A suggestion it seems like you need to be more geographically flexible. Also I uber everywhere in LA, I would never drive.
Uber/drive is a decision we’ll think about later. There are going to be 5 of us.
What did she do?
Anajak is always great, but after dining there last week and getting hit with $35 per bottle for corkage I wasn’t too happy. Apparently they just changed their BYO policy recently (must’ve been within the last few weeks or so as I’m there once a month) and weren’t willing to be accommodating one last time. Justin wasn’t there that night, but I’m not sure he would’ve let it slide either seeing as they now sell wine.
As far as other WeHo spots I’d recommend Matsumoto, Marvin, Angelini, Kali and Marino’s. Slab BBQ for a casual lunch or dinner. No corkage, just bring your own glasses. Sycamore Kitchen for brunch on the weekend.
they’ve had a corkage policy for almost 3 months now, it’s on resy. enforcing it on a consistent basis is a different matter. They’ve also always sold wine since they have a wine license and have had one for a long time. (here’s greenbaum’s thread about it on winetalk re: requiring people to order wine Can A Restaurant Require Patrons to Purchase Wine? - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers, that was the last weekend they had the policy and shifted to corkage)
Anajak has a clientele that tends to bring pretty inexpensive wine in, so I can see why they are being more diligent about enforcing corkage with more tables being sat.
I’m not really one to complain about being charged corkage up to a certain amount. Anything up to $50/btl i’m good with. I’m fine with $75 if the somm is great with plenty of high grade stemware etc. it’s a privilege. If they charge me, so be it. If they don’t, woohoo extra tips & gratitude all around.
But if you guys want to talk about a corkage surprise. We’ve been long time regulars at H-a-y-a-t-o and we were the first party to book the bar with the restaurant reopening (regulars only). During the test phase prior to re-opening the bar, corkage was $40-50 in line with all prior dinners. That night we opened 9 bottles and got hit with a whopping $100/btl charge. It wasn’t on the website since they weren’t actually open to the public yet, so we were… a little shocked. No adjustments even with ordering a $400/btl of sake off the list either. Now they’ve updated their site to reflect the new corkage charge. I’ll still go, but I don’t foresee us doing big wine dinners there soon.
Dang that is not cool at all for a long-time regular customer.
There is only one Kris Yenbamroong and now four N+M restaurants. I’m a big fan of Kris’ cooking but have noticed too much quality variation when he isn’t in the restaurant.
I have only eaten at the Night+Market Silver Lake location and I would say that underwhelming is a really generous description. It’s one of those restaurants that has always had me scratching my head about what people appreciate about it. It certainly wasn’t the food, service, or ambiance based on my experience.
Get in your car and drive out to Hatchet Hall (Culver City). BYOB=$25/btl (call and check if you’re bringing a lot of wine) and everyone we’ve gone with loves it. They seat out in a large expansive patio. IMHO, they are doing some of the tastiest food in town. No foams or crazy expensive ingredients, just super solid, delicious food, very accommodating to diets (my girl is a pescatarian and never has an issue). Corkage in LA is creeping up into the $40+ range. I think businesses are trying to recoup lost revenue so beware. I recently ate at Otono in Highland Park, there’s a thread a page back, and highly recommended. Nightmarket is better than Anajak, imho. Anajak likes to get fancy with ingredients ($150 tasting menu) and only some of the dishes impressed. Haven’t been to NM Weho in many years but it is the original one in his parent’s restaurant. I think Koreatown has a number of great places with lower corkage. Pizzeria Mozza is still belting out good food, but I have not been post pandemic and not sure if they have al fresco service. Unfortunately, WeHo is just not an area I frequent too often. Happy to answer any specific questions.
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I standby really enjoying Night Market in WeHo. They have these crispy duck rolls that I absolutely love and would go so well with a Auslese or so Riesling. I haven’t been to the others. Being in the West Valley, I really need to check out Anajak soon though.
If you do decide to schlep to Sherman Oaks, I highly recommend checking out Augustine wine bar and seeing if they have anything interesting on their by the glass older vintage wine list.
Same. Really enjoyed it initially. But as he expanded you can see the drop off in quality. Unfortunately it happens with most growth
Went to Cha Cha Cha in the Arts District just before I left for Sweden, and really enjoyed it. Excellent drinks, excellent food. It’s like an outdoor garden dining experience which suits LA well, of course. It’s a little hip, but somehow just added that slight Miami vibe, which I enjoyed.
Cha Cha Cha is of course the US outcropping of the hip Mexico City restaurant, so we’re talking modern Mexican. I had an octopus taco that kind of blew my mind, to be honest. And all the other stuff was very nice, too. Excellent cocktails.
A big +1 to Gregg’s Hatchet Hall recommendation.
Anajak is great, check them out!
we ate here last week and it was excellent.
So was Michael’s in Santa Monica.
Pasjoli tonight in Santa Monica. Brought a bottle of champagne that I didn’t open due to their $75 corkage. Wine list was 3-4 times retail. Drank iced tea. Had a refill and was charged a second time. Food good but not great. Salad and sides awesome, fish overcooked. Very expensive though tip included. Won’t return
Sad to hear. I haven’t been here yet,but absolutely loved Dialogue and hope it comes back.
Went to Ronan last night. Seated in the outside patio. Overall, thought the food was very good to excellent. Service was excellent. And the corkage policy of $25 first bottle and $15 for ea. subsequent bottle is awfully generous. Will definitely be going back.
I’ve only been once, pre-Covid, and liked it quite a bit, especially the pressed duck.
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If you aren’t/haven’t eaten at Oste (on 3rd) yet, you are missing out. Pinsa, pasta and moules are all DELICIOUS. Owner/management couldn’t be nicer. Great outdoor seating. Reminds me of New York!
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