Variety's Dana Harris and Deb Vankin quaffing at Lou
As a rough rule, many of L.A.'s most interesting restaurants are in mini-malls, and Lou: A Wine Bar is no exception. Proprietor Lou Amdur, who worked in software before launching his longtime wine bar project, has chosen a really interesting selection of well-priced wines. It's a nice touch that they're available in small 2 oz. tastes as well as regular-sized glasses and very reasonably-priced bottles. You could while away several hours here nibbling on some of the best olives ever, spicy-sweet almonds, pig candy, cheese and salami plates and more.
duck, mushroom and cannellini bean crostini plate
Dana loved her classic frisee salad with a perfectly poached egg, and Deb and I especially liked the mushroom/truffle crostini and of course, the pig candy.
pig candy! (sweet and spicy glazed bacon)
There's also a few more hearty dishes like a braised pork shoulder, so you could make a whole meal there, and a few desserts. Lou says he'll soon be adding a root beer float made with Abita root beer and hosting Sunday night family-style dinners -- very cool. I tried a California Praxis Pinot Noir, really nice, but more French-style, not as fruity as California ones usually are; and a more subdued French syrah/grenache blend -- the Mas Neuf Tradition.
Verdict: A great place for a glass of wine and a snack before a movie or a evening's conversation with friends and lots of small plates. Oh, and good music, too, not too loud, and cool Jonathan Adler-on-Prozac decor.
Lou
724 N Vine St.
(323) 962-6369
6 comments:
I went to dinner at Lou last night based on this post and had a great time. The pig candy is delicious! Thanks for recommending it!
I live nearby so was excited to try Lou. Went last night and found service to be so so and the food a little salty (but a nice selection that could be delicious sans over-seasoning). Also, out of the four wines we tried, 3 were not quite ready for drinking, too young or needed to breath. I would definitely go back and chalk up the first night to kinks typical of a new establishment. I really am hoping that this is a place I will want to become a regular.
Interesting comments from "The Dabbler", the same person who's blog asserted that Lou's "palate could use some refinement or he might consider hiring a sommelier" (he's a certified Master of Wine), and who's hoping the place will be filled with "loads of film intellectuals and other people-watching-worthy Hollywood types". Hmm.
We took 6 people here on Friday for a birthday celebration and it was perfect! Service was A++ and our only complaint was that the time went by so quickly.
Will DEFINITELY go back!
LOU is a definite thumbs down for me. The space is claustrophobic (what's up with those curtains? - they remind of Mrs. Roper's mumus), the service was snotty and clueless, and the patrons are pretentious.
I miss the Thai restaurant that previously inhabited that spot - they had the best ribs.
If you want three better wine bar recommendations, here: BODEGA (al fresco, hip) on Colorado in the Pasadena; VINOTECA FARFALLA on Virgil in Los Feliz (the wait staff was helpful and friendly); and BODEGA DE CORDOVA on Fairfax south of the Farmer's Market (great neighborhood place).
We tried Lou the other night and were very impressed. The pig candy is, indeed, amazing. As were the antelope, scallops and wild boar sausage.
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