LA's Best Wine Bars

Favorably reviewed not too long ago in the Los Angeles Times , Tasca is a relatively new entrée to the LA wine bar selection. Though the LAT found it reminiscent of … Paris, it's far more reminiscent of an American's idea of Paris than the real thing -- the staff is snooty, the clientele is pretty, the floor is clean, and dogs are absolutely not permitted. The wine selection will be out of the price range of many, but the servings of tapas are surprisingly generous, and the charcuterie plate is nice to nibble (okay, tear into like a rabid animal) while you try to make your $14 chardonnay last. [link]

A second Santa Monica location -- sequel to the original Pasadena spot and much more convenient -- has brought Bodega to a new audience. The best part about Bodega, … besides the carefully contrived "living room" atmosphere, is the price. Every glass is $8, every carafe $20, and every bottle $30, so you can actually try something new without bombing your checking account into oblivion. Familiar snacks like pizzas, tuna and crackers, and pitas and hummus add to the homey feeling. [link]

Nestled on a particularly walkable stretch of Vermont in Los Feliz, Figaro achieves its goal of feeling like an authentic French cafe. Tables far too small for … anyone not of Gallic descent crowd the sidewalk outside, and smoking is practically compulsory. Inside, the mood is even thicker; dark wood and low lighting push the atmosphere past "romantic" and right into "ideal for espionage." The wine list is standard and the portions of food are disappointingly small, but to the right type of person, the ambiance is so intoxicating that it really doesn't matter. [link]

You could wander around the maze that is the 3rd Street Farmer's Market for years and never notice Monsieur Marcel. The little nook boasts a big wine list -- over 500 … vintages to choose from -- and is one of the only restaurants inside the market to offer table service. The staff is knowledgeable and surprisingly nice, and monthly wine-tasting classes are offered for those of us who still can't tell the difference between merlot and old grape juice without reading the label. [link]

Stuck between a Brazilian restaurant and a trattoria, Vinoteca provides the wine for diners at both spots, and the coolest thing about this bar is that the same is true … in reverse--you can order from either restaurant if you're hungry for something other than tannins. The romantic atmosphere is a big factor contributing to Vinoteca's appeal, though the service can be iffy. [link]

Hidden next to a laundromat in a shady corner of Hollywood, Lou's inauspicious exterior betrays nothing about its cozy interior, where a young, pretty clientele chooses … from an extremely thorough wine list. Those who don't know much about wine will like the way the different choices are divided according to pretty basic adjectives ("spicy," "floral," and so on), and those who do will be satisfied with the range of selections. The décor is romantic and the lighting screams Ikea, but in a good way. Don't leave without trying the pig candy, which is imported directly from heaven. [link]