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DianaTakesaBite

Joined 7 years ago

More than just wine. The food is not an afterthought at Corkbar, a decidedly sleek wine bar in Downtown LA. Mac & cheese is topped with roasted pasilla chiles, a brussel sprout salad goes from mundane to gourmet wiih the addition of shredded duck and candied hazelnuts, and the ubiqutious braised short ribs over cheesy polenta are as good as --if not better than-- the more-praised versions in the city. While it would be completely conceivable (and agreeable) to spend an evening at Corkbar by just focusing on the bar's extensive selection of California wines, it would be regrettable to miss out on the banana bread pudding dessert. With caramelized bananas, spiced hazelnuts and brown butter creme fraiche, it's a force of its own.

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Erik Rodgers

Joined 4 years ago

Downtown's local spot for wine, local brews & small plates.. With two outdoor patios and a wallet-pleasing happy hour, this wine bar is intent on becoming downtown's go-to hangout for avoiding rush hour traffic. A mix of contemporary decor and rustic bench-style seating, the bar recreates the California wine tasting experience with nearly 20 pages of exclusively California wines and beers that range from boutique local wineries and vintners to microbreweries up and down the coast. Though the seasonally-driven, regionally focused food menu is smaller than the drink list, there are still plenty of options like tapas, cheese and charcuteries boards, sandwiches and salads.

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mytimeisup

Joined 4 years ago

The perfect start to a wonderful evening!. I went to Cork bar on a recommendation. My request was a simple, easy but quality place to grab a drink and a bite to eat before my friends and I went to a show at the Nokia Theatre. I was not disappointed. We ordered the white bean puree and the mac & cheese which were equally delicious. One on my friends ordered the grilled cheese and I implored him for a bite and was so happy that I did. All this washed down with a fantastic, server recommended Pinot Noir. All in all this was the perfect start to a wonderful evening!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. Aimed at recreating the California wine-tasting experience, this downtown wine bar serves more than 40 different Cali-only varietals and a pleasing menu of small and large plates.