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If you are tired of the "fried this" and the "fried that" then this is the place to come. The food was excellent with nice sized portions of well prepared food. The Ahi tuna was light and refreshing. You will enjoy the experience!
Canape's is a wine bar that serves small dishes, soups, salads and entrees. We went for the atmosphere to enjoy a glass of wine and talk with friends. The small dishes are very interesting and well prepared. To add perspective, a very good rating from me for food is rare. The table service was excellent. I can describe our server as enthusiastic and knowledgable about the wine and that led to a pleasant discovery in the wine offered and enjoyable time spent with friends. The choice of a patio with music and a dining room for conversation also makes it an attractive option. A perfect place to spend time with a friend or two. I highly recommend Canapes, it'is that perfect in-between place .
Tara S., San Marcos
I could not be more thrilled that my good friend introduced me to Canapes. The owner was fabulous and so kind to the both of us. We sat at the bar and ordered a bottle of white wine and a few appetizers and everything I tasted was mind blowing. We discussed whether we wanted red or white before ordering, so at the end of the meal, the owner tasted both of us on a great glass of red wine. He is a great man and has a lot of ambition. After my experience here, I want to bring everyone I know.
My wife and I love the fact this dining jewel is close to the movie theater, and they are open late. We always feel as though we're old friends stopping by for a visit when we enter, and the food is incredible.
Tried a variety of menu items including some new offerings, all excellent. I have never been disappointed eating there.
We had been to previous restaurants in this location and had always enjoyed the place. This was our first time in its new incarnation at Canapes. The server was very friendly, charming, and helpful, and the food was tasty and interesting. We ordered several dishes from the "tapa" like tastes and enjoyed the range of experiences. We look forward to returning and trying some different dishes.
Canapés may be in a commercial strip that has seen flashier days, but the flavors are earnest and the service is attentive, and the welcoming environment gives the burgeoning North County food scene a belly-pleasing option.
I had a great time last night playing music, thank you for having me. I received lots of good feedback from your staff as well as guests too. Your restaurant has such a warm cozy feeling with a wonderful menu. Apparently, the community feels the same way as they bragged to me how great Canapés is!! I hope to see you all for another night of Spanish guitar!! Cheers, Dennis Bergman
manager about the food and wine. After looking at the menu I asked him about my choices and asked for his recommendation for a wine to go with them. I was in the wine business and taught wine appreciation, and believe that in a good establishment the staff usually knows more about their wine and food matches than I do, He gave me a taste of the wine he recommended and I purchased a glass to go with the food I ordered. I ordered pork rolls followed by a Cubano - a sandwich of barbecued pork - and found that the combination, which tasted very good. Food and wine came to about $30 including tax. I'll return soon.
Goodlife Magazine San Diego
If you're wondering whether you should try Canapés, in San Marcos, I'll tell you that the food is worth it by itself. However, if you're looking for a place to enjoy a nice glass of wine along with a great meal, Canapés is a perfect choice. Nestled in the back corner of restaurant row, Canapés is just a two minute walk from the movie theater, making it a great place to have dinner on movie night. With live music on Saturdays and an outdoor patio area, the restaurant could be a nice evening out on its own.The friendly staff and the casual atmosphere make the restaurant a nice place to hang out, as well. It would make a great meet up spot for dinner or just a drink and a snack.
My wife and I started our meal with a dish that contained eggplant. Neither of us would typically order eggplant, but since the Napoleon Stack is one of the restaurant's signature items, we went for it. Featuring a tidy mound of peppers, mushrooms and the aforementioned eggplant, held together with a layer of goat cheese, the Napoleon Stack is one of the "small plates" that Canapés is built around. And it is excellent. The flavors blend together into a whole much greater than the sum of its parts, the way that good food is supposed to.
The menu is full of small dishes that are meant to be shared by the table and ordered several at a time. The fare is eclectic, featuring food inspired by cuisine from around the world. There are sushi-style options and flatbread pizzas, cheese plates and scaled down versions of larger dishes, like roast beef and smoked salmon.
Canapés also offer a range of salads, sandwiches, burgers, and full size entrees, but one of the exciting parts of the restaurant is taking the opportunity to sample a variety of flavors through the small plate offerings. It allows you to try the crab roll, the stuffed mushrooms and the prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, all in the same meal.
Let's talk for a moment about wine. The owner and executive chef, James Allyn, is a wine connoisseur and has designed his wine menu accordingly. The selection is excellent. They have bottles from around the world and also offer flights, if you'd like to sample a wider variety. And the staff really knows its stuff when it comes to wine. With a few pointed questions, our waiter narrowed down my tastes and brought me a glass of pinot noir that hit the spot.
The friendly staff and the casual atmosphere make the restaurant a nice place to hang out, as well. It would make a great meet up spot for dinner or just a drink and a snack.
Canapés offers a complete dining experience. Their menu is varied enough to offer something for everyone, providing opportunities to try something new and fall back on old favorites at the same time. If you're looking for some good food in a casual, friendly atmosphere, Canapés is a great choice. Goodlife Magazine San Diego
Thank you for making dining out in San Marcos a new level of fun! We had a great time and promise to come back very soon! Reviewed By Alex Gorman
Charles Gunn, San Diego
Loved your wine bar. The food was excellent, the wine choices were very well chosen. Ive been to many such venues, and Canape's is definitely in my top 10. Great job!! Now, advertise so people can find you! See y'all next time i'm in Cali...
Gary R., San Marcos
I've been meaning to visit James' new restaurant since it opened in Restaurant Row. Judging by how delightful (and addictive) his appetizers always tasted over at his old wine shop... North County Wine Company, I had a feeling that Canapés was going to be something special. Holy cow! I was right.
Let me start out by saying that the restaurant is simply beautiful. My dining partner and I opted to sit outside on the patio to take in the cool night air and listen to the live entertainment. Seated next to a water fountain, I was pleased to be serenaded by the sound of water trickling and the soothing voice of the singer being featured.
My night, however, truly began when my eye immediately honed in on the fact that Cakebread appeared on the extensive wine list. This is a wine that, sadly, does not appear on the lists of most restaurants. As soon as I saw it I knew I must have a bottle. This particular chardonnay is so fun: very fruity, but in a restrained and balanced way. I truly would have been a happy camper with just the bottle of wine alone, but the evening progressed with further culinary delights....
We started with the Double Crème Baked Brie and the Crab Roll. The brie was spread on several baked bread crisps, sprinkled with drunken raisins. Soooo good. In addition, we loved the Crab Roll. What distinguishes this roll from some of the standard sushi rolls is that it is wrapped in tapioca paper, instead of seaweed. The marriage between the tapioca paper and the crab filling was so delectable. Both starters seemed to work so well with the Cakebread, too.
I was intent on pairing the chard with something special on the menu. I chose the Scampi Classic and my BFF had the Ahi Tuna Tartare. The scampi was cooked in a lovely white wine and tomato-garlic-basil creme sauce, all over a bed of angel hair pasta. The pasta and shrimp were cooked perfectly for me. I'm not a fan of Ahi, but my friend advised me that it was really good.
To finish things off, we both decided to share a piece of the Devil in Red Cake. This is a sinful piece of red velvet cake smothered in a rich chocolate ganache. I've never had red velvet cake served like that before. Nevertheless, three minutes after it made its appearance at the table it had vanished.
John, our waiter, was so attentive! Checked in on us several times to ensure everything was perfect, a gesture that I, personally, really appreciate. Now that I've been bitten by the Canapés bug, this may very well be my new go-to place in North County for a relaxing evening meal and a great glass of my favorite vino.
My favorite dish was the mac and cheese, followed closely by the Thai Beef Cucumber Cups. The Mac and Cheese is not creamy, but made with real cheese melted in with the pasta and the Parmesan and bacon bits on top made this the best Mac and Cheese I've eaten in awhile. The Thai Beef cups were spicy, but very good! I plan on having these on every visit - they went down perfectly with the beer I was drinking.
Each of the tastes come with wine and beer pairings which is excellent for someone new to this sort of experience of pairing. Great place to meet a group for happy hour! When summer hits, the patio of this place will be the busiest place on Old Restaurant Row!
Jessica S., San Marcos
Ok, I have to say I have always been a fan of the North County Wine Company, and their service, but I thought I would branch out and see what Canape's had to offer. Me and a girlfriend decided to see what movie night was about at Canape's last night. Can I just say it "Rocked". We actually arrived a little late, just to see that the patio was filled by goers that were really into the movie....liked we had hoped. We were greeted by the owner who showed us to a nice table by the fire. Later to be greeted by a host who off the bat offered us popcorn for the showing. This server quickly gave us popcorn, and told us to enjoy the movie. He later brought us a menu, but was un intrusive, and really cool....telling us to let him know if we needed anything. 1st off...there wasn't a minimum to enjoy the movie....I think the motto was....the more the merrier....and I felt that. He then came around and we ordered a glass of wine. James the owner invited us to move to a table by the fire. Which I thought was really nice. The movie was "Play Misty For Me", and it was so much fun. Everyone there was having a great time. There were couples, groups, the staff, single people at tables, and me and my friend. Though we were all their separate we laughed together, and wooo'ed at the same time. We talked under our breathe about Clints age...etc...and what the next Wed night movie was. Super fun, I think this will be my Wed night girls hangout in summer for sure. James you got it right on this one!!!
Jason Q. , San Marcos
I had the experience of being invited to the soft opening. I thought everything was outstanding.…
Lynne S., San Marcos
We went here twice last weekend. Both times the food and drink were excellent! I really enjoy their small plates that they have because you can order enough to make it a meal and not pay a huge price greater than what a regular meal would be.
My favorite dish was the mac and cheese, followed closely by the Thai Beef Cucumber Cups. The Mac and Cheese is not creamy, but made with real cheese melted in with the pasta and the Parmesan and bacon bits on top made this the best Mac and Cheese I've eaten in awhile. The Thai Beef cups were spicy, but very good! I plan on having these on every visit - they went down perfectly with the beer I was drinking.
Each of the tastes come with wine and beer pairings which is excellent for someone new to this sort of experience of pairing. Great place to meet a group for happy hour! When summer hits, the patio of this place will be the busiest place on Old Restaurant Row!
Lisa S. San Marcos
Make sure you save room for the Tiramisu :)
Theresa H., Vista
We used to go to Friars Follies and was sad when it closed. Yes, it was in need of decorating, but the food was good and I loved having live entertainment. We went to Edwards the other day to see a movie and when it was sold out, decided to walk over to Restaurant Row. To our surprise, a new restaurant had opened in the Friars Follies location. I loved the new decor and the way they served wine. Our waiter was so polite and took great care of us. The owner came over and introduced himself. It was a nice touch. We didn't have time to eat, but loved the wine the owner suggested. It was absolutely delicious. Every time we go to the movies, we'll make going to Canapes part of our outing! Can't wait till they have live entertainment.
PS: Oh... and by the way... I hadn't read these reviews before we went. But... I just wanted to say that I gave our waiter about a 25% tip because he was worth it!
Mary M., Carlsbad
This place was so nice. The service was great (the cook in the front named Josh was fantastic!) the atmosphere was comfortable and the wine and appetizers were great! The owner introduced himself and wanted to make sure we had an enjoyable experience. Try the crab with melted cheese-amazing! We look forward to going back and sitting outside by the firepit's.
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