AOC: Wine, Tapas, and now Brunch!

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Stoli The Foodie

AOC is an L.A. gem, commonly known for its wine selection and small plates menu. Chef Suzanne Goin’s California French menu has some Mediterranean influences and is driven by seasonal ingredients. It is an excellent restaurant for dinner that I would recommend anytime (must tries are the arroz negro with squid with saffron aioli; brussels sprouts with pancetta and parsnip puree; grilled pork confit with potato, apples, dijon mustard, and cabbage). Now AOC is open for bunch on the weekends! The delicious culinary decadence of the AOC dinner menu is brought forth in a divine brunch menu.

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SteingartenLA: California-Style Beer Garden

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Stoli The Foodie

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SteingartenLA brings a California rendition of a German-beer-hall, complete with brews and brats, to the Westside. Steingarten opened in a wave of German-themed establishments that popped up around town in the past few years—Wurstkuche, Biergarten, Bru Haus… Just stumbling distance from me, I could not be more thrilled this establishment is in my neighborhood [at the old Kay & Dave’s location on Pico]. The decor features a fully stocked dark wood bar, rustic chalkboard menu, colorful dining room with high ceilings & open-air retractable roof, some communal tables, and a beautiful outdoor patio: Califorinia-style beer garden with a custom-built fire pit and tables/benches. The menu offers unique items such as exotic sausages with regular or pretzel bun, deer salami, chicken schnitzel sandwich and sides such as parmesan fries or red cabbage slaw; it’s divided into: small bites, salads, sandwiches, sausages and burgers. Even the dipping sauces are one of a kind—Steingarten mustard sauce (Dijon with a bit of horseradish) and curry ketchup. Also keep in mind, no meal here is complete without a BEER!

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La Provence Patisserie & Cafe– Casual French

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Stoli The Foodie

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La Provence Cafes bring a quaint French village culture to Los Angeles. From French macarons to paninis, you can’t go wrong with a visit here. The ambiance is casual and non-pretentious. It’s order at the counter and find an available seat style. The baked goods here are delectable (more on that later). The food is consistent and great. I’ve been coming to the Beverly Hills location since I was in middle school, nearly 15 years now. The portions are a good size at very affordable prices. I can generally get lunch for less than $15 which is great for Beverly/Brentwood.

I love the sandwiches and paninis at La Provence, they are served on baguettes that are nicely toasted on the outside and a bit soft on the inside–a nice crunchy panini. There is an option to get half a panini with soup, chili or salad so that’s what I usually go for. They also have one of my favorite soups in town, the country vegetable. It’s a pureed soup and tastes more like tomato soup, but that’s just how I like it. One of my favorite paninis is the Autogrill Special [pictured here], with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, basil and black olive tapenade ($10 + $1 with soup). My other favorite panini is the prosciutto with sauteed mushrooms, goat cheese and arugula.

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Meet French Bistro

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Stoli The Foodie

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Meet, a French Bistro, located where L’Hermitage Bistro used to be, is a lovely addition to the Culver City area. This is not a typical pretentious French restaurant with exorbitant prices. The all French wait staff is very attentive while still maintaining a very unhurried atmosphere. Dinner is served at a French pace, no one is rushing to turn over your table, so you can have a nice leisurely meal. The service is excellent, new plates and silverware are brought between courses, the waiters aim to be unobtrusive and always try to serve to the left and clear to the right. We had mussels during our meal and when our bowls were full of shells they were replaced before we even realized it was necessary. Our table had a slight wobble that we didn’t even notice, but when one of the waitresses was setting something down she noticed it and had it fixed immediately. I was quite impressed with this unassuming establishment. It’s located in a less congested area of Culver City so sitting out on the patio is like sitting in a little cafe in Paris and the food is just as good too.

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Osteria Mozza

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Stoli The Foodie

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It took me quite some time to finally dine at Osteria Mozza, and I can’t believe it did!! With locations in Los Angeles and Singapore, Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Nancy Silverton offer high-end Italian fair, complimented by an elegant dining roomwith a Mozzarella Bar as the main centerpiece. There is a full liquor bar backed by spectacular millwork and white marble bar tops. The mozzarella, burrata, bocconcini and stracciatella are prepared fresh daily. Other menu items include artisanal salumi and handmade pasta along with seafood and meat dishes.

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Porto’s Bakery & Cafe

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Stoli The Foodie

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A very generous co-worker brings Porto’s into the office every couple of weeks and this morning was one of these occasions. Porto’s is pretty far out of the way to patron so this is pretty much the only time many of us get to enjoy the pastries and, of course, a potato ball.