Lou

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724 N. Vine Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038

323-962-6369

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3 User reviews Write A Review

Critics'
Pick

Cuisine(s): California, Contemporary, Wine Bar

Hours: Mon-Sat 6pm-11:30pm

Price: $$$
Payment Types: MasterCard, Visa

Features: Wheelchair Accessible

Serving: Dinner, Late Night
Alcohol: Beer/Wine

Reservations: Accepted, Recommended for Large Parties

Parking: Lot Available

Description

Lou Amdur, who can probably talk more profoundly about biodynamic wines than anyone who hasn't actually buried a dung-filled animal horn at midnight during a full moon, is the proprietor of this tiny, wonderful wine bar on the south end of Vine, home to both his list of organic country wines and the salady cuisine of his chef DJ Olsen, as well as a pretty decent range of artisanal cheeses, the garlic-laced salamis of Seattle's Armandino Batali, and house-made rillettes. Lou has a minor specialty in both long-braised meats and tasty vegetarian soups, and the elaborate Monday-night wine dinners revolving around, say, choucroute or the season's first Alaskan halibut should not be missed. Still, on cool nights there may be nothing better than a plateful of the pig candy made with Lou's house-cured bacon, a bowlful of olives and a glass of organic Côtes du Luberon.

A Recipe From the (Now Itinerant) Wine Guy: Lou's Pig Candy

By Margy Rochlin | Mon, April 16, 2012

Several weeks ago, when it was announced that Lou Amdur was selling his wine bar, LOU, we offered a parting culinary keepsake for Squid Ink readers -- the recipe for LOU's famous pig candy. Want to k... More »
Q & A With Lou Amdur: On Selling His Wine Bar, Software Insomnia + Drunks in the Parking Lot

By Margy Rochlin | Mon, March 19, 2012

When Squid Ink was born back in 2009, Lou Amdur, owner of the wine bar LOU, was one of the first experts we turned to. No matter the question -- be it of terroir or amphorae or why wine geeks use puzz... More »
Lou: 99 Essential Restaurants 2011

By Jonathan Gold | Thu, November 10, 2011

"I want you to taste this," says Lou Amdur, handing you a glass of sour, cloudy liquid that smells like yesterday's bread dough. Although you pride yourself on your palate, and you will later have a conversation about an obscure Loire grape that c... More »
Q & A With Lou Amdur: What To Drink on the 4th of July

By Margy Rochlin | Fri, July 1, 2011

When we think of 4th of July we imagine eating extravaganzas, but cookouts, picnics, and backyard parties can mean any number of food possibilities -- hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, exotic baby ... More »
Ask Mr. Gold: What is Pig Candy?

By Jonathan Gold | Thu, March 23, 2006

Dear Mr. Gold:I overheard a couple of my foodie co-workers talking about “pig candy’” the other day, but when I asked what it was, they gave me one of those weird looks and walked away. Am I missing anything? Is pig candy more like the old Farrell... More »

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claire85 | Los Angeles, CA | 188 Reviews

| Thu, January 22, 2009

The attached picture IS the sign you need to look for - Lou is next to the fluff and fold in a strip mall on the east side of Vine. But don't let the location scare you away, because once you're inside, you are transported to another world. Unless you're a big party on a weeknight, they don't take reservations. But if you're just a couple people, I would almost suggest having your meal at the bar rather than waiting for a table because then you can chat with Lou (yes, THAT Lou), who is a total mensch and loves talking wine and food. The cheeses and charcuterie are to die for, as is any dish that comes with bacon. They offer "tastes" of wine (which are healthy portions and run around $4 - $6 bucks) in addition to glasses and bottles, which means you can try a bunch over the course of your meal and still be fiscally responsible. The fun wine menu groups selections under headings like "oddball" or "meaty and gnarly." They offer a 5 course prix fixe menu on Mondays for $55 with flights.
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AlbertM4 | Los Angeles, CA | 5 Reviews

| Tue, July 29, 2008

One of those places that you look cool for just knowing about it. Strip mall off Vine and GRUB! Brazilian with great wines to match. No reservations but take a date grab some wine at the bar and when you take your first bite you will forget about the wait. Not sure if the picture attached is the place though.
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Jordan818182 | Los Angeles, CA | 30 Reviews

| Tue, July 28, 2009

that I shouldn't be telling you about it

Main Menu

Salads

$8.00

Farmers Market Green Salad

$12.00

Frisée Salad, House-cured Bacon, Poached Egg

$12.00

Salad Of Roast Beet, Pickled Onion, Ricotta, Tangelo

Snacks

$5.00

Pig Candy

$5.00

Garlic Bread

$6.00

Olives & Candied Almonds

$8.00

Creamy Gazpacho
with house-cured tuna confit

Cheese & Charcuterie

$12.00

Burrata, Garlic Toast, Roast Tomatoes, Arugula

$15.00

Cheese Plank
our selection of five domestic cheeses

$15.00

Charcuterie & Cheese
rillettes, speck, batali salumi, cheese

Et Cetera

$8.00

White Beans, Occhipinti Olive Oil, Grilled Bread, Arugula

$8.00

Macaroni & Cheese
with hook’s 10 year cheddar

$10.00

Frittata
fava bean and fava tendrils, piquillo pepper

$12.00

Savory Tart
zucchini, spring onion, goat cheese

Supper

$12.00

Farro, Asparagus, Pistachio, Feta, Olives

$16.00

Smoked Wild Boar Sausage, Black-eyed Peas, Mustard Greens

$19.00

Smoked Niman Pork Chop, Cabbage-radish Slaw, Red Onion Jam

$19.00

Poussin, Frisée, Haricots Vert, Croutons

$19.00

Scallops, Fideo, Piperade, Hazelnuts

$19.00

Alaskan Halibut, Summer Vegetables, House-cured Bacon

$19.00

Spaghetti
with beans, pancetta, arugula, poached egg

$23.00

Grilled Broken Arrow Antelope Chop, Baby Carrots, Potatoes, Pickled Cherries

$23.00

Grilled Niman Rib Eye Steak, Soubise, Delta Asparagus, Roast Potatoes

Dessert

$8.00

Vanilla Panna Cotta, Fresh Berries

$8.00

Stone Fruit, Blackberry Crumble, Vanilla Ice Cream

Looking for another city?

Lou

724 N. Vine Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038

323-962-6369

Description

By Margy Rochlin | Mon, April 16, 2012

By Margy Rochlin | Mon, March 19, 2012

By Jonathan Gold | Thu, November 10, 2011

By Margy Rochlin | Fri, July 1, 2011

By Jonathan Gold | Thu, March 23, 2006

claire85 | Los Angeles, CA | 188 Reviews

AlbertM4 | Los Angeles, CA | 5 Reviews

Jordan818182 | Los Angeles, CA | 30 Reviews