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Wine lovers on the Peninsula have two new reasons to raise a glass. In May, Moods. Wine Bar & Bistro reopened in a new Sunnyvale location, while Rouge Lounge made its debut in San Carlos. Each has its own story and style, but both offer a welcoming space to unwind, connect and explore carefully curated wine lists with a personal touch and a sense of community that extends beyond the glass.
Setting the mood in Sunnyvale
When longtime Peninsula residents and husband-and-wife team Mahmood and KC Saljooqi opened the original Moods Wine Bar in 2017 in Palo Alto, it was a leap of faith. Mahmood Saljooqi had spent 22 years as a hairdresser and was ready to pursue his dream: creating a space that celebrated wine, flavor and hospitality.
After several years building a loyal following in Palo Alto, Moods recently reopened in a standalone Sunnyvale location — now rebranded as Moods. Wine Bar & Bistro — designed to let the Saljooqis bring their full vision to life. The new space, in the former home of Hardy’s Bavaria, offers the freedom they lacked in their previous subleased coffee shop setup, where they eventually lost the lease altogether.
“This is a new chapter for us,” Mahmood Saljooqi said. “We finally have the freedom to shape the space exactly how we imagined it.”
The difference is immediately visible and deeply felt. Gone are the limitations of the old setup; in their place is a space that reflects the couple’s vision. “It’s like a canvas,” said Mahmood Saljooqi, who handled much of the design himself, from the floors to the walls. His own artwork lines the space, which is anchored by a spacious patio, an essential part of their vision.
“We always wanted a place where people could sit outside, relax and enjoy wine in the open air,” Mahmood Saljooqi said.
The improved layout has also made room for more guests, more live music and more of what Moods does best: combining food, wine and culture in a way that feels personal.
That sense of ownership extends to every element. KC Saljooqi leads the wine curation, while Mahmood Saljooqi handles the food. The menu features rich, flavor-packed Afghan dishes, such as four styles of khorma ($17-$22) and aushak, vegetable and chicken-filled dumplings topped with ground beef sauce and mint-seasoned yogurt ($16-$20).
“Afghan food isn’t something that traditionally pairs with wine, so we go by feel,” KC Saljooqi said. “What flavors complement the food? What makes it sing?”
The wine list is varied and accessible, staying true to Moods’ mission to offer something for everyone.
“We want people to feel comfortable trying new things without spending a fortune,” Mahmood Saljooqi said.
Most glasses are priced under $20, with happy hour from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday offering $2 off every glass, $10 bottles and small plate specials.
But what really sets Moods apart is the mood. The atmosphere isn’t an afterthought — it’s the point. Music is front and center, from world beats and jazz to throwback ’80s videos that play on a loop. Mahmood Saljooqi also invites local bands to play, many of which have gone on to book gigs across the Bay Area thanks to their exposure at Moods.
“I just want to create opportunities,” he said. “This space should be about community.”
That community shows up nightly. Within three weeks of reopening, Moods had already cultivated over 30 regulars.
“We know them by name,” KC Saljooqi said. “They’re part of the family.”
And that family dynamic is literal. Mahmood and KC Saljooqi’s adult children help out regularly, and even longtime staff from the Palo Alto location followed them to Sunnyvale.
“It’s a full family operation,” KC Saljooqi said. “We’re all here to support Mahmood’s dream.”
Whether you’re sipping on a bold red, catching live music or exploring Afghan flavors, Moods. Wine Bar & Bistro invites guests to feel at home — and maybe discover something new in the process.
Moods. Wine Bar & Bistro, 111 W. Evelyn Ave., Sunnyvale; 650-773-1780, Instagram: @moods_wine_bar. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 4-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4-11 p.m. and Sunday from 4-9 p.m.
Savor the slow life at Rouge Lounge
If Moods is a celebration of flavor and family, Rouge Lounge is a love letter to leisure. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Huseyin and Sema Tosun, the San Carlos lounge brings the charm of a Parisian wine bar to a quiet block in the neighborhood. While Huseyin Tosun has previous experience as a restaurateur, Rouge Lounge is the first eatery the couple has owned together.
“The idea for Rouge Lounge began with a personal wish,” Sema Tosun said. “We always wanted a place like this to exist — a place to unwind without the structure of a full restaurant. When we couldn’t find it, we decided to build it.”
That wish took shape after a trip to Paris, where the couple fell in love with open-air bistros and unhurried afternoons.
“We’d find these little spots in Turkey and Europe where you could just sit, enjoy a glass of wine and relax,” Sema Tosun said. “I said to my husband, ‘This is what we need at home.’”
They set out to create just that. Rouge Lounge is designed to evoke a European escape, from the Parisian-inspired patio to the warm interiors, layered with captivating artwork, family photos and even touches of Turkish culture. The atmosphere is equal parts elegant and welcoming, with music drifting outside and guests ranging from laptop-working solo visitors to families with kids. On the charming outdoor patio lined with bistro chairs and tables, dogs are welcome too, often basking alongside their owners.
Rouge’s food menu is small but thoughtful, offering a rotating selection of seasonal small bites, including Pinsa Romana Italian flatbread ($18), shrimp ceviche ($18) and filet mignon stuffed with cheese and spinach and wrapped with bacon ($35). While not a full restaurant, the bites are designed to surprise and delight, one more way Rouge encourages lingering.
“We’re not prescribing a single experience,” Sema Tosun said. “Whether you’re coming in after dropping your kid off at school, meeting friends after work or planning a date night, we want it to feel like your space…It’s really about giving people a space that fits their rhythm.”
The location — formerly a wine bar named Wine Gallery just off the main drag in San Carlos — was a lucky find.
“We weren’t seeking out San Carlos,” Sema Tosun said. “We had a very specific list of needs — a patio, small size and existing bar setup. This place checked every box.”
With support from the city and longtime fans of Huseyin Tosun’s previous restaurants, the Tosuns felt confident the new concept would resonate.
The wine list is a mix of local favorites and European finds, including several bottles exclusive to Rouge. With 36 wines offered by the glass ranging from $12 to $28, there’s something for every palate and occasion.
“We’re deeply committed to supporting small producers and boutique wineries,” Sema Tosun said.
Current highlights include exclusive selections from producers like Flying Suitcase in San Carlos, rare Barolos and a Champagne list that goes beyond the usual suspects.
“We love sharing the story behind every bottle,” she said. “It makes the experience feel special.”
That slower, more conversational pace is by design.
“Because guests come in waves, we have time to interact,” Sema Tosun said. “We’re able to tell the stories behind the wines, share a little about where they come from, or even about the winemaker herself. People love that. It makes it fun for them and for us. It doesn’t feel like work.”
Beyond the bottle, Rouge is rooted in community. The Tosuns host live music, local pop-ups and fundraisers for Sema Tosun’s nonprofit, Fund A Need, which supports low-income seniors in the Bay Area.
“We believe in doing good while doing what we love,” she said.
The space has already struck a chord with visitors across generations.
“There’s such a vast age range that comes in,” Sema Tosun said. “We’ve got women in their 70s and 80s, and also a younger crowd in their 20s who are really into wine, which honestly surprised us. You’d think that age group would be at bars, but they’re here, and they’re really enjoying it.”
Even the branding has fans: The Rouge logo — a stylized female face with red lips — has prompted guests to request T-shirts and merch. “It’s funny, everyone says it looks like me, but that wasn’t the intention,” Sema Tosun said with a laugh. Merch is currently in the works.
With its ever-evolving menu, welcoming vibe and lived-in charm, Rouge Lounge is the kind of neighborhood escape that already feels like home.
Rouge Lounge, 890 Laurel St., San Carlos; 650-597-5234, Instagram: @rougelounge890. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 1-9 p.m. and Sunday from 2-9 p.m.
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