The Wine House has long been established as Los Angeles largest & most respected wine retailer. For 30 years this store has served the public with the most diverse & premier wines of the world. Throughout the last decade this location has not only doubled in size, but it now offers a tasting room (appropriately named TASTE), monthly classes offered on-site, and a full-service wine bar/restaurant called Upstairs2.

Upstairs2 is Wine House owner Bill Knight’s vision. He sought to create a harmonious experience between wine lovers & their food, and he’ll often make the trip from table to table to make sure everyone’s fully enjoying their dining experience.

The Food:
An impressive array of cold & hot Mediterranean Tapas spans the menu. The menu is ever-changing depending on seasonal influences. Chef Todd Barrie, formerly of Joe’s in Venice, has taken great strides in ensuring a wine-compatible menu. Chef Barrie has been in the food industry since the age of 13 and by age 20 had already opened his very first restaurant in Miami, Florida. Recognized as one of the “Top Thousand Chefs in America” by the National Restaurant Association, Barrie puts his own unique spin on hearty, rustic dishes. His presentation is thoughtful and classic, but quite modern as well.

The major highlights on the menu are the Ahi Tuna Crudo (mixed with Heirloom Tomatoes & Kaffir Lime Vodka Dressing), a Tapenade Trio (with one of the best smoked whitefish I’ve ever had), and a selection of Artisan Cheeses & Charcuterie (i.e. Prosciutto de Parma, Chorizo Blanco, & Rosemary Cured Ham). And this only covers the cold tapas. The standout hot tapas are most definitely the Medjool Dates Wrapped in Serrano Ham, Maine Lobster Lollipops in a Vanilla Bean Curry Sauce, & the Duck Confit Flatbread w/ Wild Mushroom Ragout. My personal favorite however was the Oven Roasted Elk & Madeira Wine Sausage. Chef Barrie has much experience preparing game meat, but I was really surprised by how tender & succulent the elk was. For dessert, I had a taste of chocolate and a nibble of fruit tart, but it was the Sticky Toffee Pudding that made me feel nostalgic for my British roots (I could have had triple the serving).

The Wine:
Sommelier Marilyn Snee is a rare breed of Sommelier…she is knowledgeable, but also relatable. She doesn’t try to force the snobbery of the wine business down your throat and she doesn’t make you feel guilty for your choices. Instead, she simply compliments each taste you are given, and does it with a bit of humor & a bit of fun. Barrie & Snee work very closely to ensure that the food and wine not only serve each other, but benefit the region in which the wine comes from. Each menu item lists a wine suggestion, such as, the Grilled Shrimp would best pair with a Full-Bodied White Wine, while the Grilled Venison Tenderloin would better be suited with an Old World Red Wine-Medium to Full-Bodied.

With over 40 choices on the wine list, and the option of ordering each one by the glass, half-glass, or having it poured into a glass carafe, you are guaranteed to taste something that gets you excited. Every major wine-making country is represented on the list and the eclectic range of varietals should please even the pickiest of wine connoisseurs. My personal wine picks…Even if you just have a taste of the 2000 Zardini Amarone (Italy) and/or the 2004 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape (France), it will be well worth your evening. If it’s white wine you desire, go for the 2005 Seresin Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) and/or the 2005 Boxler Chasselas (France), both delicious and nicely contrasting.

Special Events:
Every other Wednesday Upstairs2 offers “Wine & Dine Wednesdays”, which is a region-themed evening including a four course meal complete with a paired wine for each dish. For example, a night on Tuscany will include traditional Italian cuisine, and most likely a Chianti Classico and a Super Tuscan Red. The event only costs a flat rate of $55 per person…but do make reservations ahead of time.

Also, Chef Barrie offers “total package” catering for private parties (i.e. weddings, anniversaries, & corporate luncheons. The private room ‘Addie’s Place’, just adjacent to the restaurant, is also available for private events and accommodates up to 20 people.

Atmosphere:
The décor is not overly elegant or fancy. The furniture is simple & modern. The color palette is grey/orange and the bar-top is a lighter wood with sheen. It has an inviting, casual presence, but don’t show up in your ripped T-shirt and flip-flops…This dining experience definitely warrants a special occasion.

UPSTAIRS2
(at The Wine House)
2311 Cotner Ave.
W. LA, CA 90064
Tel: 310-231-0316

Opened: Wed-Sat 5:30pm-11pm

Author: Erin Landsberg