When I was in Paris, all the bistros where I dined had wine lists that were full of natural wines; wines that were “sans soufre,” or no sulfites added, made with respect to the environment. They were daring in style, raw, and pure. These were among the most terroir driven wines I’ve had, and they were amazing!
Although we don’t have access to all of the natural wines from France, there are more and more importers and distributors like Amy Atwood and Wesley Hamel that are bringing them to our shores. In fact almost all of the French wines we carry are natural.
On May 30th, we will be hosting a dinner with Wesley and we will be drinking (not tasting) 4 natural wines, paired with a four course dinner. For more details about the menu and pricing please click on the approriate page. (One night in Paris I drank two whole bottles of natural wine by myself and had the mildest of hangovers the next day. Just sayin’.)
Now on to today’s menu!

3 courses $33. Menu and price subject to change.

1. Salad with baby spinach, lardon and soft boiled farm egg
Or
Vichyssoise

2. Bourride: classic fisherman’s stew, with halibut, shellfish and fennel
Or
Niman ranch pork porterhouse with confit potatoes, Sunburst squash and pork jus

3. Bayley Hazen blue, raisins, marcona almonds
Or
Harry’s Berries strawberry tart

When we first opened, we decided to not allow outside bottles. We believe in our wine program, and in supporting artisans making small production, natural wines, similar to those found in the proper bistros of Paris. In fact we were recently included in Eater National’s Top Ten “Hottest New Wine Lists” in the Country!
We felt that these wines were underrepresented in LA and decided the best thing to do in order to “spread the good news” about these wines was to not let our guests bring their own bottles.
Many of you have embraced our restaurant and our policies and we’re extremely thankful. And it turns out that many of you have the same type of wines in your cellar at home. So we invite you to bring in your prized possessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and we’ll be happy to open it for you.
If you bring a nice bottle of French wine, we will open it free of charge. Anything outside of France will be $15 to open. Only 1 bottle per table please!
Happy drinking, and bon apetit!

3 courses, $35. Menu and price subject to change.

1. Vichyssoise
Or
Warm squid salad with quinoa, chorizo, and fresh green almonds.

2. Local Halibut, fennel variations, olive, tomato.
Or
Mary’s air chilled Duck breast, baby squashes, wilted pea tendrils, duck jus.

3 courses. $36. Menu and price subject to change.

1. Warm squid salad, quinoa, chorizo, fresh green almonds.
Or
Roast tomato veloute.

2. Local Halibut with fennel, olives, baby sun tomato.
Or
Hanger steak with polenta, baby zucchini, artichokes and favas.

3. Brillat Savarin, accompaniments.
Or
Harry’s Berries strawberry tart.

3 courses, $36. Menu and price subject to change.

1. Roast tomato veloute.
OR
Soft shell crab, mustard frills, remoulade. $10 supplement.

2. Norwegian ocean trout, English peas, asparagus, pea coulis.
OR
Hanger steak, polenta, bloomsdale spinach, tomato, artichokes, jus.
OR
Ribeye for two. $30 supplement.

3. Brillat Savarin, walnuts, figs.
OR
Chocolate terrine, crème anglaise, pistachio.