Augustine Wine Bar

Love love love this little wine bar. Really great atmosphere, food, wine, and amazing well-versed bartenders. I’ve been twice now and like that the menu is usually different. My favorite part is that you can try the more expensive taste of wine if the bottle is open— I got to try a 2006 Syrah recently that I never would’ve chosen without trying because I typically don’t like raw, but it was my favorite wine of the night.

honestly kind of stumbled into this place and so glad i did. the patio area is really chill, perfect for just hanging out and not feeling rushed or anything. i had a glass of cab and it was super smooth, exactly what i needed after a long week. the person working there was really friendly and knew their stuff when i asked about the pours. i didnt want to leave, felt like i couldve just sat there for hours. definitely plan on going back again soon.

This is an actual wine bar—and a very good one—where the menu actually has more than 2 reds, 2 whites, 2 sparkling. They’ve got multiple options every night, including orange / amber, funky and not-funky. The people behind the bar are happy to meet you where you are, not judgmental, and in my experience have a lot of knowledge about what they’ve serving. The interior is very charming. It’s also generally on the darker side. While they don’t advertise it, I would say the wine selections are more often than not from minimally interventionist producers. I think this is great. If you think such things are trendy, don’t worry; it’s not a political atmosphere. You won’t look like you’re doing anything but drinking wine. Tip: they also always have a blackboard with multiple old wines you can try by the glass. It’s relatively expensive but it seems they try to keep it in the $30 - $45-ish range. Food is limited but the options are reliable and tasty: cheese plate, Marcona almonds, I think a steak? Oh, and tater tots. Better than many other places on Ventura for dinner. It can be a little loud sometimes but it’s never a zoo. They have an outdoor area with heat lamps and they share valet with another restaurant.

Zaitouna provided one of the most hostile service experiences I’ve encountered in years on Friday, February 13. She was dismissive and abrasive toward me, my wife, and the entire group I brought. The tone was curt. Eye contact was challenging not welcoming and our questions were met with impatience. I brought a friend who was new to Augustine and genuinely excited to explore wine. When he tried to describe flavor profiles he enjoys, Zaitouna corrected him publicly and repeatedly in a condescending way. At one point, she set a glass down so forcefully that it shattered and cut her hand. It was an uncomfortable moment that reflected the tense energy throughout the evening. She did not smile once during our interaction. The atmosphere was awful from start to finish. Hospitality should feel warm and inviting. This was adversarial. Multiple people in our group commented afterward about how uncomfortable the service felt. We won’t be returning. - Michael In response to your response David: I believe you can hold empathy and accountability together. Taking in context and holding clear expectations is a leadership skill that builds trust and culture. As a manager myself, I believe clarity is kindness. I hope I provided that.