Comments on: AOC wine and tapas restaurant http://la.foodblogging.com/2008/05/26/aoc-wine-and-tapas-restaurant/ foodblogging los angeles Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:23:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: kellie http://la.foodblogging.com/2008/05/26/aoc-wine-and-tapas-restaurant/#comment-340270 kellie Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:36:03 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/?p=1677#comment-340270 My husband and I ate there for the first time Friday night. Got a seat at the low end of the bar, rather than wait for a late reservation at 10:15. Room was noisy, but great service from the "bartender". I had the beet salad, and enjoyed it, even though I am not a fan of the cilantro that was part of the dish. I decided I should experience the taste of the dish as the chef intended it, rather than pick it apart or order it with components "on the side" as you did. A top chef has better knowlegde of flavor profiles than the casual diner, so why not let them guide your tastes. My husband and I ate there for the first time Friday night. Got a seat at the low end of the bar, rather than wait for a late reservation at 10:15. Room was noisy, but great service from the “bartender”. I had the beet salad, and enjoyed it, even though I am not a fan of the cilantro that was part of the dish. I decided I should experience the taste of the dish as the chef intended it, rather than pick it apart or order it with components “on the side” as you did. A top chef has better knowlegde of flavor profiles than the casual diner, so why not let them guide your tastes.

]]> By: Louise http://la.foodblogging.com/2008/05/26/aoc-wine-and-tapas-restaurant/#comment-337757 Louise Wed, 28 May 2008 17:34:11 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/?p=1677#comment-337757 @Max: I agree that some of the servings were really small for the price, but they were still delicious. I'm not sure how much it was, but I think it was about $110 including the caraffe of wine, but not including tip. I wouldn't make this a regular visit, but I can see returning for a special occasion. @Max: I agree that some of the servings were really small for the price, but they were still delicious. I’m not sure how much it was, but I think it was about $110 including the caraffe of wine, but not including tip.

I wouldn’t make this a regular visit, but I can see returning for a special occasion.

]]> By: MaxMillion http://la.foodblogging.com/2008/05/26/aoc-wine-and-tapas-restaurant/#comment-337734 MaxMillion Wed, 28 May 2008 12:37:42 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/?p=1677#comment-337734 I love AOC but the portions are soooo small and sometimes disappointing (not enough fava beans in that endive salad, for example, and padded with inedible lemon slices) and so very expensive for the portion size. Though, I gather you had all that halibut to yourself (!) I am curious to get a rough idea of how much this meal cost, whether you think it was worth it and would you return? FYI - I have always asked to be seated in the main room even tho it is a bit noisy, it certainly is lively and sceney. Once my friend and I joined in and sang 'Happy Birthday' to an adjoining table of two and were rewarded by a big hunk of cake to share! They certainly had more cake than they could handle!! I love AOC but the portions are soooo small and sometimes disappointing (not enough fava beans in that endive salad, for example, and padded with inedible lemon slices) and so very expensive for the portion size.

Though, I gather you had all that halibut to yourself (!)

I am curious to get a rough idea of how much this meal cost, whether you think it was worth it and would you return?

FYI - I have always asked to be seated in the main room even tho it is a bit noisy, it certainly is lively and sceney. Once my friend and I joined in and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to an adjoining table of two and were rewarded by a big hunk of cake to share! They certainly had more cake than they could handle!!

]]> By: Will http://la.foodblogging.com/2008/05/26/aoc-wine-and-tapas-restaurant/#comment-337686 Will Wed, 28 May 2008 03:03:23 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/?p=1677#comment-337686 I didn't know this either until I looked it up, but cavolo nero is what's sold her as lacinato kale or dinosaur kale (and is neither black nor cabbage, though of course it's a member of the cabbage family). I believe ??? (méi g?n cài) is dried or pickled mustard greens. Not sure but I'm guessing it's not exactly the same vegetable, but the flavor / texture of the slow-cooked kale is definitely similar to the dried Chinese greens. I didn’t know this either until I looked it up, but cavolo nero is what’s sold her as lacinato kale or dinosaur kale (and is neither black nor cabbage, though of course it’s a member of the cabbage family).

I believe ??? (méi g?n cài) is dried or pickled mustard greens. Not sure but I’m guessing it’s not exactly the same vegetable, but the flavor / texture of the slow-cooked kale is definitely similar to the dried Chinese greens.

]]> By: Geoff http://la.foodblogging.com/2008/05/26/aoc-wine-and-tapas-restaurant/#comment-337656 Geoff Tue, 27 May 2008 21:18:03 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/?p=1677#comment-337656 I like AOC a lot, though the downstairs can be loud. BTW Stinking Bishop cheese is outstanding. We used to get it frequently when we were living in the UK. At it's best is sort of a cross between Vacherin Mont d'Or and very ripe Epoisses. There was a bit of a supply crisis a few years ago when it was featured in the animated film, "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" but they seem to have survived (they are a very small producer). I've seen it at the Silver Lake Cheese Store. I like AOC a lot, though the downstairs can be loud. BTW Stinking Bishop cheese is outstanding. We used to get it frequently when we were living in the UK. At it’s best is sort of a cross between Vacherin Mont d’Or and very ripe Epoisses. There was a bit of a supply crisis a few years ago when it was featured in the animated film, “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” but they seem to have survived (they are a very small producer). I’ve seen it at the Silver Lake Cheese Store.

]]> By: Erinn http://la.foodblogging.com/2008/05/26/aoc-wine-and-tapas-restaurant/#comment-337655 Erinn Tue, 27 May 2008 20:58:44 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/?p=1677#comment-337655 AOC is a long time favorite of mine. Haven't been in a while and your gorgeous photos make me want to go back right away. Very balanced review. AOC is a long time favorite of mine. Haven’t been in a while and your gorgeous photos make me want to go back right away.
Very balanced review.

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