Juice

Boston & Chicago last week

Last week we ate at Central Kitchen, No. 9 Park, B&G Oysters, and even managed to fit lunch at Blackbird during a four hour layover in Chicago.  Good things to write about all except for one bad bottle of wine which I'll expound on later. 

A.O.C. LA

The food and wine at A.O.C. are immensely satisfying.  Isn't that the point?  I've had a number of meals over the past few years at haute cuisine type establishments and more frequently than I would like, they seem a little empty.  Conceptually and intellectually they are stimulating but, considering the price tag, they leave me feeling something is missing.  This is not the case at A.O.C.  Chef Suzanne Goin and her business partner sommelier Caroline Styne have crafted an experience that, befitting its Los Angeles location, is urban, stylish, and comforting. 

Primo ingredients seem to be the building blocks at A.O.C.  The house made chacuterie is fantastic.  The highlight being the chicken liver crostini with pancetta.  The pork rillettes with cherry jam were also kick ass.  The Californian/Mediterranean/French small plates are simple yet sophisticated.  They cook many of the dishes in a wood-fired oven.  The skirt steak with aged balsamic was good but the halibut grilled tomatoes, fennel, and olives was ummm-ummm good.  The farro with black rice with pine nuts and currants was really rich and delicious hearty food.

Another highlight for wine lovers is the fifty bottle cruvinet.  I have never seen one close to that large.  Styne does an amazing job with the wine list.  All kinds of artisinal stuff by the glass with none of the usual suspects.  Lots of Loire, Alsatian, Southern France gems.  It is a labor of love and her dedication to the wine list serves the food well.  Or is it the other way around?  This the best by the glass restaurant I have ever been to.

We sat at the cheese bar because we didn't have reservations.  A.O.C. also has a small but fun cheese list.  I had the humboldt county cypress grove pyramid.  Very good.

If you are going to be in LA make a special trip to A.O.C.

8022 West 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323.653.6359

Wine.com gets screwcapped

I take a special interest when I see wine and the Internet converge.  The most recent chapter in the life of wine.com made me say,"ouch! that was hardcore."  Sometimes all you can do is bend over.