wine and good cocktails). Good for either a dinner for two upstairs or meeting friends downstairs.
(5)Seán O.
This is a solid option for combining wine and light meals with a pleasant ambience in downtown Palo Alto. They have a decent selection of wines that are carefully chosen and are reasonably priced. They also have a fully stocked bar and the bartenders seem to know what they are doing. Service is usually efficient and attentive. They have a lot of space, but even with this don't expect to walk in and get a table at peak hours. One advantage of the spaciousness is that they can accommodate larger groups, and they do this pretty well. I've been at dinners with up to 15 people here and things have gone without a hitch, which I've usually found is an excellent diagnostic for operations being streamlined more generally. The food is really tasty, but in my opinion it is a little overpriced, especially considering the portions. This lost Gravity my fifth star. I have never eaten here and been full without ordering at least three courses, which with wine usually works out to be ~$40. If you're not quantity-centric, then you will likely thoroughly enjoy your meal. Last time I was here, they had Mexican Coca-Cola! For the non-drinkers (among which I didn't number) this was a fun novelty that people remarked on. Overall a reliably enjoyable place to relax with food and wine. I'll be going back!
(4)Do-Hee K.
W-O-W. Just ate here for the first time this past week after hearing about it for months from my friends at work and I have to say that I was super impressed! I went in thinking it would be another shi-shi restaurant with overpriced, mediocre pasta options and I came out, ready to rave about the restaurant. My two girlfriends and I split the steak tartare appetizer (AMAZING) as well as the burrata plate (can't really go wrong there). I ordered the small Bucatini entree. The flavors were to superb and the portion size was just right. I have a huge appetite but was more than satisfied with the "small" entree size. My two friends each got one of the other pasta entree options and they were both delicious also. All in all - had a great first experience at Gravity and can't wait to go back.... soon!
(5)Michael C.
Went on date night. Food was great. Nothing to heavy, and the wine selection was great. The service was great too. We sat upstairs and it was quite cozy. Our reservation was for 7:30 and the place was fairly full, but by 8 it was packed. If you plan on going make a reservation. I would return.
(4)N. M.
Cute little two story place in PA... By far one of the BEST scallop dishes I've had in ages. Chocolate budino was top shelf and paired with a sparkling glass of cava, my night after 13 hours of work was sipped with success! Everyone was inviting and helpful, smiles, and of course made sure there were no nuts/tree nuts touching or involved with my meal. I will definitely be back for round two of dessert and hopefully try another entree... Unless the scallops brain wash me again
(5)Simran K.
This review is for drinks only - Great ambiance, good wine and beer selection and friendly staff. Came here around 11pm on a Friday night and it wasn't too packed. Perfect place to grab a drink with a small group of friends.
(5)Nelly M.
Went to gravity for the first time for happy hour with two girlfriends. The decor was sleek and stylish, but still laid back and comfortable. The restaurant was busy but still easy to find a table and less hectic than other local HH places. We enjoyed quite a few HH dishes: Fresh oysters-Amazing! 5/5 Fried Olives-yummy 4/5 wanted more Truffle fries-so good! 4/5 Cheese plate 4/5 very good! Polenta-4/5 Delish! Eggplant bruschetta- 4/5 very fresh and flavorful Grilled oysters-Did not try but friend loved them Good variety of HH cocktails and wine!
(4)Ivy C.
Fanciest hot dog I've ever had in my life. Great wine, great service and happy hour.
(4)Elaine T.
I was back and forth between Gravity or the bar next door, but Gravity looked to have a nicer atmosphere - Gravity it was! A friend and I arrived around 10:30pm. There was a good number of patrons but still some tables downstairs. It was a bit loud for a wine bar but after a couple glasses of wine, all the noise drowned out. Oh wine...I love you. We each did a flight of red and white wines (all generous pours and change frequently). We also called for a charcuterie plate as well. The fat on the Spanish prosciutto picante is TO DIE FOR (extremely buttery and melt-in-your-mouth). Highly recommended! Overall pretty good experience. Very elegant yet cozy space for a relaxing time.
(4)Jessica S.
I don't know why I haven't been here before. It's a great date spot or a place to meet and catch up with friends. I love the ambiance and intimate feel - imagine dim lighting & dark wood tables. The place is two levels - definitely like upstairs better as it seemed more quiet and easier to have a conversation. My last time here we had already eaten dinner and since I had looked at the menu earlier I knew I wanted to try out the red wine flight and my friend opted for the same. The three wines were beautifully presented in front of us in the order that it should best be tasted. We had a great time talking without being disturbed or rushed to close our check. The wine list definitely has plenty of items (reds/sparkling) that I want to try out. Definitely am looking forward to coming back again soon!!
(4)PatrickandNicole L.
Came here with a large group for a birthday party. They had to seat us at two separate tables but they were next to each other so that wasn't a big deal. We understand its hard to find places to accomodate big parties without having pre-set menus so appreciated that. The food was ok. I had the mussels and the sauce was pretty tasty. The only thing that we thought was strange was we asked them if they did anything for birthdays and they said yes. Soon after they came out with two desserts for our two birthday girls and then charged us for them. We probably would have been fine with paying for them but it would have been nice to know that ahead of time and been able to pick them ourselves.
(3)Nguyen P.
3 stars because it's pricey for what you get out of it and service is a bit lacking. Otherwise decent place for some casual drinks and snacks. I've had a pleasant dessert wine flight and, of course, desserts. The experience is more like that of a restaurant (as opposed to a wine bar where servers like to chat about the wines).
(3)Stephanie H.
The downstairs at Gravity is an inviting place to grab a bottle or a flight of wine. It's a nice date spot and they have some interesting wine selections. This past visit, our waitress was very pleasant and attentive, perhaps too much so? The previous experience was dreadful! I came here with two girlfriends and we were seated upstairs, which was completely dead...um we were in search of nightlight. The initial plan was to have a bottle of wine, but we didn't wish to stay seeing as the vibe was off. So we thought we would ease the not ordering a bottle of wine blow for our waiter by ordering a dessert. When we told the waiter about our change of plans, he very rudely said, "Are you serious?" WE WERE!
(3)Eve K.
Unexpected excellence in food and wine tucked away in downtown Palo Alto. Lovely date spot to meet up with great friends. Cost to worth it rating: 4.5 (entrees under $20) Food: 4.2 Atmosphere: 4 Service: 4 Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Red wine flight: I love wine, but I can be picky about them and this flight was delicious. It was not just run of the mill boring and had one of out favorite small producers from Santa Barbara (Whitcraft) and a heavenly fruity primitivo. - Duck: perfectly done in the traditional form with a crispy skin and tender dark meat. -Burger: hub thoroughly enjoyed this incredibly juicy burger topped with white cheddar Midlights: - Burrata: think I'm spoiled by previous versions that turned me onto this cheese, so this version was just ok for me Lowlights: - Lemon shortcake: too extra dry so didn't care for it though the marinated strawberries were nice Didn't know what to expect from this place whose location used to be more of a bar scene/club, but I liked it a lot and will be back.
(4)Marissa C.
4.5 Stars The boyfriend and I came here because I wanted to get one last taste of Foie Gras before it was banned. Surprisingly the bar does not have a tv but I guess it makes the place more classy? The decor and ambiance inside was intimate and modern indeed. Our server was very down to earth and friendly. Only concern was that she took awhile to come back to our table to take our meal order after receiving our appetizers (minus 1/2 star). Appetizers: Oysters - From somewhere in Washington, but they were HUGE (that's what she said) Seared Foie Gras - Pretty good cut, and tasted heavenly! The little dices of fruit (i think it was peaches or mangos) that came with it added just enough sweetness and texture. Entrees: Duck Confit - My boyfriend got this and he said it was REALLY good. I tried some of the duck, and it was very flavorful, and not too oily like how they serve it at Chinese restaurants. Braised Short Ribs - SO GOOD!! This dish is a MUST when you eat here. By far the most tender short ribs i have ever tried! I guess it was supposed to come with a potato, but with my food allergies, I substituted it for fries instead and yummmm! These fries reminded me of in n out fries with a house seasoning! So good.... There is a large selection of wines here along with some cocktails and beer. We didn't order any wine, but instead I got the peach Bellini. Even though I had 2 of them, there wasn't very much peach flavor, in fact, i would have to say only about 10% of peach flavor (minus 1/2 star). Other than that, we were way too full to order dessert, but I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a good place to eat in Palo Alto!
(4)Assana F.
Good selection of wine and cocktails, and not too-shabby of a food. But the treatment we got from the maitre d' was so abysmal that we will never go back to this place. 4 of us were meeting at 6:30 for drinks in advance of an 8:00 dinner reservations. I was the first to arrive. The maitre d' insisted on looking up our reservation, even though I kept saying we want to have drinks first. First he claimed we didn't have a reservations and it wasn't until another waiter who was standing behind him who pointed out our names that he acknowledged we did have one. Then he is so scandalized that I'm there so early. I repeated for the 5th time that we are meeting for drinks first and I asked to be seated at one of the two empty tables in the bar area. He barks that it is taken. Then I point to another, and he does the same, all along insisting we go upstairs and sit at our dinner table. Meanwhile another couple walks in - without reservations - and he seats them at one of the two tables. Whatever. Upstairs, on an empty floor, he attempts to seat us near the bathroom, by the bar, right next to the only other guests, a large loud group. Really?? Never again.
(1)Ingrid C.
I've been here a few times and I've found that it's pretty reliable. It's a good standby place in Palo Alto, but yet, it doesn't seem to be crowded during peak weekend nights. At least I know I can get a good meal without a wait! It's definitely not a typical wine bar - it's a full out restaurant. The prices, at first glance, seem pretty reasonable, and the portion sizes are very appropriate! I know others might not like the overfill/multiple meal options, but I don't eat very much, and I like that I can finish my meal here without feeling like I'm about to give birth to a food baby. They have good oyster service, nice pastas, great short ribs, and delicious duck confit with lentils. The wine list is pretty good, as well. All and all, I'm happy with Gravity, and it's a great place in my regular rotation.
(4)JJ s.
Its my first time at Gravity bistro, and some things I enjoyed some I didn't. The atmosphere was nice but the tables where really close together but cozy. I was waiting at the bar to be sat, and the waiters kept saying '' excuse me''. So with that I felt weird, but once I sat down it was a lot better. Great apps to try the brussel sprouts and the cheeses . I was a little thrown off with the portion size of the entrees pretty small, I was actually hungry after eating my entree. I had the short ribs, I tried my friends duck and she enjoyed it but said it was a little salty , and I would have to say the same with my ribs. I also had the apple tart dessert I enjoyed that a lot. So next time I would skip out on the entrees and just enjoy my wine, cheese, and desserts. The entrees are too pricy for what you get.
(3)Tahira A.
I'm a big fan of wine tasting and this is one of the few places in Palo Alto that offers wine flights. The space itself is really nice and classy. Gravity also offers a menu of light food/appetizers. This is a great place for a light dinner + drinks and an awesome place to start the night in downtown Palo Alto. + Do order the Champagne Flight. Bubbly and tasty! - Don't order the Dessert Wine Flight. Nasty!
(4)Jenn G.
I really wanted to like this place, but I was disappointed. The space is very modern. It would be nicer if it wasn't so bright. Came here on a Friday night with the bf. The wine list is large but when we asked the server questions about specific ones (no descriptions on the wines), he was clueless. He didn't even know if it the French wine we asked about was red or white. We got the cheese platter with 3 cheese and it came with a few pieces of crostini. We asked for more crostini to go with the cheese and what was brought to us was stale and hard as brick. It was clear that the server was new because he didn't really know what he was doing. After the cheese plate, he brought us new utensils for our dinner (steak knife). He asked if he should clear the old utensils and I said I wanted to keep my knife for the remainder of the cheese. He said "oh I'll just take it." which was weird because I specifically said I wanted to keep it. He would re-fill our water, but forget to pour us more wine. Bf got the filet and frites. The firtes were bad! The potato was undercooked. I've never hated fries in my life and I really hated these fries. The only saving grace was that we got a carafe of Syrah that was really good and was inexpensive. I'm willing to give this place another try but it was definitely one of my most disappointed experience in downtown Palo Alto.
(2)Will R.
Five stars for the food and service! Went here on a Wednesday evening for date night on the recommendation of a friend and was pleasantly surprised. Our pleasant and knowledgeable server, Kent, recommended two excellent wines for our competing palates. The short ribs were unbelievable and fell apart with barely a touch. The swordfish was excellent and seasoned just right. For dessert we enjoyed the Apple Crostada. All highly recommended!
(5)Devin S.
I love this place. The wine selections are great, the servers are nice, the happy hour here is a steal. The Duck Confit is terrific and the bread pudding is the best! If it's still on the menu the Ampelos Syrache Granache wine by the glass is very fruity and medium in body. Ask for Brian the sommelier if you want to discuss wines he is very gracious and knowledgeable. Also what kind of website is yelp if they say sommelier is spelled wrong? Helloooo anything hospitality related should be in their text dictionary!
(5)Danielle B.
Had a great "half-iversary" dinner with my boyfriend a couple of weeks ago at Gravity. He told me that this place used to be some ultra lounge place, and I'm glad that Gravity took over the space. To start, we had some olives (pretty sure they gave these to us accidentally, but we weren't complaining), and the bruschetta trio (yum!). For the main course, I got the short ribs with the polenta, and my man got the chicken. Both were pretty darn tasty. Our flights of bubbles (me) and reds (him) hit the spot. We skipped out on dessert that night, since I was probably craving ice cream as usual. The atmosphere and service were great. And being accustomed to SF prices, it was a pleasure to see that all entrees were under $20! I would definitely come back here for some wine, and perhaps another dinner (but we'll probably pick someplace else for the full anniversary dinner).
(4)A.c. D.
Came here for the first time with a group of my girlfriends for Friday night drinks...cozy atmosphere, good happy hour menu...we ended up staying all night ordering small plates and trying everything from the cocktails to wine to after dinner drinks and coffee...our waiter was excellent ...upstairs looks perfect for a larger group dinner...we will be going back here... Try the cheese plate, fried olives, cucumber martini and French onion soup
(5)Dani Z.
Recently discovered this place and given that foie gras is being outlawed in a few days, a few girlfriends and I came here for apps/dinner/drinks. We arrived at 5:45pm, and our server promptly told us that we had 15 mins to order off of the Happy Hour menu, which had a $10 seared foie gras app! Yay for us. We also got the truffle parm fries, oysters, and calamari for appetizers. The foie gras was okay, the crostini it came with was pretty tasty although I wasn't a fan of the pickled (?) apricots/peaches that were also on the plate. The calamari was okay but the truffle fries were delicious. I couldn't stop myself from trying to devour all the fries in the bowl! (And for $4 on the happy hour menu, super good deal too!) After our apps we sat around a while and then decided we were going to get dinner too. I had the roasted chicken with gnocchi. The portion sizes are pretty small here given the price ($18 for my dish). But the chicken was very tender and juicy and the gnocchi wasn't bad. The ambience is nice. I don't know how long it's been around, but it was quite empty when we came. The first floor has bar stools and high tables and upstairs has normal restaurant seating. I would come back here for their Happy Hour because it really is a good deal (although ending at 6pm is rather early), but I don't think I'd be too eager to recommend it as a dinner place.
(3)Emily Y.
Everything you'd want in a wine bar. Our server was awesome - sooo chill. Though we arrived LATE on Thursday night, we weren't rushed AT ALL. What a refreshing and fabulous feeling that was! We ordered the burrata cheese which came with toasted points...the veggie risotto...and the apple tart with caramel gelato. Every dish was unbelievable. Seriously. The food was SO good. I had a Belgian beer - Season-something? and it was brought out to me in a burgundy glass: I kid you not. How classy is THAT?!! My heart was won and and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Suzanne K.
Really wanted to love this place as the friend who suggested we go has great ideas. But not Gravity Bar. Not tonight. Service was poor with two dishes wrong - including forgetting to bring one? Food was mediocre with portions small. Waiter seemed overwhelmed but place was empty. I liked the concept and hope they can work it out...
(2)Glenn G.
Back in November, I wanted to find a new post-theatre restaurant venue in Palo Alto for my theatre group, so I hit Yelp to see what I could find. I ran across Gravity, saw that of one my Yelp friends had reviewed it favorably recently, and wrote her a PM to ask about the venue's layout. This is part of the Yelp experience that I find both enjoyable and amazing - reviewers are often incredibly helpful after they post their reviews, even with people they don't know. In this case, it was a friend I've known for a while. She immediately understood the type of physical layout I was looking for, and thought the downstairs room at Gravity would fit the bill for my group nicely. I called the manager, and made a reservation for the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The manager was very accommodating, and agreed to reconfigure the tables in the area we'd be seated in to make it more conducive to a group discussion. My theatre group was seeing Stones in his Pockets at the Dragon Theatre that month. yelp.com/biz/dragon-thea… It ended at 4:15pm, and we walked into Gravity at 4:30pm; the place was empty and we were seated right away. Everything was exactly as expected, except for the music and the noise... Many years ago, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth and Al Gore hadn't even thought of inventing the Internet yet, the Christmas season "officially" began in December, and ran for a few weeks. As time went on, the beginning of the Christmas shopping season moved earlier and earlier, until today it seems to start right after the 4th of July weekend... By November, we'd only had around twelve weeks of Christmas shopping fun that year, and I suppose I should have been happy with inane, mind-numbing, elevator Christmas music droning on in the background two notches too loud to easily tune out. I wasn't. I got up and went to find the manager to ask that the music be turned off, as we were the only people in the restaurant. After what seemed like a longer time than it actually was, the music thankful stopped, but the fire alarm kept going. It turned out that what I thought was part of the "catchy tune" of the Christmas music was a really low-level fire alarm. Apparently no one knew how to turn it off, and we were assured it had been turned on by mistake, not by a fire... It took them a while, but the staff at Gravity finally managed to deep-six both the alarm and the Noel Nightmare music; maybe not quite as fast as I would have liked, but without losing either their cools or their smiles. With the last of the hiccups out of the way, we settled down to enjoy our meal and our discussion. Enough with the back-story - on to the food! First up, as we saw a uniquely Irish play, I decided to stay in character and ordered a Porterhouse Red Irish Ale. An excellent choice to go with my entrée! One of my theatre Droogies reports that the red wine flight was good, but I didn't try it, so I can't elaborate. For my entrée, I had the fillet and frites. The meat was juicy and flavorful, well seasoned with a tangy sauce. The frites were small and perfectly salted (so I only needed to add a little), and fried to golden perfection. As for Gravity's ambiance, it's warm and modern, with a nice upscale tone to it. While our start was a bit rocky, management got things back on track quickly, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Gravity. The food is good, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the service is smooth and professional. I'll certainly be back!
(4)Tram N.
This is a rather upscale wine bar w/ various kinds of beers (imported from all over!). I was disappointed to learn that this isn't a full bar so the bartender was unable to make me my mudslide but that's OK. As I sat at the bar, a single plate of a piece of salami and ground mustard was brought out.. complimentary to tickle the palette.. cute and it was scrumptious! I actually eat salami w/ yellow mustard when I'm feeling the need to eat a fatty piece of meat w/o having to do any kitchen work on it. As I was browsing the menu.. I thought to myself, "This menu is not extensive but it gives diners a lot of variety however, I wish the description was made available" because some sounded delicious but at the same time, I don't want to order something that I don't want (like seafood) and I did not want to continue to ask the nice bartender. Oh yes, I ordered a Diet Coke.. it's not on tap.. she took out the cool looking grey bottle, opened it, then poured it over some ice in a fancy glass.. I ordered the bruschetta trio.. white truffle beans, tomato herb, and the other goat cheese w/ portobello mushrooms.. I am not 100% sure of these descriptions but I ate all 3 and it was super tasty.. the bread was not too crunchy and wasn't soggy from the toppings at all and the presentation was simple yet elegant at the same time! I ordered for my main entree the chicken thighs w/ gnocchi and some au jus.. there were 2 chicken thighs, maybe 6 gnocchi, the au ju sauce, and 3 stalks of greens (I don't know my vegetables apparently) but everything taste wonderful together.. the chicken was succulent, slight crisp at the skin (I took the skin off of the other piece) and the gnocchi was nice and soft, chewy although not much flavor.. Overall experience- excellent! The ambiance- thumbs-upsky! The layout, the decor, the lighting fit very well for an intimate evening of drinking. Though the place isn't big, it's supposed to be an "intimate" setting anyhow..
(4)Amy C.
I love Gravity! The space is so warm and cozy, the wine is nice and the food is delicious! I ordered the burger & fries and let me tell you...juicy & DE-LICIOUS. Our waiter was nice enough to let us taste a few wine options before choosing a bottle. My girlfriend and I came for a nice night out, spontaneous, and we wound up drinking an entire bottle of wine over about an hour or so. I love to have mtgs here because its quiet but also upbeat. Fresh, young but private and easy to talk. Definitely recommend!!
(5)Ashley Q.
This place is well furnished and has a great ambiance to it. The lighting is beautiful and the music is very relaxing. The sparkling wine flight was delicious, although I wish I had just purchased a full glass of the Collet, Champagne Brut, Aÿ France NV because it was the best out of the three. My husband and I shared a small plate of olives, which were good but not worth the $5 price tag. We also shared the Fritto Misto... the seafood was very fresh, but I wasn't a fan of the seasoning. It was much too salty and the only thing that cut it was the lemon on the side squeezed generously over the seafood. We will definitely come back again, but not for the food.
(4)Sheena G.
Great ambiance, service, an experience. Wine selection was great and food options were delicious and reasonably priced. Have to go back for their fixed Sunday dinner. Service was excellent.
(5)Rommel M.
I had dinner with friends here to celebrate my birthday and so glad that we had a reservation. It was a Friday night and the place is packed! We were seated on the first floor, where the bar is. Which is another plus, because it is more lively and fun on the first floor than the 2nd floor. It can be loud downstairs, but you can still have a good conversation with your friends and will hear them well. We had oysters, Fritto Misto, Pan roasted sweet breads for appetizer. For main entree - Duck Confit, Grilled Merguez Sausage and Braised Beef Short Ribs. The short ribs are so good and so tender. You don't need a knife to slice it. You can use your fork and it will fall apart. For dessert - Profiteroles and Apple Crostada. I think they can do better on their dessert menu. It was good specially with the dessert wine flight. Service is good, but it can be better. Amazing place to hang out on a Friday night. I will be back soon!
(4)Heather U.
Good little wine bar in a neat area of Palo Alto near campus. Had a red wine flight and some snacks with friends. Service was alright but not super. Prices were probably a little high. I could probably be convinced to come back, though I probably won't seek out Gravity Bistro.
(3)F H.
We had young French guests and were looking for an elegant yet relaxed restaurant on or close to University. The place has great ambiance, is stylish, relatively quiet and perfect for good conversation. They have a nice bar, too, if that is what you're looking for. Gravity was spectacular! The service was top notch, very professional, attentive and knowledgeable about the food and the wine. Everyone was very happy with the 4 appetizers we shared and entrees we ordered. The vegetarian in our group was delighted by a custom created satisfying yet elegant meal. The cheese course was accompanied by perfect sidekicks. The desserts were divine; I was very partial to the chocolate pot de crème. The bill was about $50 per person incl. tax, excl. tip, which is reasonable considering the quality of the food and service over 3 courses (including wine - generous amount poured per glass). Not sure why they call themselves a wine bar, when their restaurant is this good.
(5)David R.
Great spot in downtown Palo Alto. Excellent atmosphere, great food. Perfect spot for night out with friends. Check out the mostaciolli carbonara and the radiatori ragu. Lively space downstairs and a more quiet conversation/meeting space on the second floor. Second floor is great for quiet conversation or romance.
(4)Brandon F.
I found this place on a quick search for an awesome dinner place in Palo Alto with some friends. I'm not from the area, but I was up for the weekend to visit some family and some college buddies who live up there now. The reviews and menu looked promising, as well as the environment. My cousin and I showed up early for the reservation, and just posted up at the bar waiting for the rest of the party. They had a good alcohol selection, but no draught beer. No biggie! They had Flying Dog Raging B**** so you can't go wrong with that. The bartender was on point for how busy it was, and kept the drinks coming. About half our party showed up, and we were sat. We waited for the rest, and ordered. The waiter was pretty understanding about the rest of our party being late (due to the BART strike?). The prix fixe menu was definitely a great deal, which my buddy and his wife ordered. I tried some of his duck liver was pretty damn awesome! I ordered the beef short rib with mascarpone polenta, and it was crazy good! The short rib was so tender that I picked it apart with my fork!! The polenta was creamy and perfectly seasoned (alot of places oversalt polenta). My cousin had the seafood pasta, and he said it was spectacular. For dessert, we all shared the lemon pot de creme and the apple crostata. Each one was amazing! I wish I was hungrier, so I could have ate more that night. They were so many good choices on the menu that I definitely will go back there next time I'm up there. I was recommended the carbonara by this lady sitting next to us at the bar earlier in the evening, who said that she gets it all the time. Definitely would recommend to anyone!!
(5)Glo O.
1 Star for the great happy hour deal 1 Star for the nice waiters/servers - each time I've been here, the service has been great. 1 Star for the delicious wine and cute flights. -2 stars for the shitty hostess. Each.And.Every.Single.Time.
(1)Elizabeth S.
I came here for a bday dinner and we sat upstairs. The menu was set which was no problem. The portions were just entirely way too small for the prices, and they are really nothing I'm going to rave about. All the food was almost bland. The duck confit was pretty disappointing. It came off the leg shredded and quite dry laying in a bed of purple lentils which didn't have much flavor. There was a slow roast that came with some polenta. That was okay but once again nothing to rave about. The other dishes were equally mediocre, grilled shrimp, some brussell sprouts salad with pieces of tangerine or something. The monochromatic brown colored interiors are nice under the dramatic lighting, but there was no artwork on the wall (maybe downstairs) which left the space kind of bland and uninteresting. There was also no music which would have been great with the good wine we were having. The good things: The service was great and the staff was friendly. This is to be expected in places like this though. I may come back to the wine bar but the food should be better- more flavor and less overcooking.
(2)Brian D.
Good food, good wine list, excellent setting. Once they sort out issues with snobbish waiters, we'll be set. This is my go to place, but the variable quality of service (example: waiter disappeared last friday for 15 minutes, only to return smelling like smoke) makes me hesitant to make this restaurant a staple.
(3)Angelica V.
I went to Gravity for a friend's birthday last week and was not impressed at all by the service, food or overall environment. I read the reviews before going and did not have high expectations, yet I was still disappointed. To start, we had quite the snippy server who seemed to be inconvenienced by our group of 6. We ordered a few appetizers, everything was meh, nothing spectacular. Entrees were the same, no one at the table made a comment about their food at all. No one was eager to talk about how good their dish was, everyone just quietly ate their meal...probably thinking about going to In 'n Out afterwards. We got our check and were shocked at how expensive it was...this was in part because the server had added 4 entrees to our meal from the table across from us. He didn't seem apologetic, but no surprises there. I doubt I would ever come back here and would discourage anyone looking for a savory, filling meal from going.
(1)Dan J.
I'm a blue collar eater who doesn't mind paying a little extra for a nice meal. Although the food here is good, it doesn't warrant the elevated downtown Palo Alto prices. The alcohol selection is exceptional, but a few dollars too presumptuous. My one knock on the food, which overall is above average, would be the sausage which is way too small for the massive bun they stick it in. It's a great sausage, but the bun dwarfs it. Killer brussels... Killer short ribs.... If you order wisely, a good bite could be had, but beware of the cascading bill.
(3)Audrey C.
Gravity Bistro & Wine Bar has started becoming my go-to place to catch up with girl friends or even for dates! Their downstairs, loung-y area is very casual, while their upstairs dining room is a bit more formal. Both areas are great and serve their purpose - space for a drink and light bites or a full meal. Across various occasions, I've ordered a glass of wine or gone through a wine flight. There's a good selection of flights, something for every palette, and they seem to highlight some great wines that you can later order by the glass. I've actually never ordered an entree, but their cheese, charcuterrie and appetizer selection is all great. They are all perfect for sharing and pairing with wines.
(4)Linda T.
Pretty cheap drinks! I bought a Moscow Mule for $9. Not too sure when is happy hour, but the prices were fairly good for it as well. It's a small place, but seems like a nice place to go for a few drinks and maybe some appetizers. The guy next to me got a pasta dish that looks really appetizing!
(4)Anita T.
A nice classy wine bar great for small bites and drinks. We came here a couple times after dinner. Their oysters were fresh and the wine list was decent and price was reasonable.
(4)Christina L.
An elegant and quaint space to have dinner and/or drinks. Service is hit or miss, and the food is good, but not remarkable. Surprising selection of wine and bottled beers. Definitely have a flight if that's your thing. Appetizers: Frisee salad with poached egg and bacon: Unexpectedly fine (albeit plentiful) bacon pieces made the salad taste very salty overall, while many bacon pieces sifted thought the salad leaves to sit on the bottom of the bowl. Would have liked larger lardon-like pieces. Egg was perfectly cooked, and arrived already split so the yolk is running throughout. Unbalanced flavors....mostly bitter greens and salty dijon. Meatballs (4): Overly acidic tomato sauce. Good texture and chew to the meatballs, but otherwise, not noteworthy. Burrata Cheese: Creamy and smooth. Served with grilled bread and deliciously roasted eggplant, bell pepper, and zucchini. Fritto Misto: Good variety of fried items, but items are more chewy than crisp. Not memorable. Entrées: Braised beef short ribs: Tender, but dry, with a crisp exterior. Very creamy and smooth polenta that makes up for the dehydrated beef. Duck Confit: Crisp, and very dry. Sometimes served with far too many boring lentils. Other times with seasonal vegetables. Overall, often too small in portion for an entree. Dessert: Lemon pot de creme: Zesty, tart, and creamy, served with sweetened whipped cream. The accompanying shortbread cookie tasted mediocre and crumbled upon touch. Remove promptly and then dig in! The ground floor is often filled with the din of parties having drinks/appetizers. Quieter tables can be reserved and found upstairs, with booth/table seating. Park in the small lot across the street or along the street.
(3)Helen J.
I have to agree with one of the other reviewers "A little meh here and a little meh there..." I've been to Gravity several times now over a period of 2-3 yrs and it seems to get a little less enjoyable each time. The most recent performance a few weeks ago was particularly lackluster with its burnt scallops and forgotten salad course. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll return.
(2)Paul L.
Downstairs is casual dinning and upstairs is more formal. Met up with some friends and a few flights of wine. Appetizers were okay, nothing mind blowing. Pasta was bland.
(3)Melanie B.
Suzanne is fantastic! She knows her wines and is a massive asset to the restaurant/bar. For discovering and trying new wines, this place is amazing! Food wise, it's really good but it is not a serious gastronomic experience. It's all about the wines, the service, and the atmosphere.
(5)Mary S.
I love coming to Gravity, especially on date nights with my husband, and I still really like coming here for an occasional glass of wine; but I feel as if it hasn't been as great as it use to be. I recently had dinner and drinks here with my friend, and we just were not impressed or happy with the food. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great, just so-so. It's not cheap by any means, so I was a bit disappointed; however, I won't stop coming here. It's now just a pre-dinner drinks spot for us at this point.
(3)Wonhee P.
Review on Happy Hour only: Gravity has 4-6 pm Happy Hour from Monday to Friday, and it's a great deal. I am willing to say, the best deal in town. They have $5 oysters (for 3) and $2 oyster shooters. They also have $6 and $8 wine by the glass and $5 pomme frites with shaved truffle-infused cheese on top. I had a $8 pinot noir and I was pleasantly surprised. I expected them to stick me with their worst pinot for Happy Hour but no, even if this was their worst pinot, it's far better than any other happy hour wines you'd have. The $5 pomme frites is so large that one person probably shouldn't finish it (I did...oooops). I thought the oysters had a little bit too much of the sea smell on them at first, but the tomato broth in the cockitail in the end nicely masked the smell when I actually ate the cocktail. This is definitely going to be my Happy Hour spot (especially now that yelp has declared me the "duchess" of Gravity...), and everyone should, too!
(5)Catherine L.
Smelled like fish upon walking in.. their menu seems heavy of seafood so I'll give them that. Their cocktails were ok. Old fashion was interesting, not the typical but decent. The peach bellini was too sweet and watered down. The wait for a table was ~ 20 minutes on a Saturday night.
(3)Eric F.
While I dig the atmosphere here - spacious and elegant with dark wood all around, the price and execution just don't quite match up. The selection of classic cocktails was impressive and my Manhattan was quite well done, but charging ~$15 was borderline egregious. For food, a small sampling included the burrata and frisee salad with poached egg. The former was fresh and I enjoyed the mix of savory egg yolk and acidity from the vinaigrette from the latter. Our server had a great sense of humor too and while it's a bit pricey here for what you get, I think the HH selection would make a return visit worthwhile.
(3)Abby S.
Gotta give 5-stars to any happy hour where you can get 3 glasses of sparkling rosé and a fancy cheese plate for under $25! I wish every post-work drinking time could be like it is at Gravity!
(5)Abby S.
Classy but chill place. I came with a group that's been here before, so the waitstaff definitely hooked it up with some drinks on the house :D. I got the seasonal mocktail, which was probably just grapefruit juice, but I really enjoyed it! They have a pretty good food menu as well. We got a couple orders of the fries which were seasoned and cooked nicely. I also appreciated that they brought us all water glasses and kept them refilled throughout the night, even for people with drinks. I always feel dehydrated after even a little alcohol, so that was great. I definitely plan on coming back!
(5)Allister D.
This wine house is an intimate place with lounge seating, high tables for group tastings, a full bar with bar-seating, etc. the place is pretty dim which creates this intimate atmosphere. They carry an extensive amount of wine bottles as well as a full set of cocktails. They also serve food for pairing such as meats and cheeses. Gravity now serves lunch and that's being advertised as we speak. This is flat out one of the most comfortable luxury wine bars I've been to. I came after work with my scrubs on and it was totally fine. It's more of a casual type crowd and vibe. Nothing stuck up here. Judith who was my bartender recommended me a Domaine de L'Arjolle which was a fruity but calm cabernet. It didn't have a huge bite to and the scent wasn't overwhelming. Judith has such a great personality and she will help you with a great wine that suits your mood. Thanks Judith!
(5)Sindy T.
So happy to find this place! They are open till 2am while most places in Palo Alto are closed. Their blackberry bread pudding is awesome along with a glass of Failla Sonoma Pinot noir--I have been looking for bread pudding in Palo Alto for like forever! What a perfect ending to a Friday night especially after an underwhelming date!
(4)Alice C.
Pleasantly surprised...all the other restaurants in the area we booked so we came here to celebrate my Sister's birthday. We were a little nervous...thankfully the menu had a great selection, prices were very reasonable, and the bar produced some great drinks. We were excited to eat. Pate appetizer - delicious (ask for additional bread) Duck confit - tender and tasty Beef ragu - my favorite! Pasta was light & airy Short ribs - tender and tasty - really liked the polenta Scallops - cooked perfectly We tried 3 desserts and all of them amazing! Bill came out to $80 per person with drinks. Might be a little noisy if you want an intimate romantic dinner but great if you want to catch up, laugh loud and enjoy great food and drinks. Bonus: service was on point for our party of 5. Love the decor and ambiance. Only gave it four star because at one point it got a little loud that we had to shout. Just remembered, they do have a quieter upstairs (where the bathrooms are) away from the bar. But I prefer downstairs for people watching.
(4)Gina B.
This used to be my go to spot for happy hour in Palo Alto, but I've seen the service and food decline over the last few months. The food is not as flavorful and our truffle fries were soggy this last time. While sitting at the bar I noticed 4 wine glasses with dirty looking water in them. I asked the bartender what they were because they were sitting right in front of us and quite distracting. Apparently the new owner wants them to measure out the perfect pour each time and those glasses are for reference. I found it to be cheap and gross. You should hide that away instead of distracting me from your delicious food with dirty grenadine water. On the plus side the marscapone polenta and charcuterie plate never disappoint! This place has great potential and really did open with a bang, just not sure what's been going on lately.
(3)Katie R.
My family and I had a great experience at Gravity this past weekend. We arrived rather early in the evening and had the upstairs almost to ourselves, but by the time we left it was packed! Kent, our server, really made the entire experience amazing. He counseled my father on different beers, chatted with my mother about their Midwestern upbringings and was extremely attentive all night even as his other table was an ever-growing party of about 12. A friend joined us after we had ordered our entrees but he was able to rush in her order so her food arrived only minutes after ours! We started with a three cheese platter and really enjoyed how the cheeses matched their garnishes (I realize that is a given, but the plate was well put together). I had the rabbit linguine which was an unusual order for me, but I enjoyed the way everything came together. My friend ordered the pasta with a beef ragu which wasn't that incredible, but she was happy. My parents split the roast chicken and loved it! My father also had the french onion soup and was very satisfied. We split the apple crostada and the chocolate dessert. The crostada was very sweet which is something I like and the chocolate was extremely rich, to the point where we couldn't finish it, but we enjoyed every bite.
(5)Alan A.
To put it bluntly, this place blows!!! My fiancee and I had been invited out to dinner here last Friday evening. We had a party of six. Among the dishes that were ordered were Sauteed Prawns, Prosciutto Americano, Duck Confit, Sea Scallops, Radiatori, Lamb Culotte Steak, some wine and iced tea. The bill came out to around $340.00 for all of us. Being that there was a party of six, there is a manditory 18% tip that was added to our bill. That might be acceptable "if" we got good service. However, our servers were horrible. Once our food was brought to the table, our waitress and busboy disappeared! We were seated upstairs, and there was only another table with a party of two sitting up there with us. When I say the help disappeared, that isn't completely true. Our waitress was at the other end of the room chatting up a storm with two other employees. Both our waitress and busboy, never came by the table to clear our empty plates, or refill our beverages. We finally met up with the manager at the end of our meal, and we conveyed our disappointment with the lack of service. He apologized, and told us that he'd have to get his staff's side of the story. It is okay to ask your staff for their side of the story; however, it is highly unlikely that they are not going to admit to you that they weren't doing their jobs. The manager initially told us that he would take off the tip all together. Then he changed to say that he'd only deduct 3% of the tip, so the standard 15% percent of the tip would still have to be paid for the lousy service that we never received. To sum things up, the food tasted okay, but the portions were small. The service was absolutely terrible, and the inept manager's lack of customer service skills made this an evening to forget. None of us will ever be returning to this place again.
(1)Trace H.
I have been to Gravity a few times with friends (GNO), and more recently on a date. The cuisine is sophisticated in that there are wine pairing recommendations, wine flights offering selections from around the world, unique menu offerings, cheese platters and oysters! I have enjoyed every meal that I have had there (about 5x now). I am a foodie. My friends and I are active runners, so our meals are "go hard or go home because we'll burn it off tomorrow". We've tried almost everything on the menu for family style sharing. Nothing ever disappoints! My only note is to encourage Gravity to up the game on the bruschetta just a little bit. Gravity is off of the main strip (University) and therefore, may be a bit easier to get into as a walk in. The acoustics work really well...I could easily hear my companion, but could not hear the conversation of the table sitting directly next to us. Nice. The service was outstanding every time. The kitchen closes late, 10:30pm-ish?, maybe later...which is rare on the peninsula... A great destination B if you are hungry.
(4)Beverly m.
Ten days ago seven of us decided to have a "girls night out" and one of our party who lives in Palo Alto suggested "Gravity". At first I was put off because they would not seat us yet as one person was late, and we were about 10 min. early. They also were hosting a large private event on the second floor/balcony/ It was an event for a VERY well known high tech crowd. We were soon seated after this small confusion and the evening went by very smoothly. First, let me commend our wait person, Kent, who was outstanding, He was a seasoned professional with an excellent command of the food and the cocktails. He managed all seven of us flawlessly, and was an asset to the dining experience. The items are mainly "tapas" style and small plates. Desserts, while uneventful, were outstandingly executed. The appetizers were super, in fact we were delighted that seared foie gras was on the menu after its two year ban in California. Seared Foie Gras with a Huckleberry Port reduction -- what can I say but "c'est manifique. " The Duck Confit was a delight. I normally do not care for duck, finding it too greasy or too dry. This was just right / It was accompanied by wilted tomatoes and watercress in apricot vinaigrette. Desserts were the usual suspects, Pannacota with raspberry sauce, bread pudding etc. The cocktail menu was super, broken into two categories, "Classic" and "Modern " As a person who LOVES a good cocktail, I was feeling delighted and was waiting for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to glide into the room doing a snappy two step. Prices are the norm for the Palo Alto high tech crowd, but well worth the cost. I would return again and ask for the same server. Street parking was a bit tough, but doable. A fun evening with good friends, and food, what more do you want? I defo would return.
(5)Kelly R.
Lovely ambiance (nice lighting, plenty of open space) but pretty mediocre food. They know their wines. Let your server know what you're feeling, and (s)he will return with some great wines to pair with your food. The burrata is so creamy and delicious; if you're only going to get one appetizer, get the burrata. The calamari was fine but nothing special. In terms of entrees, I had to force myself through my ahi salad, which I found to be painfully bland. I think most others really enjoyed their food, so maybe this just isn't their best dish (or maybe it was a fluke) -- in any case, based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend going with this dish. My favorite dessert was the apple crostada, which comes doused in caramel and topped with gelato (strangely, the rest of our party hated this). Mmmm! We also had the lemon pot and chocolate budino, which were standard but not my cup of tea.
(3)Claire S.
When we went, it was completely empty (the day after Christmas is NOT a popular luncheon day), but I've walked by on a Saturday night when there were no tables open and a completely packed floor, so I know it's just weird timing. We decided to keep it light, so not much was ordered. I went with the burrata sandwich, with tomatoes, arugula, basil-mascarpone cream, and grilled squash. While I felt like it was a bit bland at times (mascarpone and burrata are not the most flavorful of dairy products), it was still quite excellent. The roll it was on was fluffy and amazing, and every bit was devoured. The side arugula salad was surprisingly good, as well - well dressed, fresh, and tasty. We didn't try any of their wines, as the only menu we were presented with sold wine by the bottle only, and we weren't looking to get plastered at 1 in the afternoon, but overall, a charming little place with delicious food to check out. Side Note: the bread and olive oil they bring to your table is amazing. Seriously, it's some of the softest, most delicious free bread you'll ever have. Try it.
(4)Alice Z.
4 stars for drinks, 2 stars for food. Tons of wine flights! There's one for sparkling, one for white, and one for red. Portions aren't huge, but the prices are cheap and totally worth it. There's also sake, tons of beer, etc. High top tables and great ambiance for drinks. Food was unfortunate for the most part. The chef seemed to have miss the entire memo that the main ingredient in Bruschetta (other than bread) should be diced tomatoes. Mussels and Burrata were OK, nothing special. Raw oysters were anorexic looking, Duck liver mousse was the only good dish out of the ones we ordered.
(3)Ryan D.
Came here for drinks with a paleo-diet enthusiast (which means lots of meat and wine, apparently). The downstairs is nice, has a very open feel to it. We came on a Wednesday night so we got seats immediately. The service here was awesome. I'm not much of a sommelier (my taste has been honed exclusively on bagged wine), but the server guided us through the red wine flight and suggested a few cuts of meat (lomo and prosciutto) to go along with it. He stopped back frequently to check up on us and point out tasting notes. I really enjoyed both the meat and wine selections, and the prices weren't too outlandish. Definitely a good time- even if your oenological background is lacking.
(4)Shauna K.
great food, but a pit pricey for how much you get. also, the downstairs can be really loud. upstairs is a great date spot!
(4)Koshika S.
- Not a bad happy hour and nice servers, also nice enough food, hence the 2 stars. Cons: -Second wine pour came in a chipped decanter. Yuck! -AWFUL rude "hostess" at the door. Really, the word "hostess" becomes an oxymoron when attributed to this young la
(2)Stephanie A.
DO NOT GO HERE UNLESS YOU WANT THE FOLLOWING: - poor service -a manager who has no conflict resolution skills and is a close talker -a snotty hostess -a sweaty waiter who is trying his best despite crappy management and kitchen mistakes and a huge section -to wait over 20 minutes for a hamburger that isn't even cooked right when it comes out -charged fees for things you aren't told about. -status check on your drink orders after 10 minutes have passed By the time I left this place, I was so upset with the horrible service and management I can't believe people keep coming. According to the waiter when he brought us our bill, "when the manager saw we brought a cake" (after we ate it and were given forks/knifes/plates), he had to charge us a $3.00 cutting fee each. We asked to see the manager. He came up and said we were stealing business from him by bringing in the cake, we understood and said we didn't mind paying it, HAD SOMEONE TOLD US AHEAD OF TIME, his solution after going back and forth was to "go half on it" ::gasp:: ummm... I think he was missing the point. The only reason this place gets one star is because after a lengthy conversation, he decided to waive the fee. I could go on in paragraphs, but I don't want to waste anymore of my time (or those reading it) on this place. Go somewhere else in Palo Alto, there are plenty of options and it will be well worth it!
(1)Kevin N.
In all my years of going to restaurants, bars, etc. I have never run into as many issues as I have here. There are far too many great places in downtown PA that won't make you feel like they're doing you a favor by letting you into their place. Ok, so my company is 2 blocks away and we head there at 4:30pm on a Monday to celebrate our product launch. 3 of us show up first and let's the host know it's a party of 12. Host is like, "hmm...not sure how I can fit you guys in." I'm looking at the place and it is completely empty. Zero people, lots of tables, not an issue, right? Well, the guy was very worried about what his place would look like by 7pm since we didn't have reservations, even though it was only 4:30pm. Dude, your place is empty, why not just seat us and deal with your 7pm crowd 2.5 hours later when it comes around? Beside, we'll all be gone before 7pm anyway. Then we got into a debate if we "really" were going to have 12 people show up or if it's just going to be 8. Otherwise, our seating would be extremely complicated. Manager walks over and lectures us about how they need to maintain ADA compliance, so we can't put tables together or else there won't be any wheel chair access. Hello, we're not freakin' idiots. We can move if we see a person in a wheel chair coming through. She continues to demonstrate how to stand if we had people stand rather than sit at our table, pressing her stomach directly against the edge of the table. 10 minutes into it, I'm thinking I'd love to walk out and not patronize a place that was too snooty to know we had a lot of moola to spend, but it would've been too hard to get the other peeps re-routed to a different locale. We finally get seated. Host doesn't know to take orders all at the same time, but rather goes to each person individually and then runs the order and back again, runs the order, back again. This is obviously disruptive to maintain any conversation. I ask the host how long they've been open. He says almost a year. Wow, that's not acceptable behavior for having been open that long. When we do order, he recommends NOT to get one of each app between our two separate tables, but instead share. So the ultra thinly sliced meat platter comes to our table, cheese platter to the other, bread on their table, olives on ours. WTF, this isn't right. So we request to order again what he initially talked out of. Nothing memorable about the food. The meats were just ok, nothing special. The cheese wasn't that great either. Water guy didn't get new incoming peeps in our party water or extra plate settings. Plus when one of the girls in our group needed to use the restroom, they were like, "where are you going?". They were super nervous whether to have her go by the elevator to not disrupt their private party upstairs or to let her just use the stairs. Manager had to be consulted to address this question...ultimately, they decide stairs is ok. I watched the clock as the first warm bodies outside of our group shows up...1.5 hours later. These guys need to recheck their "consumer focused" attitude. I REFUSE TO GO HERE EVER AGAIN...EVEN IF I'M NOT PAYING FOR IT!!!!
(1)Mary Ann M.
I went to Gravity for a legal service company's cocktail party during happy hour. They had an abundance of wine and their cheese and deli meats trays were very fresh. I would return here for a happy hour. I am not sure how dinner would be, but this is an ok spot for wine and cosmos. The ambiance is nice, and do not be deceived by the small downstairs area, there is a bigger upstairs area as well.
(3)Carol G.
Originally a little put off by the high bar tables and seats, but they do have regular tables upstairs and two booths at the back downstairs. Two of us ordered the same meal: squash blossom salad, steak & frites, and pot du chocolate. Everything was outstanding for flavor and we felt for price. Service was friendly and attentive. One of us had a rose' flight and the other one had Anderson Valley Beer. Our drinks were much to our liking as well. Would definitely recommend this place, especially now that it seems to be on Open Table as well. Look forward to its being open for lunch too.
(5)liz c.
Honestly speaking, I think I would choose sharing a 2 buck chuck in my car with a friend, using foam cups, than coming here. I mean, for what you pay for, it just doesn't seem worth it. In a nutshell: - Manager seems overly concerned with parties who arrive before happy hour rush (ie, my friend and I arrived around 4:30. She deliberated for a long time on where to seat us though the place was nearly empty) - Appetizers are so so; pommes frites are not good if you do not eat them immediately so if you plan to munch or graze, don't get them. Bruschetta is so-so. - Service is inconsistent but consistently awkward. First time, waiter was overly informative about making a wine recommendation without answering our actual questions. Also left between taking orders for each person which was strange. Second time bartender was sweet and very informative but easily flustered when asked to make a recommendation (she did mention she was new). - Ambiance is nice and definitely has an up scale tone to it but the service is not on par with the image they are trying to create I might come back.. but I might not.
(3)L J.
Really enjoyed the duck liver pâté, wine flights, duck,...everything was excellent including atmosphere and service.
(5)Sean P.
Great spot in Palo Alto, the food was excellent, but the selection of wines was a bit off and the service was so so. (it may have been I was sitting at the bar, but come on, front and center).
(4)Jason L.
I used to come to Gravity all the time. My classic quiet-but-cool watering hole at 4:30pm, nice early dinner at 5:30pm, etc. But then, the other day, I came in. It was busier than usual and we were mainly drinking and not eating. So they didn't give us a table - OK. But they put us at the very end of the bar, where the cherries and toothpicks are. After being ignored for drinks, when they finally came, I had nowhere to put them. The cherries took all the space. The food and wine are good. But being treated like this is less than 2 stars.
(2)Joanna R.
Just came here the other night and had the best service. My friend has not been feeling well and didn't like her meal ...and they offered to make her something else to her liking. She politely refused as she wasnt that hungry anymore and they took her meal off the bill. Now that's service. I had the braised short ribs with polenta... YUM!!! I could have used a little more sauce, but I didnt ask..that's okay, it was still amazing! My other friend had the same and almost licked her plate clean. The food is a little pricey, the wine list was extensive and reasonably priced, and the service was awesome. 4 stars from this lady.
(4)J. P.
We decided to try Gravity Wine Bar while visiting Palo Alto for a trade show. It had great reviews, so we made a reservation for a Wednesday evening. I was concerned it would be crowded at 7:45 pm, but it was fairly quiet. We ate upstairs, which was less noisy and had more space. I understand this is a wine bar, so I'm not going to take points off for wanting a better selection of vodkas; however, be prepared to have a pretty limited alcohol selection beyond wine. The waitress was very nice and attentive. We started with the beef tartare... it was VERY tasty-- well-seasoned and nicely portioned. I then had the mussels, which were also quite flavorful-- though very small-portioned. My husband had the filet and frites which he really enjoyed. We finished off with chocolate pot de creme and the pana cotta, which were both done just right. Overall, it was a great meal. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. The meal price does add up very quickly, so if you're trying to get a meal under a $100 for 2 people, this isn't the place. However, it didn't seem to faze the students seated all around us (I obviously had the wrong parents when I went to college!). If you aren't a wine person, the food is stand-alone, which is nice. That being said, since the food does hold its own, it would be nice if they had more of a drink selection beyond wine.
(4)James P.
We came here for restaurant week ($35 prix fixe menu), so I can only review what we had. First off, the food was very well-prepared and the flavors interesting, but I don't know if I was impressed enough to come back for a normal meal, and this is pretty much the theme of my review. Everything was good, but nothing made me WOW enough to want to come back The stuffed dates were actually really good, the mushroom risotto was good but not spectacular enough to distinguish it from any other risotto I've had, and the chocolate tart was again, well-done but nothing out of ordinary. The duck that my friends had was also very good, but the halibut was a little dry and tasteless, though that is to be expected from halibut in general. Overall, a very solid choice for classy-ish food, but nothing to write home about.
(3)Matthew C.
One of my favorite new places in Palo Alto. Try starting your meal with the fritto misto... one of my favorite main dishes is the duck confit with lentils. Every other dish I have tried here (short ribs, pasta, burger, charcuterie) has also been outstanding. It will not be long until this place gets "discovered" by everyone else and you will not be able to get a table. I am surprised by how well everything is running despite being newly opened. Prices are very good for the quality of food. Nice scene downstairs , but a nice quiet place for dining is also available upstairs. Greta place for large groups.
(5)Thomas O.
The wine selection was great... as the name of the place would suggest. The food... the food was very mediocre. Nothing was bad... but nothing stood out. I am not even sure what we ordered. I think my date got the fillet and I got some sort of scallops. The waitress was very nice and very helpful.
(3)Kari S.
What do bartenders do in a wine bar? Seriously, I don't know what they do here. The only thing I can figure: answer patrons' questions because the wait staff is unable (or is unwilling) to do so. My group came here for a birthday gathering. The ambiance was decent--modern and clean. It was a Friday night and the place was busy although not overly crowded. Our waiter, however, was inattentive and uninformed. He had no opinions about wine and didn't feign interest in the group. I had inquired if mead was on the menu (turns out, no) and because I was on the topic, I asked if he knew what the difference was between honey wine and mead. *crickets* He gave me one of the blankest stares I've ever received... froze.... eventually thawed and said he would find out. I told him not to worry about it, "after all, that's why G*d made the iPhone." Flash forward 30 minutes: the waiter (after being asked for the third time to bring more bread slices to the table) drags the bartender over to my corner. She is standing somewhat uncomfortably before me when she informs me that I had a question and that I had requested her presence. It is then my turn to give a blank stare. After the longest 20 seconds known-to-man, the little hamster wheel in my head started turning...oh! Mead! (given the actual exchange with the waiter and the passage of time, that topic had since cleared my brain). And I told the bartender, "oh yes, I had asked the waiter what the difference between honey wine and mead." Given some background information and something to do, the bartender finally looks more comfortable. And we proceed to have a quick discussion about mead, honey wine, and the differences and/or similarities therein. I'm giving Gravity an extra star because it was *only* owed to this exchange that one of our fellow (eaves dropping) patrons informed our table that there is an honest-to-goodnees meadery in nearby Sunnyvale (it's called Rabbit's Foot). What a find (that I will soon visit and review)! And, I never would have known about it were it not for my fellow Gravity patrons. And yet, Gravity itself is lacking gravitas. This merely adequate facility inflates its self worth with high prices and a general swank look. It pales in comparison to the many other good wine bars on the Peninsula. Do yourself a favor and go to Savvy or 840. Or better yet, since you're in the neighborhood, go to Palo Alto Creamery.
(2)Sergei B.
The bistro part of it (food) is OK but underwhelming. Not bad, not good -- nothing special.
(3)Rebecca G.
The wine selection is extensive without being overwhelming. You can have a reasonably-priced flight if you feel non-committal and want to try an assortment of either white, red, or sparkling wines. Food was reasonably good, and the service was attentive, but cold and stiff at first. The waiter was pushy with the wine orders and seemed to get friendlier as we neared the end of our meals. Minus one star for the pressure, seemingly to inflate the bill.
(4)Albert H.
Brought to you by the folks behind the Peninsula Creamery, Reposado and Scratch, this is really more of a restaurant than a wine bar. Sure there's a small bar area, but when we visited late on a Thursday night, the bar was full and we were seated upstairs at a nice corner table. The place was full with some larger groups, and consequently a bit loud. Aside from being rather shallow and narrow, their wine list is a little unfocused. They have less expensive selections by the glass - about ten each of whites and reds with some lesser number of dessert wines thrown in for good measure. It's a fairly even mix of new and old world. They also offer several flights. Despite this, I did not have an easy time finding something I was interested in. In fact, the wine list is somewhat disabled in that there is very little description provided for those of us who don't happen to recall what continent the Bekaa Valley is on, or what's typical of a red Rhone blend. Unlike their bottled beer list, the wine list does not include the country of origin, though it does include the region. I suppose we could have asked our server, but it *is* nice not to be made to feel intimidated by a plurality of what I can only describe as jargon. I mean, I consider myself to know a bit about wine, but one would have to be a virtual walking encyclopedia to understand this list. In any case, asking the server is a bit tricky here on a popular night. They were understaffed in the server department, though the food runner and bussers managed to keep us supplied with water. I hear they give you bread if you order more than the appetizers we got. We were finally able to order a some wine and appetizers - the Country Pate ( Paté de Campagne on the menu, but don't be speaking French to these folks ) was a reasonably generous portion and well-flavored. I am not quite sure we'll be back anytime soon, at least for the wine. Nothing here you could not get in pretty much any nice modern American restaurant. I'd have to say that our experiences at their sister restaurant Scratch over in Mountain View have been much, much better.
(3)Matt P.
I enjoyed this place. Good food and wine, a little on the pricey side and service could have been a touch better but overall it's a good place to spend the evening.
(3)Alexandra I.
We had our Valentine's Day dinner here and it was perfect! Great wine selection and I love that they offer by the glass, bottle, or an in-between size that I can't remember the name of right now that is 2/3 of a bottle. We shared a bottle of the in-between size of a pinot noir and it was fabulous. I got the filet and it came with YUMMY fries. Maybe one of the best fries I have ever had and one of the tops steaks I have had as well. We skipped dessert but saw what others got and it looked BOMB. Loved this place!
(5)Neda S.
I've been here a couple of times and my experience hasn't been great. Service is absolutely horrible. This last visit, we sat at the bar and ordered drinks from the bartender who actually got in a fight w/ the owner infront of us and quite right there. I must admit it was awkward watching it. Given that they lost our order and had to take it again, the owner was nice enought to not charge us for our drinks. Also, for those of you that are really into wine, their wine list is NOT impressive at all. Their wines are low to mid average if I were to rate them. Cheese plates and other food are good but a little pricy for what you get. Overall, it's an ok place and easy to get seated if you walk in but I wouldn't choose to go here again.
(2)Alan L.
Just wanted to write a quick couple of lines, as I haven't yet had a chance to sample much beyond dessert and wine, but the customer service was great and worth mentioning. Our group of 7 rolled in here on Friday night around 7:30 pm. We just planned to crack open a few bottles of wine and chat over dessert, but immediately noticed that the downstairs bar area was crowded and that a spot wasn't likely. It was looking like we'd need to wait quite a while or move on to another venue. That's when Pat, one of the two hostesses, stepped in. I had a very pleasant chat with her and she invited us to hang around the bar and she'd see what could be done. In about 15-20 minutes, she had a table cleared for us and we were all set. I wouldn't expect any popular place in Palo Alto to be able to accommodate a pretty decent-sized group on such short notice, and smack in the dinner rush, so I really want to emphasize that I appreciated Pat's efforts. Once seated, we were never rushed or encouraged to order food, and our waitress was happy just to check on us periodically once our wine and dessert orders were in. I will definitely come back and update this review once I've had a chance to taste the food offerings, but again, I think the customer service alone here merits a positive mention.
(4)Tam T.
Food here is super bland. My mistake for coming here to eat. ONLY COME HERE FOR WINE, CHEESE and h'orderves!! Left with a hefty bill and not satisfied. The servers were pretty nice though. Atmosphere is dim, loud and small.
(2)Joyce L.
This wine bar is so cute! I absolute adore the lighting and the way the whole place is set up. Its definitely a great place to spend Friday or Saturday night with some friends, chatting over wine and a platter of cheese. Oh I especially need to mention the cheese. Its delicious! You won't be disappointed!
(4)Alex K.
I like the food, it's reasonably priced and inventive. Portions are modest, but tasty. Service was very friendly. Didn't really like the wine flights, but I'm not a wine expert. It was odd that of the 5 or so wine flights there was not a single wine from California.
(4)Angeline K.
I love the modern decor and ambiance of this wine bar (even despite it being very very empty on a Sunday evening). I wonder if this place is more bumpin during the week for happy hour or Friday/Saturday nights. There is a second floor that was completely empty. My friend and I were greeted rather politely by a bald man who did double duty as our host and waiter for the evening. He was soooo polite it was almost awkward, and it just got more and more awkward as the night progressed. He didn't seem to have a very good command of their wine list (which I thought in my head was a major faux pas... you work at a wine bar so you really should know the wine list, especially for patrons like me who know nothing about wine). Then when he brought out our 3 cheese plate, he was about to tell us which cheese was which and he totally had a brain fart and couldn't remember any of them. My friend actually had to say, "Isn't THAT one manchego?", much to his embarrassment. I felt so bad! The chef just happened to be passing by and rescued our waiter from further embarrassment. It was hard to get angry/frustrated with the guy because he admitted to being new and he was genuinely nice and you could tell he was trying his best.... even after dropping our utensils on the floor while he was clearing our plates after we finished up with our entrees, haha. Poor guy just couldn't get a break! Anyway, on to the food... (it took a loooong time for our food to come out, especially the entrees) Cheese Plate - We go the Camembert/Percorino/Manchego trio. They were all very good but I guess you can't really go wrong with cheese unless the cheese itself just happens to be bad. It was served with preserves, candied walnuts and diced tomatoes. Bruschetta - Blech, would not recommend.The only one that tasted ok was the roasted tomato-garlic compote. The portabello goat cheese and truffled white bean ones were really gross. Bistro Burger - not bad and the patty was actually cooked medium rare like I asked but the patty also ended up soaking up the entire bun and by the time I finished half of my burger I couldn't really even eat the second half because the bun was so sopped up with the patty juice. The french fries were of the skinny variety, they were ok. Not sure if I'd consider coming back. The food was just alright, which was kind of disappointing because so many things on the menu sounded delicious.
(3)Aravind G.
We were a part of 6 and went for lunch. We'd made a reservation, but there wasn't a need as there wasn't anyone else there. The atmosphere was cozy and warm and the service was good. I tried the game hen and liked it very much. Overall a good experience.
(4)Andy E.
After hearing great things about Gravity from some friends I was excited to try it out. Boy was I disappointed! The wine, service and ambiance are all good. But the portions were too small. We averaged 1.5 main courses per person and that was after several appetizers. The foie gras was especially a let down. Sorry Gravity. I won't be coming back.
(2)Linda L.
wine friendly menu + friendly sommelier + interesting wine list
(3)Balajee V.
Great ambiance, good wine selection and cheese! Great place for a date!
(4)Sofia S.
We came here on a Friday evening as part of a large birthday party. My husband ordered the flight or red wine and I ordered the flight of white wine. Neither of us are super knowledgeable about wine but we know what we like and don't like and neither flight was a big hit for us, should have just ordered a glass. We also ordered the cheese and meat appetizers and they were pretty good, then again, it's not like they actually cooked anything there so it would be hard to mess up putting cheese and meat on a plate. The portions were pretty big but also pretty pricey at $18 per appetizer (you can get a smaller/cheaper version but then you would not get to try all of the meats and cheeses). What annoyed me to no end is how inattentive the server and bussers were to us. The place was fairly busy but that should not be an excuse. We ran out of water and seriously had to flag them down to give us more, starting with a small wave and ending in standing up and waving our glasses in the air because they were that clueless. Typically I would never do this at a restaurant because I think it's rude to the staff but they seriously were not paying any attention and not glancing our way. So finally they re-filled our glasses but then 10 minutes later when I'd finished my water I asked for a bit more, the waiter assured me he'd get it and then disappeared. I mean, it's water for God's sakes! Shouldn't you be willing to serve it to your patrons who are trying to sober up before their drive home?! I ended up asking a lady who was serving a different table and she was really nice about it. Overall I've had better food and much better service, I doubt we'll be back, especially with a large party.
(3)Amy W.
The ambience of this place was quite lovely. The food was quite nice. The wine flight was mediocre. Service was very good. I was in the mood for a glass of wine and this came up as a nearby wine bar option with food. We sat in the bistro area upstairs which has some nice spaces for large groups. We ordered the red wine flight which consisted of a pinot noir, sangiovese, and something that started with a "v" (ventente?). I didn't really care for the first two (a little too acidic for my taste) but the last one was okay - it had a much better finish. I'm still learning how to taste wines so you can take my comments with a grain of salt, especially since they probably change these flights up from time to time. We ordered the sweetbreads appetizer, which was delicious. The sweetbreads were pan-seared and served atop a bed of greens, corn, and mushrooms. It was delightful. The saltiness of the sweetbreads contrasted with the sweet corn and mushrooms was very, very good. I would definitely order this again. Then we shared the braised short ribs entree. The short ribs were very tender. The sauce from the short ribs accompanying the polenta with mascarpone cheese was very nice. The short ribs were good, but I've had better. And, there was no bone -- having the bone on makes it much better. Next time I'll try one of their other entrees. I'm very happy to have found a pretty good restaurant with decent prices amidst all of the mediocre high-priced restaurants in Palo Alto!
(4)Brian K.
A fun, sophisticated, approachable wine bar in downtown Palo Alto. The tables and lighting are amazing! Great decor. Not quite true luxury, but approachable high-quality. We shared a wine flight and a cheese plate. The Burgandy flight was good, not great - with the 3 wines not quite telling much of a story. I would like to see the option to create your own wine flight or just more of them (they had 5 total I believe). The cheese was an aged gouda. It was very soft for an aged gouda. The accompaniments were grapes, walnuts, dried fig, and a nut bread. I wish they would have treated the walnuts, served fresh figs, and had pairing that were more tied to the cheeses. So good value, great service, good wine, and good decor/ambiance. They definitely have opportunities to make it better though.
(4)Pauline L.
3.5 I really enjoyed the cozy and warm space of Gravity, especially given how packed some of the other lounges and wine bars were in downtown Palo Alto. In addition to a full wine list and some flights, the menu has a diverse array of appetizers, cheese, charcuterie, entrees, and desserts. My friends and I ordered the duck liver mousse pate, a small cheese plate, warm brussels sprout salad, braised short rib, and chanterelle mushroom risotto with truffle oil. The brussels sprout salad was quite good and the pate serving was fairly generous. I wasn't a huge fan of the short rib as I found it a bit chewy. The risotto was rich with mushroom flavor and might be better off shared as a group appetizer. All of the food is solid and come in reasonable size portions, although it wasn't the same as restaurant quality. My glass of pinot noir came with a little beaker, so the pouring was a good size. It's a bit pricey, but Gravity is a good option for people who want to try wine and have a menu of food options, as well.
(3)Ana B.
What a nice surprise ! Don't let the fact that this place is between a sports bar and a liquor store fool you, I walked by many times wondering if it was any good , and....YES IT IS . What we had: Beet salad Risotto Short ribs Merguez sausage Profiteroles Bread pudding Everything was exquisite , the ambiance is one of simplest I've seen, yet so elegant and warm. I was tempted to give it 5 stars but the service was a little slow. Simple, tasty, food! I'm a fan .
(4)Danielle B.
We had dinner here with my parents last night and really enjoyed it. Starters: -parents had oysters, which they liked and said were fresh -we shared the bruschetta starter- liked it very much, and especially enjoyed the one with goat cheese and asparagus. Will have to replicate this at home! Mains: -risotto- perfectly cooked- Tris liked it but I'm not a big fan of truffle oil so it wasn't my favorite. Definitely cooked nicely though. -Shortribs- A bit dry. Could have used more of the sauce, which was yummy. Polenta was ok. -Duck- best dish that was ordered. Duck was nicely cooked and the lentils that go with it are AMAZING! Everyone ordered different wines and enjoyed them. Atmosphere is quite nice- loved the soft feel of the wooden tables and the lighting. Service was a little messy in terms of mixing up Tris' entree and also just being a bit slow. But that was made up for by the friendliness of our server who gave Tris a nice pour for the mix-up. A reasonable place for good food in Palo Alto- We'll be back :-)
(4)Brian G.
We went to Gravity for the first time recently. They've been opened for almost a year (December 2010) and the service felt like they had just recently opened. A few things that bugged me: 1. You MUST make a reservation. You won't get a table without one. We had a res but I was surprised that for a wine bar you need a reservation. 2. Don't expect good service. It took forever for everything we ordered to come out from the bar and the kitchen. At one point the hostess took an order for us since our server was no where to be found. She recommended a great wine. 3. Now I'm not a wine snob or a wine glass snob. But...if you're a wine bar you should at least serve red wine in red wine glasses. When they brought our bottles of red to the table they started putting down white glasses. We played ignorant and simply asked "oh are these red glasses?" They said they were out of red glasses downstairs but could run upstairs to see if they had some. They did- all was better. Things I really liked about the place: 1. The food was good, not great, good. 2. The decor is great, it's a very cool space. Great for larger parties upstairs, but see #1 above. I love the other restaurants the owners of Gravity have, Reposado and Scratch. I will continue to visit them but will not return to Gravity. If I were you I'd continue to walk by and just admire the nice decor on the inside.
(2)Jenna K.
The ambiance is really nice. My husband and I were obsessed with the lights. Totally gorgeous. The prices are reasonable and the menu looked fun and gourmet. We only had some aged gouda. It really wasn't aged long enough, but that's hardly Gravity's fault. It was served with some nut bread (couldn't eat it because I'm allergic to wheat), raw walnuts (I wish they were toasted a bit), dried figs (I wish they were fresh) and some champagne grapes. We ordered a Burgundy wine flight. Two whites (a chablis and something else) and a red (I can't remember either). I thought it was interesting to have a white and red flight. I would have preferred an all red flight. Looking at the other flights, there didn't seem to be a common thread pulling them together. I like to compair terrior or year. I guess I'm just snobby.
(4)Catherine B.
We love Gravity. It's consistently tasty food at great prices, decent service, and reservations are usually available most nights of the week. We are here often, and claim it as our last minute hangout routinely. This past NYE we needed to add 2 more people and David made some on-the-fly modifications to accommodate. Seriously, love this place!
(5)Anil V.
Certainly , the place to be . A good place with varied selection of wine . The Moment we entered , we were already sure that this place is pretty good to be . The Person who attended us , certainly has a very good knowledge about Wine and its making . He Recommended a wine to us which made our evening . The Food is Yumm . The place carries the ambiance to sit , lay back and get a good taste of Wine .The music played behind is very good and nostalgic . IM COMING BACK HERE FOR SURE .
(5)M T.
We had our rehearsal dinner and pre-wedding drinks upstairs at gravity, and they did a beautiful job. Food was delicious, and we had an excellent time tasting wines and choosing signature cocktails for our night. Patricia was very sweet and responsive throughout the process - it was probably one of the easiest parts of our wedding to plan. One gripe was that a tip jar was placed on the bar on the night of the actual event when we were covering all drinks and gratuities for our guests, so I did not appreciate that. However, it was quickly taken away when we brought it to their attention. Innovative and yummy cocktails and great food. Probably on par with prices to host an event in the Palo Alto area.
(5)Marcus A.
Don't come here to eat food. The pasta we got didn't taste good and it didn't taste like a carbonara. Also the large size was very, very small. The pasta tested like it was heated. On the positive side, and the reason this place didn't get one star. It had good wine and the place is pretty itself is nice.
(2)Cindy N.
Good place to have a girls-night out for late evening.
(4)Vanae T.
trekking back to my old stomping grounds, i was super happy to find a good wine bar in palo alto. the service is excellent. very friendly. choice of wines - lovely. and the food was delicious. we had: - filet mignon (medium rare, made perfectly) - the fries were great! - the brushetta was pretty good the ambiance is low-lighting. it's filled with young professionals, you know, silicon valley types. not quite too stiffy. i'd definitely go here again.
(4)renee H.
I love that the restaurant is simple, yet delicious. I have never ordered a bad meal. It's great fresh food at reasonable prices. The wine is delicious, the service is great, and the atmosphere is wonderful. It's a great place to eat and drink on a weeknight.
(5)Jigar C.
Good for small casual (or somewhat dressy) evenings. Good wine selection and food menu. Prices are reasonable too so I'd definitely go back.
(4)Katie Anne N.
We decided to check this place out on a random Friday night. We didn't have reservations but they were able to accommodate us fairly quickly. We chose to have the red wine flight (3 glasses) and a few appetizers. We chose the steak tartare, the oysters, a butter lettuce salad and a cheese plate. Everything was great. We had the banana bread pudding for dessert and that was also fantastic. The place never got too busy and was quaint and low key. There was hardly ever a wait for patrons. The décor is impressive and there is an upstairs for larger dining parties as well. Bar style seating as well as high bar tables. Great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat.
(4)Bob W.
Just had my second meal at Gravity and don't understand the low rating. I eat out all the time in the Palo Alto Area and feel like my two experiences at Gravity were both exceptional. They have an incredible wine selection and it's priced reasonably. Service was excellent both times and its been easy to get a reservation. I've had the duck confit and the scallops as entrees and really enjoyed both. Appetizers are varied and at this point I think I've had most of them and enjoyed all. I'll also say that there cheese selection is outstanding and if you love a cheese tray after (or before) a meal then they will do you right. It's a bit noisy (adds to the atmosphere) but I was always able to have a great conversation while enjoying an excellent meal. This is a solid four stars maybe even four and a half stars.
(4)Kim N.
From the old Melt space, the owners of Reposado/Peninsula Creameries have opened a sleek new wine bar in downtown Palo Alto. After watching the excellent overtime MNF game, we were thinking of getting some coffee but detoured here instead. The space is very nice with blonde wood tabletops, light colored paint and dimly lit with filament lamps. The place does have a full menu including entrees, so I'd see this as a restaurant with a small menu and a huge, very interesting wine list. Tried a Para (port) from Australia, a German Icewine and a traditional Portugese Madeira, which were all very good. Speaking to our server she seemed to indicated that the menu would change seasonally and that the wine list which is already quite good, will expand. I think this is a great new place for post dinner drinks but Im looking forward to seeing what their eats are like too. 4.25 stars
(4)Dani L.
I've been to the Gravity Bar twice and both times had the same bad experience. The food is good and the ambiance is fair. The service, however well intentioned, is downright incompetent. On my first visit, my appetizer and entree were brought to the table at the same time, while I was still working on my cheese place and pre-dinner aperitif. Thinking that this was perhaps a one-off mistake, I went back, and actually told the waiter to please pace the meal appropriately - as if this should be necessary at a place that charges upwards of $20 per entree! To my dismay, my burrata plate AND my risotto were both brought to the table before I was even done with the cheese and sparkling wine that we were having pre-dinner. You get the picture. Not going back for a third try.
(2)Daniel R.
This place is cool! Slightly fancier place for after work when you want to grab a glass of wine. I It's a nice place with a great energy for a date or to catch up with old friends. And, the prices are pretty reasonable for what you get. No complaints.
(5)O O.
Looks like a great place from the outside. Have attempted to make a reservation on two separate occasions. Both times they dropped phone call and seem uninterested. Hope their food and service is actually better onsite.
(2)Lee T.
Pros - beautiful lounge/restaurant, serves pate, great wine glasses (petty I know, but to be honest some places don't have glasses that are conducive to a good wine drinking experience Cons - crappy wines with fancy names that are significantly marked up, does not have a full bar I ordered the almond liquor for dessert and was charged $8 for it. Seems pretty reasonable, except I got literally a 1 ounce pour. When I asked about it, the waiter said that dessert wines are more expensive so they can't give more than a 1 ounce pour. I thought his response was funny so I looked up the drink...a full 25 ounce bottle would cost me a total of $11. That would mean, that for every bottle that Gravity goes through, they're making $189!!! That's a bit unbelievable and very ridiculous. I started looking up other bottles of wine on the menu...all ranged around $12-15/bottle. Sorry, I miss my old wine bars in Arizona...Cafe Boa...you were the best.
(1)Adam T.
Went here last night for an after work drink with the boy. We both order flights, I the red, he the white. We were practically alone in the place, though based on the way they were staffed, I can only assume it gets slamming later on a Friday night (very odd to me - used to the east coast, after work drink thing, and that is just not done, apparently, out west). Our waitress (behind the bar) was incredibly sweet, answering our questions, but staying out of our way while we were chatting and drinking. They also served marinated olives as an "amuse bouche" (I know I just slaughtered the French. Sorry.). The experience was great and while the prices weren't cheap, they were only about a buck more than at the Wine Room and this place is SO MUCH NICER! Clean, elegant space, very urban feeling (a la Reposado - no surprise, since they are owned by the same guy), friendly staff. Will definitely, definitely be back. Now they just need happy hour specials...
(4)Marilyn T.
This is in the old Melt space, redone to look like a classy wine bar. No liquor, but they do have a good number of wines by the glass, along with many beers and flights for around $10-15 for most. They're open all day, so you can come in any time. We started with complimentary wine sauteed onion crostata. We then got crisp arancini with melted cheese inside and a cheese plate (3 for $18), of which the goat cheese was the star. The mussels are plump, but the shoestring fries drenched in the broth is the best part of the dish. The space is pretty large, especially with the upstairs area. It has a very relaxed wine var atmosphere with a good selection of small plates, and it's a place you can chill and linger with friends after work. Service has been variable on different visits, from regular to super polite. It's easy to miss when you're walking by it, but is a nice addition to the downtown PA area (courtesy of the owners of Reposado and Scratch.)
(3)Anna T.
A group of us stopped in for after work dinner and drinks. Even though this is billed as a wine bar, the food can not be overlooked. The wine list is extensive and even though, I am not much of a beer drinker, the hand crafted brews looked appealing. The real surprise in the whole gorgeous setting was the food. Our table sampled many of the appetizers. The overwhelming favorite were the mussels with french fries. Sounds strange but we inhaled them! For entrees, there were too many amazing ones to pick from : Duck confit with lentils were out of this world, a very moist perfectly done 5 oz. fillet, and the braised short ribs with mascarpone polenta, all winners. The executive chef stopped by to see how we liked everything. He was very personable and excited to hear feedback. Will definitely go back to this inviting and tasty place. Would highly recommend it.
(5)judy n.
came with a girlfriend in town. Moule frite w pernod - Yum! Mussels and fries?! definitely worth ordering as an app. Tried 2 whites that night Protocolo and Damelano. I'm more a fan of the former.
(3)Candy C.
Cheese plate: Camembert and Aged Gouda (I can't remember the third) along with figs and caramelized sweet onions and bread. Delicious! Appetizer: Fried squash blossom filled with ricotta cheese on a bed of greens. Tasty! A small dish in and of itself, but it was satisfying enough. Different, but good. Entree: Braised short ribs with mascarpone polenta. You MUST order this!!! It is so super duper yummy and flavorful. The meat just melted in my mouth! It is THAT good I am telling you!!! Must NOT pass this up! And the polenta! Mmmmm!!! Lawrd! I am totally craving for it right now. I would come back here just for this even if I am alone. Aaaaah! Seriously delicious!!! Dessert: I told my friend that I was way too full to have anything else, but we ordered the Blackberry bread pudding anyway. Drizzled with caramel sauce, I practically inhaled the entire slice, leaving just a mere bite for my friend. Didn't I just get done saying I'm too full?! This dessert just closed the deal. MmmmMmmmMmmmm good! Service was good and ambiance was simple. I didn't get to try any of the wines although my friend did and said it was quite gratifying. I asked for iced tea, they had none.
(3)Nader F.
I don't really care for wine that much but this place has a fairly decent craft beer selection. Can't picture myself coming here over Rose & Crown (across street) too often. Service was quick and friendly. The food looked very tasty!
(3)H. H.
Been here a few times. My daughter had their "duck confit" and fell in love with it. I've had to take her back 3X for more. At lunch today I had their lamb sausage, sort of an adult hot-dog. Tasted great. Upstairs is a classy white linen tablecloth restaurant, downstairs is a casual high table (barstool) and bar situation. The staff here is really nice.
(4)Andrew W.
Gravity is the newest restaurant from the Restaurants from Scratch group that includes, reposado and the peninsula creamery. I like the design of the restaurant. There is a lot of dark wood, brick and yellow light coming out of what look like reclaimed bottles. The crowd is very loud. It feels like a yuppie bar, a lot more sport coats than you would normally see on the street. But, I wouldn't call it upscale. I can't remember if there were tablecloths or not. We sat on the second floor. It was a little more quite, but not that much. Also, it looked like it was incomplete. The bar on the second floor was covered in boxes. It kind of felt like i was eating in an industrial storage facility. The service was not very good. The server did not know much about the wines and i felt like we were abandoned at times. The wine flight was not very good. They were all unbalanced somehow. One was way too sour, one was too bitter. The other one was nice, but needed more alcohol behind it. I didn't really care for any of them and would not order the red wine flight again. They only had three different flights. It wasn't too expensive ($15), but not that good either. I liked the food. We had the sweetbread appetizer. It was nice. A little salty. I prefer my sweet breads more creamy and less coated in starch and pan fried. They were a little hard and lacked that milky consistency that good sweetbreads have. Also, the mushrooms in the dish tended to overpower the rest of the dish. The sweetness of the corn and the peppery-ness of the greens was wahsed out by the mushrooms. We also had the short ribs. They were very tender. The sauce needed a little acid to make it pop. Also, there needed to be some fresh herb to open up the texture of the dish. It was a little one note. soft meat on creamy polenta. The polenta was very good. the marscapone added a nice sourness that accentuated the corn flavor. My biggest problem with the food was that the rest of the menu was completely unappealing to me. I am glad that the things we got were good, but I felt nauseated when the table next to us got their frito misto. It did not smell fresh at all. Oh, well. Stick to the things that we ordered and don't go for the wine flight. I am glad that we went here. I love trying out new restaurants. I probably won't be coming back.
(3)Andrea B.
Loving this spot right down the street from work. It has quicking become my happy hour spot. My only complaint is the the bread choice with the cheese it's kinda off. It isn't your typical baguette it has raisins. I don't mind raisins, but with blue cheese or any cheese on the menu it's not the best pairing. When we asked for a different kind of bread we where then given facaccia again another odd pairing with cheese. Gravity will contiue to be my after work hang out, but I just thought I'd mention the bread.
(4)Huey K.
All I can do is compare this place to the Wine Room. Gravity's larger. The Wine Room can get really packed, but you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a place to sit at Gravity on Friday after work. The Wine Room has a more homey feel, so it depends what you're looking for. If you want a place that has couches and sofas, then Gravity isn't it. Gravity has actual food. I've only had the charcuterie, but lots of salty meat goes well with wine.
(4)Karen K.
Soon to become my go-to place to meet friends for dinner! Came here twice to meet out of town friends for dinner. I ordered the short ribs the first time and the burger the second time. I do love me some tender succulent ribs and the burger came with fries that were so addictive, my friends ordered a side order to satiate our need for more fries. ... going in reverse order, let me break down the starters for you - *Indulge in: -the burratta: pillowy cheese you just want to put your head upon and drift off into blissful slumbers -beef tartare: ask for more crostini, you'll need it to scoop up the yumminess *Consider: -bruschetta trio (3 puny bruschettas that are tasty *yum sweet corn with truffle oil* but awkward to share) -Fritto Misto (eh... not much to say - typical fried seafood collection) *Skip: -country pate (a smidge too dry for my taste and I'd easily go without next time) Of course, no meal is complete without dessert and we ordered the chocolate pot de creme. Yelpers, I don't love pot de creme as they tend to be too heavy for me, but this one was oh so good... if I hadn't a care for table manners I would have licked that ramekin clean, but we live in a cultured society where that is apparently frowned upon. It wasn't too heavy and just sweet enough without overpowering you. They had a decent wine list but I wasn't able to indulge too much as I have to drive people home. (Alas...) Service is friendly and knowledgeable. I'm definitely coming back.
(5)Alireza A.
We ordered the Halibut but it was so dry that had to be sent back. They didn't charge us for them but it was very unfortunate to see the food quality of Gravity go down like this over last 3 years. It used to be my favorite restaurant but now it's just okay.
(3)Mike C.
I had my birthday party this year at Gravity. Gravity reserved a large table me which is uncommon with wine bars. The staff did an excellent job taking care of a large party. Our server, Aaron, was top notch and provided excellent service. He brought out fresh glasses for every bottle of wine and made sure everyone was getting what they needed. The wine is list is extensive. And Aaron was quite knowledgeable about the wines. I came back for dinner a few nights later and found the food to be good as well. The prices are an excellent value for Palo Alto. Given that the venue is quite new, I expect it to get even better over time.
(5)Karla L.
Just love that there is a place to have a nice glass of wine and a nibble on a Saturday night in Palo Alto and not have to SCREAM to be heard. I met a friend on a weekend and we got a table upstairs. A really nice vibe with enough going so you do not feel like you are in an empty room but low key enough that we could hear each other. I had the champagne flight and it was yummy. I love getting to taste the three different types of bubbly. We had the brussels sprouts and the arancini. The brussel sprouts ( a vegetable I think is very underrated and I wish people would stop saying such mean things about them) were to die for - a tasty savory little salad with bacon and other great little flavors in it and the arancini a little warm rice and cheese ball of love. I finished with a glass of dessert wine that rocked, a beautiful moscatel from Portugal. A nice addition to the PA dining and wine bar scene.
(5)Denyse E.
I tried this place out yesterday around 6:30 in the evening. I work in Palo Alto but live in the East Bay, so me and my friend were looking for a cool place to grab drinks and appetizers while rush hour traffic dies down. The ambience is really chic, modern, and cozy. We had the white sangrias which were amazing! There was just the right amount of booze and there were even fresh peaches in the drink. It was flavorful and refreshing. We ordered the cheese platter and pâté. They were both delicious. My only drawback was the service. I felt like our server kept trying to upsell us. We don't mind spending, but we were only looking to grab a quick bite. He kept trying to upsell us to order a bottle of wine and a full-fledged dinner.. Which seemed pretty tacky to me. If we said no the first time, we won't say yes the second time. Just sayin'. Our waiter seemed a little irritated after we kindly declined, which made it a little awkward afterwards. I understand you're trying to make a bigger tip.. But I honestly don't mind giving a fat tip even if my bill isn't too high, if the service is actually awesome. I think this restaurant needs to cut down on the snootiness with customers. Besides the service, I definitely still want to try it out again! The wine flight looked worth trying and the food looked DELISH.
(3)Vivian D.
Returned to try some of their food! Ordered the bistro burger, duck pate, and mussels. Everything was DELISH! Food came out very quickly and service was attentive. Will definitely return for more!
(5)Katelyn M.
Came here again, and noticed that prices have increased a few bucks a plate. Was disappointed to find that my two of my favorite wine labels listed on their online menu - Bella (zinfandel) and Justin (cab sauv) - were no longer available. I didn't see any others on the menu that really jumped out at me, so I tried a Cotes du Rhone, which was good. Serving sizes are on the smaller side - appetizer plates are more to serve one or maybe two people (at $8-12/plate). I was very excited to try stuffed squash blossoms only to find that for our table of four they have us only one tiny squash blossom. The greens, mushrooms, and artichokes adorning the plate were delicious...but only 1 squash blossom. It was sad. I bought 4 of the same squash blossoms at the farmers market two days later for $0.50 and the appetizer was $9. ...hmm... I still think the servers are excellent, friendly and attentive. My water glass was always full. The coffee was good. But I had to write an update and dock a star to make sure my review more accurately reflected the reality of Gravity. Will I be coming back? Definitely!
(4)Jacie N.
Their happy hour is amazing- they have a great selection of yummy cocktails, wine, and beer and really delicious appetizers that are more than your usual fries or calamari (although they have those too, and they're really good!). I love the ambiance, it's never too loud or crowded so it's a great place to catch up with friends. The service is really great! However, the dinner menu is pretty small and the food is good but not totally impressive. The wine menu is great and the wait staff is very knowledgeable, they were able to answer all our questions about their wine selection.
(4)B B.
Went with a group of friends and arrived early on a Tuesday. We had 7 people (one check). Our waiter was hit and miss. We had to "flag him down" several times for service. We ordered some food. The burgers were great but the risotto was not right. It was like oily rice with some mushrooms and asparagus thrown in. The chef apparently said that he makes his risotto "different and earthy". Whatever. Also, our waiter forgot some wine orders toward the end of the evening. Then, caught unawares (no mention of this when I made the reservation), a 18% gratuity was auto added to our bill. Would not have subjected my friends to this had I known in advance. Other places in Palo Alto are just as good or better without poor service.
(2)Nadia C.
I went here last Saturday with my husband a friend. It was a forced choice as we wanted to eat at Evvia but did not have a reservation and it was a long wait. We walked through it to find it a little empty and hoping we get a seat quick. We were led upstairs and it was a good dining area. I did not even know if this was just a wine bar till I read about it after our dinner. For such an uninformed decision, it was surprisingly not bad. We had entrees with wine and the bill for 3 people was $120. The food is not really great but the service is good. In all, not bad for a last minute dine-out decision but if you have the time to plan this might not be the best on the block.
(3)Rick F.
Nice new addition to the downtown scene. Good selection of wines you don't find everywhere, all the time. Nice food, great service.
(4)Lucas P.
Came here for a date night on Friday with my fiance. I'd been a handful of times before, but only for drinks after eating elsewhere This time we decided to try it for both. We started off with the bruschetta, which was a little disappointing. There were three normal sized pieces of bread, each with their own topping: one with trio-cabernet onions & olive tapanade, another with truffled mushroom duxelles, and the last with tomato compote. Only the last was really solid. We then moved on to an arugula salad that was pretty tasty. We then split the filet and frittes entree, which was also good though pretty small. Overall, the place has a nice ambiance and the food is pretty good, though not great. However, it leaves a little to be desired and the prices are a bit high for the product.
(3)Sabrina E.
I had a great time when I popped in on a Wednesday night. We sat at the bar & got a bubbly flight. The service was amazing. I think that it was the manager that came over & chatted wine with us. It was a pleasure to meet him, as he was very knowledgable & friendly. It wasn't very crowded, but I don't mind that at all. I prefer a little elbow room. The service & oysters were a joy! I would go back for dinner.
(4)Noelle O.
Food was good, but kind of pricy. I had the chicken breast and my husband the short ribs, and we really enjoyed both. Portion sizes are pretty small. The atmosphere feels a little corporate, mainly because they force their staff wear shirts with the name of the restaurant on them. Kind of cheesy. They should lower the lights a little as well.
(3)Tara T.
Went there on a Friday night a couple weeks ago with 2 friends. Place was pretty empty for dinner on a Friday night - maybe its pick up? Here is what we thought: -Sparkling White Wine Flight = meh it was okay, nothing to write home about. -Frito Misto = Pretty bland. Enough for 3 people to snack on. -Bistro Burger: Yummy. Definitely the most tasty thing on their menu. -Friends got the salmon and pasta dishes: Both said they were bland. One had to add salt and pepper to the pasta. Both dishes were suuuuuuuuuper tiny, so I shared my burger! -Regular glass of wine: TINY TINY pours. I'm talking less than 2 fingers...no joke! Overall, the decor was cute, clean and quiet. Would I go back? Um no thanks. This place was overpriced with very very bland food. Jazz the food up a bit and have better wine pours and I might come back.
(3)Emily M.
I've been here twice now. I like the selection of wines, but I feel like they are a tad overpriced. Especially because the food is so inexpensive! I almost feel like if the food was more expensive, the wine prices would make sense! My entree was $16, which is nearly the same price as a lot of the glasses of wine! So, it's easy to think you're not going to spend much on dinner because entrees are all around $15.00. But throw in 2 glasses of wine per person and you've got a pricey meal on your hands. Enough about prices- on to the food. The first time I had the chicken thighs with farro, which was excellent. BF got the steak frite. The steak was good, the frite were NOT. Very soggy and undercooked. Second time around, I got the short ribs, served with mascarpone polenta. Very, very tasty and a bargain at $16.00. BF got the bucatini, which was in a delicious, rich, garlicky marinara sauce. Both times we went, we were given complimentary amuse bouche- one was marinated olives and a glass of sherry. The other was crostini and tapenade. We greatly appreciated the tasty treats. The second time, we also got bread and olive oil with our dinner, baked next door at the Creamery. Yum! Our server was very kind and remembered us the second time around. I'm happy to have the addition of another wine bar that doesn't get as packed as the The Wine Room on Ramona and has better service than Vino Locale.
(4)Christelle C.
Went there yesterday. It felt like a snobbish place. We arrived without reservation and were harshly told that we had to wait to be seated (by our to-be waiter for the night). The host brought us to the nearest table available. Within the following 5 minutes the server came to see us 5 times, which was more then the remaining of the night. It was also quite loud. We ordered a lot of appetizers which were good and drank a lot of wine by the glass. I was not impressed by the flights. As someone else said, it is hard to select wine when they only state which valley it's from. I'm lucky I have some knowledge of wine so I could make better decision. The selection wasn't as big as I would have liked it to be. It's more of a restaurant that serves wine than a wine bar. I don't think we'll go back, event if the overall experience was ok. There are better wine bar in Palo Alto.
(3)Iris W.
Went here last night with a large group for a birthday party. Let me start with positives: 1) cool name 2) very nice inside-good atmosphere 3) wine and beer were yummy 4) food tasted pretty good Ok now for the negatives: 1) uncomfortable chairs. 2) the waiter poked me 3 times!!(don't appreciate being touched while dining by the waiter) 3) my wine came to the table way after everyone else got theirs and after someone got their cheese plate. 4) we ordered and appetizer. It didn't cone so we asked for it. Everyone got entrees, still no appetizer, had to ask for it again. Finally got it.
(3)Sarah J.
What an upgrade from that dumpy, sketchy "ultra lounge" Melt! I love this place. I must say that I only love this place as a WINE BAR. Not a restaurant. The food is in tiny portions and totally overpriced, but I love the atmosphere and the wine selection. Get the white wine flight- yum! The servers have always been super friendly to me - usually with free green olives - and you can't beat the location. So glad to have this new addition to downtown PA!
(5)Katie Y.
My girlfriend went in to ask about having a small party there, and the woman she talked with was very rude! They also wanted a $3000 minimum for 15-20 people. Um, so we're talking 200/head and we weren't even asking to rent the place out--we just wanted to reserve a table for 15 for like 1 1/2 hours. Unbelievable. The woman also repeated about 10 times that she would NOT move the tables around for us (which was weird, since we never asked about this and had no special desire to move the tables). Needless to say, we'll be having the party elsewhere!
(2)Karla E.
We ate here a few nights ago and had a nice table for two upstairs in the bistro section. The food and wine were good. Our waiter was good, albeit the waitstaff could use a little more support. Our plates were never cleared in time for the next course. In fact when our main course came a waiter (not ours) asked me to lift up my dirty dishes so he could put my main course down on the table. I gave him my old dishes and he said "could ya keep your silverware please" (and not in the nicest tone). Odd not to just bring fresh, clean silverware like most upscale places do normally. Anyway, much of our meal was spent looking at our empty/finished dirty dishes that needed to be cleared away (hate that!). Our main problem with this place, and it's something they could easily fix, is that the lighting upstairs is way, way, way too bright overall. It was so bright and had almost a family-style chain restaurant feel, which was bizarre for an upscale, modern wine bar/bistro. I had one halogen track light burning a hole in my eyes all night and I had to keep moving to the side to avoid it. Note to the manager: A dimmer switch is desperately needed for upstairs... it would make the entire experience so much better for your customers. I noticed I'm not the only writing about this in these reviews!
(2)Brittany S.
My husband and I got out of a movie at the Stanford Theater about 9:15 and walked over here for dinner last Saturday night. We had reservations and were greeted with a smile by the lovely hostess - the ambiance is wonderful and the service (especially from Kent, our server) was fabulous. We never had empty water glasses and our items were served beautifully. Kent knows his wine and gave us great advice about wine and food choices. We had the shortribs, the risotto, a cheese plate, and some wine flights - all were excellent. We had a lovely evening at a relaxed pace and felt it was the perfect place for an anniversary dinner, although we would come back with friends for a more casual evening too. They can accommodate larger groups for dinner at some of their big tables and they have a fun bar table atmosphere downstairs we would check out again on a future visit. Highly recommended!!!
(5)Kelsey H.
My boyfriend and I went there one night and had a great experience. We went there for a second time and the owner was there and he took a look at my boyfriends I.d. and thought it was fake (it was absolutely not) and told us he would not serve us and we had to leave. The first time we spent lots of money and left a great tip. The food is good and the fact the kitchen is open until 1:30 is fantastic but the owner made the whole experience very uncomfortable. Management is rude to the staff and any customer under the age of 30 it seems.
(1)Shawn L.
Without a doubt, one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. Incredibly poor service was the primary problem. - 10 minute wait to get a glass of wine . . . at a wine bar, while sitting at the bar? - People that came in quite a bit after me were served first - we're talking a cheese plate folks; I'm not sure what could have caused the delay. - My beverage was served in a filthy glass - Once I finally received the cheese . . . it wasn't what I ordered . . .and this was after the bartender had re-confirmed my order. This whole thing took at least 30 - 40 minutes, just to make it through a cheese course! That was the last straw. I canceled the rest of my meal and left. This place has pretty good reviews so I suppose my experience may have been an outlier; needless to say, I will never go back to try again.
(1)Stacey W.
Excellent food, great service, and upscale atmosphere without feeling stuffy. Pricing was surprisingly reasonable ($18 entrees). Not too crowded on weekends (we didn't have to wait on a Saturday night!). We had the short ribs and short rib pasta, which was cooked perfectly.
(5)Thanh Thuy B.
For lunch, portions are not so great for the price. For dinner, this place is very loud and the menu is not very inventive.
(2)todd h.
My wife and I had several appetizers here recently and had a great overall experience. I'd been once before just to the bar, but she had not been before. I think initially the dark interior and small entry way make it somewhat unwelcoming, or may give you the sense of having to commit once inside. We're glad we went in though. One of the wait staff (Jonathan) greeted us outside actually and that was kind of nice. He was our server as well and was really great as were the rest of the staff. The food was excellent. We had the asparagus salad, the beet salad, the bruschetta and the cheese plate. All were very tasty, fresh and well prepared. Only the white bean bruschetta did we think needed a little work. They seemed undercooked and too large for the bread. They had nice mellow music playing, and it was a place you could have an actual conversation in a normal voice. I don't particularly care for the dark, enclosed feel, but that's just me. My wife thought it was cozy and relaxing. We'll definitely return.
(4)V N.
The bucatini was scrumptious! It tasted home made. The flight of Rosé was a nice pairing of origins and the right order in crispiness and sweetness. The staff is friendly and the ambience perfect for having a casual dinner with friends, family, or a lovely date. Definitely coming back to try more.
(4)M S.
This place was expensive and the serivce was sooooooooo bad. The only bartender made terrible drinks and did not honor offering Happy Hour prices. Probably not all together his fault as he's trying to serve a 2 story restaurant all on his own. Nevertheless my Mojito tasted a little like cough syrup. The food was good but over priced. And we were all cramped at the Bar, the manager tried to come stick an extra chair, when I said please don't were cramped as it is kept insisting, so I said, if that happens I'll get my check and leave, and so it happened. We had to leave. Not Happy. :(
(1)E W.
Delicious flavors every time. Knowledgable staff helps with wine choices, and is typically spot on. All of the following are FANTASTIC! warm pancetta and brussels sprouts salad pancetta, grilled asparagus, and pecorino salad beef tartar with quail egg - divine! wild mushroom risotto - comfort on a plate filet mignon and frites duck confit with lentils and port wine short ribs over mascarpone polenta Having been here twice, I would now skip the charcuterie and cheese plates. Uninteresting pairings on both and high price for cheese and meats you can get at Piazza's or Whole Foods.
(5)David J.
Service was extremely slow 1) It took 15 mins just to get drinks for 3 people. 2) we waited 1 hr+ to get our food Food wasn't cooked correctly to order 1) We ordered a burger with no cheese but it came out with cheese (fail) 2) we ordered pasta with no pancetta because we had a vegetarian and it came outwith pancetta (fail) Incorrect billing 1) Because of the poor service I decided to tip less($6). But when I got my credit card bill there magically became $19. I understand that it's really just a small $13, so there's really no point in contesting -- I will however post this negative review. On the upside, food was great and if it were not for the crappy service, I'd go back again.... what a shame.
(1)Kat D.
We recently swung by Gravity because we were looking for a place that was open late with food and drinks. We were happy that Yelp suggested this place and that we didn't have to resort to going to some of the more mediocre and loud Palo Alto spots on a Saturday night. The place is very nice instead - definitely looks like it was designed by the same folks who did their other restaurant Scratch - with an exposed brick wall, low lighting but you can still see, and clean wood tables. Starting with the alcohol list, I would have to agree with other folks that their prices are definitely steep for beers and wines. However, at this point, we didn't really care and I was happy that the waitress actually steered me towards a nice glass of wine and it was a tasty. In terms of food, we just wanted some nibbles so we ordered mussles & fries and a plate of charcuterie. All of the above was great and really hit the spot. Unlike what previous reviewers have said, the fries look underdone, but they tasted twice fried and were pleasantly crunchy. They were definitely a little salty, but when I'm having a drink it tasted fine. Service overall was very good -- not too interruptive as previously indicated but they kept our water glasses full and cleared plates when done to make more room on the table. Overall, it was a little pricey, but I think worth it when you take a few things into account: (1) It's a nice spot to just get American fare off of University that's not just burgers; (2) you can avoid the loud crowds at the other bars off of University and enjoy a more "adult" atmosphere without the pain of college kids everywhere; (3) They serve food and don't feel as stuffy when you compare it to the Wine Room; and (4) Give it a little time to work out the kinks because it's tough when you open some place new.
(4)Jody F.
Its well located, straight forward and good food well priced. Great place to meet with friends/ co-workers mid week etc...
(4)Dave S.
I would give this place 3.5. Service was good but not outstanding, appetizers were amazing but the entrees were nothing to write home about. Good value though and solid selection of wine.
(4)Jayne L.
we came here for dinner before quiz night at the rose & crown. I liked the place -- all the food was excellent -- foie gras, sweetbreads, confit, merguez sausage and beef tartare I want to go back. That's why the place gets such a good rating. The wine in the wine flights was not the best and the bartender didn't really know much about wine. Interesting choices though, and it would have been nice if someone could have actually spoken to us about them. The owner/manager did not come over to answer questions. Our recommendation + If you want a wine bar, walk down the street to Lavanda. Come here for the food. I don't know why it doesn't get more of a crowd, though Really puzzling. Although there appeared to be as many servers as people in the restaurant, we just could not get the eye of our server to get the bill. That was problematic
(4)Elliott H.
Good food, good drinks and no wait to be seated. The upstairs (where we sat) was a bit loud for a restaurant but otherwise the ambiance is nice.
(4)S K.
Although I am hardly a wine fan, the food and cozy ambiance was enough to win me over. There are two levels, each warmly lit and pretty full. Despite that, we were seated immediately. The waiter was very friendly and was able to turn the bucatini into a vegetarian option with a replacement of mushrooms for the pancetta. I tried that and the chicken with rosemary-olive jus on the waiter's recommendation. Both were absolutely amazing, unlike any other dinner I've had on University. The chicken was cooked to perfection, and the glaze complimented it perfectly. The bucatini, which just seems like thick pasta, came covered in a delectable, slightly spicy sauce. Unlike many places, the amount of food they served was just right. Not so much you end up taking half the meal home with you, and not so little you feel gypped for the price. The only complaint I had was about the cucumber cocktail. It was so strong and bitter, I could barely take more than a few sips. I will attribute this to my own foolishness in ordering a cocktail instead of wine in a place that touts itself as a wine bar.
(4)Stephanie K.
Finally made it there last night! the evening started off to be promising with good company, an upbeat waitress, and interesting flight of reds. When it the food arrived it looked awesome, and the burgers were cooked to perfection. But almost all of our food was WAY too salty (french fries don't count in the calculation). The wild Alaskan salmon special, which could have been really nice, was probably the worst offender. I didn't even realize just how so over salty it was until I plowed through three big glasses of water a couple of hours later. I mentioned that the food was pretty salty to the waitress. She she was apologetic and said she would let the chefs know., but still... I realize now that instead of just eating the salmon, I should have sent it back. So, consider yourself forewarned....
(2)Kristin D.
Came here on a Thursday night just looking to have a glass with a friend. We decided on Gravity after The Wine Room looked too packed and the noise level made a conversation hardly possible. Upon entering, the hostess asked if we wanted to sit by the bar or at a table (we chose a table) and then informed us that they would close soon. I liked the heads up, that way closing time wouldn't come as a surprise. We quickly decided on two Pinots (the one from Alsace was fantastic, the "Witness" something was good as well) and then got a three cheese plate as well. Throughout the little time we spent there, our server Kent made sure we were well taken care of and happy with what we ordered. He was friendly and chatty but in no way too much so. When 11pm rolled around, we thought we should hurry to get out but we were not rushed at all- contrary to many other places where the staff just wants to get out once it's closing time. The five stars are earned by a combination of great service by Kent, good wine selection, and that there was actually room for us :) Also, though we didn't take advantage of it, a kitchen that stays open until 11pm is great! Overall, I will definitely be back!
(5)Steve T.
I was pleased with this wine bar. It's on par with what I'd expect, the wine wasn't too outrageously priced, and the service was decently fast. I arrived on an early Saturday night with a friend and was promptly seated. We shared apps and drank a bottle of red. Good people-watching. I wouldn't necessarily rave about Gravity, but it definitely is a nice place to come on a date or relax with friends over a nice bottle.
(4)Jen L.
Always assumed this was just a place to grab drinks. But PA was crowded on a saturday so we gave the food here a try. My grilled salmon was excellent and my friend's hamburger was great. The waiter was nice and accomodating despite our frequent requests for leaving sauces on the side. The pot de creme is also terrific. Prices are reasonable for the area. I'll definitely be coming back here.
(5)Tom A.
Quality food, moderate prices, good service and environment. Not much to say negative about Gravity. I had the braised short ribs with marscapone polenta and my fiance had the duck confit with lentils and wine/fig reduction. Everything on both our plates was quite good, if not delicious. The bread they serve is 5 stars. It was like eating savory cake...dense but light, buttery and salty. They make it in house and it is fantastic. I knocked off 1 star because I think the wine prices are a smidge too high. Nothing under $10/glass of decent quality. They have this option of getting 3 2oz taster glasses for $15. 1 was good, 1 was meh, and the 3rd wasn't very good at all. Nowhere near the $15 price that we paid for it. However, the prices for the entrees are quite reasonable. $12-15. They aren't "American" portions, but definitely enough.
(4)Shweta V.
Food was a-ok; not too vegetarian friendly. Best things on the menu here IMO is the bread they serve and sparling wine flight. Friendly service; good place to hang out on a weekend evening.
(3)Denise E.
We came here with a group of seven. I thought the food was very good. My husband had Steak and Frites and thought it was very good. I had a peach and butter lettuce salad, which was great. I also had the roasted chicken thigh which was served on a bed of couscous with fresh corn and a tarragon sauce. I thought it was excellent. I had the lemon strawberry shortcake which was just okay -- a bit dry. Friends had the risotta which was also wonderfully flavorful. We had two bottles of wine, a nebiollo and a syrah. Both were fine. I would definitely come back for the food -- prices were quite fair. Also maybe we were lucky, but I thought the service was excellent -- very attentive but not overbearing. Our server had a great sense of humor.
(4)Stanford M.
Twice as good as Zibbibo at half the price!
(5)Matt G.
We really enjoyed our first visit to Gravity. The service was good -- the waiter allowed us to try a couple of wines before we ordered a carafe -- and the food was delicious. We split a great brussel sprouts, pancetta and grapefruit salad, and our mains (braised short ribs on polenta, and duck confit with lentils) were excellent. We finished with an apple crostata with salted caramel ice cream -- yum!! This is a great option in downtown PA because it is of no particular ethnicity, just a bistro with good food and wine.
(4)Bret W.
Sometimes you walk into a new place and it just instantly feels right. Gravity Wine Bar is that way for me. Actually, "wine bar" is sort of a misnomer in this case because they have a full bar and restaurant in addition to a great selection of wines. And the food really is extraordinary - the warm brussel sprout salad is a taste sensation, and the short ribs on polenta just absolutely melt in your mouth. Or, if you want more traditional wine bar fare, the cheese and charcuterie plates are wonderful. Either way, you can't go wrong. I love this place.
(5)Jermaine R.
This is a neat little wine bar with some pretty good food. They have a decent selection of beer as well, like the Unibroue la fin du monde from Quebec. We tried a delicious sampling of charcuterie. I had the grilled merguez sausage in a fresh, house-made bun -- basically a deliciously fancy hot dog. It's served with dijon and tasty french fries. All the dishes are nicely plated. The ambiance and lighting is really warm and sleek. Service is a little slow at times, but always friendly. It's not too crowded around 6pm, but it does get booked later. I hope they open for lunch at some point.
(4)Robin K.
I went here with three of my girlfriends for a girl's night out dinner. We wanted to go to a nice place where we could sip some wine and get a steak. Three of us ordered the filet and frites. I often judge a restaurant by their filet as I order it "black and blue". Only the top restaurants will actually cook my filet this way. This tells me that they choose very high quality meats, as it has to be in order to cook it this rare. When the steak came out, it was cooked perfectly. I was so happy. It was the best filet I've had in the Bay Area so far. My two other girlfriends that ordered the filet were extremely satisfied. We also ordered a cheese plate as an appetizer. It was very delicious as well. The manager was very accommodating and even brought our food out to us. He was very friendly and nice. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone. I've eaten at Gravity only once before and was just as pleased. It just might be the best place to get a filet in downtown Palo Alto.
(5)craig w.
My wife and daughter went here this evening and had a really great experience. The wine list is incredible. They had fine Zin with a nice cheese platte paired with brucetti.The carmelized shallot really completed the dish. The decor is modern but clean and welcoming. The general manager was very friendly and told us all about the plans for the decor and menu. We will be back and look forward to this being a new and highly successful establishment in Palo Alto.
(5)Dave K.
Definitely loved this place. They have a nice bar downstairs with a wide selection of beers and wines. It gets a little packed on the weekends, so I would recommend going early especially if you got a big group. I haven't tried the food menu but from the looks of it, it seems pretty nice. It's a good place to go for a casual night out with friends or if you want to take your girl out for a few drinks.
(5)Anna C.
Delicious food, knowledgeable sommelier (with perfect wine suggestions) and clean, modern, rustic-inspired decor. We recommend the halibut and the Peach Pie dessert. It was so hard to choose! Two gripes: the Asian hostess has attitude and looks like she should work in the mall instead of an elegant wine bar, and the bathrooms are upstairs and in the back. Quick tip: If you don't get a tall table downstairs, request one upstairs- there's more room to stretch out, you are closer to the bathrooms and it's more private.
(4)Kat M.
We visited the Gravity Wine Bar a few weeks ago with a small group of friends. The upside - super friendly and knowledgeable waiter, pretty good food (I had the risotto and my husband had the burger), great Irish beer (red ale). The downside - the fire alarm rang through a large portion of our dinner and, once it stopped, then the piped-in Christmas music (it was November and not yet even Thanksgiving) took over. After complaining to the manager, she was able to shut off the fire alarm but not the Christmas music. I love "Jingle Bells" but not BEFORE Thanksgiving. The food (and alcohol) was good enough to give it another try.......so keep posted.
(3)Ruth-Anne S.
We came here with another couple and had a delicious meal so we came back when my parents came to visit and celebrated my mom's birthday. The food was very good with all of our party of 7 enjoying each of our appetizers and entrees. The service was a bit slow and my mom didn't get her entree when the rest of our party did. The restaurant more than made up for that hiccup. They really went above and beyond what I would expect. We will definitely go back.
(4)Brian K.
Really nice service, great food. Classy.
(4)Randy R.
Knowledgeable and friendly staff, interesting wine selection. Food is very good and very reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
(5)Sam W.
The atmosphere and decor was amazing. We had an early dinner (6pm), so there weren't very many people at all. The service was good; my water glass was never empty, which was amazing because I drink a lot of water when I eat, and it's a necessity to me. I had the duck confit. It was amazing. The cabernet-fig jus melded perfectly with the duck. I would definitely order it again. My date got the pan-roasted chicken thighs. He liked his dish, and after trying it, I agreed that it was good. We also ordered the pate de campagne. The pate itself was not bad. My only complaint would have to be that there was too little bread provided compared to the amount of pate. Also, one of the three tiny slices of bread was very burnt. Overall, I would definitely recommend Gravity.
(5)Jonathan F.
If you're looking for a place to have a nice dinner on a weeknight that's not too crowded, this is the place to be. Most of the times they'll even serve you a free appetizer dish while you're waiting, like carmelized mushrooms and onions over a toasted crostini. Their Fritto Misto and Steak Tartar are good appetizers, and their Bucatini and Duck Confit are pretty good main dishes. Try their Apple Tart Tatin for dessert. Good food, good atmosphere, great prices for a restaurant in downtown Palo Alto.
(4)Sonal P.
Great little place in downtown PA. We were at Scotty's next door and decided to check this place out. The manager seated us and informed us that they have only been open a couple of months. The ambiance was great. Its spacious, but cozy. Great place for groups and couples. The crowd seemed sophisticated cool, not too old or too young, which I like. The service was great...our waitress was super friendly and knowledgeable. And the wines were great. We tried a flight of whites that featured a delicious sauvignon blanc. We didn't eat dinner, but we did try the cheese platter which was good. May try the food next time, but will definitely be back for wine.
(4)Rachel T.
Love it! And the gm is usually the host who greets you at the door and he is also a somalie... REALLY GREAT and down to earth guy. He brought out a free pairing for us to try with one of our dishes. Highly recommend.
(5)Natasha C.
I think this is soon become a favourite of mine in Palo Alto. Their wine selection is great and I love that they do flights of a variety of types of wine. All their pours are pretty generous (both when you get a flight and when you just get a glass) and the staff is very friendly and attentive. We shared a cheese plate and a pot de creme - yummm, all delicious, especially the pot de creme. A highlight for me was their dessert wine flight - 4 different wines that went from a lightly sweet madeira to a rich, velvety port that worked well altogether. Ambiance was great - unique, warm, and cosy decor. Definitely tangential but I loved their light fixtures and the solid wood tables. Great for a dinner date or drinks!
(5)Becky B.
Went last night with hubby. We started with bubbly and both enjoyed our glasses. We ordered bruschetta but somehow the waiter didn't hear us order that. He was very apologetic when we asked about it. Apologized several times. It was okay. They brought us an amuse bouche that was tasty. I had the filet and fries for $19. Had some red wine recommended by the waiter. It was a little too warm so I put a tiny ice cube in and that helped. Hubby had the bucatini and red wine too. Both were great. The bucatini was a reasonably-sized. For dessert we split vanilla panna cotta and a chocolate pot de creme. Both were tasty. It's a very pretty restaurant and we enjoyed the dinner. We will be back.
(3)Andrew P.
I am a fan of the duck confit. Not too heavy (greasy) and always prepared just right. The portion is a little small for the price IMO but the flavor is a delight so I'm not complaining. My favorite thing about this place though is the fact that the kitchen doesn't close until 11pm. That's right! 11pm!! Perfect for those of us still sitting in our offices at 1030 and desperately seeking something close that's not Subway or pizza.
(5)Michelle K.
I think the owners have taken the reviews to heart because I had a great experience at Gravity Wine Bar. My friend and I both had wine flights and the pours were quite generous. The food was excellent -- I had the bucatini and she had the Merguez sausage. My one quibble is that the portions are moderate-to-small. They are fine for the ladies, but I wouldn't bring a ravenous man here. Minus half a star here. Desserts... meh. The Prosecco poached pear was definitely overpriced. It was good, but not $7 good. I wouldn't order it again. The honey ricotta crostada my friend ordered was pretty yummy, but they should think about dropping down the prices for the desserts. Minus half a star for that. The atmosphere was great, the service perfect.... overall a pretty good experience. I would definitely return.
(4)Karne N.
We've been here with friends twice now and the place was pretty empty on both occasions. The food is very tasty and nicely presented, but pricey, We've had the steak frites (both are excellent) and the fresh salmon (very good). Beet salad is always good (although somewhat small on the beet portion) as was the onion soup and the shaved asparagus. Wines by the glass are very expensive, but the flights are a good choice. I had the Iberian flight and enjoyed two out of the three wines. Nice portions, $13 price. Though the food is enjoyable, it's an expensive outing and not one we would do on a regular basis. Service was friendly and we were not rushed at all. 3.5 stars
(3)Jennifer H.
Excellent food and wine. A bit noisy downstairs but less so upstairs. Fabulous hostess.
(5)Kristy H.
This is an excellent place to just unwind and be taken care of. The down stair area is both cozy and stylish, with low lighting and a friendly vibe.The bar staff are friendly and knowledgeable, with several someliers on staff, and the servers are polite and unobtrusive and also ready and waiting to serve. I've had several dishes there and enjoyed each one, but I must say that their Chicken thigh is something not to be missed, and their Pot de Creme is heavenly -- And, I don't know what kind of alchemy the chef is using with the mushrooms, but whatever it is, it's spectacular! The last time I ate there both the manager and the Chef were kind enough to come to my table and ask if everything was as I liked it to be -- and I can assure you it was. This place has only been open since December and is still growing into its own; I've been there when it's packed, but have also been there when there were only 4 people (at 5pm). I love this place, and I'm gonna keep coming back! To remark on another persons comment about the wine pours being tiny: I am really surprised to read that! I've always had generous pours.
(5)Don S.
I have been there twice. The first time it was mediocre, the food was decent but too salty the second time the service was so bad we wound up leaving as soon as we could and going over to Gorden Birch. During the course of our meal they asked us if we were happy 8 times! We were trying to talk. They cleared my plate while she was still eating, took away my wine glass while she still had some in hers (this is in addition to the 8 interruptions). The bread was too salty to eat. It also does not have many California wines. The people that work there seem nice and the manager was mortified when I complained so I do not wish them ill, but I much prefer the style of Vino Locale where I can eat and drink at my own pace, chat and chill.
(2)Anne R.
This place is super cute! Their wine list is great and reasonably priced. However their food menu needs work. Give them a few more months to work out the menu, before you commit to an opinion of them. I'll definitely go back in the spring!
(4)Pete B.
Food and service was excellent. I will definitely go back.
(4)Tim C.
Other wine bars were full, so having seen Gravity open recently, I decided to come by here with some work colleagues. I was pleasantly surprised - our server was very friendly and helpful. We got given an amuse bouche consisting of a glass of sparkling and some bruschetta which was nice. We got a couple of different flights, and the arancini. The wine was fine, maybe a little overpriced, but enjoyable. The arancini was excellent. I'd go again.
(4)anna p.
I really enjoyed the wine at this place and service. Extremely friendly staff. Great atmosphere.
(5)Savita P.
Went here for the first time for dinner with hubby last night. We got there around 8:15pm and found it to be busy & buzzing but not packed; we were seated immediately. The decor and ambience was great; loved the high tables. Food was good, not great - we had Bruschettas, pan-friend chicken thighs and a grilled salmon. However, the most disappointing aspect of our visit was the service. A young lady with a disinterested smile served us. She never said a word beyond what was necessary to get our order placed and served. She rudely placed the menus and the final check in a very indifferent manner and walked away ... and I doubt she was too busy to say a kind word or be warm. We were quite shocked by the behavior especially considering that this place is run by the same management that owns Scratch in Mountain View and Reposado in Palo Alto - we've frequented both these places numerous times and have always had wonderful service. We ate dessert elsewhere as we just didn't want to sit around here for any longer... Sad!
(2)Simon G.
Awesome, undiscovered, and very French (portion size).
(5)Marie P.
I had high hopes for this place but sadly was let down. The menu is not very vegetarian friendly. The amuse-bouche was weak. Dry crostini with barely a chopped mushroom. The entree portions are small. I ordered the bucatini and while the flavor was good, I would have loved a scratch of bread offered with my meal.The wines by the glass (red) are very warm, no where near cellar temperature. Our waiter didn't seem to love his job. Probably wouldn't revisit.
(3)Jeff L.
We went on a Friday night and we enjoyed our time. Hostess was nice. Service was good. We had some wine and the cheese and meat appitizers. The food was a bit non tradional and the beer choices were the same. It is a good change of pace bar. I would call it romantic more modern and clean.
(3)Ash T.
i suppose if you come here just for wine, it works. but if you come here expecting an interesting time, not so much. came here on friday and was bored out my mind by the lethargic crowd. also, the bruschetta i got was not all that fantastic. wont' be back here for a while if ever.
(2)Tiffany H.
Fantastic place to go on a Saturday night for a glass of wine and a cheese plate!
(4)ryan n.
great great food - cheese portions and selections are good but a tad pricey. ...plenty of butter; rich food. braised short ribs perfectly salted. ...will come back for cocktails too, good ambiance.
(4)Cameron N.
Gravity delivered on atmosphere, selection and quality of wine, and service. The red flight was well curated.
(5)Ben D.
The food was terrible. The ribs were cafeteria quality. Two of us ordered the ribs and were appalled. The duck was mediocre. Bland salad. Completely overrated
(1)Robin T.
Only been there once so far, but was pretty impressed. Great atmosphere, fantastic and knowledgeable wait staff, the wine flight was great (get one of these!), the food was really good too. I will definitely go back.
(4)Julia B.
My husband and I have been here a couple of times now, one time for drinks and dessert, the other for a drink. The drinks selection is good and the atmosphere is nice (lighting not too dark/ light; music ambient etc.). I think, though, the wait staff are a bit too intrusive. Once the initial glass is poured, I would prefer to decide when I need a top up. The attentive service is nice, but they need to step back just a notch as it feels a bit rushed and that they're trying too hard.
(4)Whitney L.
The food is great, initially the wine selection was horrible but this has really improved (they must read their yelp reviews), the Justin cab on the list is very good and they're food is wonderful, chef Andy knows what he's doing
(4)reema s.
Great ambience and good food. Fun place with a group.
(4)john m.
So this place is a solid 3.5 stars... not quite at 4 yet but since they're new I will give them the benefit of the doubt and go with a 4. Nice atmosphere inside and friendly staff, but the one drawback to me was everything was salty. It wasn't just my dish, everyone commented that their dish was noticeably salty.
(4)Nanette A.
Started out at Evvia, but got seated at a table right near the entrance and it was already starting to get noisy there. Ended up at Gravity and couldn't have been happier. Great service and great food. I cannot comment on the wine list as I don't feel expert enough to do so, but the experience here was so pleasant. First of all, it was quiet for some time since we arrived at about 6:15 on a Friday. It did get noisier later on, but not until about 7:30 or 8 p.m. so we could actually have a conversation without yelling (hard to do these days in most restaurants!) One of the wait staff informed us that we'd be receiving a small plate gratis, but we received delicious olives instead. When we asked him about it, he arranged to have the other dish brought out as well. The wait staff was very knowledgeable about the wines and the food was unique and exquisite. My friend and I shared a salad and a main dish and each had wine which was enough and very reasonable for the quality of the food and wine. Our waitress was very attentive. We were surprised to see another seating area upstairs as well. I highly recommend.
(4)Brittany B.
I have been here a handful of times by now, and it's a great quaint spot. The service is attentive, and the food comes out pretty fast which is always a plus. So here's the crazy part... I was vegetarian for 3 years and one night I said, "I want a burger." Normally I'd head straight to in n out, but I have to say (and hopefully no one will hunt me down for this), but their burgers are amazing, and just do it for me. Super flavorful and juicy. Let's not also forget their meatballs, which I always start of with when I go there. Yum!
(5)Lindsey B.
Skip it. Hostess was unwelcoming when we arrived and our table was not ready. Food was overpriced for the portion sizes, and some of it was poorly prepared. Appetizers (beet salad, burrata, meatballs) were comically small for sharing amongst our 5 person group. Meatballs were dry and lacked flavor. My duck confit came out a full 5 minutes after the rest of the table had been served, and was so overcooked and dry that it was difficult to cut with a knife. And, the mandarin orange sauce alongside it was icy cold. Our waitress made frequent attempts to up-sell, which was annoying. The beef short ribs and lemon pasta were much better than the duck.
(1)Nicole R.
This is a fantastic bistro for dining as a large group. We were a group of 10 people and they treated us very well, never a glass was empty or a plate bare! Our table had a Sangiovese which was enjoyed by all except me. I stuck to a glorious Sav Blanc from New Zealand. It was a vintage I had never tried and it was crisp and fresh. Perfect for cutting through the meal. The menu at first glance looked unremarkable, but everything I had was fantastic! It reminded me of traveling through Italy. Simple foods, fresh ingredients and the food is incredible. I tried the Frito Misto which was a delicious mix of calamari, lemon slices, fennel and olives. Hard to go wrong with fried food, and this was one of the best plates of Calamari I have had for a long time. Next I had the Frisee salad with poached egg. It is a delicious mix of bitter greens, soft yolk goodness and salty bacon bits. I could eat this every night for dinner. Next I had the special, seared Ahi Tuna on a bed of bitter greens with a butter sauce. It was fantastic, though overcooked for my liking. I like things on the rare side. The Tuna was fresh, and the bitter greens offset the butter and tuna very well. Finally for dessert, we shared a selection off the menu. The Apple crostada with caramel gelato caught my eye and was fantastic. The Meyer lemon pot de creme was also quite good! Some of my companions ordered coffee which was served in a french press at the table. It looked good, but I did not try. Overall, a great place to bring someone you want to impress. Bellissima!
(5)Stephen H.
Make sure you eat upstairs. As other have said, it can get a little loud downstairs. The food, however, is very good. My husband had the grouper which he says was one of the best fish fishes he's ever had. I had the lamb chops and they were delicious. We'll be back.
(4)Nancy N.
Quickly- a girls night raw oysters craving! Was a touch hesitant as my previous oyster experience left me curious - shall I say fearful with why my late night oysters were not served on ice and had ginormous barnacles - anyway no one got sick. But THIS visit!!! Hashtag Wow! The Tomales Bay oysters were fantastic! Shucked to perfection! Amazing! First grade! The flights of wine! Um shall we say finely paired - we had the white flights and the Spanish flights! Ah- May- zing!!!! Seriously awesome quality, price point and ambiance- we also had a side of olives! Super delish! Tiny, classy, tastey and refine! Shall I say near perfection- a symbiotic vibe of gastro fun!
(5)Megha A.
Our reservation was for 7 at 715 on a Wednesday night. Palo Alto has been pretty poppin' lately so I'm glad we had a reservation. First, the service was AMAZINNGG. I wish I got our waitress' name but she was patient, had great recommendations, and even though her gratuity was guaranteed (we were a party of 7) she didn't skimp on any aspect of the service. Second, everyone reallyyy liked or LOVED their wine. I got a sparkling wine flight and all of the wines were REALLY good. My only complaint on this was that I wish they gave a bit more wine in each of the glasses for the flight! Third, the food was really good! The fried brussels sprouts are definitely NOT to be missed, and they had some creamy pasta dish (first on the entree menu) that was AMAZING. I got the duck confit which was okay, but overall, each of the dishes ranged from pretty good to REALLY good. The ambiance is perfect for a pretty lively (but not crazy) night out with friends, where you want to have some really good wine, some good eats, and some great laughs. TL;DR This is one of the best places in Palo Alto for HH/dinner for your $$ (portions/quality), even though it's not as well known.
(5)Sydney G.
Ok, so I raved in my last review about how awesome Gravity is. I really did have many fantastic meals at Gravity. But, I just went there last week on a Monday, and found the food to be meh level. The wine was great..but my entree of beef ribs w/ mascarpone polenta, which I've found to be really great in the past, was very average. Meat was a bit dry and unflavorful, and the polenta was creamy but bland. I also tried my friend's rabbit linguine, and found it to be similarly boring. The cheese plate we shared as an appetizer was good..but how can you mess up cheese anyway? The waitress was also kind of rude to us the whole time..a new experience as well. Usually the servers have been super nice and friendly, and willing to give some good wine advice! Anyway-maybe they have a different chef on Mondays or something? Have to downgrade my review sadly. I'll try it again on a weekend and see if its better, there really is a dearth of good restaurants in Palo Alto.
(3)Troy T.
I tried #Gravity this weekend with a small group and wasn't disappointed but wasn't blown away either. Service was okay. There were times we wondered where the server disappeared to but there were times I wondered why they kept filling glasses of water that weren't empty. Of the six of us, no one complained about their entrees and actually seemed to like what they had ordered. Some reviewers have put down certain dishes (and I tried a dish or two) but I thought everything was fine. I'd probably go back but there wasn't anything that stood out that would make me want to.
(4)Michael E.
This review is only for happy hour. Popped in yesterday before dinner and was happy to see a pretty decent happy hour menu with prices to boot! I was pleasantly surprised that the most expensive glass of wine at $8 - can you say DEAL. The selection was good and I had a nice Oregon Pinot. Followed that up with a Sazerac which was a bit on the bitter side. The truffle fries are very tasty.
(4)Yurika v.
This place is a nice wine bar in downtown Palo Alto. Their Moscato is my favorite. Kermit (bartender upstairs) was super friendly, checked in on us several times, and was wonderful. Very personable and likeable guy. :) 5 stars to him...and 5 stars for their Moscato too!
(5)Yana K.
Awesome bar, great tasty food. The foie gras wasn't perfect though. I loved the fried calamary and the cheese plate.
(4)Diana T.
The bf and I went here for a Friday night dinner date and our experience wasn't that great. First, I had made a reservation through Open Table. The first choice in seating was going to be in their downstairs area, which I knew I didn't want because it was super loud and not conducive to a nice, date-like dinner. I requested an table upstairs, which was definitely better in terms of the volume. We ordered cheese and meat as an appetizer and they were pretty tasty. Nothing that particularly blew my socks off. The wine flights were also to my liking as well as the cornish game hen. Overall, the food was tasty and delicious, but the place just didn't sell it for us to return. Thanks though.
(3)Trish C.
Okay. I don't normally write reviews while in the middle of the meal, but damn this is a good place. There were two wine bars I was made aware of. Tried the first which was okay, forgettable. This one though? Looooove at first taste, bite, and sight. I ordered the white wine flight, which has been both light and strong enough to hold their own with this carbonara dish, which isn't as heavy as it sounds. I ordered a half-order, and its all flavor, pasta cooked perfectly, just a fabulous dish for someone who needed something good in life to enjoy right about now. I mean, if a nuclear bomb landed on top of me right now, I'd die happy. Seriously. Great place. Bartender knows his stuff both on the wine and food sides.
(5)Hasan D.
I had the meatballs and the red wine flight. Very good and I wasn't charged for the former. I also got a cheese plate for free. One star off, for when I decided to explore the upstairs, a patron engaged in a conversation with me ending with, "I doubt you had 3 glasses of wine". Love, I can count. And really, I'm English, do you SERIOUSLY think I can't handle my alcohol?
(4)Lorrie M.
This place has been so many things ... I honestly don't even know what it is anymore. But I decided to meet up with a good friend last year (yes this is a year old review ... yikes ...) and found this place to be just ok. It used to be a club, I remember, way back, and the setup really hasn't changed much. They sort of have this snobby feel like ... they HAVE to seat you because they're trying to make it upscale, but honestly this doesn't work. I like my wine bars casual, trendy but relaxed. Don't think too highly of yourselves .... The wine was ok, I don't think it was great value for money. We ended up getting a bottle because the glasses choices were ... meh. The bartender seemed impatient with us since it was me and my guy friend, and not the two girls flirting shamelessly with him next to us. We paid no attention to him except feeling like he was rushing us to finish our bottle. I can't speak for the food, but the staff here chit chats a lot. We sat in the end corner where the waitresses / waiters come and get other folks orders from the bar ... and they just lingered around and conversed quite a lot of times ... Overall, it's alright. There are better places to grab wine and food in Palo Alto.
(3)Jennifer G.
Awesome interior and welcoming environment. Just one star off for feeling rushed by our waiter to choose an entree. I also wish the menus were less scattered bc I didn't know where to focus my attention on. They have a menu for the entrees of the day, another one for bottles only, another for appetizers entrees desserts, and another one for I forgot.. Also the menu doesn't do a great job of explaining what dishes contain. But- the steak tartare was amazing!!! I haven't had it since 2012 in Paris and have been craving it since. Also why my bf chose this place for valentines day :) sad I didn't get the duck liver mousse :'( I'm kind of crying inside. Our bread pudding didn't end up getting out through and it got delayed-- so our waiter and the owner went thru lots of trouble (it seemed) to get it rushed to us and even gave us $10 back for the hassle. Very sweet and professional. Tip: get the most out of your experience
(4)Joyce H.
Very sad to be giving Gravity a one star review. The first few times I went there, I only had dessert wine and desserts. I thought it was great. The service was ridiculously slow but for dessert and a night cap, not a big deal. Considering I usually visit at 10 p.m., it's amazing. I've ordered almost all their desserts at some point. My favorites are the "Peach Crostada," with vanilla bean gelato, the "Chocolate Budino" and the "Lemon Pot de Creme". I am also a huge fan of the carmel and sea salt gelato. ($8 each) Since I liked getting dessert there, I decided to go in for dinner. I was actually really excited because I thought it would be a great experience. I was wrong. Upon sitting down, we found our waitress to be the rudest person we ever met. She constantly ignored us, bypassed our table and forgot to check in with us. Not two feet away on either side were two tables who seem to get all the smiles, jokes, water refills and assistance. One table even sat down after us and got to order first. After sitting for 25 minutes, she took our order. I had the "Bruschetta Trio-Peperonata" which consisted of Sicilian eggplant, grilled asparagus with white corn and goat cheese on toasted bread, for $8, as my appetizer. The appetizer was good. Very flavorful and the best thing I ate that night. I also ordered the "Duck Confit" with baby sunburst and zucchini squash, and a sweet red pepper gastrique for $17. It was tough as nails to eat. We also ordered some fries. When they came, a different waiter, slap them down, and left, as I said "excuse me, can I have some ketchup?" The two tables around me heard and try to wave the guy back but no acknowledgment. I sat for at least 10 minutes, waving at my waitress, before giving up and walking to the bar and asking for ketchup. After the bad dinner, I wanted to salvage the dinner by getting dessert. The waitress showed up 20 minutes later, put the check down and never suggested dessert. At that point I changed my mind about spending any more time there and left. I decided that dinner was never going to happen again but at least I still had a late night dessert place. I recently went in 5 minutes to 12 a.m. The kitchen closes at 12 a.m. When I walked in, I said, "can I order gelato?" They said "the kitchen closes at 12." I pulled out my phone and said "can I please just have two scoops of gelato? It's 5 minutes till 12." They said they would ask. The waiter said it was ok and I ordered one glass of dessert wine. He brought me and my boyfriend two glasses. We didn't object to the wrong order because he said he would get me some gelato and I didn't want to waste the wine. So we sat, sipping on our wine for 45 minutes waiting for our gelato! Then a check came for two glasses of wine and two scoops if gelato that we never received. My boyfriend walked to the bar where the waiter was. My boyfriend states "we never got the gelato." To which the waiter replied "are you sure," as if we ate it and forgot. My boyfriend said "yes." There was no apology, or basically any reaction to the messed up order. Then the waiter said "I need to get the manager to void it." After a few minutes, the manager came over and said "you never got the gelato?" Again my boyfriend said "no." With no apology, not a bit of interest in our experience, he handed my boyfriend a new check. Sadly... We are no longer regulars after that experience.
(1)Alysia S.
Planned a company holiday dinner here for a group of 8. The process was easy through Open Table reservations and I called ahead earlier in the day to confirm. It was a first time visit for the entire table. The upper seating area was the perfect setting and the holiday decor with dim lighting and trendy music really set a nice dinner atmosphere. Great wine selections and the menu items looked and tasted delicious! All attendees were pleased with their selections. It was a successful dinner party from appetizers through to dessert/coffee. The service was excellent and attentive, clearing away our empty plates and even changing out our wine glasses for the next ordered bottle of wine. I would definitely come back here on my own!
(5)Payal V.
This place is great! It was bustling. We were a very large group, but our waiter was not flustered at all. He did a great job of keeping our orders straight and accommodating our dietary restrictions. He was very well versed in the menu. The food? Fabulous! There were so many things that were appealing to me. I chose the scallops. They were prepared with chanterelle mushrooms, crispy kale, pancetta, and a grapefruit reduction. All the flavors were so well balanced. I couldn't get enough of it! My dining companions got the risotto, meatballs, bruschetta, and beet salad. All of us cleaned our plates. Not a single morsel was left on our plates. For dessert we got the apple crostata and flourless cake. Again, nothing was spared I only tried the apple crostata and I was blown away. I heard the waiter mention that we got the last one of the night. I intend to return many more times!
(5)Corina G.
Seriously, if your closing have the courtesy to acknowledge the people that walk in, and change your hours of operation!
(1)Nora E.
I tried Gravity for the first time yesterday with a group of 10 people. We started with a fantastic cheese plate and then ordered a variety of entrees among ourselves. Everyone was deeply pleased with their choice. I myself ordered the "Radiatori, Beef Ragu, Truffle Oil, Parmigiano Reggiano" and have to say it was the best pasta I've had in the U.S. I also tried bites of the steak, which was good, and the duck with peppercorn sauce, whose side of beans and farro was out of this world. Also the staff was very friendly and attentive. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Jennifer L.
Nice little place to grab a snack and drinks after some bar hopping. Loved the ambiance in here. The food was delicious. Especially enjoyed the sausage and cheese plate. The Bellini I had had the perfect amount of Michigan cherry tartness. A little pricey but nothing out of the ordinary I would expect from downtown PA. They also have a lovely upstairs and an elevator if you don't wish to use the stairs.
(4)Denise L.
Came by for a drink before dinner. They had a happy hour menu that looked pretty great, but went for a peach bellini. Our bartender John was very friendly and introduced my friend and I to Dickel's whiskey. So yummy! Great place to catch up with friends with a drink or a bite to eat.
(4)Aaron M.
Still a huge fan. I was a little scared because they don't have foie gras anymore, and that was my favorite dish there, but they have other big winners: -Steak tartare. Probably my favorite presentation of this dish on earth is at Gravity. Quoting my previous review of it: "served with egg and some 'just salty enough' shredded cheese plus a couple herbs, it's as light and miraculous as this dish was designed to be." And for $10?? Do it. - Burrata! If you've never had it and like rich cheese, do it. It's buffalo milk mozzarella, served soft and a little wet, with olive oil and a bit of salt... but ask for more salt just to do it justice. $8. - Charcuterie! They let you choose from a few things they offer. Our fav was the prosciutto Americano... This came at the recommendation of our well-informed (and funny) bartender, who also acted as our server. Yes, we showed up on a Friday night without a reservation and were lucky to get seats at the bar. We also had the butternut squash risotto, which wasn't bad but not our favorite... we would have liked more squash... and after the above dishes it seemed to lack punch or exotic flavor. We also had the sparkling white wine flight, which had a huge variety though I'm not sure I'm qualified to say I loved or hated any of them. The really interesting thing, and only for hardcore beer fans, was the Allagash Curieux, which is a beer mellowed in bourbon casks. Expensive and worth it - if you're into that kind of thing. Speaking of expensive: they'll be glad to sell you a shot of Louis XIV scotch for about $300, if you must. As always, a fun vibe with a well dressed crowd... exposed brick, high tables, and those cool old school light bulbs with exposed amber filaments.
(5)Anna W.
Meh... I should have expected the subpar experience given the other reviews but I wanted to give it a chance. This place has so much potential based on the location and appearing charm of the ambience, which is quite deceiving. The portions of food are tiny for the price. The wine flights are ok...small pours and over priced. We ordered a cheese plate which was simply dropped off at our table without any explanation of the cheeses (which is usually standard for the waiter to at least point out which is which, but I guess we figured it out ourselves.) We also ordered the bruschetta trio which was basically like buying a few jars of tapenade and fig jam from trader joes and spread on a few pieces of cold stale bread. We did actually really enjoy the short ribs and polenta dish. Won't be back for the food, but maybe for a wine flight if we are waiting for a table at one of the many other options nearby...
(3)Maggie C.
I've only been here once, but I really liked the ambience and the space. The aesthetic has a lot to do with whether I like a place, and this one passed the test. I had the sparkling wine flight which was good. I also shared 2 of the appetizers and 2 entrees. The food was good- I'd give it a B+. It's not my top dinner choice but I love it for wine and conversation.
(4)Yael H.
The food and drinks were good but our server was eh. He was kind of grumpy and made us feel unwelcome.
(4)Gary S.
First time here and me and my girl loved it. The food was amazing. I recommend the spare ribs and kent for a server. Definitely going back
(5)Max W.
Honestly this place was amazing. Great atmosphere and such a lively crowd of people in a very relaxed environment. Our waiter's name was Kent and he was awesome. Answered all the questions we had about the menu, was humorous and respectful at all times. He had the perfect balance between not being helpful and being annoyingly helpful. Great beer and wine selection and foods is very filling.
(5)Claire W.
Based on my wine connoisseur friends this wine bar has good selection of wines and they even let you bring your own bottle here with a corkage charge. I only had appetizers there. The portions were so substantial I did not need to eat dinner afterwards. I liked their frisee salad, which comes with a perfectly poached egg on top, some crispy smoked bacon bites and the smooth dijon mustard vinaigrette that went well with the frisee. We also sampled four different type of cured meat and they were all great. The fried calamaris were good too and not too greasy. It was not very busy on the Saturday evening we were there and plenty of seating on the 2nd floor too. Definitely a good happy hour place and I will need to come back to try their main course.
(4)Steve g.
After landing late to SFO I struggled to find somewhere in Palo Alto that would balance good food, wine, and, oh by the way, open for business. Then I stumbled upon Gravity!! To my surprise, not only was the kitchen still open at 10:45 pm on Memorial Day but oysters were seriously discounted after 10:00 pm!! Who has late night oyster specials?!? And Stan Getz playing in the background?!? Really?!? Have I found my west coast oasis?!? Staff was super nice and gave me a taste of a good Zin. Stuck with the Malbec but it was a nice gesture. The Cornish Hen was just outstanding and if it wasn't so late, I would have loved the deserts I'm sure. Great place!! Highly recommend if you haven't been.
(5)Tammy N.
My first wine bar - I think I'm gonna be addicted! The boyfriend brought me here for Valentine's Day dinner a few nights ago and in already feening for more wine! I was in the mood for a red so I got the Ampelos Syrache Syrah/Grenache, Santa Barbara '08. Our server recommended it as a delicious medium body but it still seemed light to me. Wasn't very bitter and sweet, it smelled great. The boyfriend got the London porter that was a huge fan of as well. I think it's cute how they pour the beers into wine glasses as well. For appetizers, we got the Rockefeller oysters and bruschetta trio. The oysters were very fresh, roasted and topped with spinach, pancetta and cream sauce. Most of the Rockefeller oysters I've had before tasted fishy or had a weird after taste. My favorite from the bruschetta trio was the truffle mushrooms with sprout pods on top. The boyfriend got the spare ribs which he loved. I tried a bite and it reminded me how much I love braised spare ribs. Ah, the juicy flavor and the meat just falling apart was wonderful. We're not much of a polenta couple so we gladly skipped on that. I got the Monticello carbonara. There was plenty pancetta in the dish & I loved the whole slices of garlic in it. Yeah, the meals were in the smaller end but that's usually what you get at a bistro my dears. C'mon, it's downtown PA. It's more of a quality over quantity experience. I thoroughly appreciated how patient and helpful our server was. The decor is dim and the lights are awesome. I'd love to come back to try the wine flights and happy hour prices. If you're looking for somewhere different and a little fancy to take your date, come here!
(4)Rosalynd D.
Love to meet up with friends over a glass of wine or scotch here. Atmosphere is casually refined and enjoyable. The butternut squash risotto was terrific!
(5)Guido R.
Love this place, deserves a better rating on here. Great ambiance and love that it's open late when most places in downtown Palo Alto close early (especially coming from big cities like Rome and New York). As someone else said, definitely has a NYC feel. Food is great as are the cocktails. Only negative aspect is that it can get a bit too loud during peak hours.
(5)Andre R.
I don't often write negative reviews, but when I do, its because of shitty service. Had a horrible experience here last night. The waiters are completely rude and the service is horrible. I came with a group of co-workers for drinks, it was around 10:30pm, and not too busy. We proceeded to order drinks at the bar, and then I found a table that we could all sit down at in the corner. The servers started making a big deal out of us sitting there, told us that if another party came they would ask us to go back to the bar, and they pressured us to buy more drinks. My coworker, who was driving, decided to order another drink just to shut them up, and they didn't even bring it to her, but they put it on the bill. Every waiter was rude mannered, kept looking over at our table, and didn't come back to take any more drink orders. Long story short I would never come back here, terrible service.
(1)Ellen L.
i met up with my friend for happy hour, and we were fortunate to have arrived about 15 minutes before the end of their happy hour, which ends promptly at 6pm. while we were browsing the happy hour menu offerings, our waiter was kind enough to inform us of the time, so that we would not miss the 6pm cutoff. we chose: **burrata cheese - mmm, warm, melted, ooey-gooey cheese. this was delicious! i would have ordered more, but i had to save my stomach for dinner later that evening. **garlic cheese fries - very well made, perfectly crisp with just the right amount of salt, oil, cheese and GARLIC! who doesn't love garlic on their fries? the garlic was what made these fries, and made my night! **charcuterie - i'm not a fan of raw meat so i did not partake, but i watched my friend enjoy every bite of this nice selection of meats and pickles i ordered a white sangria which was smooth and crisp, the perfect accompaniment to the savory appetizers that i enjoyed. in terms of the ambiance, this is definitely a great place for date night or a special occasion. i absolutely loved the decor and layout as it was very well designed and very comfortable. note that the restrooms are upstairs. additional seating is also upstairs, although, during my visit, i didn't see any guests seated on the second floor. on a slightly negative note, i did feel that they were in a rush to get us out, even though it wasn't a particularly busy night. overall, a very good experience with their happy hour food, drink, and ambiance.
(4)Dario P.
We had dinner last night and we were not impressed by the food, which was overall mediocre. We were served some fruit bread with olive oil at the beginning...such a weird combination....we proceeded with mussels in tomato sauce and meat balls....again a not very desirable match:-( wine was expensive, on average 20 dollars per glass.
(2)Alison D.
Enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Gravity with work colleagues here on Friday night. We were a group of ten seated upstairs, and service was good. Wine was delicious, as were the charcuterie, cheese plate, and prawn appetizers. But the highlight of my evening was the scallop entree-- cooked to perfection and wonderful flavors. The scene was bustling and lively, the lighting is good, definitely a great place to celebrate.
(4)Omar L.
Surprisingly good place. More of a 3.5, almost 4 star. I'd suggest coming here on a Sunday because it gets ridiculously packed on Saturdays (if you're hear to eat and be able to talk to your friends). I came here with family on Easter Sunday for an early dinner, and food was pretty good. I had the lamb shoulder (on the Easter menu) was moist and the mash potato was good (but a little salty) but the truffle oil made up for it. The dessert (chocolate cake) was moist, and I expecting a lava cake but turns out it wasnt. Service: Service was pretty attentive Parking: Street parking but there's a lot down the street.
(3)Judy V.
I went to DTPA on last Friday for our weekly date night and originally was planning to go to Nola's for a couple of drinks, however, it was super packed so we decided to give gravity bistro a try. It is a cute date night wine bar kinda place with a huge selection of wine and delicious appetizers. We ordered a bottle of pol celment sparkling wine, charcuterie and bruschetta trio. For the charcuterie we order the large plate which came with 5 different cuts of meat (yummy), pickles and bread. It was a lot of meat but we weren't complaining because other wine places are usually really skimpy with their portions. The bruschetta was mediocre and the wine was good. I can't wait to go back to try other dishes because the entrees looked really good. Everything is priced fairly and service was good.
(4)Stephanie W.
Met someone for lunch here and loved the ambiance. Felt a bit like NYC. 5 stars. Menu was fantastic (5 stars), had a hard time choosing what I wanted - everything sounded fresh & yummy. Settled for the french onion soup and the grilled shrimp salad. Both were solid (3.5 stars). Service was acceptable (took a long time to clear our plates and refill water glasses, but ordering was easy and food came quickly). 3 stars, It's Palo Alto, so be prepared for tricky parking at peak hours. I'd definitely go back!
(4)Cyrus R.
As of 12/25/14 no Italian red wines on the menu. And for the love baby jesus: stop bumping my chair when I sit at the bar!
(4)Kristine R.
Review for Happy hour only. Gravity has a decent happy hour with lower priced appetizers ranging from calamari to fries to a charcuterie platter. There's a decent selection, but still pricey in my opinion, there's cheaper options around the area. But onto the review: As mentioned they have lower priced appetizers ranging from $4-6. I've had the: *Calamari - standard, but the aioli sauce is tasty. Last time we went though, they skimped on the portions, it had about ten pieces. *Charcuterie platter - comes with a selection of meats: proscuitto, salami and one more which I can't remember. There's also gherkins and a spicy mustard that comes with it. *Fried olives - always good, there's a little breading on it and it's fried. * Truffle fries - YUM, can't fail these either. * Slider - meh, $4 for such a small piece of food -- skip it. As for the drinks specials they have various glasses of wine for $6-$8 and also cocktails. I usually just go for a glass of wine. Service is usually OK. but my big thing is price, if you want a cheaper option for happy hour, there's other spots in the area. The ambiance is nice and quiet though if you're looking more for that.
(3)Eila S.
Let me start this review out by professing my love for cheese and all that it stands for. I had the Pecorino, Gouda, and Goat Cheese and let me tell you I was in dairy heavy and lactose intolerant hell. The bucatini was to die for. The atmosphere is awesome - very trendy and mellow. It's a little too dim for my taste but that may just be because I have poor vision to start with. Honestly, if I had a bigger stomach, I probably would move in.
(5)Celeste B.
We tried Gravity for the first time after getting a recommendation from a friend, and I really wanted to love it. The wine list was great, the menu was interesting and the happy hour prices were good. I would have given Gravity 4 stars except that half of the food we ordered wasn't served warm enough - in particular the truffled pommes frites were cool, which wasn't appetizing. My husband and daughter each ordered the short ribs (which had been particularly recommended); my daughter love hers but my husband's meat was almost all gristle. So bottom line: food is inconsistent.
(3)Jon S.
Highly recommended for a different dining experience in Palo Alto. Not noisy and busy but good service, cool music and great food. We had bruschetta, mussels, game hen, and the grouper special. Wine flights were a reasonable cost and not the typical wine choices coming from Greece, South Africa, Austria etc. Try it.
(5)Shanna N.
This is a great spot to get some drinks and good food mid week! I've always sat downstairs and usually will get a bottle of wine and maybe a light dinner and just spend time unwinding with good company. Haven't been here for a full dinner, but the salads and desserts I've tried have been quite good! I like the ambiance and service best of all. Probably gets busy on weekends.. I recommend coming mid week!
(5)Christina L.
Here's the situation: my coworkers are on the verge of disowning me if my answer to "Where should we grab happy hour?" is once again (for the hundredth time), "Gravity!!" I can't help it! Gravity is by far the best happy hour available in the area AND there is always seating available! Food is delish, drinks are awesome and prices are more than reasonable with decent serving sizes. The only negative is the happy hour is a very strict 4-6 pm with the cutoff stringently enforced. Here's just some of the greatness that they offer on the happy hour menu: -Burrata: I am such a sucker for burrata. If you've never had it it's like a super creamy mozzarella that you can smear onto a piece of crostini. Simple dish, just burrata and crostinis. -Eggplant Caponata: At $3 this dish easily wins for most bang for your buck. It's a bowl of eggplanty goodness served with crostinis (tip, ask for more) -Calamari: Expertly fried, tender on the inside crunchy on the outside with a bomb aioli. Comes with fried olives or lemons...I've seen both, I've seen one or the other. -Cheese and charcuterie plates: Good cheeses, good meats, good standby. -Duck mousse: Only one that I would skip. I'm usually a fan of pate but this is just one crostini with one heaping mass of pate that's not really really great. -Polenta: Served in a bowl with tomato sauce. Good thing it comes with a massive spoon because you're just going to want to shovel it in. -Fries with truffle oil: It is exactly what it's named and it's awesome. -Oysters: Awesome and a good deal. We've only tried the raw and grilled but they are both delicioius. Overall wesome happy hour spot. They're tables look like they accommodate up to 6 and that's how many people we usually roll in with. If you're planning on checking out Gravity I would highly recommend (for HH!). Now I just need to work on how to continue to convince the coworkers to keep coming...
(4)John H.
No beers on tap, only bottles. Bottled beer selection tend to favor the $10+ range. Meatball appetizer tiny, anemic, and plain tasting despite the wonderful sauce color. Salad was equally anemic and uninteresting. Good shoestring fries.
(2)Sean J.
Great little spot in downtown Palo Alto for a drink and late night food. The bartender was great and very attentive even though they were short staffed, he made sure everyone was taken care off. The drinks were good. Food menu had a good variety, but small enough to know you were getting quality. Had a good experience and will definitely come back again.
(4)Rebecca S.
3.5 stars sums this place up pretty well. Classy little wine bar in downtown Palo Alto that's on the pricier side. I ordered a beet salad and for $9 I was expecting something more aligned with an entree salad... instead, what came out was quite possibly the tiniest salad known to man. I think even the most emaciated hollywood celebrity would have looked at this thing and laughed. Two things that were great about Gravity: - The BREAD: Holy amazeballs (yes, I really just said that), this is some delicious bread! Soft, spongy, light, and a little bit sweet, Gravity's bread is some of the most unique and tasty I've ever had at a restaurant. Went very well with our wine, and endless loafs made up for my tiny salad. - Affordable wine: Stoked that our $30-ish bottle of Pinot Grigio was really good! I'm certain I'll be back, but this time I'll make sure I don't come too hungry. Definitely a cute place to come hang out with the girls. Hooray wine!
(3)Albert N.
Short story: -Service was terrible -Food was mediocre Longer story: I came here for my sister's birthday. We arrived while the place was about a quarter full but it took some time for a waiter to see us, slowly walk over, and then ponder where to put us (again, the place was only about a quarter full. We could have sat literally anywhere there was not a body). The waiter would only come around every 20 minutes or so. This was a problem, since he came around to give us water, 20min wait, asked for drink orders, 20 min wait, got our appetizer orders, 20min wait, dinner. The food was very mediocre. If it was a sad diner somewhere, you'd say "well, I guess the food makes sense here." I had the filet and frites. It was needlessly expensive for a pile of stale fries and a steak about the size of a flip-phone. No one in our party liked their food. We all kind of ate it reluctantly. When we got our check, they had added another table's order to our bill. Awesome. No apologies to us. Writing this review, I am reminded of how annoyed I was by this experience. If I could give it 1.5 stars, I think that would be more appropriate.
(2)Greg F.
The food to price point is a great deal. They do a great gourmet on the fairly reasonable budget. I'm sure that their main money maker is the wine, because m meal was ridiculously good ad almost cheap for the quality! They also throw 4-star service into the mix, which certainly made me feel like a somebody important! Oh and they have a Great beer list!!! I strongly suggest it!
(4)Rachel D.
Super disappointed. The wine was okay. The French onion soup was also okay; it's overly reliant on the admittedly FANTASTIC gruyere for flavor. The soup itself was pretty bland. Finally, service was awful. The bussers were great but my waiter really didn't seem to give a crap that I existed (and it was a v e r y slow night, so no excuses). I'd planned on ordering more but decided to cut dinner short because service was so bad.
(2)Cat C.
Classy wine bar in downtown PA. You may just redeem the area for me Gravity because parking in this area is horrible! I've been to Gravity twice and both times thought it was a good spot. I haven't ordered any food here but I've seen the appetizers and the portions for those look a little small. Drinks are decently price. I'd recommend the white sangria, it's yummy! I was surprised that the place was packed on a Tuesday night. Service was alright. It's a step up from my favorite wine bar in San Mateo, but I'd have to say Gravity would be a runner up.
(4)