"I know a dark, secluded place A place where no one knows…read moreyour face A glass of wine, a fast embrace It's called Hernando's Hideaway, olé" --Ella Fitzgerald, 1963 OK, this may date me, but this is what I immediately heard playing in my head when we finally found Wife and the Somm this weekend. Glassell Park is a hidden neighborhood in Los Angeles, anyway, and if you don't know what you are looking for, you might zip right past W&S, as we did. Parking is hit and miss, but there are side streets and you will find a space if you give yourself an extra 15 minutes before you come. The neighborhood is mysterious to me, sort of pricey grunge & hipster, iykwim. But! Once you are inside, you are in a completely different world. Bright, clean, genteel, muted, with dappled sunlight dripping through various apertures and alighting in a soft glow here and there on shining metal tables. It's beautiful. Some catchy upbeat contempo-pop music streamed steadily at just the right volume overhead. I found myself resisting the temptation to get up and dance. There are several rooms from which to choose, but I wanted to be seated on the wine-red suede banquette that gave me a view of the whole restaurant and out onto the tree-canopied street. From the time we arrived to the moment we left about an hour later, we were showered with warm smiles and attentive service. And the food? Exquisite. See my pictures. It was hard to choose. One tiny disappointment was they were out of the biscuits that I wanted to start with, but I enjoyed the crusty tender Clark Street bread slices served with warm creamery butter instead. It only got better from there. The two bowls we ordered were filled with fresh vegetables, cooked to perfection, topped with an egg prepared as we requested, i.e., over medium. The portions are modest and it was all so good, we didn't take anything home. We ordered coffee and were brought two tall steaming mugs of Americano, smooth, dark, and delicious. Best of all was the Lemon Lavender cake, a seasonal specialty. Honestly, it might be one of the best, moistest, most flavorful and elegant cakes I have ever had. So fantastic, that I just ordered some lavender buds (if I don't collect them from our garden) to replicate it at home. I don't drink much alcohol but if I did, I would head here for one of their experiences or tastings -- they have a formidable list. Check all this out. And hurry if you want to have Lemon Lavender cake.

The restaurant already made a poor first impression, as there was an unpleasant smell inside as…read moresoon as we stepped in. Everyone also didn't feel particularly welcoming, from the hostess to the waitress (no smiles). Thankfully, we were seated outside for some fresh air, although the warm murky smell still lingered a bit outdoors. The menu seem fairly limited since nothing really stood out to me as especially exciting. I've studied the menu prior before going, and was only looking forward to their burger, but they didn't have it during dinner apparently. While the dishes were descripted very well on the menu, there was no depth in flavors. I'm talking about the pork belly, lamb chops, tartare, Spanish octopus, and especially the seasonal pasta. I'm happy that it wasn't overly salty, but overall the food tasted mediocre and felt a bit basic. I'm only saying this because I could make it myself, at least the lamb, fatty pork belly, and pasta. Portions were also on the small side. Service was a bit slower as it took some time to get seated and receive our food, and one of our dishes was forgotten until we reminded the staff after already finishing most of the meal. On the positive side, we were able to find easy street parking about a block away, and the restaurant itself has a cozy ambiance that would probably be great for a chill dinner with some wine. However, my group left still feeling very hungry and unsatisfied. To be fair, we came in hungry, and the portions and long wait didn't help.

Cafe Triste was a great late night stop on a Saturday. The vibe was relaxed and easy, exactly what…read moreI was looking for. I ordered a French ale and it was excellent, very artisanal and well made. The orange wine was also really good and fit the mood of the place perfectly. Service was cool and laid back, and the outdoor seating made it even better. It is the kind of spot where you can grab a slice next door, sit down with a drink, and just chill without any pressure. Great vibes all around and an easy place to enjoy your night.

2 stars because I wanted to like this place, but it just wasn't it…read more First off, if you're not into natural wine, this is probably not your spot. The selection is very niche and pretty limited, so keep that in mind going in. The bigger issue was the overall experience. It was packed, like uncomfortably crowded outside, and was so hot inside that it made it hard to enjoy anything. Service didn't help either. We waited patiently because it was busy, but when we finally asked if we could order, the waiter told us it would probably be faster to go to the bar, lol, which came off dismissive. Between the crowds, the heat, the limited menu, and the unfriendly service, it just didn't feel worth it. Maybe if you're really into natural wine and don't mind a chaotic, packed scene you'll enjoy it, but I wouldn't come back.

I was getting a late lunch with a friend, and decided to try this spot. Initially we were going to…read moretry De La Nonna, but they were closed for a special event and we didn't know when we showed up. In the same vein, we stuck with a similar style of food and ended up at Propaganda. There was little to no wait, which was pleasant. It was a nice day and we decided to eat outside. The focaccia bread and salad came out first, and both were good. I enjoyed the crispiness of the bread, though my only qualms were that the bread was quite oily and the butter and salt were just a tad bit too salty for my liking. The Insalata Mista salad was solid. Good flavor, good dressing-to-salad ratio, and a surprisingly good portion size. As far as pizza goes, the Margherita was good. Tasty, moist, and a nice crunch on the crust. I found it to be enjoyable, though I may have enjoyed more fresh basil on this. I did find it better than the Boscaiola. I got the black truffle honey add on, and it does not go well on this pizza in my opinion. There was virtually no taste of truffle to me, and more of just an aftertaste of oily sweet honey. This was a miss. It's hard to say whether the base pizza was good without it because the flavor profile was just too overpowered by the aftertaste. The Arts District is definitely coming up with new upscale dining establishments, and I'm there for it. I think this is a solid addition. Though this is a wine bar, I don't generally drink, so my review is based purely on the food. Results of their drinks, which is quite an extensive list, may be to your liking! They do have an inexpensive three wine flight, for reference!

Ordered: - Anchovies crostini (4/5): one of my gf's favorite…read moredishes because of the flavors that come together for her but I'm not a big fan of the strong anchovy flavor in this dish. Definitely cool to try but not my personal favorite. - Insalata mista (5/5): a delicious, large salad that was flavorful, refreshing, and just the perfect pairing for the other dishes we ordered. My gf and I both loved this and were so glad we ordered it! - Spicy salame calabrese tartufato pizza (4.5/5): The truffle honey in this was very light but we still loved the flavors in this pizza. Overall (5/5): My gf and I love coming for their happy hour. Vibes are nice, service is friendly, and food is great!

Great wine selection. We went on a Saturday around 5:30 p.m. before the evening rush and ordered a…read morecheese and fruit charcuterie board along with several glasses of wine. We ended up staying until about 9:30 p.m. and never felt rushed or pressured to order more. The staff was very friendly and made excellent recommendations, especially considering we were a bit picky -- one vegetarian, one pescatarian, and the other only likes dessert wines!! Definitely coming back with less picky people

Waiter Manuel. This…read moreis a review reflected on you, solely. Being kind is the moral of the story, from the beginning you were passive agressive with your comments and tone. Being in a party of 4 girls coming from high tea, we were dressed in elegant dresses, first comment was asking if we were coming from church, followed by eye flutters, short "okay" with an upward inflation to a joke about the day, an impatient comment about hurrying up and trying the wine while we were talking, asked for water when we were out, were left to pour the rest of our wine, didn't ask how the food was all the while was attentive to the table behind us, the cherry on top comment was when we were discussing the bill at the end, he was hovering at the table behind ours, then when we were ready, we asked to split the bill into 2, my portion on mine and the rest on another card, he then said "this isn't like a drive through, we can't do it that way" so I asked him to explain his comment, cause it was passive agressive and rude. After he wasnt able to becuase he wasnt expecting me to call out his rude comment, I had to then break it down and specify what I had ordered, he then sold "okayyyy....so how much, cause we don't itemize?" I had to again express for him to specify how they do it cause he has still yet to explain where his attitude is coming from and explain how they do their check splits, from my understanding it just felt like he wanted to play dumb and make me to the math, one I did he was like "ohh, okay" should have asked for the manager but we paid and left, I hasnt had this experience before being a returning customer, but he needs an attitude adjustment as his attitude was completely out of pocket. Do better Manuel, you alone got your place of work a 1 star. The rest of the staff was kind, facility beautiful and food and wine was good. This restaurant is not reflected in the 1 star.

I came here just after they opened, there were already some people inside. The cheese bourekas were…read moreflakey, light, and filled with feta. The Mini falafels come with 8 and are bite size on the tahini plate- I loved putting all the tahini on it. The Charred broccoli was exactly what I wanted, it's crispy and comes with a lemon garlic aioli. The Maghrebi potatoes come in thick, crispy slices on pickled lemon red pepper tahini. The Shawarma oyster mushrooms also another hit. We also ordered flat bread special which was feta & pomegranate seeds. Overall I was just so impressed with every dish. For dessert we ordered the halva & S'mores bourekas which was light & not overly sweet for a finish. Parking- street parking

The best hummus in the WORLD, bar none. And the most incredible pita bread I've ever had! I love so…read moremany things on the menu that I over-order every time but the next day I'm happy to have whatever combo of leftover couscous, spicy Moroccan carrots, and kale salad (which holds up really well as leftovers because kale). This review is long overdue because I first fell in love with Mazal as I impatiently anticipated their opening. I lived nearby and watched the progress as the owner and his father spent nearly two years building out the beautiful interior of the restaurant themselves. Everything about Mazal is a labor of love involving their entire family, including menu items that are grown in their orchard. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, whether you are in the dining room or on the patio. I'm back in LA frequently now and come to Mazal nearly every time. In addition to the hummus you have to have spicy tahini (or the new-to-me adorable mini falafel and tahini plate). My other new favorite I'll definitely have again is the shawarma oyster mushrooms, air-fried and served on cannellini bean purée with mint chimichurri. Everything is incredibly fresh and delicious. You don't want to miss the bourekas (the assortment of five cheese bourekas is something I dream about), the maghrebi potatoes (on tahini!), and the marble halva (take it home if you don't have room after all of the aforementioned must-haves and thank me later).

Covell was such a great experience! I wasn't sure what wine I wanted because I enjoy both red and…read morewhite wines, but the bartenders were incredibly knowledgeable and helped guide me to the perfect selections. Their recommendations were spot on. The atmosphere is intimate, cozy, and honestly perfect for a date night. It has such a warm and inviting vibe that makes you want to stay for hours. Unfortunately, we arrived just after the kitchen had closed, but that only gives me another reason to come back. The service was truly top-tier, and the wine was absolutely divine. I even enjoyed both a white and a red during my visit. Normally mixing wines can leave me with a headache the next day, but the bartenders paired everything so thoughtfully that the wines complemented each other beautifully, and I felt great afterward. I can't wait to return and experience both the food and wine together next time. Highly recommend!

Another reviewer nailed it when she said this wine bar had great vibes and was reminiscent of some…read moreof her NYC haunts. I absolutely agree. There was a split second, when we were sitting outside, I totally had a NYC summer flashback having drinks with friends in friendly neighborhood bars. The staff here is friendly and helpful. Even if you're a wine newbie, it's not intimidating. We'll be back.

Such a gorgeous and thoughtful little establishment. The woman working front desk at the entrance…read moreof the wine shop was very welcoming and the bartender was very solemn. Would return solely for the ambiance - DJ playing oldies, incense burning, and romantic dim lighting. My one and only critique is the placement of the bathroom door!!! This honestly felt like such a huge safety hazard. My friend and I were leaving the dance floor when the bathroom door literally hurled open as someone was leaving. It happened so fast - my own glass flung back into my face and spilled red wine alllll over myself and my favorite white shirt. I really think a sliding door or one that opens inwards rather than out would be much safer. Thankfully the glass didn't break. This embarrassing incident aside, I still stand by this being a wonderful bar with great service. Just wish I could've enjoyed my wine!

atmosphere was super cute it's tiny but if you get there early, maybe you can get a table if not,…read moreyou're probably standing but it's really cute. Probably best for just a couple date though.

Have come a few times to Dunsmoor (once as a walk in, once with reservations) and have had a…read morepleasant experience both times. Note: I think it is more difficult to do walk ins now, so be prepared to fight for a reservation online instead WHAT WE'VE ORDERED IN THE PAST (* denotes personal favorite/would order again) APPETIZERS - Baby Albacore: nice bright dish to start the night! I really enjoyed the fried shallots on top. - *Cornbread: a must get! The chile helps cut the richness of the dish so it's not so one dimensional. Butter and honey -- what more can you ask for? - *Cherokee Tomato Caesar: I was surprised by this dish. Four tomatoes used are so delicious and meaty and the dressing coats it perfectly. The little anchovy in the center of the tomato adds to the savoriness of the dish. It's so simple, yet delicious. - *Carolina Gold Rice: a table favorite!! The seafood was abundant and everyone enjoyed each bite. The rice was al dente and not mushy at all, but helped meld all the flavors together. Everyone agreed we would reorder. MAIN - *Beef Ribeye: delicious. It's good to share because of the richness of the ribeye plus the bone marrow. I personally could not eat the whole ribeye by myself. Medium rare is the way to go. - *Mushroom Crusted Pork Chop: cooked well and was delicious! Not dry whatsoever. The crust on the pork chop was great. SIDES - *Dressed Lettuce: their salad which is a necessity to have vegetables at the table. The dressing is citrusy and bright, which helps cut the richness of the food. DESSERT - *Sticky Date Pudding: this does take some time to make since it's in a skillet. But when it comes out, it's so decadent with the ice cream. I tell myself that I'm healthy eating it since it's made with dates. - Chocolate Cake: dense, rich, dark chocolate, not too sweet. I love dark chocolate so I was a fan of this cake. We even got it to go and it still tasted good a few days after the meal. It's pretty dense for a cake and I really only need a few bites -- so its a nice way to end the meal. If 2-3 people: recommend 2-3 app/sides + 1 main protein If 4-5 people: 3-5 app/sides + 1 main protein I think it's a great celebratory meal. Everyone that I've come with has stated they would go come back -- especially since the menu does change seasonally. PARKING: street parking; there is usually some around the corner and down the block; no more than 5 minutes walking

Wanted to try this place because of all the good reviews. It was OK. Ate there on Saturday night…read moreafter securing a reservation. Something happened and when we arrived there was a mix up with the reservation so we ended up sitting in the bar for about 45 minutes. This place is extremely casual, think shorts, t shirts, and flip flops and you won't be out of place. Servers and bartenders all have the eagle rock/highland park grunge vibe. I went there with my wife and 2 teenage daughters. We started with the cornbread. I thought it was good (4/5) but with the amount of butter and honey anything would have been good. Wife didn't care for it, thought the buttermilk made it too sour. Just know that it's tiny. For the four of us, each had one bite. The menu for mains is pretty limited. Steak, swordfish, or porkchop. We ended up going with the steak, 2 swordfish, and then added the brown eyed peas, mashed potatoes, and then wanted to start off with the pork chile (which is really chile verde). The chile verde was the star of the night. If I ever went back, this is what I would order. Maybe it's because all the chef's are hispanic, but it was really good. They serve it with homemade tortillas and it was excellent. The steak is a large 2 pound bone in rib eye. I ordered it medium rare. It was more on the rare side, which i don't have a problem with, but the steak was a little tough. Not super tough but for $150 I definitely expected a little more "melt in your mouth" rather that fighting some pieces. Bone marrow was a nice touch. probably a 3/5. The fish was well cooked, not dry but the flavor was not amazing either. Hard to explain but the sauce was a little too sour. I like lemon on my fish but the sour almost made me think the fish was past it's prime. It wasn't, but the sauce didn't really highlight the fish. I shouldn't have ordered two and would skip this one next time. My least favorite and a 2/5 The sides were good. Mashed potatoes with garlic and butter, nothing special but good. Brown eyed peas were really just white beans. They were good, but not steal the show good. About a 3/5 For dessert we split the chocolate cake which was more like a muffin with a hazelnut whipped cream. Don't think of chocolate cake, think of it rather as a small piece of chocolate flavored loaf with no frosting or chocolate pieces. I liked it because I like things that are not very sweet but I was the only one that cared for it. Overall portions are fairly small. Between me, my wife, and two teenagers we ate everything. Total bill with tip was about $510. Pretty crazy when you think about it. Would I go back? Probably not but the ambiance was nice with the grill and real candles.