4. Restaurants

Residual Sugar

1684 Locust St, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596
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Residual Sugar Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Walnut Creek for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 2819 Ygnacio Valley Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Walnut Creek for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 2819 Ygnacio Valley Rd )

  • Jennifer S. P.

    The best place for wine in Walnut Creek and arguably east of the tunnel. The staff was super knowledgeable, the wine selection was very extensive and not too pricey either for each glass. It is a small bar style place which was a nice post-dinner location to sit and hang out. They have a couch area too in the front if you were to come with a larger group. I will definitely be back! P.S. I didn't try any of their food or dessert specials, but they do have those posted and they seemed really cheap if you go with a few people and will be there for a while that is an option too!

    (5)

  • G M.

    Been here over 12 times. Love the ambiance, the food is good, nice light bites perfect with some wine. I'm giving the place 2 stars as the pricing is too high. I love the option to try a high end wine (e.g. Sequoia Grove Cabernet), ok $20 a glass. But if I want to have a couple glasses of wine and of the 20 reds on the list only 2 of them are less than $12 I can't support the place. I'll keep an eye on the wine list via their website. If they have a larger selection of lower priced wines I'll return and update my review.

    (2)

  • Scott M.

    We came on a Tuesday based on the previous Yelp reviews. Dina helped us and she was the best part of our experience. She was extremely knowledgeable about the wine selection and made some great recommendations to us. We had the Julia Child panini which was very tasty (recommended by Dina of course.) The atmosphere is very laid back and an excellent place to end a long day of work. We will for sure be back again but only on nights that Dina works. (Tues, Wed, & Fri)

    (5)

  • Nikki C.

    My hubby and I drove by Residual Sugar while looking for parking in the area. We dined at a nearby restaurant and after dinner, we decided to skip dessert and head to Residual Sugar instead. Since we had just eaten dinner we weren't hungry enough to try a panini or charcuterie plate but their options looked appetizing. We decided on 1 order of Manchego cheese to go with our glasses of red wine. The cheese is reasonably priced at $5 per selection and it was accompanied with bread and fresh fruit spread. I decided to try 2 different red wines from France. I wanted something new and not local. My hubby went with a red wine from Italy. The glasses were $14 each which seemed a little on the high end but once we tasted the wines we understood why. They were smooth, full-bodied, and had an enticing aroma. Residual Sugar was super packed, as expected on a Friday night, but we found seating at a booth. After a few minutes, a table opened up and we snagged it for a more intimate setting. The booths near the entrance are communal so it's ideal for groups but not for couples. The bartender was attentive and checked on us frequently. It was the perfect ending to our anniversary celebration. Can't wait to return!

    (4)

  • Izzy V.

    Very good selection of bottles to share and a distinct selection of wine for the wine flights. The food was fresh and tasty. The staff is friendly & know their wine :-) Supe rcute place for a date

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Perhaps I am getting spoiled by the Residg. Its a cool name for a wine tasting bar, and the ambiance is very cool. Hipster / chic atmosphere, good music (want some early Notorious BIG while you savor that Malbec?) and clean setting while you enjoy one of many different kinds of wine. The wait staff is generally helpful and can advise some great charcuterie to go with whatever wine selection - whether you are a novice or have fine tuned what you like/dont like. They also have daily happy hour which include $5 glasses (the happy hour menu is limited & non-negotiable but always good) and usually a $5 appetizer or two. Service is 'generally good' just because I have been in there when it is crowded and it took dreadfully long to get our goodies in a cramped corner - but thats just a minor complaint and understandable - the price of doing business at a generally excellent establishment. Now, on the minus side: pretty expensive , and after a few visits it can lose some of its luster. Yes you can find yourself paying $18 for a glass when you can buy a bottle in the store (if you can find it) for ~ $30. Oh yeah, they dont sell bottles here either. But notice, even with the drawbacks it gets 4 stars.

    (4)

  • O. M.

    This is a delightful little wine bar. Excellent for dates out with your woman. Relaxing with a.fine wine (an extraordinary list of wines for that matter), knowledgable staff, and a very comfortable and interesting ambience, you feel as though you are are being treated by the wine maker the self deep inside their private wine cellar. I highly recommend this place, although on one occasion that I had gone the music was obnoxiously loud. I think that many would agree that the setting is not a club, but a place to enjoy wine and conversation. The loudness of the music from that one evening was truly unbearable. I have gone more or less 6 times and again the loudness of music was from only one occasion. When I return, if the music is high, I will not hesitate to ask them to lower it. Their future reply could damage the score but for now I will give 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    They changed the Daily Deals from 5-7pm to 3-6pm. Makes so much more sense! Haven't tried a Happy Hour red I didn't like. The charcuterie is good, but limited. Give it a try!

    (5)

  • Marlon T.

    When I walked in it was really busy on a Friday night. As my friend and I walked to the back a table for 2 just opened so we got lucky. The atmosphere is cool with all the wine covering the entire wall. It's a really narrow joint but that keeps the mood intimate. The service was cool also but got slow towards the end since it was really busy. We ordered 2 Flying Dog beers and when the server was pumping it, the keg blew so she gave us whatever was pumped out for free. Additionally, she also gave us 2 complimentary beers since our original order was not possible at the moment. Anyway, we ordered 3 items on the menu, the Five Cheese Panini, the Trio of Sausage, and the Brillat-Savarin (cow's milk, triple cream). I'd highly recommend getting all of these items. This place also just has a cool name which initially interested me in coming. Gem in Walnut Creek.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    Residual Sugar has a great selection of wine, very good selection of cheese and charcuterie (basically meat) as well as other quality items to snack on. I wouldn't consider it a dinner place, but they have enough of a selection of food where dinner would be possible. With a small selection of snacks, a choice of paninis and salads, the above mentioned cheese/meats, and a daily selection of sweets, you could put together a nice casual meal. The cheeses/meats can be ordered individually for $5 for a 2 oz serving Alternatively you could order a 3x3 (the Jeroboam) as well as 5x5 (Balthazar) and 7x7 (Nebuchadnezzar), each at an increasing level of discount. At $45, the 7x7 is a pretty good price - that is almost a pound of cheese and a pound of meat nicely served with crackers and bread. BTW, in addition to being biblical kings Jeroboam, Balthazar, and Nebuchadnezzar refer to wine bottle sizes - 4L Double Magnum, 16L, and 20L respectively. We ordered the bruchetta of the day, the trio of sausages and a 3x3 for the 4 of us to snack on and were quite pleased. And while I feel the food prices are fairly reasonable, I also think that the wine by-the-glass prices were a little high. Maybe that is the price to pay for going to a nice wine bar in Walnut Creek that uses quality glassware, but I still cringe when I am paying $13 for a glass of wine when I can buy the whole bottle for $20 - as is the case with the Williamette Valley Pinot or the Roederer Estate Brut. It is more understandable with something like "The Prisoner" or one of the French or Italian wines that are more difficult to get. But when I can get the 2007 Raymond Merlot at wine store down the street for $16, why would I spend $11 a glass for it here. That said, I'll just be a little more particular when I order there and not be so analytical. Oh, they also have a small but good selection of beer on tap as well as a selection of bottled beer at reasonable prices. Service was friendly and efficient. They were spot on with the recommendations on food and seemed to know the wines. The facility is long and deep - so most of the seating is at the bar (on the left as you walk in) or at 2 person tables along the wall (on the right). This arrangement, along with the wine bottles stored on the right hand wall, give it a cool almost wine cellar look as you walk in. The lighting is well done and even throughout with ample lighting in all the areas while avoiding the bright spots that can occur with narrow places. The walls, shelves, and exposed beams are all a nice toned wood that give you a warming feeling. Very little other décor is needed since the walls are pretty much lined with wine bottles. The back has a few frames newspapers af various bay area historical events and there is one tv over the bar for the people that just need to get the latest score (I found it distracting on the night we were there). The one drawback to its arrangement is that it is not particularly good for groups - once the couch up front or table in back is taken, there are no other spots for groups of 3 or more. You would either have to sit in a line at the bar (assuming you could get enough seats in a row) or split up among the 2 top tables. SO be warned. I would definitely go back with my wife or maybe with a small group of up to 4, but probably no more than that.

    (4)

  • Doug G.

    Cool place, great wines, great service, just need more food service.

    (4)

  • Jay R.

    Great wine bar to get relaxing glass of wine at! Surprised it's usually not too packed. They also have great cheese plates and other side dishes.

    (4)

  • Tam F.

    This review might get taken down due to Yelp's policy of not knowing people who own an establishment and then reviewing it. I am hoping my Yelp cred will give me enough leeway to allow for such a review to stay up. I have had this review in draft for well over a year. I have been several times, the first with my BFF Shannon-who also knows the owner. To explain how I know the owner is to go back in time almost 30 years. I went to Junior High with the him( a little shout out to El Cerrito folks). That is it. Oh, and I know his mom. I have yet to meet his wife or his lovely children, but I do know he is a stand up guy and owns one of the nicest wine bars I have ever been to. I pride myself to say I introduced some very cool Yelpers to this place after a YEE at Eleve. I have been here with my husband's cousin, aunt and uncle. I have been here with a couple of other friends and time and again I am awed by how pretty the set up is here and the non-douchy vibe that happens in a lot of establishments like these. The service is always stellar -and I have only been in once or twice when Jim has been around. The ambiance is gorgeous and the variations of wine depending on taste is fabulous. I am a sweet white drinker and they always have something I like. The cheeses/small plates are a perfect accompaniment to the wine and well, it is a fun place and has a lot of charm. Please check out RS and better yet, let me know if you plan on going and maybe I will join you!

    (5)

  • Steve K.

    What a great place! Special thanks go to Nique F (June '11 review) for pointing us to this fantastic spot... We went for Happy Hour but stayed until late... It's nice to be able to try some different wines without having to invest in the whole bottle, and Residual Sugar tries to keep a good variety available by the glass. They also do not focus on Napa and Sonoma so much like other places in the Bay. Variety can be a good thing! Service was friendly and efficient, even though it was busy. We especially enjoyed the Jeroboam charcuterie and cheese plate... YUM

    (5)

  • Nique F.

    Ok, so we all know that Walnut Creek is not exactly a "nightlife" destination, but even us tame suburbanites need a place to let loose once in a while. Residual Sugar has become my go-to for those nights. It never get's "wild", but is reliably lively on the weekends. The crowd is undeniably middle-class, but a nice mix of ages, styles, and levels of intoxication. Yes, there's always one of those. I love the vibe because it feels both effortless and exciting. Most of the seating is at the bar, making for a cozy date night or easy spot to chat up some strangers. The decor is low-lit, modern, and cushy with leather-ish swivel bar stools and couches up front. Besides the lengthy wine list, they serve up some hefty charcuterie plates so you can (ideally) keep your buzz under control. The "Jeroboam" (3 cheeses, 3 meats) is a crazy good deal for $25. The staff is great, and will take time to chat with you no matter how packed the place gets. A true neighborhood joint that's been warmly welcomed by local winos...myself proudly included.

    (4)

  • Julie T.

    Lots and lots of wines... so if you're a wine lover, this is the place for you. I'm no expert on wines, but it was fun browsing through all the different ones and finally picking a light red wine to end my night here. I had a plate of their dried sausage to snack on which complimented very well with my wine - the plate comes tiny so don't expect to be full with their mini plates. Although the ambiance was dark and eerie, the staff was welcoming and the place had a laid back feeling. For a relaxing night, this can be the spot... they have a bar with a flat screen if you want to catch a game and side tables for a romantic date night.

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    Love this place. Great ambiance, helpful and knowledgeable employees, great food, insane wine selection. Great place for a date or business chat. I cant think of anything I dislike about this place other than its short hours of operation which I'm sure are dictated by walnut creeks insanely ridiculous liquor license limitations.

    (4)

  • Jenni D.

    Avid Beer Drinkers Beware: Once you get a taste at Residual Sugar, you will be heading back nightly for some more!! For a "Large" 22 oz. craft beer, you will pay $10... yes, folks... $10!! This amazing steal makes this the deal of the century with so many of the local bars selling cheap beer at astronomical prices. The vibe is really chill, and the owner is extremely friendly. Lots of wines to wet your palate - including an entire wall stacked with infinite choices. It's like Disneyland for craft brew connoisseurs and wine buffs.

    (5)

  • Amy F.

    First off I LOVE WINE! They sell wine and it makes me happy, but here are a few things I particularly like about Residual Sugar. AMBIANCE: The setting is very casual with most seating being at the at the bar or one of the high top tables. If you're lucky you can nab one of the two couches for a more comfortable seat. VINO: Wine Selection is very diverse. It offers wine from all over the world and the bartenders are relatively knowledgable. It can be a little expensive for a glass, but the pour is generous enough. It's good to note that the wine off the tap is a little cheaper and very good. FOOD: They have delicious snacks of cured meats and cheeses. Although the food selection is small it pairs quite well with the wine. Last time I went I noticed that they had a few sandwich options. My friend and I tried the grilled cheese and it was amazing. HAPPY HOUR: Cheap food and wine...enough said.

    (4)

  • Marsi G.

    Arrived 7:30pm Friday evening to a note on the door saying "Closed due to Private Party, reopening to public at 8:00pm." Kind of a bummer since there were five of us meeting. The owner was at the door and apologetic, but encouraged us to come back. So we went over to La Scala for a cup of coffee and returned at 8:30. The owner was at the door again and very pleased to see that we returned and offered to buy our first round. We thanked him and proceeded inside to a very busy room. We found a table and settled in, and before we knew it the owner was there to offer suggestions and take our order. I've got to tell you, I will not hestitate to go back and pass along what a great place this is. Not only was there outstanding customer service, the wine was very good. So go.... and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Ben M.

    Overpriced, yet a great date spot to enjoy some good wine, and not have to yell to have a conversation. Service is spotty depending on the night. The first time I came here the owner was behind the bar and he was amazing! Super informative, nice, and made me want to come back. Others moving forward didnt nearly make me feel as welcome. Love the selection, as well as the distance to eateries to make this a much classier spot to finish a night off than other bars / lounges in the area.

    (3)

  • Stephen C.

    I love this place! The wine selection is great and the staff is very friendly and always helpful! This is a regular weekly stop for my wife and friends. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, just wish it had a little more seating. I would have given it 5 stars, but my only complaint is the pricing. In my opinion a wine bar should only be charging $10 - $15 above retail. As everyone else has noted, this is Walnut Creek and they are not the only ones over charging. Also, come up with a better Wine Club for your loyal patrons! We want discounts and we will keep coming back!

    (4)

  • Jen O.

    This is an awesome wine bar in Walnut Creek and their pastries ie lemon bars are just fenom! I go here with my best friend almost every time I'm in Walnut Creek. It has an awesome atmosphere with great bar tenders that know what they're talking about. They change their wine list every so often so it isn't always the same wines when you go. Come early and stay late, because it is a narrow place and it can get packed!

    (4)

  • Cher E.

    What a classy addition to Walnut Creek! We came for a birthday gathering and if I didn't look outside to see Locust St., I would've thought I was in a stylish SF wine bar. I had a delicious burrata salad (for only $6!) that they custom made for me. My friends enjoyed the mini cupcakes and chocolate tart, as well as several cheeses. There were some great wines by the glass, flight options and their bottle menu is in the works. Nate took great care of us all night, providing excellent service and making us feel like VIPs. If I'm going to make the trek across the bridge and tunnel, at least Residual Sugar makes the time and effort work it.

    (5)

  • Charles C.

    I like how much they know about wine here. Good atmosphere - I always say it feels like a wine bar in san francisco, with the way it's set up. You can just relax at the bar here, or you could get a group of people and have a really good time. I don't feel like the people here are wine snobs here though, which is good.

    (4)

  • Lauren B.

    Residual Sugar is a great little spot in Walnut Creek for a glass of wine or a bite to eat. The atmosphere is great and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the wine selection. The menu is unique and everything we tried was delicious! Definitely a place to go again!

    (5)

  • Tim O.

    The Creek was in desperate need of a wine bar, and this place fills the void. The "winetenders" are nice and helpful and you can usually find a place to sit after a few minutes, even on weekend nights. The real news, though? The framed newspapers from 49ers Super Bowl victories and other, less important events, such as man first walking on the moon.

    (4)

  • KL A.

    Super cool, non-fussy wine bar! Cool decor, good music and bar tenders and a young, lively crowd! Good charcuterie and cheese plate and obviously lots of good wines!

    (4)

  • Cheryl B.

    Residual Sugar is right on my walk home from the BART station - yes, dangerous! I like to stop in there and have a glass of wine with one of their awesome cheese plates. For $5, you get a pretty large hunk of cheese! And their wine list is great... I've been introduced to quite a few new ones thanks to them. The staff is very knowledgable and knows exactly what kind of wine to pour me, and friendly as well! I also like the crowd that hangs out there, always a wino at the bar to chat with. Another cool thing is that if you like the wine they are pouring, you can buy a bottle to take home! :-)

    (5)

  • Dyan Y.

    Wow! What a cool place! Hubby and I had a date night here and we had a blast! Good atmosphere, good wine, yummy desserts and Nate was an awesome bartender! We will be back!

    (5)

  • Arthur K.

    This place has an extensive wine selection. If you're looking for a place to chill and just hang out with friends without the craziness of a bar, this is the place for you.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Fun place to sit back with some friends and enjoy a nice bottle of wine. It is a bit overpriced though, but rent is not cheap ether in Walnut Creek. Their bar top is pretty nice and they have cool bar stools. Check it out sometime, it is worth a trip.

    (4)

  • c k.

    The place is amazing with a wall of wines and champagnes, beautiful lighting, friendly and down to earth employees, a gorgeous long granite countertop at an impressive bar where they have some wine on tap! They also have quite a variety of beers from many different places. To all the ladies, there are purse hooks under the bar so there's no need to worry about where to put your purse....yaaay! I almost forgot, they serve cheese plates as well as charcuterie plates so you can nibble on something with your drink of choice. Jim is the owner, very nice and down to earth as well. He's helpful and knowledgeable in all he has to offer at his beautiful establishment. He will be offering wine education nights. I'm excited for this since I do not have "professional knowledge" and would like to learn more about it. I think this would make for a great date night ;) One of my favorite things about this place is that it's only two doors down from my work (1688 A Hair Studio). It's nice to get a glass of wine with a friend to unwind from a busy day and not have to go out of my way. I love this place and highly recommend it to anyone wanting a nice glass of wine or beer in a classy environment!!!

    (5)

  • Lia V.

    Great atmosphere and service. Me and and my friend Kelly came in here for a glass of wine, and we were impressed. Our bartender Nate was very personable and knowledgeable. Shortly after the owner greeted us, such friendly people. We decided to get the Spanish and sparkling flights. Both had a great mix with great flavors. What a great addition to walnut creek.

    (5)

  • Sean B.

    Thoroughly enjoyed my first visit - excellent selection of wine (and beer), great atmosphere and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy wine!

    (5)

  • Marsha H.

    This is my favorite new place! The staff is very knowledgeable and actually let me custom make my own sample flight! I enjoy Prisoner wine and they had a private reserve for us to try and made us feel right at home here. This is a gem in Walnut Creek and I encourage everyone to go and try it out.

    (5)

  • Tay T.

    Really cute and hip place. The tapa sized plates were really good. The selection for wine is very big. I'd definitely come back for more.

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    Walking around the 'Nut @ 4pm with a hankering for a flight of vino or two plus the usual grub and found Residual Sugar via Yelp. We walked into the joint around the time they were opening to awesome 80's music filling the place. 80's you say? Yes! The 2 girls serving at the bar were great and around the time Bon Jovi was Livin' on a Prayer, I was quite content with my flight of Spanish reds and a charcuterie plate. I recommend asking for tastes and talking with the pretty knowledgeable staff. We had the pork loin, salami and the aged cheddar, all delicious. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Leigh H.

    This place is great! The wines I tried were all amazing. The staff is very knowledgeable and accommodating. Their food is delicious and very different. It's fresh and surprising. Very classy addition to Walnut Creek. Great place to come after work or meet friends. Bravo!

    (5)

  • Paula R.

    The servers weren't really friendly, but the wine (and selection was). They have tons of wine and bubbly, not much of a small bites menu but some cheese. A little pricey but the atmosphere is nice. I believe I had the bubbly flight- delicious!

    (3)

  • g p.

    Used to like this place, but not much anymore. Kind of a neat place to sit and the crowd is usually pretty interesting. Wine selection by the bottle is excellent, but the glass selections are just OK. Their wines tend to be overpriced by the glass as well. The kicker for me is the food menu. Ordered the cheese plate and they just pile the selection on a plate- no fruit, nuts or sauces. The meats are just hunks - no preparation. Bottom line- better choices in Walnut Creek.

    (2)

  • Sashini A.

    Great wine choices, however the space is very small and always feels cramped. The service is ok, they try to please but when they're busy it's not great. They do serve mini plates, which I did not enjoy but the wine is good so I will probably go back for that. Overall, it's a good little wine bar in WC!

    (3)

  • Danielle S.

    Loved the ambience and architecture of this long, narrow place. One wall is nothing but wine, so you know you're in the right place! I found the prices on flights and by the glass to be suprisingly high ($11 for a glass of 14 Hands merlot? Come on!), but the bartenders worked with me to find the best wine for my palate & mood. The beer selection was disappointing, but they said that a new specialty beer bar was moving in down the street, so they had decided to scale back their beer selection significantly. This is a popular spot with a friendly vibe.

    (4)

  • Pam S.

    Had a great time here. Came for one glass of wine and I left having had 3. Great selection at reasonable prices. Also loved the atmosphere and music. Everything I want in a wine bar!

    (5)

  • Alma C.

    Staff is very knowledgeable about their wines. Management prides itself in making sure staff is up to par on product knowledge and customer service. He will take the time to talk about the selection of wines, origin, aroma, and pallet qualities. We are anxious to sample the unbelievable selection of wine showcased on their wall. THEIR CHEESE PLATE has a great variety and their servings are GENEROUS!

    (5)

  • Christine D.

    Swanky and friendly all at the same time. Great wine. Love the cheese and meat plates. Sweets are good too. Service is out of this world. It's one of my favorite places to go with my friends and enjoy a nice glass of wine (or two). It a great way to start or end the evening. Or perhaps just spend the whole evening there.

    (5)

  • Carol H.

    My husband and I love wine. There is no doubt about it. We collect wine. We seek new wine. We were hoping Residual Sugar would be another stop on our list of home town hangouts...It will not be. On a Friday evening, we walked in to try RS. The bar was full, so we sat at the limited seating table in the front near the windows. We sat there for an extended period of time until someone came over to give us a menu, then waited again to be served. I felt as if we were bothering her. The wine at $12 and $13 per glass was mediocre. A group of 4 young ladies sat next to us and were attended to immediately. I decided to start checking out the wall-o-bottles to see if there was anything of interest. Do you think any employee came over to see if they could answer any questions or assist me in any way? That's a big "NO". We are obviously not the demographic catered to by Residual Sugar. If I was asked to describe Residual Sugar, I would classify it as a bar that happens to carry a large inventory of wine. It was so loud, not only due to the music but also because of the echo, there is no way to really discuss the wine you are tasting. What a disappointment.

    (2)

  • Zara S.

    First time in downtown Walnut Creek and stumbled across this place. Cute little wine bar, we sat at the bar itself and it was so enjoyable. Totally worth it. The entire staff was so pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable. I tried a white wine extracted from a nebbiolo grape and it was delicious! can't wait to go back, chill music and really great people and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Julie B.

    Pretty good. The bartendress - just a little off-putting. Good wine - nice atmosphere but - little weird on the staff.

    (4)

  • A D.

    I went with my boyfriend on a random Sunday afternoon walking around wc. The place is so chic and classy, but modern and young. I absolutely love the wine available! There are tons of Napa valley wineries to choose from, the prices were good, and the owner was super friendly. I will totally be going back with my girls to start an evening off right here. Also you can purchase the wine they have on the wall, no need to drive to napa now!

    (5)

  • Steven R.

    They'll do well in Da Creek. I outta know since I've already dropped about $200 in two weekends. Be careful though. It's too easy to sit and sip really good wine for hours. Upscale crowd.

    (4)

  • Ashley J.

    LOVE! First of all... i highly recommend the flights... never have I gotten such a large "taste" before! Each "tasting" was more like 1/2 a full glass! Not a bad deal for under $20.

    (5)

  • S B.

    Not impressed in the least. Long skinny "bar". Not at all condusive to conversation or a fun night out. You can get wine anywhere, no reason to go here.

    (2)

  • Jessica C.

    They have an excellent wine selection and they have pretty much every wine you can think of. The bartenders are attentive, happy and pretty much amazing! This place overall is a great spot to go for a glass of wine and good conversation with friends.

    (5)

  • CHRISTY M.

    Love this place! Their wine selection is excellent and the staff is very knowledgeable. I totally love the name and how the place is decorated. Def my new fav place to have some wine. The only recommendation I can make is for them to serve chocolate!

    (4)

  • Greg B.

    I absolutely love each time I've been to Residual Sugar. The setting is relaxing, large collection of wines and I like that they serve some Belgium beers. Most importantly the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Today Nate served us and I had an incredible evening with my beautiful wife on a rainy Sunday evening. If you have not had the chance to meet Residual Sugar's owner... You need to stop in and meet Jim. Residual Sugar wine bar is my kind of place. Love it!

    (5)

  • Michelle S.

    I was in San Francisco about a month ago and came across this wine bar. As soon as I walked in I fell in love with it. Unfortunately, they had already made last call, but the manager chatted with us for a while and was super nice. The following night we went back. This time the owner sat with us and got us a round. He said he felt bad that they could not serve us the night before! How awesome is that! Sophisticated atmosphere but not stuck up. Everyone in there was friendly but I was most impressed with the owner and that he mingled with customer and seems to have a genuine interested in them. Of course there was a huge selection of wine and we were able to have a conversation without yelling. I would move to San Francisco just to be able to enjoy this bar!

    (5)

  • Daniella V.

    Loved it! Fantastic spinach and bacon salad with a great sparkling wine selection. Will definately be going back. For a Saturday night, it wasn't super crowded. seating was very easy to find.

    (5)

  • z h.

    really cool place, the decor is what does it. The staff is really nice and very knowledgeable about wine. I have been here many times and will continue to come here. They usually have a movie playing on the plasma behind the bar. The cheese is really good. Also they have a huge selection of wine, and the way they store it is cool. Definitely will recommend this place to any wine enthusiasts.

    (5)

  • Kelly R.

    This place is a gem! Cozy couches and dim lighting make this place great for a girls night or date night! I love how they do wine flights (especially for sparkling wines) and serve food-think meat and cheese plates, crustini's and soup. The blue cheese is served with honey and is amazing!

    (5)

  • Brian P.

    I must have come on a bad Thursday. My experience was less than what I expected. The service was horrible from the two bar persons. It was not busy at all that night. The bartender was busy hitting on two pretty women and chose to ignore or acknowledge my date and I. After sitting at the bar for 10 minutes and not being greeted we left. We only stopped in because neither of us had ever been to a wine bar. We were impressed and really like the soft chairs, albeit, very heavy to move. Large selection of wine but horrible service.

    (1)

  • bob m.

    Residual Sugar is my favorite wine bar in the Bay Area. The staff is terrific and the owner, Jim, is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. I've been to RS 3 times with friends this past year and each visit has been a great night out. The decor is elegant but the vibe is fun with classic movies on the large flat screen and a lot of good energy each time among the crowd. Wine selection is amazing and pours are generous. They've got a unique system for wines by the glass so they can offer a broad, impressive list. Even a solid beer selection if that's your preference. I've recommended RS to friends and every time they call and thank me. Definitely recommend it for your next night out in Walnut Creek.

    (5)

  • Clint N.

    Awesome spot for a casual glass or flight of wine. Every time I've been here, the atmosphere is great and the seats are so comfy it makes you want to just sit back and get to know the person you're drinking with.

    (5)

  • Elease P.

    Residual Sugar is a really fun new wine bar in Walnut Creek. It's been there for about 3 months. This place is so much fun and the ambiance is just perfect. I went there on a Sunday night with a girlfriend and we got the Essence Riesling. Very good! The location is really nice because it's away from a lot of the main other downtown "hoppin" places but it's close enough also. They seem to have a great variety of beer which I can't wait to go back and try! The service was great and the perfect seating is right in the front on the comfy couch which we comfortably grabbed! I'm looking forward to many more memories here. .

    (5)

  • Jess H.

    The huge 3D-esque TV mounted above the bar is enough reason alone to go here. Welcoming staff, local crowd, and dark interior create a Cheers-like ambiance. I wouldn't mind more Cab selections by the glass.

    (4)

  • Joseph F.

    Great eclectic selection of wine and I love the owner Jim, he gets it. Always a great movie playing on the big screen. I hope this small places can make it with the large rent you have to pay in the creek. Hope they stay for the long haul.

    (4)

  • Laurel Z.

    I work down the street and went for a glass of wine last night with a friend. I had heard a lot of great things about Residual Sugar so we decided to try it out. Great vibe inside. The staff was very nice and helpful. They have great nibbles and you can pick any bottle of wine off there huge wall and drink it ( as long as it is 2 glasses). Highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Laurel E.

    I have been to Residual Sugar twice and have enjoyed my time there immensely! Last week myself and four of my friends went for a girls night and we had an amazing time! The server was very friendly and fun and the owner took the time to come over and chat with us for a bit. They have some great wines, and I love the relaxed vibe. It is definitely not a stuffy wine bar at all. They also have a 'happy hour' with great wines and movie nights on sundays with wine flights!

    (5)

  • Greg F.

    What a splendid wine bar! They boast an extensive collection of Wines from all around the world, and have plenty to choose from CA as well. Bonuses - I loved the music they were playing... turns out it was the same Pandora station I listen to most of the time - Whooo EDM! Great cheese plates with excellent bread and generous portions. Excellent, knowledgable service. What else do you need?

    (5)

  • Jillian D.

    I went to residual sugar for the first time after hearing good things about it, and I was not let down. Claudia greeted my boyfriend and me the second we walked through the door. Super nice and she made some amazing suggestions for what food for what wine. I can't remember what the names of the wines were, but I will def go back. I think I finally found my new spot ever since Cypress closed!

    (5)

  • Brittny R.

    Wine selection is excellent. The desserts are home made and extremely fresh. The cheese plates and meat selections are varied and tasty. The meats are sustainably raised. The ambiance and service are perfect. Happy hour is before 6:00PM with good prices on glasses of wine. It can get expensive but so worth it.

    (5)

  • Callie B.

    Absolutely LOVE coming to this place. My favorite after work spot. Nate, Deena, and Roxanne (the blonde babe) the best - so friendly, knowledgeable, and always on their game. Even when it's a crowded Friday or Saturday, you get top notch service. Their wine list is very extensive with a lot of international wines, but they're very helpful when you want advice on what you'll enjoy best:) can't go wrong when stopping by here!

    (5)

  • Daniella G.

    I am in love with this place! This wine lounge is incredible. They have an amazing wine menu; some of the wines you will not be able to find in stores. If you are indecisive about your choice the bartenders allow you to try your wine before committing. Complimenting the wine they have a number of amazing cheese plates to choose from plus other food that I haven't tried yet but I'm sure are delicious.. The cheese plate I had was the classic. Absolutely delicious served with warm bread and some jam to compliment everything. I love cheese and this plate was divine! Not only was the meal delicious, the bartender/buyer that was serving my friend and I was very knowledgable and I was able to talk to him about my wedding next year. I was very happy that he was willing to talk to me about the wines/champagnes that they had and was able to give me ideas and suggestions. I received his email and look forward to setting up a tasting to order delicious wine/champagne from this amazing lounge! Great place to come for happy hour/weekend fun.

    (5)

  • Vicky T.

    If anything... come here for the wine descriptions.. they are hilarious and also on point. With short notice we were able to reserve a spot for nine girls. Thank you for being so flexible and awesome! The food and wine was amazing. So many options and so little time! The paninis were delicious, as were the croque sandwiches. The salads that also accompanied them (potato salad was had a kick of spice, regular salad also a hit with the ladies) The bruschetta flavors were candied ginger, pear (apple?) and goat cheese. Delicious. The staff here is knowledgeable and friendly.

    (5)

  • Reena P.

    Came here on a Saturday night without a reservation. We were able to grab a few seats at the bar and were helped immediately. Ambiance Intimate, cool, romantic (if that's what you are going for), beautiful decor Wines Great selection, a tad overpriced but I didn't really mind Service Good, fast, attentive Food Cheese plate was above average Olives were great Almonds were well seasoned and delicious I'd come here again if I'm in a wine bar mood. Dare I say I prefer Residual Sugar over Va de Vi?

    (5)

  • P B.

    Not used to giving 4 stars. But well deserved. If it wasnt for the price point and the lack of pinot grigio, they would receive 5 stars. i had the turkey sandwich and potato salad. Absolutely one of the best prepared sandwiches. Melts in your mouth. And the potato salad... well, lets just say i was hesitant. I only like mom's. I can tell you this. It was prepared different than i have ever had it. Move over mom. You have competition. Have to try this place.

    (4)

  • Curry Man X.

    Have tried this place a couple of times. Pricey options for individual glasses, food was just average. Better to buy complete bottle. Also go when it's busy, the ambiance is way better. Seating is not so great, hate those darn bistro tall tables.

    (3)

  • Regina S.

    I met a girlfriend of mine here for a glass of wine. Roxanne and Nate where super helpful and so knowledgable when it came to their wine options and food menu. There where so many wine options on the menu that it was overwhelming for me so I told them what I liked and they narrowed it down for me. I literally had the perfect glass of wine. They have limited food options however a wide selection of cheeses and charcuterie (meats). *Also if your on a gluten free diet they can substitute the bread for gluten free crackers. They have small plates that include panini's and salads. We ended up having the beet salad and a plate of three different types of sausages (chipotle, bacon apple, bratwurst - chipotle one was super good and spicy!) The beet salad was really good and all the flavors complimented each other. We were told the white chocolate mouse from next door (54 Mint Il Forno) was really good so we ended up ordering it. It was actually really delicious and a perfect way to end the evening. I love the fact that they gave credit where it was due and they support local businesses. The bread they purchase is made fresh daily at 54 Mint as well. They did have TV's that had the sports channel on and towards the end of the night (10pm, lol) they had hip hop music playing thankfully we were ready to call it a night. It's in between a wine bar and sports bar but the atmosphere / ambiance is upscale. I could have done without the sports channel and hip hop music but that's a personal thing. For two glasses of wine, two small plates and dessert it was about $70. I have to agree with other Yelpers it is a little pricey however the quality of service and quality of food was good so it was worth it.

    (5)

  • Micaela N.

    Good wine and beer list. It's a fun place to come for happy hour! I had one of the sparkling wines. It was pretty good and not too sweet.

    (4)

  • Jones K.

    It's a nice small wine bar with some expensive drinks ! Great date spot !! The have food too which is good .. I happened to stop by this night with a few Friends who have been here before and wanted to grab a few drinks of wine and just have a relaxing kick back I like this place and would Recommend this place for anyone who likes drinking especially !! They have a lot of different type of drink so you can find maybe a new type of wine you never had before ! It is a little expensive so be prepared to spend some money if you want to stay here for a while and drink

    (4)

  • Amanda K.

    Try the bruschetta. It's always delicious

    (5)

  • Chase C.

    Thia is a nice wine bar. I have been here a few times and both times service has been good. Last night we tried a couple of there tapas plates which were both yummy but nothing amazing. My only complaints are the prices are a little high and it is super dark inside.

    (4)

  • Grace C.

    Wine bar wine bar wine bar. Just in case you haven't figured out already this is wine bar. They have a few food items, like a few options for a cheese plate or a grilled cheese. Don't come here looking to eat dinner. Even saying it's Tapas would be stretching it. The wine list is vast though. Quite a huge list and the staff seem to be quite knowledgeable. There are also 4 beers and for the non-alcoholics in your party, there is pellegrino water (not flavored) and a root beer from a bottle. That's pretty much it. Again - it's a wine bar. Overall the place was nice, except we went on a Friday without a reservation and we couldn't sit at a table for too long since they had a reservation for it. But they were nice enough to let us sit there until their reservation. It's rather small with a few tables, some seats at the bar. Parking is either street parking or a few structures are around that you can park at for a flat fee.

    (4)

  • Scott N.

    We were here with a group, generously treated by our realtor for being her customers. The wine tasting was great and the gentleman behind the bar did a great job of explaining each one before we gave them a taste. We were also treated to a table of well... treats. Bruschetta, meats and cheeses, all sorts of delectable uh... treats. The ambiance is very nice, dimly lit, dark wood. A great place to relax and enjoy some wine and small bites. It was a very nice experience. We met some great people. We live in Hayward, so it's a bit of a hike, but if we find ourselves in the neighborhood and looking for a glass of wine we will definitely pop in here.

    (3)

  • Andrea F.

    The wine knowledge here is something special. I want to be a regular! Helpful and friendly employees that were just as enthusiastic as my "noob" self in a wine bar. Accosted me on my coming in - not in an attacking way but welcoming. Vast wine options - unique and varied and amply-described, like being in a tasting room. Can't wait to get the (even more) royal treatment like the couple next to me when I come back a few more times!

    (5)

  • Amanda S.

    This is an awesome place! My friend and I have come in a few times after work and always order a red wine with a cheese and meat plate. The Brie is to die for. Almost like butter. The bartenders are awesome as well. Super personable and know what they are talking about.

    (5)

  • Caitlin D.

    I have been here several times. Wether on a date night, or a night out with friends, the experience has always been exemplary. The staff is fun and extremely knowledgeable. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Brittany B.

    I've visited Residual Sugar about a handful of times since they've opened. I love the place. My girlfriend and our two friends went one evening. We had the pleasure of having Claudia help is the majority of the time. Claudia was very nice and friendly. She made suggestions and helped me decide what bottle of wine I wanted to purchase. The choice was amazing. She also suggested a cheese plate and a meat plate that paired perfectly. I had an amazing time and the staff as a whole made sure that we were always happy! I will definitely be visiting this place more often!

    (5)

  • Megan M.

    If you love wine then you must go. Great selection of wine and nice classy place for a date. My date and I walked in the door Sunday night at 9:45pm and they close at 10:00pm. I was sure we would get dirty looks from the staff and they wouldn't serve us, but quite the opposite. The bartender that helped us was a good looking blond young man with tattoos on his neck. He had a great look and was very friendly. He welcome us in and did not rush us at all. That was a very pleasant surprise. We ended up sharing a flight and left at around 10:30pm. There were people still there trickling out. Great business that doesn't kick people out even after they have closed. The only downside about this place is I wish it was a little bigger and had some outdoor space, but other than that, it's great!

    (4)

  • Laya J.

    My favorite wine bar in walnut creek. It's so cozy and has such a beautiful ambiance. Particularly the couch behind the window is my favorite spot to sit and wine. They have a great selection of wine and cheese to go with it. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good wine without the hassle of traveling far to Napa!

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    Extremely nice and ver noisy! Great wines and very enjoyable. First winebar I have been too

    (5)

  • Matt A.

    Came here at the end of the evening, when we really should have started here (and then worked our way down to the cheaper places). Great wine selection, with a very knowledgeable server. The limited food options were all we needed--quality charcuterie and cheeses and olives. Lovely decor and ambience except--and this is where it lost a star (and I came close to losing two) it has a lot of tvs playing sports channels. No big games on or anything that might explain that--apparently, the owner insists they have big tvs with sports playing all the time. If they want to be a sports bar that badly, they should stop charging $12 for a glass of wine.

    (4)

  • Matt W.

    I have mixed feelings about this place. The location, decor, service and wine selection are all pretty solid. I also get that it's Walnut Creek, but I think the pricing is a little bit inflated. The cheapest glass on the menu tends to hover around $9. For example, their current cheapest glass is the JL Colombo, "Les Abeilles" - this is a bottle that sells for $9 online. That's a 4x markup which is a pretty crazy margin for any wine bar. Every restaurant/bar in WC will have a glass on the menu for $6-$8 for a comparatively priced bottle. They offer a daily deal for a $5 glass of house wine that runs until 6 PM... but really, who goes to a wine bar before 6PM? I think if they dropped their cheapest glass by a buck or two and offered a few wine flights in the $15-$20 range I'd be more inclined to come here. The best aspect of a wine bar is getting to try a few different things without buying a bottle - when anything decent runs about $17 a glass (ex. Orin Swift Saldo) it forces me to buy the bottle ($30 retail).

    (3)

  • Noneya B.

    BOMB.COM!!!! I've been here twice now and plan on coming back more regularly. The meat and cheese plate... um, YES PLEASE!!! SOOOO good... service is really good too and I appreciate the fact that they have a TV so we can watch whatever sporting event is on the tube. Well done!

    (5)

  • Michael R.

    "Please. Come In. Have a Seat. Have a glass of wine. What Kind? well, what are you in the mood food? Light? Something with a oaken, touch? a summer taste? heavy?" The following words are not that of scholar, but of some of the most knowledgeable wine palettes ever know to recommend and glass dancing experience. The staff alone is a magnification of good service, seriously. They have different Happy Hour Specials available until 6:00pm $5 red/white wine, and $3 beer. The beer selections are limited though that's not the purpose of this place. ;) although I heard there is a good brewery close nearby. Perfect place for a date. I can't really remember what I tried because I had two glasses of different wines, but I can tell you this..... At time being they had a wine from the "Skywalker ranch" yeah, I too was surprised, but check out the quote. If the wine is on the Menu. ;) Get a cheese Plate! and or this Zoe's Prosciutto! pork leg dry-rubbed with salt & spices this is and was amazing. I'd shall return. Next time come with me! :)

    (5)

  • Lena K.

    Residual Sugar is one of my favorite wine bars that offers an ample selection of wines and a friendly service. Their paninies are also delicious!

    (5)

  • Anthony R.

    Very cool staff and an atmosphere like a wine tasting room in Napa (but more cozy and intimate). I would give five stars, but the average price per glass is around $14 and seems a few bucks inflated. The wines are good, however, so it is still worth dropping the coins at this place. The manager is a stud, and the rest of the staff is friendly and accommodating. Since it was full the night we went, they gave us two free glasses of Champagne as we waited for a seat to open. Once seated we stayed for two hours and soaked up the good vibrations this place produces. This will be one of my regular spots to chill and relax. Keep up the good work RESIDUAL SUGAR!

    (4)

  • DIanne H.

    Awesome service and food. The staff totally gets the pairings between the food and the wine. I love this place

    (5)

  • Mally S.

    Staff is super knowledgeable about the wine and make great recommendations based off of what wines you normally drink. Food is always good, and especially fresh. Nothing you get here will have ever seen a microwave or a freezer, because they don't have them. Oh, and great happy hour during the week days before 6pm.

    (5)

  • Akash R.

    Nice ambiance, but the food could be better. The prices are also a little inflated, especially for Walnut Creek. I am usually a pretty generous tipper, as I know how hard it is to run a restaurant. However, our waitress was pretty aloof, so we left her a note relating our disappointment, along with a very small tip. The drinks are pretty good, and there is a great selection of wine.

    (3)

  • Laura L.

    I have nothing except amazing things to say about Residual Sugar. One of my best friends from high school and I went to Residual Sugar on our night out "in the Creek." This wine bar/restaurant was sexy in every way. The wall of wine was stunning. The ambience was just what we were seeking. I am so glad we started off at Residual Sugar! Neither of us much wanted a glass of wine, but they had a pretty well rounded beer list. We each had a Flying Dog Raging B(*&% IPA, which was delicious. We also ordered the bruschetta and finished off with bread pudding. We ordered the bruschetta of the day off the board in the bar. Since I don't eat pork, we asked to have two of the vegetarian options. They were out of whatever was on the board, so the chef prepared us a special bruschetta with a homemade plum jam, goat cheese and some earthy herb. It was delicious! The chef came out to describe it to us and then again to check on how we liked it! Fantastic customer service. We decided to order the bread pudding, as my friend lived in England for many years. The handsome bartender/waiter (a Kiwi, no less) was not sure how the bread pudding stacked up. We ordered it anyhow. The chef once again delivered the bread pudding to us. It was inauthentic (says my friend, as I have never had bread pudding in England before), but it was phenomenal. Both my friend and I are part Filipino and we were both reminded of a dessert called Bibingka. It was so yummy... I wish I had the recipe to recreate it! The chef came out again to see how we liked it. We obviously did, as we left mere crumbs on the plate. If only I lived in Walnut Creek! I will definitely be back for the amazing service and delicious eats. I will recommend Residual Sugar to ALL my Bay Area friends. Awesome!

    (5)

  • B S.

    I want to give this place 3.5 stars The good: great ambiance, service, wine quality, grilled cheese The bad: usually crowded beyond belief, very pricey, for food they only have grilled cheese/cheese plates/meat plates. Only worth it if you go at a down-time moment. I do want to try it again, but probably happy hour specials!

    (3)

  • Jesse A.

    Great place, friendly and knowledgable staff, one of WC's best chill spots. Love the selection of meats and cheeses. I've even been running late, to arrive after they stopped serving food, only to call and have the manager Nate happily pre-order and save a food order for my arrival. That type of service is hard to beat. Combine that with the huge selection of wines by the glass and way more by the bottle, it's one of my top spots.

    (5)

  • Patrick T.

    Been here several times. Fantastic establishment with an amazing selection of wines. Most recent, limited seating and other get people getting extremely intoxicated which made for an interesting night.

    (4)

  • Kathy V.

    Looking to wine & dine? Walnut creek has its very own hidden Napa Valley! Perfect for date night, perfect to mingle, perfect for birthdays or to just drink wine. The overall ambiance is great. Dimly lit, dark wood, beautiful long bar. There are wine bottles everywhere, so you get to look at what they have in the bottle as opposed to just on the wine list. The list is huge, and the "by the glass" is very large, though many of them I had never heard of. But that is why you go there. The food list is mostly appetizers,salads, paninis, a great cheese selection and charcuterie. ENJOY!!

    (4)

  • Alittle G.

    I think everything to be said has been said. Excellent atmosphere, great selection, super nice waitstaff. The place feels a little bit decadent, a little bit of prohibition, a little bit of a hidden gem, and luscious. Recommendations on your vino are spot on, no matter what your mood. Come for girls nite, come for couples night, come for date nite, you won't be disappointed. You can reserve the tables in the back if you call and ask nicely, so that works well cause the bar can fill up. The cheese and chartucerie selections are also delicious!

    (5)

  • Mac P.

    A trendy place with some excellent bottles on the wall, but the wines by the glass have always been expensive and disappointing. I've tried recommendations by the staff four different times, and the wine has been unimpressive and overpriced every time.

    (2)

  • Diana Q.

    The quality and selection of wines were great. The staff knew all the right questions to ask and provided great recommendations if you're unsure what to order. I ordered a delicious Pinot Noir and my friend and I shared some cheese. We asked for some extra bread and they didn't charge us for a few extra pieces. Overall, a great experience and would definitely go back again.

    (5)

  • Ashley A.

    This place is great! They have a great wine selection and the ambiance is great.

    (5)

  • Mo A.

    Hands down my favorite bar in Walnut Creek. It's a wine bar, but I go there to drink beer! I think they have the best beer in town. The decorations have this old, yet modern look. The lighting is great and so is the ambience. It's a treat just to be inside! The bartenders are super-friendly. I go there almost everyday to get my Black Lager.

    (5)

  • Wanderlust F.

    My husband & I live walking distance from downtown Walnut Creek and we've been wanting to visit this wine bar. It has been long over due and glad that we finally made it in on a Saturday night. Excellent staff and service. Around 730pm we were still able to grab a seat. People come and go so it didn't seem like it was that difficult to chill, relax and enjoy their wine. It wasn't very loud inside either so it was as if I had to be yelling at my husband to have a convo. A must stop if you like wine. Definitely a returning customer.

    (5)

  • Marsa W.

    Happy hour selection of wine was YUM!! Liked the bubbly and the Malbec today. Got the classic cheese and Zoe charcuterie flights per the waitress. Both together were amazing. The workers here are very knowledgable about the menu and their wines! Can't wait to come back

    (5)

  • Ruthe Ann S.

    I have been here once on a date back in march. It was a place we just stumbled across while walking. It was great! the guy i was with was a wine enthusiast. He ordered for me and all the wines we tried were good ( ithink it was like 3 different kinds). It was fun. I would come back here again.

    (4)

  • Liv A.

    Once you step inside Residual Sugar, you're transported into another world. It's dimly lit/romantic, posh, hip and welcoming. You definitely get the vibe that you're here to have a great wine experience. Now, there's nothing I love more than wine and cheese. OK....I take that back...there are other things I may love more, but wine and cheese is high on my list! I was meeting a gf there on a Friday evening and she was running late, so I went ahead and took a seat at the bar. I got there just before the after work crowd was arriving so there were only a few other people inside. Btw, the bar chairs are super comfy and modern looking. I asked the bartender if they had any specials and she recommended a nice malbec for me. I also ordered a cheese plate to nosh on. The bartenders here were super knowledgeable about wines and gave me some suggestions for pairings and such. When homegirl arrived, she ordered a chardonnay and we shared the cheeses. We also got the smores dessert which was delightful!

    (5)

  • Jackie B.

    The wine menu descriptions deserve 5 stars on its own. Great selection, good food. Great for a low key night out.

    (5)

  • Alex T.

    I love this place. It is a great happy hour spot but they seem to have some new staff and we weren't checked on for 30+ minutes. 30 minutes of empty glasses was brutal. We probably would have had another drink had they stopped by but by the time someone checked in on us it was late and we were ready to go home. I like their wine selection. I do wish there were more $10-12 glasses but the quality is very good and usually the service is better.

    (3)

  • Linda M.

    I met my beautiful friend Miz Tam here for some adult beverages, snacks, and mostly chit chat. We were attended to by Eddie, who was friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed the flight he picked out for me, and his favorite turned out to be my favorite. For food, I was leaning toward the grilled cheese. Eddie told me that the smoked mozzarella was excellent, so I went for that. It really was excellent. The tomato jam really gave it a nice tangy flavor to complement the smokiness of the cheese. Try it! The space is comfortable and inviting. Not too loud, so conversation was easy. I would definitely pick it to meet up with friends in Walnut Creek again in the future!

    (4)

  • Courtney S.

    Came here on Friday (5/31) after work with a few people. Got here around 4pm and the place was empty - perfect for us because we got a good seat! They have happy hour until 6pm so you know that's what we were about. Wine is $3 and beer is $4 (or $5) for HH. Love the atmosphere of the place. The bartender was really nice. I had to leave for an appointment at 5, but came back because my group was still there. Between 5 and 5:30 this place got poppin'! Came back and the place was standing room only. Dang! Lots of nicely dressed people (just coming from work). Good age spread, late 20's to mid-40's mostly. We also got a cheese plate with their blue cheese and a couple of other cheeses as well. Delicious! Very tasty and fresh! I won't have a problem coming back, but with the non-HH prices being very stiff I can't say I'll be back anytime after 6pm!

    (4)

  • Steven C.

    Love this intimate, hip little wine bar. They have an amazing selections of wines, but also have some really great micro-brewed beers. Seating can be tight. The bar is not huge, but they have a number of little tables. It can get crowded. The staff is always upbeat and fun to hang out with while you're enjoying your wine. Or in my case, beer!

    (4)

  • Marc S.

    Cool ambiance, great wine selection, polite service ambassadors, but that's all...the wine is $$$ and the food selection is limited. I would not come back because there are many other spots around here that are more worth while..

    (1)

  • Ashley R.

    Like many of the other yelpers here have stated, the customer service is exceptional. A friend and I stopped by not really sure what we were looking for but who I believe is the owner was more than willing to help us figure it out. He asked us what we already liked then we went from there offering up different options and taking the time to explain to us instead of rushing us through the process. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    Great selection of wines poured by friendly and knowledgeable staff. My only complaint would revolve around the value received. Prices are a little high for what you get.

    (4)

  • Kevin R.

    Say at the wine bar and they had Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid DVD playing. Relaxed vibe, old school movie and a nice glass of Cab. Seemed like a few match dates happening to boost the people watching vibe. Definitely a place for casual date night with your squeeze.

    (5)

  • Mardi S.

    Best place in the universe for a pre last minute Christmas shopping wine & cheese pick me up!!

    (5)

  • Daniel D.

    Pros: great service, friendly staff, nice ambience. Food was really good, but proportions were small. Cons: super expensive wine. Also, the beer on tap was limited, but I wasn't really there for the beer. We repeatedly asked for a house salad and more bread. Overall, I'll come back here again but only on a slow day. If it's super busy you get bad service, but that's to be expected in most places.

    (4)

  • Rish A.

    I have been coming here for a year and the place truly values its customers. The staff, Roxanne, Nate and Dena, knows the wines intimately. Dena, especially, is absolutely impressive and has been accommodating with what may be deemed as unreasonable requests.

    (5)

  • Jase O.

    My wife an I stopped in for a glass [or two] after a long work week. Decor and atmosphere was comfortable/modern/chic. Wine selection is fantastic. We both just had a couple house red and ordered an appetizer. Wine and appetizer were great but the service was extremely slow. The service was so slow that we had finished our glasses of wine and were ready to leave by the time the appetizer was delivered to our table. Might repeat.

    (3)

  • Danielle G.

    Great atmosphere-a perfect place to grab a glass of wine in Walnut Creek.

    (4)

  • Art O.

    Awesome spot! Walnut Creek has long needed a cool wine bar, and this place is perfect!!! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They let us tast a wine before ordering a glass. They spoke to us as friends, really could not have been nicer. This place is perfect for wine experts or novices. They just know how to treat people, which is often all you need. I'm glad you're here guys! I look forward to drinking wine with you for many years to come.

    (5)

  • Vanessa R.

    Shout out to our bartender last night (on 8/17)!! He took such good care of us, made fabulous wine and cheese recommendations, even asked if we liked the music, and allowed us to stay a bit past closing! We had no idea it was past 10pm until I looked at my phone (my bad!). Thanks dude - we can't wait to come back!!

    (5)

  • Sarah E.

    I loved this place. The people working there are very knowledgable and so helpful. The food makes for a good light snack while your enjoying your wine. Had some Cava the last time I was there. If your into sparkling wines I highly recommend it. They also have a huge variety of reds, whites and rose. My only complaint is the lack of seating! They need a bigger spot! Definitely a lovely atmosphere a good place to take a date or just relax with friends

    (5)

  • Annette W.

    I noticed that on a Saturday night this place was hardly full. I imagine that's simply due to the prices. Wine by the glass is usually expensive. The wine menu descriptions were great, unfortunately that was the highlight for me.

    (3)

  • Vincent M.

    Really nice wine bar for Walnut Creek. Casual Setting. Nice design. The wines are good, would like to see a few more Cal wines, but no complaints. 3 top reasons: relaxing space to have a glass of wine. just outside the main gauntlet. they were playing A Tribe Called Quest the last time i was there. I'm hooked..

    (4)

  • Sandyann G.

    This place reminds me of the house in Calico Ghost Town that is made out of bottles. One entire 14 foot tall wall here is Wine Bottles. The big difference is these bottles are all full. We sat at one of those high tables with cushy bar seats which afforded us a view of the entire bar. There were also some comfy looking couches but were already taken when we arrived. I have a feeling those could be dangerous. Get a little too comfy and you might drink more wine thatn is prudent. The first thing I noticed was how loud it was in there. I assumed everyone was using their loudest outside voices but then I realized it was probably due to the very high ceilings and narrowness. After a few sips of my wine however I no longer noticed the volume. Erin S tried the Spanish flight which was all reds and I went for the Loire of which all were white. I was a little surprised with the wine as it seemed to my untrained palate a little on the sparkling side but it went very well with the cheeses. Oh yes the cheeses. We were going to dinner after so we just ordered a few instead of ordering one of the Charcuterie platters. Old Quebec Vintage Cheddar (Cow's Milk - Canada), La Mancha Manchego (Hard Sheep's Milk, - Spain), and Laura Chenel Cabecou (Soft Goat's Milk - Sonoma County). It was a toss up between the cheddar and the goat's milk for my favorite of the night. Each serving was only five bucks but was surprisingly generous and delish...made me want to go straight to Holland just for more cheese. The staff was very helpful and courteous and made sure to point out which glass in the flight matched the item on the menu as well as the cheeses too. Good thing I'm not to close to WC or I might become a 'regular' and I don't just mean by Yelp standards.

    (4)

  • Jana A.

    This place is perfect for a date. It's a wine bar with great selections of wines. It's little hard for me to order here because I don't know many names on the menu but the staff was always able to guide me. Some nights this place is packed and some not. Sometimes it's loud and no room to sit down or stand and some nights its relaxed, quiet and peaceful. Parking is a hit or miss too. We usually drive by and if it's packed we go somewhere else.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    GREAT place to come if you like wine and cheeeeese! I came here on a random Thursday with a gf that i haven't seen in a while. We had a nice time catching up and enjoying the fine food and wine at Residual Sugar. The staff here is super knowledgeable about wine and very attentive. If you like creamy/buttery cheeses, you HAVE TO try the BRILLAT-SAVARIN. It's a triple cream (note: brie is a double cream cheese), cow's milk cheese from France. It's just like freakin' butter and tastes great on crusty bread and water crackers. The food here is pretty awesome too. I tried the Coppa & Fontina (salame, arugula, and fontina) Panini. It came with a side salad. I chose the ceasar. I can tell their caesar dressing was made fresh from scratch. It had that fishy/anchovy taste that i like very much. Try the Happy Hour glass of wine for $5. It changes everyday, so be sure to ask your server what they have to offer on the day you go. Try this place. It's very awesome.

    (5)

  • Becky K.

    Being a very NOT wine connoisseur, wine bars to me are more of a novelty than somewhere I want to spend my Saturday night. It's hard for me (even now) to give a wine bar a 5-star rating, considering my main focus of reviews being restaurants and their food. But I think considering wine bars and what I would expect a 5-star wine bar to have, this one has it all. It's unassuming from the outside, on the outskirts of the main, more happenin' area of downtown Walnut Creek. But when you walk in, dark, cool wood envelopes the entire interior. The whole right-side wall is filled with hundreds of (maybe even thousands of) different types of wines. The marble bar on the left is contrasted with cushiony, black stools that even provide some back support. I had gotten a Gilt City coupon (for 2) from a friend for a birthday, and we had to make reservations in order to redeem it. There was the little Reservation sign at the end of the bar, welcoming us. We sat and enjoyed 3 different (full) glasses of wine at the bartender(? what would you call a wine bartender?)'s choice. She was very helpful and informative, explaining the background of each wine and why we would like them (which we did). She girl-chatted with me and flirted with my bf... it was all really fun and I thought she was nice. In the midst of the 3 wines, we got a huge dish of appetizers (EACH), and their chef actually presented them to us, personally, and described each item. On one side, there was prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, in the middle, toasted french bread with salami and white cheddar, and on the right, yellow beets with goat cheese, topped with spinach and balsamic vinegar. Everything was delicious, and I even begged the chef to tell me where she got the bread (guys, the bread was PERFECT). After appetizers, we got a plate of 2 mini chocolate cupcakes and the "Evil Chocolate," drizzled with raspberry puree and had a neat little row of 5 fresh raspberries. Perfect way to end the evening! Everyone was very helpful, friendly, informative, and I really felt like we were treated like royalty, despite using a discounted coupon. You know how when you use coupons like Living Social or Groupon or whatever, they treat you like a half-customer, not really expecting you'd be returning. We were treated as full-paying customers, and because of it I will definitely be coming back and only be promoting this place as much as I can!

    (5)

  • Aimee P.

    This place is chill. Good wine. Good cheese. Good music. The ambiance is pretty nice. The people: classy. My only gripe is that the seats are too high and are overly cushioned to point of being uncomfortable. It also took a while to pry the bar tender away from the pretty blondes at the other side of the bar. If you can stand this slight injustice, it's a pretty good place to hang out to avoid all the spots where the "party people" are at. Tip: For a strong but tasty wine, try the Alpha Omega.. It's pricey ($17/glass) but definitely worth it.

    (4)

  • Julie D.

    The staff is incredibly knowledge in the world of wine! I can give flavor ideas& they will fulfill my desire with an AMAZING wine. OKAY...I'm done playing pretentious!! SERIOUSLY though, the staff is fantastic, the vibe is super chill...this place is RAD! LOVE IT!!

    (5)

  • Erin S.

    Fancy wine bar in fancy WC. Cool ambiance, helpful staff, great wine selection. My Auntie was in town & had heard great things about this place. I can't remember the last time I visited a wine bar so we decided to start our evening here. The place has a nice, mellow vibe & the servers are very casual. They can answer any questions you may have about the (somewhat) overwhelming wine menu. I took a shot in the dark & ordered a flight of Italian wines. 3 glasses, each with 3 oz each. I never realized how much 3 oz is! Basically you get about a glass & a half total in each flight. It's a great way to try new wines without getting totally wasted. The Italian flight was made up of all reds & although I couldn't pronounce any of them, I liked them all. We also ordered a cheese & charcuterie platter which was so artfully done! (see pic) We had one of my fave cheeses, Manchego, which is a hard sheep's milk cheese. We even tried a blue goat's milk soft cheese which was also quite tasty. My Auntie isn't a big fan of blue cheeses & it didn't specify blue on the menu, so the server happily gave us another cheese to try (triple cream brie...can't go wrong with that). The bar is definitely the place to be, but there are also small tables & a few lounging areas as well. Great for a night out with fancy friends.

    (4)

  • Joy S.

    Excellent Excellent wine list, very educated staff, really cool atmosphere, kinda catchy over the top confusing descriptions though,,,the only reason for not giving 5 stars is that the prices are off the charts, wow, Happy hour prices are better but very limited wine selection, you have to choose the house wine or whatever, at least when I was in there that's how it was. I would love it if they just chose random wines off their menu and offered different specials from those...overall we'll def. go back but only for happy hour as its too expensive!

    (4)

  • Kristin J.

    Vibe has changed pretty significantly since my first review. The most disappointing update is that the merchant program no longer exists! The wines are also significantly more expensive than I remember!! Still a cool atmosphere, staff is friendly, but I'm less likely to recommend this spot now.

    (3)

  • Lora M.

    I love wine and love to pair it with food. I love it more than I love bourbon. Surprised? Yeah, that "was"my little secret. Its like desiring a perfect physical attraction to the opposite sex yet you decide to settle with someone who has better inner qualities and still have the outer quality which is why bourbon became my favorite. Treats me better the following day. Wine gives me a nasty hangover if I drink more than a glass of it. When we decided to come here I've already foreseen the impending consequence. I miss wine, I miss twirling the glass, inhaling the aroma and savoring it. It's so classy to drink it. The 2009 Poderi Foglia Aglianico Gallucio Concarosso ($12/glass) satisfied my senses. The aroma of plums and licorice linger long enough so could you still smell it as you taste the fruity yet peppery taste. I tried their 2008 Cravin and Lattin Pinot Noir, has more clean smooth finish but we decided to stick with the more complicated Aglianico. I love the ambiance of this place, the bottles of wine on the walls give you that wine cellar feeling. It was Friday night when we came here and the place was a bit crowded but our orders were taken right away.

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    Good flights, cheese plates, and charcuterie. Perfect spot for date night/hanging out with the girls. Downside: kind of pricey. Prepare to spend $$.

    (4)

  • Mabel Q.

    Warm, friendly staff. Great atmosphere, very cozy. Wines are tasty and pairing it with cheese is out of this world.

    (5)

  • Alice C.

    Glad we found this little place to chill. The decor and ambiance is great. Dark, simple, but elegant, fits right in Walnut Creek, but still doesn't feel too pretentious. The selections are impressive, but wine by the glass are about 40 at a time, plus a few tastefully selected draft beer. A long bar with tall table all the wine shelf means big groups can only go to the back where a few tables are located. Staff are cool lay back guys that seems enjoyed their work, and really happy that we liked their selection. Crowd are mixed, but mostly just there to enjoyed some wine and have a relaxing night. My only complains are the place is too noisy with all the hard surfaces and tall ceiling, and the only bathroom are directly facing the wine bar. I would be back next time I found myself at the creek looking for a place to get a drink.

    (4)

  • Allie H.

    I've been here a couple of times and I really like this place. It's pretty pricey, so I like it even more when someone else is paying. So, minus one star for the steep prices! Other than that, they have a great selection of wines and I like the atmosphere (even though it's pretty small and can be crowded). Last time I was there, my friend and I shared a cheese plate and that was nice too. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Amy P.

    Recently (6/1/12) I enjoyed my first time in RS for a late lunch since they started serving it a couple of months ago. I ordered two appetizer specials: *Chilled Bloody Mary Soup, garnished with bay shrimp, parsley, and lemon zest. ($8) *Spring Salad: Organic mixed greens tossed in tarragon vinaigrette with Peruvian purple potatoes, grilled asparagus, red bell pepper confetti, goat cheese, and hard boiled quail egg. ($6) Both were excellent though I really enjoyed the chilled soup the most. I should try to make cold soups more at home. I never venture away from the easy hot ones I love making. Anyhow, back to RS. The lunch crowd was sparse but it was nice sitting in a quiet, dimly lit setting myself and some good music. I'll be back for lunch for sure! Although I only had water with my lunch (had to go back to work), I have been in here to enjoy a glass of wine before. It was after a play at the Lesher Center that had ended around 10 p.m.. RS was packed! My friends shared a small area in the corner with another couple and we had conversations with the person closest to us because anyone much further away would be too hard to hear. It was actually a lot of fun, and their extensive wine selection is well-known by the employees. They welcome any questions you may have.

    (5)

  • J R.

    Wow! Such a great spot! Awesome wine list and extremely knowledgeable staff. I went with girlfriends and had a bottle of wine and lounged on one of the couches in the front. It was a great time! I am so happy WC has a new wine geek spot that isn't always filled with the normal WC crowd. Service was great, my favs are Aundrea and Vito.

    (5)

  • Kyle M.

    This place is Excellent (with a capital E). The atmosphere, staff and general feel about the place is amazing. The owner is a awesome guy and the staff are very friendly and helpful. If Shawna had the time and patience to teach a country bumpkin about wine, then this place deserves 10 stars!! Thanks for the good time and many more to come

    (5)

  • Kelly H.

    DON"T WASTE YOUR TIME, unless you want to be treated without respect. It is with great disappointment that I write this review. The first few experiences I had with this wine bar were more positive than negative. I continued to return bringing new friends and clients in. The two male bartenders that work there are extremely hospitable and interesting to speak with. On my last visit there (which will definitely be my LAST) I was so disappointed on how the owner treated us. She rarely smiles and for someone trying to grow her business in a place like Walnut Creek with an immense amount of competition, I was so very surprised to see that she gives off the vibe like she could care less about her customers or her employees for that matter. On our last visit, we hear her yell across the bar to the nice male bartender that he was charging the wrong price in a very rude manner to speak to anyone. On this last visit, I was with three other girlfriends. We were there after 10pm, along with a bar full of people and they were happily serving wine to everyone there. We finished our $15 glasses and one friend purchased a bottle of $40 wine and left. They then told us it was last call, so we all ordered one more glass of wine. We continued to chat amongst ourselves. Around 11 or so she was very obviously (and the place us quite small so there is no hiding anything) was yelling at the male bartender helping us about us still being in there. When we addressed the situation with her, she said "Well the last call was supposed to be at 10!" SO RUDLY. How is that our problem? You and your staff were the ones that served us not one but 2 glasses of wine each AFTER 10PM and now are upset that we are still in there enjoying and finishing our mediocre $15 glass of wine. It is one thing if she didn't serve anything after 10 and an hour later we are still in there, but quite another when she get snaps at us like we have done something wrong. She was totally out of line and none of us will ever return. We were treated nuisances instead of valuable guests and return customers. With so many other great option out there, there really is no reason to warrant a return. If the owner just backed off and let her staff actually work, she might have much more long term success as it is in due time that she posses off everyone that comes in.

    (1)

  • Dan V.

    Residual Sugar is a new wine bar opening Friday May 21st in downtown Walnut Creek. I had an opportunity to get a sneak peak at Jim&Jennifer's new future hot spot. High ceilings,marble bar and an unbelievable wine and beer selection are the highlights. A flat screen for us sports fans is a bonus along with the knowledgable and friendly staff. Having lived in the "Creek" for 7 years I know Residual Sugar will exemplify what I tell all my friends,"Life is good in the Creek!" DV

    (5)

  • Nina C.

    Always was curious about this place because it is conveniently located next to some of my favorite restaurants (Montecatini, Bijan, Eleve).. and a perfect after dinner place to go. Went there for the first time and loved it! It had a the feel of a very elegant bar (obviously specializing in wine)..wine bottles stacked everywhere, a very long bar, small bar tables along the side too.. All the wine bars around the area have their own little feel, while most have the feel of a wine lounge (great for groups), this was more of an elegant bar (maybe better for couples or a group no bigger than 4) .both are great just depends what you're in the mood for. Only downside was there seemed to be only 2 loungey sitting areas so if you're with a big group it could be tough to get a spot. The server was super helpful with his wine recommendation .. although I can't tell you what it was (it was a long night!) and they have a lot of small bites to chose from to snack on too.

    (4)

  • Ron J.

    Had seen this wine bar being built, and was curious! Heard that it just opened and met a group of friends there. We all had a great time, wide variety of wines. Shanna was terrific and knowledgeable and got us to try wines we usually don't try and liked them. Already planning another get together there!! A must try!

    (5)

  • katie g.

    This is a great spot! Great wine selection, tasty food and very friendly and knowledgeable staff. My only complaint is that I have to come all the way from Oakland!

    (5)

  • Yasmeen K.

    Caught my eye & had to go in. My friend and I sat at the bar, which had comfy stools & quickly the bartender came gave us our menus & we begin to go up and down the list. Typically wine bars can be intimidating, everyone enjoys drinking wine but its you always feel a bit clueless when your not just a wine connoisseur. The bartender within 1-2 minutes asked us a couple of questions, narrowed it down & then brought our wine to us & he nailed it ! We had corbieres red wine which was exactly what we wanted, something dark, rich, & earthy. We had eaten at an awful Sushi place around the block & decided to get desert here, which was the best decision ever. We had a double chocolate cupckae & evil chocolate tart, which was immaculate. I loved the ambiance, decor, music, colors, just simply everything. It will be my go-to wine bar & I am telling everyone about it. Definitely a hidden gem amongst all the places in downtown walnut creek.

    (5)

  • Gene R.

    I deducted one star for getting popped on two glasses of $18 wine. I think with all due respect to the "winetender" he should have mentioned the price, after we went through a couple of $7 and $12 glasses and some food. I paid my tab and smiled and left. The decor is great, the location is wonderful and I think they will succeed were others have failed. Vesu was too large of a floor space, and had funky menu that didn't change enough. The large floor space led people to believe that Vesu was a restaurant, but it was a small plates wine and full bar. Whereas this place is clearly a bar by design and you are instead delighted to be able to have a few things on a food menu. So it's setting the right expectation from the get go. The bar stools were very comfy and the vibe is great. We will be back. But I will ask the price of "something new and different" especially if I am tipsy from the first glass or two. I don't like feeling "clipped" in my own neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Kristen A.

    this place has a fantastic atmosphere for a wine bar, it can have a diverse crowd in terms of ages, it seems to draw a more professional crowd which is fun and friendly. the service was great, the bar tenders seemed knowledgeable and efficient. the only down side is the place is small and the bar seats are extremely close together making it difficult to get in and out of but definitly worth going to.

    (4)

  • abby d.

    The service keeps getting better and better. I have been to RS maybe 4 times over a 9 month period. So, I don't go that often and I don't spend that much money when I am there, but each time I go, I am treated really well. The bartenders are so nice! So nice to be able to go to a place in WC serving great wine and food that isn't all pretentious!

    (5)

  • Regina C.

    Nice ambiance and the wine was great but the two employees behind the bar just didn't seem "into" it, passion/enthusiasm-wise...seemed kinda bothered by having to explain the flights and answer questions we had about the wine. The chef, however, was all smiles and cheer as she brought out our food. Smiles and cheer go a very long way...

    (3)

  • Amy R.

    Am I the only one that thinks this place falls a wee bit short? My fiance & I stopped in to check it out & got seats @ the bar. We were given menus & had to ask about the Happy Hour special. They weren't too enthused about it. Anyway, we enjoyed 2 glasses of wine a piece & ordered some panini. Delicious, yes, but very small portion for the price. Seemed like a Va de Vi, but with more of a bar atmosphere. We sat w/ empty glasses & the bartenders were too focused on the SF game to notice. Even after we asked, we waited & waited. Seemed like an imposition. Cool place, but the service left much to be desired.

    (3)

  • Selby V.

    Wonderful place to sip wine in Walnut Creek, love the wine selections as well as the cheeses. The bar stools are really comfy too. This is a great place for a large group or a date.

    (5)

  • Rosa C.

    I really like this place for its ambiance and the friendly bartenders (or is there a classier way to call them since its wine and not mixed drinks? I've got no clue). I'm in no way a wino, but I do know what I like and that I also love to try new wine without having to go to Napa or Sonoma. The people here are knowledgeable and willing to help a clueless girl out if you ask, no pretentiousness here. The crowd tends to be a bit older, towards the mid 30's, but I've come here with a friend or two and not feel out of place. They have wines on tap, which is really cool, and I've never seen anything like it before. Last night my friend and I set up our mini chess set with our wines on a table next to the "great wall of wine" and just played and chilled. I love how you can come to RS to just relax and unwind after a long day; by no way do I see this place as a get-trashed-and-stand-around-the-bar-talking-­obnoxiously type. Gotta keep it classy, ladies and gents! I'll be back again for sure, but maybe next time I'll bring Scrabble...

    (5)

  • N W.

    Great place, good food and good wine. The staff is great, very friendly and takes care of the customers. Nate and Ryan the bar tenders keep me coming back due to great service

    (5)

  • Allison W.

    Residual Sugar is perfect. Jim, Jen and staff are really warm and friendly, the music is fun and not so loud you can't hear your friends talk (sooo important!!!) and the "wall of wine" is a sight to see. It's like Toys R Us for grown ups!!!

    (5)

  • BenHur C.

    very different wine bar. instead of showcasing domestic wines, they offer international wine selections. we definitely will be coming back.

    (5)

  • Brad H.

    Great setting with an excellent bar and an amazing selection of beer and wine. I was introduced to this place by a friend who knows a lot about wine and he and I were both very impressed with the place. The servers clearly know their stuff and are able to recommend wines even for people like me who aren't as informed. While its not cheap, its a unique experience and well worth the cost.

    (4)

  • Jennette B.

    I just love this place!

    (5)

  • MELISSA S.

    They have very good selection of wines. I don't know many wine labels :-( but it's a nice place. Little small and kind of far from the main downtown area. Also parking is sometimes hard to find. Great ambiance and decor. Perfect place for a date!

    (5)

  • Stephanie S.

    Residual Sugar was the 1st stop of the night. And... I'm in love. No, seriously. I really am. I love, love, l-o-v-e Residual Sugar! I'm pretty clueless when it comes to wine (I like white zin... that says it all), but when a co-worker suggested I check this place out... I immediately knew that this would be my new go-to spot. I brought along one of my bestest gf's with me for a welcome back to CA (she recently moved back from S. Carolina) celebration. Jeff, the bartender promptly greeted us (as did several other employees who's names I did not get) and checked in on us throughout our visit in a very non-pushy, genuinely friendly kind of way. The food really shouldn't go unnoticed either. We ordered the 3 x 3 Jeroboam combo cheese and charcuterie. Everything was amazing. I can't wait to go back and try more from their menu.

    (4)

  • Kurt L.

    Bustling environment with outstanding selection of wines. Wines are well presented in proper glass and temperature

    (5)

  • Aubrey O.

    Beautiful space. Unpretentious staff and vibe. Basically the perfect wine bar.

    (5)

  • Derek S.

    Well, I've been coming here since its opened! The staff is always knowledgeable and friendly. I used to just stop in for the nice selection on Belgian beers! It is the only place that I can find Buffalo Stout - yum! It is $16 for a bottle but well worth it! After going on a couple occasions with my boss and trying some red and white wines, I became of fan of the whole place in general. Because of this place I have really started to enjoy wine a lot more and its been nice to see this place grow along the way. Their food menu had doubled and they also have the flight option which is really good for trying new wines. The glass of wine can get a bit pricey and wish they had slightly better rates, but it is walnut creek and I try to support local shops. I usually go here every thurs. or every other with my gf and will continue to go back! A lot of the time we feel a bit young to be in there and they always have some strange movie playing on their tv. Which isn't bad, but just things I notice. haha The decor is nice and warm and I'm glad they put all that new seating a long the wall. It can get pretty full, pretty fast in there. It gets quite cozy when it fills up but has a nice casual atmosphere!

    (5)

  • Pam S.

    Went for NYE with sissy-in-law. Okay they don't answer their phone??? Nice setup. Menu selections sound very delicious but since we had bought the package we had the complimentary HD's that were served at the Bar. I discovered that I prefer the La Marca Prosecco it was fruity, bubbly and just the right accompaniment to my "tid-bits" for the evening. Decor is very nice but I must say I over heard a young lady (who was with her boyfriend) extremely dissapointed in this location she didn't like the music nor what was being shown on TV. When we first got there it was Blazing Saddles (alright with me) then Goodfellas (what's NOT to like about Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta???) I can't remember what the music was... which is surprising since I am ALWAYS listening to music. We sat at the Bar and kept company with the bartenders and I noticed that they had low couches towards the front and barstools at the hi-boy railings along side where the Wine Bottles align the wall. Nice place to go hang out if you are out on a pub crawl but it WAS expensive and seemed rather pretentious when we walked in. Respectfully Reviewed

    (3)

  • Pam S.

    So you bail on an Elite event (nothing personal, just want to help someone celebrate their 29th birthday), so you roll over to where the wine is flowing and where Caddyshack is on Blu Ray over the bar. You look at the quite extensive list of wine flights, and settle on the bubbly because you're a bubbly gal. You sit back, relax, chat with the bartenders and friends, and basically have a great time where you're not waiting forever for a drink or getting slapped with a felony because you assaulted someone on the way to the food station. No, this is just good wine, good friends, good cheese, good times. Also recommended as a great date spot. Minus the Caddyshack movie, because those are some weird looking boobs in hi def (and I'm not just talking about Rodney Dangerfield's).

    (5)

  • Ad F.

    Recently I stumbled upon this place. I love wine bars that are cozy but stylish and this one hits the mark. Interior decor is really nice... All you wanna do inside is drink vino. Nice selection of wines by the glass. Also, sandwiches are amazing.

    (5)

  • Chira E.

    This place has been on my radar for quite some time. Decided to check it out during the Walnut Creek prix fixe meal week, and what a treat! For 30 bucks I indulged in 3 glasses of wine, amazing pork confit, a fresh strawberry salad, and to die for cheesecake. The vibe is sexy minimalist. The confit was served in a cute mason jar, and so was the cheesecake, which was homemade by the owner. The kind waiter assured us that the place was not normally so hectic, and that many people were taking advantage of the prix fixe special. He said it is normally much more laid back. A definite two thumbs up, I shall be back!

    (4)

  • Kitty T.

    Good place to hangout after work definitely. Place is very cozy and it sees to be like a long corridor. If you are a wine drinker, this is the place. Very popular and groups llike to come here. You really need to catch the attention of staff to place your order as this place could get packed easily. Garage parking.

    (4)

  • Nick J.

    This is the kind of spot that Walnut Creek desperately needed. A hip yet classy wine bar to cater to the young connoisseurs and aspiring wine enthusiasts. There isn't a thing about RS that isn't outstanding. Their wine selection cannot fail you. Either you know what you want or you know what you like. Me, I'm an I know what I like kinda guy. I'll let my bartender know and their referrals have always been delectably spectacular. And I stress that it is the ENTIRE staff that is remarkable. A great (and lost elsewhere) quality about RS is consistency. Their wines are consistently delicious. The staff is consistently stellar. It's what any guest walking through the door wants and RS knows that's what they must deliver. Extra star in that they do it effortlessly with respect and congeniality. RS was greatly accommodating for my sister's most recent birthday. She wanted to have a few people there and called just a couple hours before planned party time to RS to reserve the couches in the front of the bar. Initially she was told it had already been reserved but she later could not stop singing their praises for the bartender going above and beyond to grant her her birthday wish. In short, she was receiving proactive calls from them and apparently they even got the manager, James (great, great guy btw), involved to make sure her special day was to her desire. There's a sixth star missing on Yelp, and Residual Sugar would be one of very few places in my column that would deserve it.

    (5)

  • Diem L.

    Went to this spot to meet up with Jamie for drinks...It was cool. Wait staff was gone for like 15 minutes and never came back until we went up to the bar to get a menu and sit back down...Wines are okay...It can get a bit crowded...Nothing amazing about this place really...Its just okay...I'll head back to meet up with Jamie for drinks but that would be the extent of things...I wouldn't venture to this spot otherwise...

    (3)

  • Rachel F.

    Holy crap, when did this place get so expensive?? It had been a while since my last visit, and a couple of girlfriends and I stopped in for some drinks after dinner in the middle of the week. While they have an extensive wine list, everything is pretty pricey. There's a couple of wines that were $9 (the cheapest), a few that were $11 or $12, and the rest were all well into the $16-$20 range for a glass. And portion sizes are not very generous. It seems like they measure exactly 3 oz and that's all you get. And the staff could be a little more warm and welcoming. I don't think anyone who works here smiles. The only way I would step foot back in here is during Happy Hour. I'm not spending $12+ for a glass of decent wine when there are so many other places in WC that have better prices and HHs. So minus one star since my last review for the increased prices. They stay at 2 for their ambiance and hours.

    (2)

  • Amanda T.

    '09 Maldonado is an awesome Chardonnay! :) food Is amazing :) nice quiet place!

    (4)

  • Emily J.

    Upon entering this new addition to the downtown Walnut Creek bar extravaganza, I was glad that I put a little extra effort into my outfit choice and stepped it up a notch with a dress and my favorite pair of boots. Residual Sugar is worth a little extra effort. Warm wood paneling with squishy bar stools and neat lighting fixtures and purse hooks to hold your bag off the floor. You and your favorite pair of boots will select from a nice array of white, rose, red and sparkling wines and, for eats - cheeses, meats and olives. For those that aren't fans of wine, they have an amazing selection of bottled beers available for purchase to drink there or to go. If you aren't a fan of wine OR beer, don't go here. We also probably can't be friends. We didn't partake in any of the foods and the wines on tap were unavailable due to some technical difficulties but I really enjoyed the wine flight options and those available by the glass. I sipped away on my Southern Hemisphere flight to start and then a glass of pinot noir. Happy hour, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: $5 white or red Mystery wine: guess the varietal and region and your glass is free This is a nice pre-theater spot, less than a block from the Lesher Center for the Arts.

    (4)

  • David W.

    My wife and I love this place. The staff is helpful and attentive. The ambiance is great...dark wood and brick space lined with wine bottles (of course). Food selections are very good for a wine bar...I recommend the cheese selections and charcuterie. And yeah, the wine selection is excellent. Residual Sugar can be busy before curtain time at the Lesher Center across the street, but on most nights after 8:00 you can get a seat. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Carole G.

    I guess we must have come here on a slow off night because my experience was less than favorable. First off, I'm no wine connoisseur but I do know that the higher the alcohol content the lower residual sugar. The bar lady told us just the opposite and I don't think she was very knowledgable about wine. That was disappointing from the start. I expected a lot more in wine knowledge from the persons attending the bar than what I received. We stopped by based on the high reviews and because we were early for our dinner reservations and wanted to kill some time. I probably wouldn't come here again based on my first impression. It's a bar but they serve wine and a few beers on tap. Not really my cup of tea as far as atmosphere. On a good note, the bar seats were extremely comfortable and can see how patrons would stay for several hours to relax. There is also a large selection of wines.

    (2)

  • Connie C.

    I love this wine bar! Great choice of wines, the cheese selections are awesome, and just a fun place to try wines you don't see offered by the glass.

    (5)

  • Meg N.

    wine + bar = fun! So stopped in here with a friend and the man for a glass of wine because I had heard rave reviews about it. I will agree with many others that the layout of this place is very limited and fo parties of twowould create a bit of a socializing dilema. They have minimal, and by minimal i mean three selections fo beer. I only state this because out of the three of us there that day I was the only wine drinker. The selection of wines by the bottle was fabuloous. I know for me and my group typically we would buy a bottle so this would not be a down side to this place at all. I mean come on 1 bottle = five nornal sized glases. Easily done between two or three people socializing. The service was neither great nor bad. We were welcomed (after walking half the length of the bar), invited to sit in the couches up front, received menus (within 5 min) and received our drinks within another 10. Only one person was working and knowing how hard it is to work a wine bar by yourself I have to give props. Only reason for -1 star was I don't consider myself an expert in wine But i do know a fair amount. I went for a flight becauase I didn't know what it was that I wanted that day. The order suggested by the server would have ruined the last wine for anyone not knowing better. That would have been a shame since the malbec and zin I was tasting were both respectivly delicious. We didn't try any food as we didn't see a food menu but maybe next time! ~This is not a good place for groups only for couples and maybe group of three. ~The wne by the glass list may be limited but don't be shy about walking out with a bottle. Since the place sells retail you can take a bottle you have opened away with you they can't actually stop you ~The overly large TV is a total take away to the place

    (4)

  • Cari J.

    Love this place, super styley and hip! Great wines, sommelier really knows his stuff and gives great advice, very friendly. Perfect for date night, friends or ladies night out! We try to go here whenever we're in walnut creek.

    (5)

  • Becka C.

    Loved this from the moment I passed by it on my way to the Sunday street market. It's got a DT San Fran feel to it with it's dark interior, mood lighting, and prestigious selection of wine. The flights are hand selected and always great choices. You can buy hard to find bottles here too! The meat and cheese platters are small (I'd have one to myself, but always try to share). The two times I've been here I've asked the servers what pairs well with the flight I chose and they're spot on!

    (4)

  • Naomi G.

    My favorite wine bar in Walnut Creek, hands down. The staff is friendly, knowledgable, and down to earth. The music ranges depending on the mood of the staff, but often times in the late evening, they will play some West Coast Rap or modern R&B. Awesome recommendations, wines on tap, and super tasty food. One of my faves!

    (5)

  • Vicki B.

    Had a great time at Residual Sugar this past weekend - great staff!

    (4)

  • Chanelle N.

    I just recently went here for the first time last night and I'm already all about it!!! The name alone is so intriguing. I guess I didn't get to enjoy the full experience since I just stopped in for a bit but so far it had the WOW factor. The manager Nate was super friendly! The decor is so simple yet so chic. It was packed last night so it seemed pretty small. I'm not sure if I'd want to come here with a large group. I will for sure be back. Hopefully, I can update my review with 5 stars.

    (4)

  • Jakub G.

    Great place! The staff is very knowledgeable and anybody who gets in there gets the vibe right away! Great wine selection!

    (5)

  • Pamela I.

    I have actually been to this place a few times and I love it! Good for groups or dates! It's nice that it is kind of away from all the other bars and restaurants, kind of secluded.

    (4)

  • Robin S.

    FACT: I'm not a wine drinker OLD REALITY: All wine bars suck for me NEW REALITY: Residual Sugar may just turn me into a vino-lover. It's really that laid back and cool. I loved the bartender and his non-attitude about my complete ignorance of wine.

    (5)

  • Sissy R.

    I do like this place. But one of the guys who works there was a total snob when I asked for his advice on what to chose. He asked me what wine I liked, and I said, oh, I like the Cupcake wine (good budget wine). And he got his panties in a twist about how that wine was sold at Walmart or something. I am not sure about that, but either way, he looked like a total ass. The wine was good, and he had me try several kinds. And I think we got comped an appetizer for our next visit because the bill was messed up...an extra glass or wine or we never received food we ordered. Food choices are just limited and just ok. Va da Vi way more super delicious. Pretty noisy. But its a nice place and I would go back .

    (4)

  • Rich P.

    Cool place. Huge selection of great wine. They've got a few beers on tap too.

    (4)

  • Patty L.

    Meh..not too impressed with my first visit. Service and atmosphere are the main ingredients for an exceptional experience at a bar/restaurant along with quality products. Not this night. No suggestions, no smiles, no food.. Ok, it was about an hour or so before closing but really, how much prepping do you need to serve up a piece of bread, cheese or nuts, etc. No biggie but catching the rolling of her (the bartender) eyes at other customers..was just plain rude. On a positive note, the wine, was good! May have to come back to give this place a second shot just because I love wine & this may have just been a bad night. We'll see!

    (3)

  • Janaia R.

    I came here for a holiday meeting in December with some ladies. AMBIANCE: 5/5! I love the ambiance and decor! We were seated in a very nice lounge right next to the window. I just really loved the feeling of this place...a touch of luxury, quiet and intimate. SERVICE: 5/5. The waiter was VERY attentive to our every need, and the owner of the place even came out to greet us and ask how everything went. Very impressed with the level of service we received. FOOD: 3/5. We split a bunch of hors d'oeurves and salad which, I hate to admit, were pretty standard. It was tasty, but nothing that clearly stood out that I would recommend. However, in the future I would like to sample some of their other salads and paninis that looked good. WINE:?. Who goes to wine bar and doesn't drink wine? Well, me of course. However, all of the other 7 ladies in our party seemed to thoroughly enjoy their wine and the wine selection....no complaints. Despite the food being mediocre, I still had a great time and would definitely come back to socialize and try new items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Gus W.

    So we returned to Residual Sugar after a year or so. Our previous experience wasn't so good. However, the place seems to have a new, more appealing vibe and menu. Definitely worth checking out in WC.

    (4)

  • Ky S.

    This was a neat place! We enjoyed a drink here after dinner one night. I was a little disappointed with the wine selection, and the prices were a little high, but ultimately pleased with the serving size. Additionally, the bartender gave us a sample of a similar wine to compare. It was so neat to talk wine with people who enjoy it in a casual atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Danny C.

    Great place! I learned about it by chatting with a nice guy at my gym... turns out he owns the place. Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon with my wife and we were very impressed by the atmosphere, the decor, the staff,and the happy hour prices. Definitely be going back!

    (5)

  • Katie W.

    Very fun experience if you can find seating! The staff is helpful and friendly, I would definitely take my friends/family there.

    (5)

  • Brian C.

    I agree with the other reviewers here. This wine bar is a delight. Excellent selection. Cool vibe, hip crowd, and bartenders who will take care of you. Do yourself a favor and try the Chateau Cadillac paired with the chocolate cupcake. Mmmm. They also have an extremely balanced white on tap.

    (5)

  • Mina N.

    If I could move into Residual Sugar, I probably would. It's a breath of fresh air in a very stuffy downtown area. It has such a great and inviting atmosphere. They offer a great wine list and a simple yet delicious food menu. Extremely knowledgeable and personable staff who are willing and able to answer all your questions. Residual Sugar, I love you.

    (5)

  • Ron B.

    Nice little spot...Lots of vino to choose from....excellent flight choices....good atmosphere, good crowd... the bartenders know their stuff too! I asked one about their Rhone wines via north and south, and the bartender gave me a lesson on the region! He validated everything I knew and more.... Good vibe...good spot...I recommend it!

    (4)

  • Rachel W.

    omg. love. lovelovelove this place. you feel immediately cool when you walk in. the cheese plates are fantastic. wine on tap? yes please. love the rhone flight options and the bubblies. friendly staff....if its crowded they can be a little slow. fantastic atmosphere. note to the guy: do not wear baseball caps in here. you look like a d-bag.

    (5)

  • B. A.

    Pros: Nice by the glass selection of no more than a dozen reds and whites each with well written descriptions to chose from. Offers a 1 red, 1 white, 1 beer happy hour selection. Better menu options than many wine bars with paninis, soups, charcuterie, etc. Good ambiance. Friendly staff. And yup, very comfortable ( if difficult to move) bar stools. Good place for a date night drink or catching up with a friend. You can make reservations for any of the seating except the bar. Cons: Still a little limited in their offerings (no dessert wines/ports, shirahs/shiraz, only 4 beers, etc.). What they have is great, but we were hoping for a broader breadth and depth of options. We will probably stick to other places until the selection improves, just because we like variety. Also, prices have gone up over the last year. No happy hour food selections. Wines by the glass and the charcuterie and cheese plates are pricey (but tasty and well arranged). Also, just a heads up, not a group place - stick to couples/three people tops or you are likely to find no place to sit together.

    (3)

  • Brandon A.

    My sister took me here Thursday night for my birthday and I must say it was one of the best I've ever had! I started with the Rhone Flight which was AMAZING and a Charcuterie and cheese platter with a triple cream brie that is to DIE for. The owner found out it was my birthday and gave us a free bottle of bubbles and then the manager brought us a free bottle of red! The manager was extremely knowledgeable about all of the wines on the menu...as he hand picked them all himself. I finished the night with a glass of negrette that was so-so. Definitely going back as soon as possible!

    (5)

  • Devin W.

    Staff very very knowledgable and incredibly friendly! Offer a HUGE selection of wines. Been here 3x now and each time the experience has been Great! Sometimes it is too busy to find a table but it is worth the wait! The food selection could be improved...

    (5)

  • Helen K.

    5 stars for the manager and cool staff. Can't wait to return.

    (5)

  • Angela R.

    If you love wine, the you WILL love Residual Sugar! This place is superb!! Being a regular, I know that the service is consistent and great! The staff knows wine and will get you what you want. The small plates are superb. Try the cheeses! Then get the tomato soup and grilled cheese...best grilled cheese ever. This is the kind of place you want to hang out with your BFF. it's where I hung out with my best friend. She got a white...I ordered red. Make this your spot.

    (5)

  • Ashley P.

    Great Vibe! This place has changed a little since the last time I had visited and it's for the better! Walking into Residual Sugar, you are walking into a warm inviting place - almost like someone's private cellar or somewhere you have been before and it is comfortable. There is an actual bar along with a few couches/benches to lounge on. The bartenders are very knowledgeable about the wines but not in a snooty way - they are very nice and helpful with suggestions (not just pointing you to the most expensive glass). The prices range but for the most part they are reasonable enough for this place to become a regular spot. Also, this wine bar plays HIP-HOP!! Double plus.. I can't wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Michael W.

    1 less star for not enough room!!! this place always seems to be crowded with some good people, but still, not finding seats in a cool wine bar/lounge like this could be very disappointing at times. Other than that, great service, and hopefully great selection too? Some might say the price is a big high, but I think their service and quality deserve such pricing and that I only wish they would open up a sister bar just like this but with beer. I'm not a wine expert so I can't say much about their wine but the ambiance is awesome and allow people there to easily have a conversation and a good time. also, from 5pm to 7pm, it's happy hour and the price for wine is just amazing.

    (4)

  • Jonathan H.

    Always enjoy stopping in at this cool spot on Locust in Walnut Creek. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and ask questions to make sure that you have the experience that you were looking for when you came in. You feel like you are going over to a friend's house for a drink if that friend had a cool bar, a well-stocked wine cellar, and a TV playing anything from sports to Kill Bill Vol 2.

    (5)

  • Nicole S.

    I love, love, love this place. The staff is very friendly (and not pretentios, which is always a plus, especially for a wine bar), the environment is cozy, yet chic, and there are so many wine selections it makes your head spin-- or maybe that's just the wine iteself. They have a variety or wine slections and price ranges. Their Happy Hour is fantastic- 7 days a week!

    (5)

  • Monique Y.

    Love the atmosphere, energy, and Geoff!!!

    (5)

  • Mrs. A.

    super cool, hip Walnut Creek wine bar. Nice selections of reds!

    (4)

  • joanne d.

    Okay this is the second time I've been here and I'm a BIG fan of this place! The first time my boyfriend and I came here we instantly loved the decor, the service, and the wines. Then the second time around I threw a birthday party for my boyfriend here. Jennifer who I was in contact with by email with the reservation was very helpful and answered my questions back within a day or two. Then the day of the party, Nate the Manager greeted us and was also our server the whole night. Apologies for thinking his name was Dave. LOL But he let me get away with it and just ran with me calling him Dave the whole night. That's really cool of him. He was really awesome all night remembering all of our drinks as each glass was being emptied out. Love the hip hop playing after 10pm. My boyfriend's friends appreciated that. Nate was also really funny and down making our friends laugh. There were about 16 of us I believe we had the big lounge area and the smaller lounge areas at the front. We all basically fit on the big lounge area, but occasionally some of us would drift to the smaller lounge area too to hang out there. I ordered some snacks for us to share and Nate even chose cheese for us. Everyone was really into the 18% Alcohol wine called the Prisoner and loved it along with the beer on tap. All night I was enjoying my Pinot. Definitely our new fave place to hang out. My friends that night also all became a fan of this place and will come back. Thanks Nate for a cool night and making my boyfriend's Bday Party memorable.

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    6 stars!! Gorgeous, well-lit, sexy little wine bar with the best seating I have ever seen at an enoteca. We came here after a YEE at Élevé for a friend's (early) birthday celebration and to get away from the craziness. Hint: checking in with the note "afterparty" will let everyone you want to know know where to go when they're done with the frotteur's paradise that is a Yelp Elite Event. Slide into the chairs here, more comfortable and classy than any I have seen at an enoteca, and marvel at the extensive wine library that you are encouraged to browse and take a bottle from to be poured by their staff. The wine library is an excellent backdrop for photos (hello Aaron G!) for that sophisticate who wants a shot next to his "wine collection." Cheese plates are on the menu, and you can also have wine by the glass of course if you don't go the bottle route. Service is attentive but laid back and not unctuous. Big bonus points for a place that could be very stuffed-shirt and pretentious having an overly remastered HD version of Caddyshack on the giant LCD in the middle. The R-rated version had a few more topless scenes than I remember and more Chevy then you would ever want to Chase.

    (5)

  • Lindsey O.

    What a charming place, and what a charming owner! Since other Yelpers already raved about their ambiance and wine selection, I will comment more around the awesome customer experience @ this place. Jim is one of the most accommodating business owners that I have encountered in a long time. Saturday girls night out ended on a completely satisfied note due to Jim's above-and-beyond attentiveness towards his customers. If you think a wine bar is a wine bar is a wine bar, think again. There is a wine bar that will actually care how much you get to enjoy your glass(es) of wine. To me, that indicates that this place is run by someone who has a true passion for wine and wants others to enjoy wine as much as he does.

    (5)

  • Kristina H.

    I love this place. I don't get out much but when I do I enjoy coming here with a girlfriend and having a flight of wine and an array of cheese. The menu is a limited snack type menu but they have a wide variety of meats, cheeses, panini's and salads. They also have some chocolate sweets. They also have a good happy hour and food specials that are always different. I love the seating and the hooks under the bar, the service is great, the wine is amazing and the staff is knowledgeable and able to recommend wines if you don't know your stuff (I'm learning). They will let you taste and figure out what you like and don't like. They play good music and have a big screen TV if your into watching sports.

    (5)

  • Jan K.

    Updating my review after having the most fabulous time here the other night with some girlfriends. We enjoyed some amazing wine and cheese with the help of our favorite wine expert, Nate! This wine bar is unique in that you can enjoy wines from all over the world and experience labels that aren't typically featured. You can get out of your comfort zone of always ordering Rombauer and other Napa wines and get a brand new experience. Be sure to rely on the staff to recommend a flight or glass that best suites your mood! Great ambiance and decor. This is my favorite place to come after a long day at work or just to catch up with friends. You must try the Brillat Savarin cheese - triple cream buttery cheese that melts in your mouth. Their meat selection is also amazing - coppa and prosciutto are my favs! Highly Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Donna D.

    I love this place, no doubt about it. The great service and wine selections keep us coming back. My boyfriend introduced me to this place when we first started dating. He always had a keen eye on this wine bar because they carried a dark Belgian beer that he really enjoys. As for me, I have an ambition in life to be one of those wine connoisseurs. So naturally, I enjoyed my first visit (and every visit since) here. We're always the youngest people in the bar, which I find amusing every time. Their wine selection is extensive and you can tell just by looking at the picture of the wall of wine. I love it. And the best part is that even if you know nothing about wine, the servers have no problem in giving suggestions and wine samples for you. We seem to always see the same server and he's always great help. This place has definitely contributed to my appreciation of wine and the different kinds this world has to offer. I will definitely be back again and again.

    (5)

  • Blake B.

    Within you will find a friendly knowledgeable staff, a good cheese and charcuterie selection to go with the wine selection. For reds go with the Cahors (malbec), merlot or the Spaniards. For whites go with the muscadet, chablis or cali chardonnay or sancerre.

    (5)

  • David O.

    I've been to Residual Sugar a couple of times now and I must say it's a really cool Wine Bar in the Creek. For you oenophiles, their wine selection by the glass is extremely adventurous and you'll get an opportunity to taste some wines you probably have never heard of. While the Napa Valley is of course represented, it is not the dominant choice here at Residual Sugar. Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to taste a really nice glass of Prisoner red blend which left me wanting more. While I'd never actually heard of Prisoner (Orin Swift Cellars) I will most certainly look to add it to my own wine collection now.

    (4)

  • Vicky T.

    Super awesome spot for a casual date or hang out spot. I really like variety, so I'm a wine flight lover. I love all things bubbly, so the sparkling wine flight was perfect for me ($20 I believe...) I also got the 3x3 (pick 3 cheeses and 3 meats) which was $25 The blue cheese with drizzled honey was my fave... and all the salami/meat picks were yummy. There was one that had a curry spice in it which I really liked.. super different. The staff was very knowledgeable, NOT pretentious, and super friendly. The decor was super cute too... Love the wall lined with wine, the library like ladder, the vintage inspired but modern twist chandeliers, and I really liked how they had old new paper front pages of the Niners, Giants, and other world history big events... fun casual place to chat and drink wine. I'm coming back here again for sure.. this will be my new hangout spot. =)

    (4)

  • Kymberli C.

    Great place to have a glass of wine and some cheese or cured meats with a friend or more... They have a large variety of different wines from all over. You can have a glass, purchase a bottle or have a flight. The staff is friendly and they frequently check up on you to see if you need more wine. It is mainly a long bar with very comfortable seats. There also is a couple tables you can sit at as well. There's also a large flat screen tv in the middle of the bar. They also serve beer here too.

    (4)

  • kara S.

    I seriously LOVE this place, I will miss it when i move in a couple weeks! Wine on tap amazing, but not as amazing as the green olive goat cheese bruschetta! YUMMMM My friend had the ricotta sun dried tomato/basil bruschetta tonight too, I had a taste delicious! Their array of cheese is amazing, my friends like the different choice of sliced meat, coppa, proscuitto... mmm Oh the pours are very generous too. Man such an amazing wine menu and the foods pair fantastically!

    (4)

  • gabz c.

    This place is great! Many wines to choose from within different price ranges. The bartender was very knowledgeable and helpful. He also let me sample a couple of reds and poured me a nice big glass of the preferred :)) A more mature and sophisticated crowd but not pretentious. Great ambiance and very comfortable. You want to hang out and sip wine all night. The food could be better.

    (4)

  • rosanna c.

    Some people like trendy, hip wine bars like Press Club. Others like low-key, chill wine bars like Residual Sugar. As others have noted, there are no tastings, only glasses or bottles, but he staff is friendly enough to offer tastings if you can't decide what to try. Selection is decent; a lot of California wines from large wineries. I've heard of a majority of them, so this may not be the place to discover new wines. The crowd was chill on a Tuesday night with a few businessmen and singletons reading at the bar. Added plus is that they sell bottles so if you find something, you can buy a bottle - though at a markup from retail. I personally like the dark, bookish feel of the bar. I wish there were more casual wine bars that opened late closer to me.

    (4)

  • Ashley H.

    Me likey! Met up with one of my friends for a drink here last Saturday, but when we got here, we changed our minds from staying for a couple of hours into a whole evening because this place had a great vibe. This place is fun and not pretentious. The bartenders were funky and down to earth and had a good feel for the items on the menu, which is essential when I'm hanging out with this particular friend who was a bartender for years. Great pricing for the 3x3 meat and cheese plate; the selection isn't extensive, but the items on the menu are very well selected. Quality over quantity (don't most people become exponentially overwhelmed if they are given more than 3 items to choose from anyways?). This place wasn't completely packed, but it was busy towards the end of the night. The bar also had some good music playing...there were definitely some throwbacks to 10-15 years ago. Random note: watch out when walking across streets to get here...almost got hit in the crosswalk twice while the little green man sign was lit for me to cross (ridiculous!!).

    (5)

  • Allison T.

    This place was a great little gem within the hoopla and schmoozy-ness of downtown walnut creek. The clientel was definitely not the crowd I was used to (one girls bag was worth more than my entire shoe collection) but be that as it may, the space was cool, the bartenders were unexpectedly SUPER cool and the wine was really good. Done, done and done.

    (4)

  • Ninette B.

    Nice little wine bar tucked away in Walnut Creek. Happy hour specials, meat and cheese trays.. all in all, they win. I'll be back here!

    (4)

  • Johnny L.

    Came in for a visit (more like crawled in) after having dinner at Havana down the street. The place is pretty cool - upon entering, the entire wall to the right, all 14' tall, 20' long, are bottles of grape, from reds, whites, champagne, you name it, it is there. The entire space is kinda narrow, but, that lends itself to a more informal, homey feeling. Major cougar alert though. Despite the fact that I walked in with the B&C and our friends, I caught overt glances from more than one half-crocked Dub-c'er out on a Sat night trolling for new meat. I felt so, so......used. Ya feel me?

    (4)

  • Amanda B.

    Stopped in here on a Monday night with a friend for wine and cheese. We each chose to do a flight of wines and the 3x3 plate of cheese and charcuterie. The bar was pretty empty (and I had actually assumed it would be full with an after work crowd, guess not!) but it was very nice, decor wise. Dark woods and a nice marble bar with truly comfortable padded lather stools. And purse hooks! All praise purse hooks. The bartender was helpful and more staff trickled in as we were drinking. One bartender was having a glass of wine himself, which I've really never seen before outside of a coyote-ugly type place, but ok. The whole experience was pretty relaxing and easy going, but I am taking off a star because the 3 bartenders gathered right across the bar from my friend and I in order to talk and shoot the shit. We were almost done, to be fair, but they should have been closer to an abandoned part of the bar instead of customers.

    (4)

  • Betty D.

    Been here three times and two of the three I couldn't hear myself think and they had on totally inappropriate movies (sorry, Quentin Tarantino and Rocky Horror are not my idea of wine bar movies) playing. On to the wine. They have a great selection of whites, reds, and sparkling. I've never been disappointed with the wine I've chosen. What I have been disappointed about is that although they are set up with the individual tasting thingy behind the bar, it hasn't worked since a week or so after they opened. So, there's no "tasting" of wines available. The staff is always nice and knowledgeable which is also a plus. The furnishings are nice too. I feel like I'm in an old library (with the exception of the blaring TVs). Unfortunately, for me, it's the ambiance that kills this place. When I think of wine bars I think of sophisticated and subdued ... nope, not here.

    (2)

  • Megan M.

    I have been here several times now and am always very happy with the service, ambiance and, most importantly, the wine! I went there with a friend for Happy Hour the other day. Our server was very sweet, but had only been there three days. When we asked about what wines where included in the $5 a glass happy hour she said that any wine by the glass was included. We found that this wasn't true when we got our bill, but they were very gracious about it and honored the $5 dollar a glass. We also ordered the Caprese salad to share and it was quite yummy! This place gets pretty loud and crowded later at night, as most bars and clubs do, but early in the evening it is quiet, relaxed and very pleasant. They always have great music playing and sometimes they have good movies on too. One time I was delighted to see The Goonies playing on the big screen! The staff is always very friendly and never seems to busy to stop and chat or answer questions about the hundreds of bottles that they have there. Apparently the owner travels the world collecting bottles of wine and the wine bar doubles as storage for him. Some worth over $20,000 I discovered- those are the ones in the locked case in the back :) I would definitely recommend this place. I have yet to have a bad experience, or a bad glass of wine there!

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    I went here on a different Friday afternoon/late evening and the service was much better! The appetizers were excellent and I really enjoyed my wine. Our bartender was thoughtful enough to tell us that some seats opened up at the bar so we could move from the couch. I also liked that they had a sporting event on instead of a movie, since the sound isn't on anyways. ;)

    (5)

  • Lulu P.

    I love this place! The staff is always friendly and very knowledgeable about their wines. I wrote a review a couple of months ago and gave them a 4, but I'm actually upping that to a 5 now! My only gripe was that the prices were so high, but now the prices are much more reasonable! I highly recommend trying the flights. You'll experience new wines and flavors. I orered the Spanish Flight, and was pleasantly surprised that it included a delicious white. My preference is red, but I really enjoyed it!

    (5)

  • Brandon U.

    Well I used to frequent this place a lot, but recently had a very bad experience. I stopped by one night to grab a glass of wine, but found out it was closing time. So I asked the lady behind the counter what a good bottle of wine would be to grab and go. She recomended the 2009 Chateau Cadillac Bordeaux Superieur, and she said I could have it at a special price of $60.00. I trusted her and thought it was a great deal so I bought it. Needless to say when I got home and looked it up online I found out it cost anywhere from $11.99 to $17.99. What a rip off!!! Special price my a**!! If you are going to go here and purchase, Beware these people will rip you off!!!! Make sure you checkout your wine before you purchase!!!

    (1)

  • Kenneth D.

    Excellent service, good selection, nice atmosphere.

    (4)

  • John S.

    Awesome service! Had Malbec and Brie. Great atmosphere. Happy hour prices are nice too.

    (5)

  • Nia Q.

    Love this place!!!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Susan G.

    Great happy hour. Attendants were attentive and wine was good.

    (4)

  • Vicki L.

    My first time here was great; I WILL RETURN! Love the vibe, music, decor, service, wines on tap, furniture, even their glasses. I guess it's love at first visit? I was startled to hear that they had wine on tap, but the more I think about it the more I love it. Eco-conscious, bless them. This is the perfect place for a chill and relaxed outing or date. I dressed on the very casual side (for a WC Friday) in jeans, t-shirt, cardigan, flats, and no big bling - but didn't feel out of place, since the vibe was so laid back. I would say smart casual is perfect here, even though there were some men in suits, date / standard night out attire (collared white shirt and jeans,) with girls in date night clothes, tall tall shoes, with their hair did and face on. Needless to say, it was a mixed crowd. Great place with nice people, for nice people! Expect $7-15/ glass of wine on tap.

    (5)

  • jamie j.

    Love this little intimate environment location. Servers were VERY knowledgeable and helpful, ambiance was comfortable drinks with friends or a romantic date night. Cheese list was not was extensive, but wonderfully selected. The wine (I drank white) were all very well selected and reasonably priced- I tried a variety of price points ($7-$20) and all were nice; the menu descriptions are very well written. Oh, and this place is worth getting dress up a little nicer than jeans and a tshirt....I would describe the crowd as "stylish" but not stuffy.

    (5)

  • Erin G.

    I can tell I'm going to become a regular at this place. Atmosphere was classy, but fun, not at all stuffy. They have cheap wine and beer happy hour specials ($5 wine and $3 beer). I had the wine. I'm hardly a wine connoisseur, but you could tell it wasn't an expensive bottle (obviously, given the happy hour price), but wasn't bad either (let's just say I drank the glass no problem). They also have nice cheese platters and hors d'oeuvre type offerings. Perfect. Just what I look for in a place to get cocktails. If you're looking for a more sophisticated wine-ing experience, I can bet they can do that as well. The entire right wall is covered in all sorts of wines, and I bet they they've got something to suit your fancy. Service was pleasant, prompt and from what I can tell, knowledgeable.

    (5)

  • Randy C.

    One of best wine bars around. Dina always has great suggestions! Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Rachel L.

    Just back for another night at RS and they have a new feature - live music. It's GREAT!!! My friend Kerri and I were pleasantly surprised. What a great addition. We loved it. RS needs to have live music ALL the time. As usual food and wine were great. Jyll an Jenn were super knowledgeable about the wine and we had a great glass. Jim - live music = full bar!! Get on board.

    (5)

  • Jonathan N.

    I have been there two times so far. The bar is narrow and can get a bit crowded due to its dimensions inside. The bar offers a nice selection of wines and has some simple meat, bread, and cheese plate offerings. I found the appetizer options to be a bit ordinary and slightly high on the price scale. The wine servings are good and in line with most places for price. The service can be slow as the two times I went, just a single bartender was serving. If you're looking to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of a day this is a nice option that's off the usual downtown radar.

    (4)

  • Sarah L.

    Wine Bar? Really? Let me paint the picture: A long narrow space with an oversized TV over the bar broadcasting cage fighting, thump-pounding club music too loud for conversation. I guess it went well with the guy behind the bar with 2-day beard growth, jeans with a bar rag stuffed in his back pocket, a tight black T-shirt and a ball cap to finish the look, who was in too much of a hurry doing nothing in particular. Seating: A long linear bar only good for talking into the ear of the person sitting exactly next to you, a few tables-for-2 along the wall, and 2 areas for group seating (upfront with couches, occupied by the dunks, and a table in the rear) No acoustics, just noise bouncing off the walls. Oh yeah, the bar flys... The night we were there a couple of loud effed-up bar sluts, arms flung up in the air, cackling and screeching until some dude hopped on one of them for some heavy pawing (thanks for shutting the bitch up but eewwww!). On our way out I saw some old cock wrapped around the other one trying to put his tongue in her ear, I think, looking pretty pathetic at it. THIS IS AN OFF-CAMPUS SPORTS BAR people! Go to the Grad in Chico for a comparable scene. One strong composit star for: Great wine selection (though wasted on the clientele) try the French Malbec, well worth the $13/glass. Nice decor, expensively done and great potential.

    (1)

  • Jennifer J.

    This family-owned establishment is amazing! My fiance and I went there for a local "soft-opening", and we loved what they did with the place. The colors are warm and inviting, and there are beautiful accents that give it just the right character. There is also a flat screen TV for those of you who wish to watch the game over a nice glass of wine or beer. Not only is the atmosphere wonderful, but the people there are so knowledgeable and friendly. Jim is a sommelier whose knowledge of wines is astounding. His wife Jennifer is so sweet and wonderful, and they make you feel like you are just hanging out with friends. Andrea has been in the biz for many years and it shows with her great command of the place. They are willing to open seemingly any bottle for you if you commit to buying 2 glasses--how awesome is that?? :) No more being limited to only "wines by the glass menu"! I wish Residual Sugar all the best with their "official" opening, and my fiance and I are sure to become regulars! Such a great addition to downtown WC!

    (5)

  • evan c.

    Long story short, I walked in and was treated very poorly by Andrea. I find time after time she has difficulty treating customers and her own co-workers in a respectful and professional manner. Don't want to boar you with the details but my fiance and I wont be returning. It's such a shame Artisan closed. We miss you Lena and Landen!

    (1)

  • Jennifer S.

    The $5 happy hour wine is always great, and the 3x3 cheese and meat plate is delicious. The waitress Deanna is awesome... The girls and I from work have made this place out weekly wine Wednesday's!

    (4)

  • Regina S.

    This place is so cute! Came here on a Friday night with 4 others around 9 and it wasn't busy til an hr or so later, so we were able to grab a table in the back! We all had a glass of wine and hung out for awhile and when wanting to pay they took awhile cause it was busy, we didn't mind at all but the guy gave us 25% off for taking to long with our bill, Which was super nice! They had tons of wines and a couple beers and a snack/food menu , so ill be back!

    (4)

  • Pam K.

    Loved this place! Nice ambience and delicious wine. First time there and was pleasantly surprised. Our waiter, I think his name was Justin, was very attentive. An error was made on our food order and he promptly tried to correct the mishap. I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Deyanira M.

    I went here with a co-worker for happy hour and was very impressed. We sat at the bar and had a wonderful waitress/bartender who made some great recommendations on wines. The food was very good, we had a cheese platter, salad and a sausage platter. The place is not too big, but it's fun to hang out for drinks and appetizers with a small group of friends. The decor is really nice with all the bottles.

    (5)

  • Jan W.

    I've been here once and enjoyed it's casual atmosphere and moderate prices. I ordered a wine flight of red Italian wines which probably came out to a glass and a half of wine which was a perfect amount. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere was kinda dark and urban which I liked--made be forget I was in the burbs. The only reason I did not give it five stars was because the food was just OK. I mean - it wasn't bad...but it's not the place you go for food - go for the wine.

    (4)

  • Stina T.

    Love love love this place! The ambience, the people, the wine list... and the olives. :) (You must try these imported Italian olives, I'm telling you they're the best I've ever had). I'm so happy to finally have a local place in WC where you can go and hang out and really feel at home. I guess this is why we go here at least once (if not 2 or 3) times a week. This place is great, I could go on and on about it. If you haven't been, you need to go immediately.

    (5)

  • R Y.

    Along with Spoontonic, this is a favorite of mine from around the WC way. A wine bar with an awesome, friendly staff. Star. New wave, Black Keys, old-skool Hip-hop playing in the background at a decent level. Star. Wine rack, book-case style. Star. Warriors/Niners game on plasma. Star. Unpretentious, comfortable atmosphere. Star. Friendly, mature bar patrons. Star. Good wines, good flights to sample, decent beer selection on tap, awesome desserts. Star limit surpassed.

    (5)

  • Melissa B.

    This is a very fun and lively wine bar!! I went there with a group of girlfriends and our mothers and we had a very helpful waiter who helped us pair some great tasting wines with delicious entrees. Definitely call to make a reservation if you are going on a weekend night.

    (5)

  • Cary N.

    Went here for date night with the wife. We were really impressed! Residual Sugar exceeded our expectations. Great decor, great wine, great food, and great service. Generous pours and wonderfully presented food. The wine flights are very much NOT California focused which we love! We got the Spanish flight and the bartender happened to be a Spanish wine specialist so he gave us all kinds of great background on the wines. Overall the service could not have been better. I'm really look forward to coming back. This is our new favorite place. I'm also looking forward to seeing some Belgian Beers on tap soon.

    (5)

  • Tyler H.

    If you haven't been here yet, you are missing out! In a town where the night life is umm, shall we say, less than ideal - Residual Sugar offers the perfect balance. It is casual yet elegant, fun without having to take it to the dance floor and the crowd is always great. I also don't feel like I need to prove how cool I am at Residual Sugar, how refreshing. Now, onto the staff - these guys are the reason the place rocks your socks off. The other night we went by and asked what time they close. The answer? Whenever you guys want to leave. Awesome! I then proceeded to sit down and digest the menu. I make it a habit to almost always ask for a recommendation at restaurants and bars like this. I told him my preferences for wine and he took my menu, told me he knows exactly what I need and proceeded to bring me a glass. He then proceeded to explain what the wine was, what region its from and the characteristics. Guess what...they know their stuff here - again, refreshing. Now, I know what you're thinking...the glass he brought me was probably 400 bucks right? Wrong. $10. What a guy. Combine the ambiance with the staff with the crowd - good gracious you have got a great place to hang out. Check it out for Happy Hour as well - 5-7 (i think) and you can get a glass of wine for $5. Chosen by them but always a solid choice. Check this place out...you won't be sorry. Unless you like dirty bars and terrible wine. Then this is probably not for you.

    (5)

  • Carolyn C.

    "The wines are mediocre at best. Priced at the level of a library selection. Save your money and time. This place is a bust. I can't for the life of me figure why anyone comes here. Well the barstools are comfortable."

    (2)

  • Keith J.

    What a spot! An amazing collection of great wines (nicely formated in the 'Trapper Keeper Wine List') and a very warm yet modern ambiance. Definitely going back again and again!

    (5)

  • Maranda S.

    Great place. Feels like San Francisco. Service, food and wine is amazing, but the tab can add up very quickly!

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
  • Mon : 5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Fri
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Has TV : Yes

Residual Sugar

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