Sommelier Caroline Styne, Los Angeles, CA, California, LA, Lucques, The Larder at Burton Way, The Larder at Maple, A.O.C., Tavern, Wine Bar, Restaurant, Where Sommeliers Drink, Sommelier’s Recs, Where to drink in Los Angeles, Best Wine Bars, Best Bars, Where to eat, Chefs Feed, Where Chefs Eat, Where to buy Wine, Wine Shops, Where to shop, Insider’s Recs, Where Locals Eat, Where Locals Drink
Wine Philosophy
Q. Tell us about your philosophy about putting together the wine lists at your restaurants?
A. Although each of the lists is different from the other, I'm always trying to bring together a group of talented wine producers who make wines in an artisanal manner; focusing on sustainable practices in the vineyard and making wines that are, of course, delicious. I'm very lucky because Suzanne's food is very wine friendly, so I can really explore a wide range of wine regions and varieties and feel safe that the wines I choose will work with her cooking. I shy away from super large production wineries and try to find those little gems that aren't on every other list in LA.
On Wine Lists
Q. When eating at other restaurants what gets you excited about a wine list?
A. I get really excited by a list that has wines on it that I have never tasted. After tasting so many wines on such a regular basis, it can sometimes feel like ‘been there, done that.’ I'm usually up for a wine adventure when I'm out, so if I can taste something I've never had and learn something new, I'm thrilled.
Q. What drives you nuts with wine lists?
A. My husband doesn't drink alcohol, so when we dine out together alone, I end up ordering a glass of wine rather than a bottle since I can't bear letting a mostly full bottle of wine go to waste. So, I have to say that my biggest wine list pet peeve is a wine list that has poor quality selections by the glass. So many restaurants view their by the glass selection as a place to feature their least expensive and most pedestrian selections. I always try to offer a range of interesting and delicious wines in this section of the list, wines that truly represent a cross-section of the entire list itself.
Q. What are some wines that you are excited about?
A. I'm always thrilled to drink Burgundy, and particularly, Chablis, since I think that it is always perfect, no matter what time of day or what season. Along with the classic veteran producers like Raveneau and Dauvissat, there are some young winemakers like Patrick Piuze who are making outstanding wines. Piuze has wine in a variety of price ranges, so you can find a great wine from his lineup to fit any budget. I also feel like Chenin Blanc is a variety that should be consumed more often. Wines from Vouvray are just so versatile.
Caroline Styne is the co-owner and wine director of Lucques, A.O.C., Tavern and Larder in Los Angeles, CA.
A.O.C., which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, has just moved to a new location and added a cocktail program. Styne and business partner chef Suzanne Goin will be opening three new business ventures: The Larder at Burton Way and The Larder at Tavern in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX and a new restaurant in Montecito in the summer of 2013. Styne was a 2012 and 2013 James Beard Finalist for Restaurateur of the Year.
Wine Director Caroline Styne | Los Angeles
March 20, 2013
Los Angeles, CA
Share
Share
Photographs courtesy of The Tavern, Caroline Styne, A.O.C. Wine Bar
Tweets
Sommelier’s Recs | Los Angeles, CA
Silverlake Wine Shop
Photo Credit: Beata Bernina from Silverlake Wine Shop
Find | Wine Shops
Silverlake Wine
I actually don't buy a lot of wine from retail stores since I have access to so many from my own restaurants, but when I do need to go elsewhere for wine, I love visiting Silverlake Wine because they always have an interesting and fun selection and the people who work there are insanely knowledgeable.
2395 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039
T: 323.662.9024
Domaine LA
It is on Melrose and is another great, boutique wine shop.
6801 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
T: 323.932.0280
The Wine House
For non-boutique, I like The Wine House in West Los Angeles for their extensive selection. They have everything.
2311 Cotner Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90064
T: 310.479.3731
Cheese Plate from The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
Photograph courtesy of The Cheese Shop
Find | Cheese Shops
The Cheese Store Of Beverly Hills
I'm a bit of a cheese freak, so the Beverly Hills Cheese Store is definitely one of my favorite places to visit and take friends who are in from out of town. The place is packed to the gills with beautiful, rich and highly aromatic cheeses. They always let you taste before you buy and they have a great wine selection too.
419 N. Beverly Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210
T: 310.278.2855
Restaurants & Wine Bars
Lucques
West Hollywood
Californian
8474 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90069
T: 323.655.6277 (make a reservation)
Website:
The Larder at Burton Way
LA
American
8500 Burton Way, Suite200
Los Angeles, CA
T: 310.278.8060
Website:
The Larder at Maple
Beverly Hills
American
345 N Maple Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
T: 310.248.3779
Website:
A.O.C.
Mid-City
Wine Bar
8700 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
T: 310.859.9859 (make a reservation)
Website:
Tavern
Brentwood
Californian
11648 San Vicente Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049
T: 310.806.6464 (make a reservation)
Website:
Recommended By
- Chef Wolfgang Puck of Los Angeles, CA
- Chef Chris Kobayashi of Artisan in Paso Robles, CA
Drinks at Mozza
Photograph courtesy of Mozza
Sandwiches and Wine at Terroni
Photograph courtesy of Terroni
Eat | Where I’d Take A Visiting Sommelier
Mozza | For Depth of Wine List
For the depth of their incredible list of Italian wine. This list is so deep that I actually don't even try to order for myself. I always ask for help from the sommelier.
6602 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
T: 323.297.0100 (make a reservation)
Terroni | For Wine Values
For value, Terroni is a place that I think is genius. It's fun and vibrant, with a really dynamic wine program and wines that are reasonably priced. It's also an adorable atmosphere that's always busy.
7605 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
T: 323.954.0300
Ammo | For Wines by the Glass
Ammo for the mere fact that every wine they pour by the glass is delicious and interesting, and always pairs so well with their menu.
1155 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
T: 323.871.2666
Eat | Sushi
Sushi Time
Hands down my favorite sushi restaurant in all of Los Angeles is Sushi Time, which is located in a strip mall at the corner of Beverly Boulevard and Crescent Heights. It is a hole in wall spot with 24 seats, 1 sushi chef and two really charming Japanese servers. They play jazz music and put out some of the freshest and most delicious fish I’ve ever had. Their Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice is legendary and their hand rolls are to die for.
8103 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048
T: 323.658.6700
Sunset at Malibu Seafood
Photograph courtesy of Malibu Seafood
Eat | Seafood
Malibu Seafood
When I want to have lunch at the beach, I typically do not want to do anything formal or fussy. I like to stop at Malibu Seafood on PCH in the northern part of Malibu about 5 minutes past Pepperdine University. It is a fish market on one side featuring some of the freshest fish in Los Angeles. On the other side is an uber-casual food outlet where you order at the counter and wait for them to call your number when your food is done. It’s the ideal place to have fantastic steamed lobster and addictive fried clams while sitting at picnic tables and watching the surf.
25653 Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90265
T: 310.456.3430
Chef Wolfgang Puck’s Pizza at Spago
Photograph courtesy of Spago
Eat | Special Occasion
I always find myself going to the Spago Beverly Hills for special occasion dinners and lunches. I just can’t help myself because I love sitting on the patio that is inviting and airy during the day and romantic and festive at night. The food is absolutely delicious and the service fantastic. They treat everyone like a VIP and have an outstanding wine list. I usually give my wine brain a rest when I’m there and leave myself in the hands of their brilliant sommelier.
176 North Canon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210
T: 310.385.0880 (make a reservation)
Drink | Cocktails
The Hungry Cat
When I'm not drinking wine, my favorite place for a cocktail is The Hungry Cat. Their cocktails are so yummy that it's hard to have just one. They juice everything to order so the cocktails are super vibrantly flavored.
1535 N. Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028
T: 32323.462.2155 (make a reservation)
F.E.D. Recs on the Go
Download the F.E.D. iPhone app and get more of Caroline Styne’s Los Angeles recommendations as well as more recs from other chefs, sommeliers and bartenders.
