Lou Winebar

If you are in need of a hip but casual date night spot, Lou on Vine is the place. I spent a lot of time there when it first openned and now, two years later, I remember what I love about the place. The restaurant is in a corner of a mini mall off Melrose and Vine. There are no signs and but if you score a parking spot in the lot, you should have no trouble finding it behind its curtains.

The best thing to do at Lou is go for the Cheese plate and/or Charcutarie and start wine tasting. Unfortunatley, this past trip there, I couldn't indulge (being 71/2 months pregnant). But, my partner could and I was able to pick from a 2oz or 5oz. size pours of obscure and small production wines. Many of the wines are unrecognizable but the staff is happy to explain and the menu gives a pretty accurate picture of what you are about to try. It uses adjectives such as raunchy, briny and cerebral to describe their wines.

For dinner, the menu is market driven. We enjoyed the halibut with roasted cauliflour and parsnhips and farmers market green salad. If you are adventerous, I'd recommend you try the Pig Candy. It's maple glazed bacon and a fun way to start your meal.

Lou is located in a classy strip mall at 724 Vine Street in Hollywood. Yep, that’s us, right next to the laundromat!
Lou’s telephone number: 323 962-6369.

http://www.louonvine.com/