(323) 653-6359

8022 West 3rd Street (Crescent Heights Blvd.)
Los Angeles, CA 90048 34.071954 -118.364503

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Neighborhoods: Beverly Center, Central LA

aocwinebar.com/

Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 6pm-10pm

Friday: 6pm-11pm

Saturday: 5:30pm-11pm

Sunday: 5:30pm-10pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 7.10.10

What People Are Saying About A.O.C.

Featured Review

Martha Burr

Contributor

The Scene – This chic dining room is all about subdued modern stylings in beige and white--the action peaks at the bustling wine bar, where a handsome Hollywood crowd flirts and buzzes. Those seeking refuge from the scene can seek out the charming starlit patio upstairs. – – The Food – The menu is about great wine--and a landscape of Mediterranean small plates to pair with it. Servers recommend two to three dishes per person, and will adeptly pair them with some 50 wines by the glass. A list of dreamy European cheeses range from Sardinian goat to Corsican sheep; the…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
A prodigious wine list offers some hard-to-find labels from France, Spain, Italy and the New World; one top feature is the off-menu half-glass pour for half the price, which allows for experimentation or a perfect pairing with every dish.
Where to Sit:
Larger groups can reserve the patio in the smaller downstairs back room, or in the upstairs alcove ideal for one long table.
Parking:
Street parking isn't easy along this stretch--your best bet is the $5.50 valet.
ambiance
93.17999839782715% positive
  1. but honestly it's good food and a fun place to eat.
  2. The dishes are great (farrow w squid one of my faves) but while the atmosphere is fine it feels a little sterile-- kind of a like a big coporate restaurant.
  3. and I would just like a little Lagniappe here when it comes to parking.
  4. Tasteful, enjoyable ambience; the least-healthy food in Los Angeles (except for Pink's)
  5. Our only gripe was that the noise level gets uncomfortable as the evening goes on, but some people love that kind of atmosphere, so it's a personal thing.
  6. the food was incredible, the service was perfect the decor is simply divine.
  7. I'd definitely recommend AOC as a romantic dining experience.
  8. If you are on a date it is not the most romantic spot in the resuarant.
  9. It has a warm atmosphere, and the surrounding are warm and inviting.
  10. Try to get a table upstairs if you want a quieter, more romantic or intimate feel, or sit downstairs if you want to people-watch.
  11. Great waitstaff, great menu, great atmosphere!
  12. If you want to have fun a little more frugally, skip the wine, skip the cheese course, and just order the yummy small plates.
  13. Lovely hostesses, pleasant atmosphere, but a surly waitress really spoiled the evening.
  14. Grab your favorite couple and get ready for a night of fun over some amazing wine and even better tapas!
  15. We had the flight of sparkling wines to start which was a lot of fun (though the table favorite was the mid-priced option), and a wonderful and moderately priced bottle of a french red.
  16. The restaurant is decorated very simply, and it was a really nice ambiance.
  17. it has a very comfortable feel to just hang out, drink wine and sample the wonderful assortment of small plates.
  18. Its casual but elegant atmosphere is great all around.
  19. enjoyed dinner at AOC: the tapa menu is great because it allows you to sample a variety of dishes; the ambiance is pleasant; the service is fine.
  20. There is also an upstairs patio that overcomes its utilitarian groundwork with some romantic lighting and a canopy.
  21. went to AOC for the first time last night - The atmosphere was lovely (I sat at the cheese bar), the service was just ok (pretty slow and not overly warm & friendly), and the food was tasty.
  22. The menu is interesting and the ambience is excellent.
dessert
95.45000076293945% positive
  1. For dessert, I highly recommend the marscapone pana cotta.
  2. No room for dessert at the end but they serve good coffee.
  3. really enjoyed the skirt steak, the chicken and apples, butternut squash, and the chocolate dessert.
  4. Although I don't recommend this restaurant for a group of hungry men bc the tapas are quite small, the food is delicious, especially their desserts.
  5. the clams with chorizo, and the dessert that I can't quite remember the name of but was basically a brioche topped with a scrumptious plum sauce and rich cream.
  6. and all of the deserts were fabulous!
  7. To top it all off, we split the sheep's milk cheesecake that was heavenly--so airy and delish!
  8. the cheese course was not the best ever and the desserts were weak but overall we had a good time
  9. We did the champagne tasting, had several dishes, cheese, and dessert- EVERYTHING was delicious!
  10. We all ate plenty, we had 2 bottles of great wine, and coffee and desert.
  11. all right, so i may be exaggerating a bit, but really, aoc does take the cake in terms of the best food in los angeles.
drinks
92.06999778747559% positive
  1. Good food and wine and the service is always professional if not over-friendly.
  2. Very interesting menu to begin; surprising cheese selection (sheep cheese was very good); figs stuffed with parmesan and wrapped in bacon was excellent (cooked just right and bacon was lean) combo of flavors; fried oysters were pretty good but nothing ext
  3. The wine list is remarkable, and it's really a tremendously good place for wine.
  4. The wine in the glass is only 1/3 full, and at $7-$10/glass, it is not very good.
  5. We ate our dinner at the cheese bar (no reservation) and were served by a very friendly and knowledgeable waiter who provided us with very unique and tasty dishes.
  6. Back to the good staff - they are knowledgeable, helpful and make you feel at ease if you do not have a great knowledge in wine and cheese.
  7. also enjoy the fact that you can order half bottles of wine, so that you can even have more variety throughout the night.
  8. had my birthday dinner at AOC this year and it was fantastic - great food, wine and service!
  9. We had the flight of sparkling wines to start which was a lot of fun (though the table favorite was the mid-priced option), and a wonderful and moderately priced bottle of a french red.
  10. The small plate selection was varied and the staff was quick to recommend a perfect glass of wine to accompany the dishes (also served by the half glass).
  11. The meals and the wine selection have always been great, wheras most of the waiters seem to be rather demotivated, arrogant and with that I-couldn'-t-care-less attitude.
  12. Great wine list, good food, nice staff
  13. The prices are fair and the wine selections are wonderful.
  14. If you want to have fun a little more frugally, skip the wine, skip the cheese course, and just order the yummy small plates.
  15. Grab your favorite couple and get ready for a night of fun over some amazing wine and even better tapas!
  16. They were excellent recommendations - she really knew her wine!
  17. very tasty and your server should be able to recommend a good wine to go along with what you're eating.
  18. Bit pricey for small dishes but definitely sit at the bar for the wine and cheese.
  19. Note that it's probably not the best place for a vegan, people who don't drink, or people unwilling to experiment with food.
  20. The wait is worth it because the food and the wine are great.
  21. service is excellent and wine list is amazing.
  22. The waitstaff is well-versed in the wine list and I always enjoy their suggestions.
  23. Our waiter, Aaron, was very helpful in describing all of the wines, cheeses and tapas to us, and even let us do a little wine-tasting to see what we liked best.
  24. Servers are friendly and helpful, I highly recommend this restaurant as it is a awesome place for good food and wine.
  25. The pork confit, the brioche with prosciutto and gruyere, the cheese selection, the date tart and the wine program are superb.
  26. PLEASE the wine was a Joke, is it to much to ask for a nice glass of wine, Order was wrong!
  27. The food is great, the servers and bartenders are helpful and friendly and they have a great wine selection.
  28. Our server (Nicky) couldn't have been more helpful for us first-timers, and recommended we tried the "signature" dates wrapped in bacon while we got to grips with the menu choices and the wine list.
  29. Amazing food, impeccable service and incredible wine list to accompany.
  30. The wine selection is also amazing and the scene here is perfect.
  31. What an incredible experience, from our cheese host, Hunter (no longer there), who provided a personalized introduction, to the food, which was incredible (cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon decadence) and the other more-socially inclined cheese bar pa
  32. Overall our dining experience was very good and the bill wasn't crazy out of control even with the flights and wine.
  33. Wonderful cheese bar experience!
  34. The wine is both reasonable and eclectic.
  35. Everyone who works here impressed me - from the guy behind the extensive wine bar who offered advice on a number of varietals, to our server who described each of the many dishes in great detail, to our busser who was so on top of his game I would call hi
  36. We moved to the bar for drinks and the bartenders were as cool as our waitress.
  37. it has a very comfortable feel to just hang out, drink wine and sample the wonderful assortment of small plates.
  38. Excellent wines with many caraffe options as others have said.
  39. We all ate plenty, we had 2 bottles of great wine, and coffee and desert.
  40. Didn't like the 4oz glass wine pours.
  41. Would have liked to see more variety in the "flights" of wine.
  42. The food was mostly great, the wine delicious, and the service was spectacular.
  43. The wine list was good value and I like the half carafe deal, which gave you some variety of choice.
  44. The cheeses were divine, we tasted 4 different wines, and like everyone has said, the wait staff really love helping you with your picks.
  45. The service, food and wine were excellent, and our waiter went above and beyond; he was obviously someone who enjoys good food and wanted us to, too.
  46. good small plates and great wine list
  47. The food and the wines were superb.
  48. the only drawback was the noise - lots of standing people at the bar not dining caused outrageous noise - i couldn't hear the waiter or the date but had to listen to the woman next to me talk about why she liked new york better.
  49. I'm a HUGE wine lover and this is my favorite wine bar.
  50. Cheeses are usually very good, as is the wine list.
  51. Brilliant wines, food and service!
  52. I'm not going to bore you with another AWESOME review for theis AWESOME, YUMMY, SOPHISTICATED HIP-TO-BE-SCENE wine bar.
  53. Nice manageable wine list.
  54. No room for dessert at the end but they serve good coffee.
  55. She reviewed the wine list with us, giving great recommendations based on our tastes.
  56. Being vegetarians did not relegate us to the usual plate of grilled vegetables, the wine list was very good, and the service was fantastic.
  57. went to AOC for the first time last night - The atmosphere was lovely (I sat at the cheese bar), the service was just ok (pretty slow and not overly warm & friendly), and the food was tasty.
  58. Great wine, pretty people.
food quality
87.44999885559082% positive
  1. awesome food, love this place!
  2. Did not opt to order the cold-cuts and cheeses, as we serve that at home almost everyday for tapas/meze/antipasto, so we first orderd the crostini with chicken livers, and it was the worst liver dish I've ever had.
  3. This place has good, not great food.
  4. If you one to save up for a special meal out, this is a great place to look forward to.
  5. The dishes that we tried were all good esp pork cheek, halibut and squid with black rice.
  6. Our bartender was very helpful and friendly, the food was good (didn't knock me sideways, but certainly worth a return trip), and despite the crowded conditions, I found this to be a great place and I'll certainly recommend it.
  7. While the prices seemed a bit high for the meat and seafood dishes, in the end the bill was reasonable.
  8. very tasty and your server should be able to recommend a good wine to go along with what you're eating.
  9. Overall, I thought the food was interesting but not outstanding, especially for the price of each item.
  10. tasty food, aloof waiter
  11. Good for a big group, more food to share.
  12. We weren't looking at prices, we just wanted to have a good meal.
  13. Service here is sketchy,they dont inform you how long the food will take or suggest you any good things to order.
  14. Bad food and bad service
  15. Best orders, I would say, are the bacon-wrapped dates, arroz negro (wonderful hot plate of squid over rice in its own jet-black squid ink, it's nice and garlicky and saffron-y), the salt-cod stew (which I had been against ordering) was a solid 10, the smo
  16. We started our meal off with the bacon-wrapped dates, which were just fantastic, but be warned they are hot and take a while to cool down!
  17. didn't encounter the pretense that some other reviewers did, the hostess and our server were very friendly, as were the busboys who consistently refilled our bread.
  18. Standouts were the selection of cheeses, pate plate (loved the rabbit with pistachios) , fish (sea bass with a sort of curry spice rub with carrot pure) skirt steak, pork cheeks were amazing as were the morrels.
  19. Really delicious plates, great service
  20. would recommend this place since the food is good.
  21. Great food, helpful service, watch on how much to order
  22. The taste of a perfectly fried egg is not lost on many people, but put that hot egg on top of a frisee salad with crispy brioche, and you almost have to stop and think about what is going on in your mouth.
  23. The food is creative and delicious.
  24. Our server (Nicky) couldn't have been more helpful for us first-timers, and recommended we tried the "signature" dates wrapped in bacon while we got to grips with the menu choices and the wine list.
  25. Great food without spending too much money
  26. My wife and I discovered it when we moved within a few blocks of A.O.C. My favorite dish were the dates stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon.
  27. The dishes are not big, which means you need two dishes per person, tapas style.
  28. the food was fantastic - i had some bizarre crabapple with mustard oil from italy?
  29. Good food and wine and the service is always professional if not over-friendly.
  30. Nothing was tasty.
  31. Brilliant wines, food and service!
  32. Great service, great food, perfect seasonings and great cooking.
  33. The shrimp and corn salad, and the cauliflower are almost as good, but you have have have to order the figs!
  34. The bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with parmesan are the perfect combo of salty & sweet.
  35. The food and the wines were superb.
  36. The food was good, but not worth the $170 we spent.
  37. really enjoyed the skirt steak, the chicken and apples, butternut squash, and the chocolate dessert.
  38. Tasteful, enjoyable ambience; the least-healthy food in Los Angeles (except for Pink's)
  39. For the price, the food is not very good!
  40. *I love the food, but will choose a different restaurant next time where the waiter doesn't give attitude.
  41. Although I don't recommend this restaurant for a group of hungry men bc the tapas are quite small, the food is delicious, especially their desserts.
  42. best food in la. period.
  43. The lamb ragout was outstanding - very flavorful with great textures, and the ricotta gnocchi was the perfect accompaniment.
  44. Everything was really good, especially the bacon wrapped dates and the proscuitto sandwich, though my boyfriend thought the halibut had too strong of a taste.
  45. Regardless, the food was very good.
  46. Servers are friendly and helpful, I highly recommend this restaurant as it is a awesome place for good food and wine.
  47. Very interesting menu to begin; surprising cheese selection (sheep cheese was very good); figs stuffed with parmesan and wrapped in bacon was excellent (cooked just right and bacon was lean) combo of flavors; fried oysters were pretty good but nothing ext
  48. Bit pricey for small dishes but definitely sit at the bar for the wine and cheese.
  49. some of the more outstanding dishes were the roasted dates stuffed with parmesan and wrapped in bacon, braised pork cheeks with mustard gremolata and the devin's chicken thighs.
  50. The lemon tart was delicious, though the mocha pot-de-creme had too much cardamom which overwhelmed it (but the meringue topping was great).
  51. The food was mostly great, the wine delicious, and the service was spectacular.
  52. Try the charcuterie dish-- really good stuff.
  53. went to AOC for the first time last night - The atmosphere was lovely (I sat at the cheese bar), the service was just ok (pretty slow and not overly warm & friendly), and the food was tasty.
  54. The wait is worth it because the food and the wine are great.
  55. great food, great for groups
  56. Our server Nicki was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and recommended some great dishes.
  57. If you don't like tasting new food the way the chef wants you to, or if you can't understand why a resturant can't just make a simple steak/pasta/salad for you, then don't bother with this place.
  58. Actually enjoyed the food but it felt like dining in an airplane hanger.
  59. And for pete's sake do NOT forget to order the bacon-wrapped dates.
  60. felt the food was wonderful, I very much enjoy small dishes and being able to share.
  61. All our dishes were delectable!
  62. all right, so i may be exaggerating a bit, but really, aoc does take the cake in terms of the best food in los angeles.
  63. The tomato salad is still perfect, and the black cod is one of the best plates in the whole city.
  64. The pork confit, the brioche with prosciutto and gruyere, the cheese selection, the date tart and the wine program are superb.
  65. The food here is increibly delicious and served in small portions for 2 to share.
  66. We ate our dinner at the cheese bar (no reservation) and were served by a very friendly and knowledgeable waiter who provided us with very unique and tasty dishes.
  67. the food was incredible, the service was perfect the decor is simply divine.
  68. It was the first time for all of us there and the waiter was very helpful in suggesting dishes as well as the quantity to order.
  69. We did the champagne tasting, had several dishes, cheese, and dessert- EVERYTHING was delicious!
  70. Food was good; meats were oversalted, but the other dishes that I had (chicken liver crositin and squash) were very good.
  71. Amazing food, impeccable service and incredible wine list to accompany.
  72. Great small plates (tapas) style food
  73. The skirt steak was also good.
  74. Sweetbreads was good, too, but not one of those that you would say to yourself that you want to go back for that dish or to reminisce over it.
  75. Anyway, AOC's food was disappointing.
  76. went to A.O.C. fully expecting decent food at an above average price.
  77. For starting the food is horrible and i mean horrible,second clueless service from the waiters here.
  78. They had this warm duck salad with peaches and nuts.
  79. Great wine list, good food, nice staff
  80. My favorite dishes were the warm pear salad, the sweet potatoes with bacon, the blackened cod with brussel sprouts and the lamb.
  81. Still - everything on the menu is sure to be tasty and worth the price.
  82. She then patiently guided us through the potentially overwhelming menu, the choices at AOC being fresh and unique.
  83. had my birthday dinner at AOC this year and it was fantastic - great food, wine and service!
  84. the clams with chorizo, and the dessert that I can't quite remember the name of but was basically a brioche topped with a scrumptious plum sauce and rich cream.
  85. The dishes are great (farrow w squid one of my faves) but while the atmosphere is fine it feels a little sterile-- kind of a like a big coporate restaurant.
  86. The small plate selection was varied and the staff was quick to recommend a perfect glass of wine to accompany the dishes (also served by the half glass).
  87. If you want to have fun a little more frugally, skip the wine, skip the cheese course, and just order the yummy small plates.
  88. What an incredible experience, from our cheese host, Hunter (no longer there), who provided a personalized introduction, to the food, which was incredible (cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon decadence) and the other more-socially inclined cheese bar pa
  89. The food is great, just don't go hungry or you might have to eat when you get home.
  90. The food is great, the servers and bartenders are helpful and friendly and they have a great wine selection.
  91. but honestly it's good food and a fun place to eat.
  92. Everyone who works here impressed me - from the guy behind the extensive wine bar who offered advice on a number of varietals, to our server who described each of the many dishes in great detail, to our busser who was so on top of his game I would call hi
  93. The cheese course (estrella I think, it was a blue cheese) was next and it was nice as well, although some bread or apples slices would have been nice with it (it came with a single fig & walnut).
  94. Really friendly service, from the valet to the front desk to the server, but food just wasn't anything special.
  95. enjoyed dinner at AOC: the tapa menu is great because it allows you to sample a variety of dishes; the ambiance is pleasant; the service is fine.
  96. The service here is great, and the food lives up to its repution.
  97. The tapas style food was OK, but there was no "Wow" factor with the food (alb eit interesting).
  98. will definitely return to AOC - amazing food and service.
  99. The service, food and wine were excellent, and our waiter went above and beyond; he was obviously someone who enjoys good food and wanted us to, too.
  100. The dates were awesome, as were the rest of our choices (arroz negro, lamb, cheese selection).
  101. Great food without the attitude
  102. The proscuitto plate and bacon wrapped dates were excellent.
  103. Great food and service, the winelist and menu items are a little overpriced, but when the place is packed and they do everything right, you can't really blame them.
  104. mean, last time I was in there I was able to eat bacon wrapped dates stuffed with parmesan while listening to some great music (The Grateful Dead was on while we ate - I really love the laid back vibe there) & being served by a down to earth waiter.
  105. AOC may become a haunt for chowhounds, not folks looking to have a beautiful meal.
  106. knew the food would be good, but the tapas far exceeded my expectations.
  107. Each time, the food is good and the service is RUDE.
  108. Aside from this, the food is great, the bartenders and support staff are great and the room is great.
  109. The food is fantastic, I've never been disappointed here.
  110. Note that it's probably not the best place for a vegan, people who don't drink, or people unwilling to experiment with food.
  111. great room , cool design , good food and great place for meeting people.
  112. The scallops are to die for, my friends LOVED the dates wrapped in bacon, I loved the garlic broccoli, the carrots (and I usually hate carrots!)
  113. We tried to be adventurous, and everything we ordered was delicious, particularly the market fish, the duck confit, and the brussel sprouts.
  114. The food at this place is great.
  115. The food is fantastic, even for vegetarian.
menu variety
90.0% positive
  1. Our server (Nicky) couldn't have been more helpful for us first-timers, and recommended we tried the "signature" dates wrapped in bacon while we got to grips with the menu choices and the wine list.
  2. The waitress was attentive and helpful with our menu selection.
  3. The meals and the wine selection have always been great, wheras most of the waiters seem to be rather demotivated, arrogant and with that I-couldn'-t-care-less attitude.
  4. The pork confit, the brioche with prosciutto and gruyere, the cheese selection, the date tart and the wine program are superb.
  5. Very interesting menu to begin; surprising cheese selection (sheep cheese was very good); figs stuffed with parmesan and wrapped in bacon was excellent (cooked just right and bacon was lean) combo of flavors; fried oysters were pretty good but nothing ext
  6. Still - everything on the menu is sure to be tasty and worth the price.
  7. Want some insight about what items on the menu your server would recommend?
  8. The prices are fair and the wine selections are wonderful.
  9. also enjoy the fact that you can order half bottles of wine, so that you can even have more variety throughout the night.
  10. She then patiently guided us through the potentially overwhelming menu, the choices at AOC being fresh and unique.
  11. The menu is interesting and the ambience is excellent.
  12. The dates were awesome, as were the rest of our choices (arroz negro, lamb, cheese selection).
  13. Great waitstaff, great menu, great atmosphere!
  14. The menu descriptions were a bit confusing, but our waiter was extremely helpful and answered all of our questions.
  15. Wine was great, and our waiter was very nice and very patient when we asked about nearly everything on the menu.
  16. Everyone who works here impressed me - from the guy behind the extensive wine bar who offered advice on a number of varietals, to our server who described each of the many dishes in great detail, to our busser who was so on top of his game I would call hi
  17. The food is great, the servers and bartenders are helpful and friendly and they have a great wine selection.
  18. Our server relieved us by offering help and went through the menu with us even though it was apparent the restaurant was filling up.
  19. Excellent wines with many caraffe options as others have said.
  20. Would have liked to see more variety in the "flights" of wine.
  21. We have been there for their prix fixe menus on New Year's and Valentine's Day, which are superb.
  22. Standouts were the selection of cheeses, pate plate (loved the rabbit with pistachios) , fish (sea bass with a sort of curry spice rub with carrot pure) skirt steak, pork cheeks were amazing as were the morrels.
  23. enjoyed dinner at AOC: the tapa menu is great because it allows you to sample a variety of dishes; the ambiance is pleasant; the service is fine.
  24. The server was especially helpful as we were choosing our cheese, since I am not very familiar with the specific types, he made some great recommendations and was VERY knowledgable about the tastes and textures of the different options.
  25. This was the worst New Years Eve dinner we have ever had, and I truly hope that the establishment is ashamed of it's lazy, pathetic menu and it's cashing in on the people who didn't subscribe to it.
  26. Waiters are helpful as the menu can be a bit confusing.
  27. The wine list was good value and I like the half carafe deal, which gave you some variety of choice.
  28. The small plate selection was varied and the staff was quick to recommend a perfect glass of wine to accompany the dishes (also served by the half glass).
  29. Great food and service, the winelist and menu items are a little overpriced, but when the place is packed and they do everything right, you can't really blame them.
  30. The wine selection is also amazing and the scene here is perfect.
  31. The menu is fantastic, the restaurant is sexy, and the experience is simply devine.
overall
92.30999946594238% positive
  1. I've eaten at all the best places in the US-French Laundry, Charlie Trotters, Per Se, all over LA and NY and this restaurant still ranks as one of my favorites.
  2. It's a great place for entertaining visitors too.
  3. Note that it's probably not the best place for a vegan, people who don't drink, or people unwilling to experiment with food.
  4. but honestly it's good food and a fun place to eat.
  5. Our bartender was very helpful and friendly, the food was good (didn't knock me sideways, but certainly worth a return trip), and despite the crowded conditions, I found this to be a great place and I'll certainly recommend it.
  6. great room , cool design , good food and great place for meeting people.
  7. The wine list is remarkable, and it's really a tremendously good place for wine.
  8. Overall great place - looking forward to return visit
  9. The dishes are great (farrow w squid one of my faves) but while the atmosphere is fine it feels a little sterile-- kind of a like a big coporate restaurant.
  10. Definitely a great place for a date!
  11. great restaurant
  12. best restaurant in l.a.
  13. If you one to save up for a special meal out, this is a great place to look forward to.
return potential
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. We'll be back despite the two lame staff members.
  2. Sweetbreads was good, too, but not one of those that you would say to yourself that you want to go back for that dish or to reminisce over it.
  3. Our bartender was very helpful and friendly, the food was good (didn't knock me sideways, but certainly worth a return trip), and despite the crowded conditions, I found this to be a great place and I'll certainly recommend it.
  4. All in all, a satisfying experience and I can't wait to go back!
  5. Overall great place - looking forward to return visit
  6. will definitely return to AOC - amazing food and service.
service
78.29999923706055% positive
  1. The staff was friendly and helpful even though they were very crowded for a Tuesday night.
  2. Lovely hostesses, pleasant atmosphere, but a surly waitress really spoiled the evening.
  3. Service was great, and the server was helpful.
  4. The food is great, the servers and bartenders are helpful and friendly and they have a great wine selection.
  5. have been there numerous times, usually on special occasions, and have never received anything but friendly and attentive service.
  6. The server was proficient enough, but she was quite annoyed that we chose to order the tapas in stages.
  7. Try to get a table upstairs if you want a quieter, more romantic or intimate feel, or sit downstairs if you want to people-watch.
  8. Great looking place with very friendly staff.
  9. This place is fantastic, the servers are all really knowledgeable, and everything is made very well.
  10. Our server Nicki was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and recommended some great dishes.
  11. Everyone who works here impressed me - from the guy behind the extensive wine bar who offered advice on a number of varietals, to our server who described each of the many dishes in great detail, to our busser who was so on top of his game I would call hi
  12. The manager was nice and professional though and did give us a different server who was great!
  13. This was the worst New Years Eve dinner we have ever had, and I truly hope that the establishment is ashamed of it's lazy, pathetic menu and it's cashing in on the people who didn't subscribe to it.
  14. enjoyed dinner at AOC: the tapa menu is great because it allows you to sample a variety of dishes; the ambiance is pleasant; the service is fine.
  15. Loud as hell, real losers - t-shirt wearing with no-manner types - dining there, and a pretty lousy attitude by management and wait staff.
  16. Our server was really nice, no attitude at all.
  17. BAD BAD BAD service.
  18. Our bartender was very helpful and friendly, the food was good (didn't knock me sideways, but certainly worth a return trip), and despite the crowded conditions, I found this to be a great place and I'll certainly recommend it.
  19. Great service, great food, perfect seasonings and great cooking.
  20. Waitress was friendly and helpful.
  21. Tables were filled with beautiful people and a couple of celebrities in sight.
  22. had my birthday dinner at AOC this year and it was fantastic - great food, wine and service!
  23. great room , cool design , good food and great place for meeting people.
  24. The cheeses were divine, we tasted 4 different wines, and like everyone has said, the wait staff really love helping you with your picks.
  25. Aside from this, the food is great, the bartenders and support staff are great and the room is great.
  26. The service here is great, and the food lives up to its repution.
  27. The service - at least tonight for Valentines Day - was the absolute worst of any place I've ever experienced.
  28. excellent customer service.
  29. all with the guide of our very helpful waitress.
  30. the food was incredible, the service was perfect the decor is simply divine.
  31. The meals and the wine selection have always been great, wheras most of the waiters seem to be rather demotivated, arrogant and with that I-couldn'-t-care-less attitude.
  32. From trying to make a reservation, where they rattle off a laundry list of their rules which includes the fact that they do not guarantee that they will honor any specific requests for seating, to the attitude we got when we were seated on their tiny "out
  33. We ate our dinner at the cheese bar (no reservation) and were served by a very friendly and knowledgeable waiter who provided us with very unique and tasty dishes.
  34. Servers are friendly and helpful, I highly recommend this restaurant as it is a awesome place for good food and wine.
  35. Arrived a bit late and hostess was totally cool and sat us right away.
  36. First, the greeting from the hostess was very pleasant.
  37. The manager is rude.
  38. Great food and service, the winelist and menu items are a little overpriced, but when the place is packed and they do everything right, you can't really blame them.
  39. I've gone to AOC several times and never have gotten poor service.
  40. Amazing food, impeccable service and incredible wine list to accompany.
  41. Bad food and bad service
  42. The taste of a perfectly fried egg is not lost on many people, but put that hot egg on top of a frisee salad with crispy brioche, and you almost have to stop and think about what is going on in your mouth.
  43. For starting the food is horrible and i mean horrible,second clueless service from the waiters here.
  44. Most staff are happy to help and service you.
  45. Nice table, great service.
  46. The small plate selection was varied and the staff was quick to recommend a perfect glass of wine to accompany the dishes (also served by the half glass).
  47. very tasty and your server should be able to recommend a good wine to go along with what you're eating.
  48. Being vegetarians did not relegate us to the usual plate of grilled vegetables, the wine list was very good, and the service was fantastic.
  49. tasty food, aloof waiter
  50. Our waiter, Aaron, was very helpful in describing all of the wines, cheeses and tapas to us, and even let us do a little wine-tasting to see what we liked best.
  51. It's a shame the service was so poor.
  52. The service has always been friendly and efficient.
  53. The service is great there.
  54. Our server relieved us by offering help and went through the menu with us even though it was apparent the restaurant was filling up.
  55. Note that it's probably not the best place for a vegan, people who don't drink, or people unwilling to experiment with food.
  56. We moved to the bar for drinks and the bartenders were as cool as our waitress.
  57. The manager was absolutely Obnoxious and instructed me to not be rude by interrupting him while he was on his rant of why he needed the table.
  58. Great wine list, good food, nice staff
  59. The speed of the coursing has always been appropriate, and the service is attentive without being intrusive.
  60. The waitress was attentive and helpful with our menu selection.
  61. Our only gripe was that the noise level gets uncomfortable as the evening goes on, but some people love that kind of atmosphere, so it's a personal thing.
  62. From the sweet hostess, Jessica (thanks for big welcome and smile everytime) to the fantastic service and to DIE FOR FOOD!
  63. The service was a little pretentious, and I couldn't help feeling like I was being looked down upon (not good, as I've eaten at quite a better restaurants where I've been thoroughly pampered).
  64. Bad table next to the window where cold air was coming in, and so loud do to poor acoustic planning that you couldn't hear a screaming customer complian about how bad the server was.
  65. To AOC's credit, the manager recognized this and compd us but still the terrible service on a holiday was inexcusable.
  66. The menu descriptions were a bit confusing, but our waiter was extremely helpful and answered all of our questions.
  67. Back to the good staff - they are knowledgeable, helpful and make you feel at ease if you do not have a great knowledge in wine and cheese.
  68. Really friendly service, from the valet to the front desk to the server, but food just wasn't anything special.
  69. *I love the food, but will choose a different restaurant next time where the waiter doesn't give attitude.
  70. service is really slow.
  71. Each time, the food is good and the service is RUDE.
  72. Brilliant wines, food and service!
  73. the only drawback was the noise - lots of standing people at the bar not dining caused outrageous noise - i couldn't hear the waiter or the date but had to listen to the woman next to me talk about why she liked new york better.
  74. didn't encounter the pretense that some other reviewers did, the hostess and our server were very friendly, as were the busboys who consistently refilled our bread.
  75. Great wine, pretty people.
  76. The server was especially helpful as we were choosing our cheese, since I am not very familiar with the specific types, he made some great recommendations and was VERY knowledgable about the tastes and textures of the different options.
  77. Upon being seated, we were immediately greeted with a warm, knowledgeable waitress.
  78. Our server (Nicky) couldn't have been more helpful for us first-timers, and recommended we tried the "signature" dates wrapped in bacon while we got to grips with the menu choices and the wine list.
  79. Really delicious plates, great service
  80. Overall, the prices are totally fair for the quality, and if you happen to get an off server, ask for a different one; I've never had poor service.
  81. I'm sorry to read about other people's bad experiences at AOC.
  82. service is excellent and wine list is amazing.
  83. Excellent Selection of Wines, Cheeses, Meats - backdropped by outstanding service
  84. Wine was great, and our waiter was very nice and very patient when we asked about nearly everything on the menu.
  85. The service was good and knowledgeable.
  86. wonderful learning experience, exceptional service
  87. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.
  88. will definitely return to AOC - amazing food and service.
  89. The service, food and wine were excellent, and our waiter went above and beyond; he was obviously someone who enjoys good food and wanted us to, too.
  90. Our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful and helped us pick exactly what we wanted!
  91. I've been there several times (over 9 in 3 months) and all the wait staff have been amazing.
  92. And Caroline has put together a friendly and knowing staff that understand what they're doing.
  93. mean, last time I was in there I was able to eat bacon wrapped dates stuffed with parmesan while listening to some great music (The Grateful Dead was on while we ate - I really love the laid back vibe there) & being served by a down to earth waiter.
  94. We'll be back despite the two lame staff members.
  95. The food was mostly great, the wine delicious, and the service was spectacular.
  96. have to wonder if people receiving rude service aren't arriving with a chip on their shoulder for some reason.
  97. Great food, helpful service, watch on how much to order
  98. It was just a bummer that the hostess was such a witch because there was a decent wait, in which we had to hang near her for a while - she felt like she was doing us a favor or that she was the Queen of England and we were Serfs.
  99. This spot is great, but a few people ruin the overall experience.
  100. One caution I would give is that the servers recommend each person in the party order three plates.
  101. went to AOC for the first time last night - The atmosphere was lovely (I sat at the cheese bar), the service was just ok (pretty slow and not overly warm & friendly), and the food was tasty.
  102. The hostess was rude, telling us they were getting the table ready when we asked her several times what the delay was.
  103. Good food and wine and the service is always professional if not over-friendly.
  104. we were seated promptly the service was great.
  105. Want some insight about what items on the menu your server would recommend?
  106. It was the first time for all of us there and the waiter was very helpful in suggesting dishes as well as the quantity to order.
value
73.53000164031982% positive
  1. The prices are fair and the wine selections are wonderful.
  2. We weren't looking at prices, we just wanted to have a good meal.
  3. The wine list was good value and I like the half carafe deal, which gave you some variety of choice.
  4. Overall, the prices are totally fair for the quality, and if you happen to get an off server, ask for a different one; I've never had poor service.
  5. went to A.O.C. fully expecting decent food at an above average price.
  6. Overall, I thought the food was interesting but not outstanding, especially for the price of each item.
  7. While the prices seemed a bit high for the meat and seafood dishes, in the end the bill was reasonable.
  8. For the price, the food is not very good!
  9. The food was good, but not worth the $170 we spent.
  10. The cheese course was a little overpriced.
  11. Great food and service, the winelist and menu items are a little overpriced, but when the place is packed and they do everything right, you can't really blame them.
  12. Great food without spending too much money
  13. Still - everything on the menu is sure to be tasty and worth the price.
  14. The food here is increibly delicious and served in small portions for 2 to share.
  15. The wait is worth it because the food and the wine are great.
  16. Our bartender was very helpful and friendly, the food was good (didn't knock me sideways, but certainly worth a return trip), and despite the crowded conditions, I found this to be a great place and I'll certainly recommend it.
  17. Bit pricey for small dishes but definitely sit at the bar for the wine and cheese.
wait time
40.0% positive
  1. the music was even bad- as if it was haphazardly put together last minute by some uninvoloved by-standard, cuz the same songs played in a loop over and over all nite long.
  2. service is really slow.
  3. Service here is sketchy,they dont inform you how long the food will take or suggest you any good things to order.
  4. The small plate selection was varied and the staff was quick to recommend a perfect glass of wine to accompany the dishes (also served by the half glass).
  5. went to AOC for the first time last night - The atmosphere was lovely (I sat at the cheese bar), the service was just ok (pretty slow and not overly warm & friendly), and the food was tasty.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/14/11

Kudos to the chef!

by maybell

Yummy! The food is so delectable and satisfying that the small plates satisfied a big appetite like mine. That is quite the compliment because our waitress told us that each person usually orders 3 things each.We started with 2 items each thinking we would order more but never did because we were so full. I think it is because we were so satisfied by the rich flavors and textures of the food that we didn't need more. The only bummer was our waitress. She was really unfriendly. We complimented the food and tried to engage her but she was very disinterested and seemed almost contemptuous of us. I would advise the manager to train the waitstaff to be more personable and while they are at it to train the busboys not to pick up the water glasses by the drinking rim every time they fill up the water, that was a little unsettling.

Everything else we loved. We will just make sure to stay out of the red haired waitresses station next time we come.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/17/10

Fabulous

by Ed Charrington

Ate there last night with a group of old friends. Haven't been to L.A. for awhile and it was nice to be back in the city. Loved the small plate concept, had a few things I'd only heard of. Sampled several delicious wines, thank God I wasn't driving. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.

As so often happens in public these days, there is always some oaf that has to make a scene. This jerk, on the pretense of taking his "wife" out for her birthday, berated our hostess, no doubt to impress her with how "important" he was. If it were my restaurant, I'd have tossed the guy out on his ear.

  • Pros: Fun place, great food, fantastic wine, friendly staff
  • Cons: Idiot patron - but you find those everywhere.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/20/09

HIghly recommend!

by BIngoBango

Susanne Goin is one of the best chefs in LA and AOC is fantastic. I recommend sitting at the bar. The food is great, the servers and bartenders are helpful and friendly and they have a great wine selection. The bacon-wrapped dates are a must.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/02/09

great food, great for groups

by kara nortman

I had my birthday dinner at AOC this year and it was fantastic - great food, wine and service! Try the scallops and skirt steak.

  • Pros: fantastic tapas, no dish disappoints
  • Cons: bright, a tad of 'tude
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/28/08

Great small dish menu

by jasoncoberfest

The first time went to AOC I loved it, but I have since backed off on that. The dishes are great (farrow w squid one of my faves) but while the atmosphere is fine it feels a little sterile-- kind of a like a big coporate restaurant.

  • Pros: Wide variety of options, super high quality.
  • Cons: Crowded, noce but sterile atmosphere.

The Details on A.O.C.

Place Categories:

  • good more food
  • great exceptional service
  • great fun place
  • great manageable wine
  • bad dining experience
  • rude second clueless service
  • favorite coporate restaurant
  • helpful servers
  • helpful most staff
  • favorite great dishes
  • helpful knowledgeable waitress
  • very helpful aloof waiter
  • just order yummy small plates
  • friendly bartenders
  • delicious everything
  • great tapas
  • overpriced great food
  • great tapa menu
  • just fantastic baconwrapped dates
  • usually very good cheeses
  • great dim living room
  • not best place
  • tasteful enjoyable ambience
  • great atmosphere
  • rude manager

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