After sadly closing her OG LA Mediterranean restaurant, Lucques, at the very start of the pandemic (and unrelated to COVID), Suzanne Goin’s wine bar concept A.O.C. luckily still remains, with a new Westside location in the mix as well. Popular for both brunch and dinner, both offer Goin’s fabled farm-to-table shareable plates like balsamic-glazed Brussels and wood-roasted carrots, cheese and charcuterie plates, and large-format dishes like Ode to Zuni, a roasted half-chicken that acts as a nod to the famed bread-stuffed chicken at SF’s Zuni Cafe.How to book: Reserve a table at the WeHo or Brentwood location via OpenTable.

While Suzanne Goin and Caroline Stynes’s iconic eatery is technically just outside WeHo city limits in Beverly Grove, this 20-plus year old L.A. institution should still be on your radar the next time you’re looking to dine around West Hollywood. Known for Mediterranean-inspired small plates and an excellent wine list, this seasonally-driven eatery still dazzles with its beautiful patio and fireside booths for date nights and signature dishes like bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with parmesan and Spanish fried chicken with farm-fresh romesco.

If you’re missing Europe and its delectably fresh cuisine, go to a.o.c., which features not only the most beautiful open-air seating options, but also a menu of exquisite small-plate French dishes and a seemingly endless wine list. After you decide on a wine, be sure to consider the cheese and charcuterie menu as well if you’re interested in playing sommelier for a day. Although a.o.c. ends up being a rather pricey experience, this place is sure to make you feel satisfied, happy, fancy, and refreshed.

Not to be confused with the congresswoman from New York, the acronym here stands for Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, the regulatory system that ensures the quality of local wines and cheeses in France. Fittingly, A.O.C. upholds this standard of excellence in its shared plates and perfect wine pairings in the stunning exposed-brick and vine-laden courtyard. Try the Spanish fried chicken; wood-oven brioche with prosciutto, Gruyère, and egg; or arroz negro (black rice) with squid.

With A.O.C., which opened in 2002, chef Suzanne Goin and sommelier Caroline Styne have proven their uncanny ability to create not only an essential L.A. restaurant, but also one with true staying power. Although the Mediterranean-meets-Big Sur–style eatery moved to its present location (formerly the Joe Allen pub) in 2013, it feels as if it’s always been there, with pottery from the 1960s and ’70s, laurel trees, and creeping fig vines creating a warm, grounded atmosphere.

A.O.C, which has a second location in Brentwood, has been a trusted LA classic for the past two decades and change. And while some small plates at this Spanish-French-Italian wine bar can seem like holdovers from another era (bacon-wrapped dates, anyone?) other dishes get our full attention, like their arroz negro. This Spanish-style squid ink paella tastes lemony and bright, topped with a pile of tangled baby squids and a blob of saffron aioli in the middle.

Suzanne Goin, who essentially codified an entire branch of L.A.’s dining culture, distills the tastes of the California seasons, knowing when their glory is enough or when they gain from ideas inspired by the cooking of North Africa, western Asia and the Mediterranean coasts of Europe. Brunch is often a quieter time at A.O.C., which can be wonderful for last-minute plans and lingering conversation. Some of the restaurant’s enduring dinner favorites find their way onto the brunch menu, including classics like the Parmesan-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon, or the fried chicken drizzled with chile-cumin butter that’s served on weekends over a cornmeal pancake.

There isn’t another chef-sommelier partnership anywhere in California that comes close to matching the longevity or successful track record of Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. For over 25 years, the two have been an inseparable force on LA’s dining scene, opening game-changing restaurants, writing instant-classic cookbooks, spearheading one of the country’s most effective food-driven charities (Alex Loves Lemonade), managing food and drink at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, and racking up award after award in the process. The duo originally opened a.o.c. in 2002, intending it to be a wine bar and...

Wine director Caroline Styne has become a fixture in the Los Angeles wine and restaurant community, with multiple restaurants and a growing empire with her business partner, chef Suzanne Goin. The recent move and revamp of a.o.c. brought a fresh pair of eyes to the list—and cocktail program, headed up by Christiaan Rollich—that has always been strong, but is sometimes overshadowed by the new kids on the block. From the beautiful patio to the stellar food, there are few better places to enjoy a glass (or five) of wine, as the pricing is beyond fair.

September 16, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants. It’s important to have a lottery plan, so that if you're ever fortunate enough to hit it big, you'll know exactly what to do with all that newfound cash - otherwise, you may find yourself aimlessly buying Ferraris with nowhere to put them. It should come as no surprise that my lottery plan does not include even one Ferrari, and instead involves abandoning the hustle and bustle of city life and moving into an ancient farmhouse in Provence.

With two locations in Brentwood and West Hollywood, A.O.C. is one of the most popular destinations for a girls' night out. This women-owned restaurant and wine bar is sleek and stylish, with each location featuring eye-catching details like a brick fireplace and patterned booths. Though you will find a few differences across menus at either location, they are thematically similar, and no visit to A.O.C. is complete without the sweet and savory bacon-wrapped dates.

Award winning duo, Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne, are the brilliant women behind A.O.C Wine Bar –a West 3rd Street staple that pairs an indulgent list of wine by the glass with a menu of market-driven small plates. The magical outdoor patio and wood-covered dining room makes for the most beautiful spot in Los Angeles to enjoy a glass of wine and hearty meal. While the food isn’t anything revolutionary, A.O.C. provides an ideal setting for nearly every occasion.

With locations both in West Hollywood and Brentwood, A.O.C. is one of my favorite wine bars in LA due to its chic design and innovative menu. Though both locations have nice patios and outdoor seating, I prefer sitting inside since the interior is so stunning (very European-Esque). This is definitely the kind of place where you’ll want to order food, and I suggest that you don’t miss out on the marinated olives, grilled hanger steak, and fingerling potatoes.

Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s A.O.C. has always been representative of everything great about the mashup of local cuisine and European influence. This was apparent in its original location, which opened in 2002, and it’s even more apparent in the spot it moved to in 2012, which is an utter dream of a restaurant: a cozy dining room with circular corner booths; the leafy, bricked-in magic of the patio, anchored by a candle-festooned fireplace.

As restaurateurs with James Beard Foundation acclaim, Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne can rightly be named the original trendsetters for wine bars and seasonal small plates in Los Angeles. Goin and Styne first opened Lucques in West Hollywood with great success, followed by opening a.o.c. in 2002 with a move to a larger location on Third Street a decade later. In June 2021, the duo flipped their Brentwood restaurant Tavern to a second a.o.c.

AOC is every vinophile’s dream come true and every inch of decor inside and on their infamous patio adds to the experience. The red brick fireplace, burnt orange velvet booths, weathered wood, and stunning mosaic tiles feel like a rustic-chic European villa. Make a reservation and prepare to score some points with your loved one over Californian-French favorites, like wood-oven roasted brioche with gruyere, prosciutto and egg.

Just down the road from mid-city’s bustling section of 3rd Street, AOC's breezy dining room opens onto a romantic outdoor garden dotted with laurel trees and an open hearth. With a kitchen helmed by L.A.’s renowned chef and restaurateur Suzanne Goin, you can look forward to thoughtful Californian-meets-European fare. Try the Spanish fried chicken with romesco aioli or the wood-oven-roasted clams with sherry and green garlic.

a.o.c. is perfect for all stages of the dining process, but is a favorite for brunch. Founded by Chef Suzanne Goin and her business partner, Restaurateur Caroline Styne in 2002, this restaurant relocated to this 3rd street location in 2013 and offers up a casual and warm space which is perfect for guests to have a few bites or indulge in a full menu tasting and award-winning wine list. Brunch, which is served until 3 p.m.

With two locations in West Hollywood and Brentwood, A.O.C. has become the quintessential spot for a girl’s night out. Owned by Caroline Styne and Suzanne Goin, A.O.C. is great for both brunch and dinner, but it is also popular for locals in need of a quality glass of wine after a long day at work. The bacon-wrapped dates available at both locations are a must when it comes to starters.

A.O.C. in Beverly Grove has long been a go-to for special occasions thanks to chef Suzanne Goin’s refined Californian Mediterranean small plates. The restaurant’s Spanish courtyard-style patio is a stunner all year round, full of ivy, trees, and even balconies. Grab a seat and order favorites like bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Parmesan and green quinoa dumplings with sumac yogurt.

Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne, the award-winning duo, are the brilliant women behind A.O.C Wine Bar. It is a West 3rd Street institution that marries an indulgent choice of wine by the glass with a menu of market-driven small plates. You can also taste their amazing cocktails with a twist like tartarin old fashioned made with bourbon, house cherry bitters & cherry liqueur.

Lucques became wildly successful, thus paving the way for Goin's growing culinary empire, which now spans Lucques, AOC, The Hungry Cat (with husband David Lentz), and Tavern. I'd been meaning to pay this LA icon a visit for some time, and an invitation from kevinEats reader Collier (who'd organized the recent WP24 dinner) provided a perfect opportunity to do so.

Open-plan and beautifully decorated, A.O.C. Wine Bar and Restaurant has a distinctly stylish, LA vibe. With a spacious interior and large doors opening onto a central courtyard, this Beverly Hills bar is the perfect spot for an aperitif on a warm night. A.O.C.’s wine list is brilliant, with plenty of European and American wines, and a sumptuous menu to match.

One of the breeze-filled and finest dining restaurants in the city, A.O.C., offers an impression of an Italian villa in Los Angeles. At A.O.C, french landscapes meet Napa and provide the best outdoor dining experience of the two different worlds. To add a layer of beauty to the restaurant, they own an olive tree that shades the dinner plates.

A wine bar gem in West Hollywood, A.O.C. dazzles with a cozy ambiance, perfect for indulging in small plates and a vast wine collection. Their Spanish Fried Chicken & Cornmeal Waffle, topped with chile-cumin butter and maple syrup, is a brunch favorite. Don’t miss the Bacon-Wrapped Dates, stuffed with parmesan for a sweet-salty delight.

This upscale eatery by chef Suzanne Goin features wine by the glass and a delectable menu highlighted by small plates, highlights include the Spanish fried chicken with chili-cumin butter and bacon-wrapped dates. The wine list includes an impressive number of California selections as well as sustainable, biodynamic and organic wines.

A.O.C. is a restaurant that specializes in small plates, with a focus on seasonal ingredients locally sourced in California. The menu is a fusion of French cuisine developed by Chef Suzanne Goin and Mediterranean influences. One of the standout features of A.O.C. is its outdoor seating, which offers a great ambiance for dining.

Before the congresswoman, A.O.C. stood for “appellation d’origine contrôlée,” or, the reason only Champagne can produce champagne. And if that sentence didn’t make any sense, don’t worry: A.O.C. the bar will. This West Hollywood haven offers French cuisine with California ingredients to delectable results.

A.O.C. is a pioneer in LA’s farm-to-table movement, combining a refined wine bar atmosphere with a menu inspired by seasonal produce sourced directly from local farmers markets. Chef Suzanne Goin crafts signature dishes that highlight organic vegetables, sustainable seafood, and farm-raised meats.​

County Museum of Art (LACMA) and LaBrea tar pits, leave room for a stop at A.O.C.. Condé Nast Traveler calls this the “the prettiest courtyard in L.A.” Expect “California French” cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. In addition, one OpenTable user says this is the “best outdoor dining in LA!

A.O.C. is a beloved West 3rd Street restaurant known for its wine and small plates. When it comes to its Weho outdoor space, the courtyard patio is nothing short of enchanting. Shade from wide umbrellas keeps lunches cool, while twinkling lights and heat lamps warm up dinner service.

A.O.C. in Beverly Hills is owned by duo Caroline Styne, a top LA sommelier and James Beard Restaurateur of the Year, and Suzanne Goin, a 3-time James Beard Award-winning chef. A.O.C. quickly gained industry recognition for their delectable food and rich wine pairings.

If you only have time to eat only one meal in Los Angeles, have it be at AOC. Renowned chef and James Beard Award winner Suzanne Goin’s restaurant is a favorite among locals who come back week after week for the ever-changing market-driven menu and small plates.

This wine bar and restaurant created by award-winning Los Angeles female power team, Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne, is sure to please. If you can, find a spot in front of the fireplace for the coziest way to wind down at the end of a long day.

AOC is part of the new tapas trend and is done very well (IMHO). Spago is a beverly hills institution that has good food and great deserts. If you want an interesting meal that you will not find on any zagat top 10 list go to el compadre.

Ryan Atwood, a teen from the wrong side of the tracks, moves in with a wealthy family willing to give him a chance. But Ryan's arrival disturbs the status quo of the affluent, privileged community of Newport Beach, California.

For a different kind of feel, you can try A.O.C. Chef Suzanne Goin also operates other Los Angeles restaurants, such as Tavern and Lucques. A.O.C is a wine bar and restaurant. Their outdoor seating is beautiful and open.

8700 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048Phone: 310-859-9859 Visit Website. A post shared by a.o.c restaurant & wine bar (@aocla). West Hollywood gathers its fame from many restaurants and clubs throughout the area.

provides guests with a beautiful California Spanish Revival setting. There’s a private dining space upstairs known as the wine room, which overlooks the courtyard and is perfect for an event of about 40 guests.

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by a.o.c restaurant & wine bar (@aocla). Small plates are the order of the day here.

If you want something hip, it's the little plates at A.O.C. in West Hollywood. If you want an upscale steakhouse, there's a slew of them now.