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3Twenty Wine Lounge
Categories: Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Tapas/Small Plates, Wine Bars [Edit]
320 S La BreaLos Angeles, CA 90036
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
(323) 932-9500
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Thu, Sun 6 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 11:30 pm
Sun 12 pm - 2:30 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
119 reviews for 3Twenty Wine Lounge
Review Highlights
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"The star of the show is Edgar, the owner/sommelier." In 25 reviews -
"braised lamb poutine - the braised lamb was delicious." In 6 reviews -
"On that note, the scallops and asparagus are a must try." In 6 reviews
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119 reviews in English
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Review from Danny B.
Brea, CA
5 stars without a doubt.
This place is a find. It's tucked away and almost unnoticeable coming up La Brea avenue a little past Wilshire. Luckily I used the power of Yelp to help me find this spot. My friend and I were going to a show at the El Rey and wanted to find a good place for drinks/food before. Wowza, this place was amazing. I've never seen a place like this before. About 25 different wines were corked and you have the option of tasting them all. They even had Caymus...legit! You insert your card they give you into the slot and press a button on the wine you want to try and you get a nice little taster amount. All the wine is quality, so try as many as you can (though this will get a little pricey).
The food and the presentations are beautiful. Altogether, we got a small plate of olives, garbanzo beans, and gruyere cheese crackers, mussels in a knockout garlic sauce, halibut with dijon mustard and a olive pesto sauce (YUM) and finished it off with a walnut bread pudding and cappuccino. I was tremendously pleased with everything.
Service was fabulous and the people working there were amazing. We even had a deep convo about travel and the Lakers getting the crap kicked out of them (come on guys!).
I can't wait to move to LA in a couple months to take some other people here with me. -
Review from SaVvy G.
Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA
I had a nice experience here. My friends and I came to celebrate our best friend's 31st birthday. We made 2 different reservations and we were about an hour late for both, but as soon as we got there the hostess did a great job at getting us a table for 6 right away. I liked how the owner, Edgar came to greet us as soon as we got there and helped with our beer drinkers' beer selection since they didn't have the typical selection. They had a cool wine bar with a decent selection of reds and whites. I'm not much of a wine person but my friend who was, had a ball of a time trying all the wines. Its a great little wine tasting experience without having to go out too far.
The food was pretty good, although most of us thought the roasted chicken needed a bit more flavor. Everything else tasted great, especially the fries!!
We got one of the waiters to sneak in a cake and my friends noticed that he was much more attentive to us than our waitress. Next thing you know, she comes to the table and says out loud, "who brought the cake?" I understand the cake kinda melted but c'mon, she' killed the surprise!
After we ate our cake Edgar came over again with a beer sample for all of us. I'm not much of a beer drinker so I thought it was gross but the boys loved it, it was some kind of chocolate flavored beer. -
Review from Lisa M.
Los Angeles, CA
First off, why do they serve hot olives? Olives aren't supposed to be hot. They aren't good hot. They need to stop that.
The two stars are for the wine experience, that was good. The food, not so much. We had a few things, crispy chickpeas with olives, halibut, beet salad, and the bacon wrapped shrimp. The salad was good. We had to send back the halibut.
I'd go back for wine, maybe a cheese plate. NOT the food. -
Review from Ami S.
Los Angeles, CA
Cute Place!
If you like wine and tasting little bits at a time, then this is the place for you! You receive a card when you sit down, which will keep track of how much you've spent on wine. You can stick to one wine the whole night or try several different kinds. The servers here are knowledgeable on wines and will help you choose if you want help.
I would have enjoyed this place more if the food was better. It wasn't bad by any means and I may have just ordered the wrong things, but just wasn't a fan. We ordered lamb with goat cheese, the cheese plate, fried chick peas and french fries. Again, we may have just ordered the wrong things (too much fried and fatty food perhaps?) Also, the service was a little slow considering it was not that busy.
I would definitely recommend coming to taste wines and will be back to try some different items off the menu.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/22/2012
Hi Ami! I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to reach… More » -
Review from Reza B.
There are so many adjectives and expletives that I could use to express my love for this place, but they wouldn't do it any justice.
I can try to write a description of how beautifully balanced the Burrata Olive Tapenade and Garlic Confit were and how the right wine gently separated each flavor on your palate like rose opening its petals to the world.
I could try to describe the INDESCRIBABLE gastro-dance between Tiger Prawns and the Bacon they're wrapped in or how Skillet Steak with Roquefort Butter caresses each taste bud like a silk sheet slipping off a porcelain statue depicting human perfection for all the world to see.
You would still not understand why 3Twenty is so dear to me even if every word in every language ever conceived by sentient life were brought to bear on the flavors infused into the Braised Lamb over Soft Polenta, and I told you how those flavors lingered in restless anticipation of red wine like a woman yearning for the touch of the one she loves on a hot summers night.
To top all of this, you're given the opportunity to sample from dozens of wines--all of which are available to buy to take home--and they present fresh new dessert offerings regularly.
3Twenty has everything a great restaurant should have: ambiance, service, amazing food, and the ability to inspire the diner and lift them to a new place.
In short, this place is mother-fucking awesome!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/24/2012
Reza, you have been such an amazing supporter of the… More » -
Review from Alice C.
The perfectly presented dishes. Truffle fries, garlic confit - yummmmm!! O yea, feel free to ask them for more bread. They don't mind!
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Review from Mary G.
Beverly Hills, CA
After reading Carol S's review of 3 Twenty, I knew I had to give this place a go! I bookmarked and was saving it for a special outing. What's more special than celebrating my parents 35th wedding anniversary! Since my dad isn't a wine drinker, it was just my mom and I.
I made reservations for this past Saturday, but since we finished our errands a little early, we headed over at around 1:30 pm. It was definitely very quiet, and we had the whole place to ourselves :-) After reading how busy it gets during the weekdays and evenings, I'm glad we were able to experience 3Twenty minus the crowd!
I loved the decor and overall feel of this place. The vibrant paintings on the wall (which the waitress mentioned are from local artists) were beautiful! We made sure to take advantage of the colorful background paintings and took lots of pictures! The staff was very welcoming and Edgar and his wife are gracious hosts!
The waitress gave us the spiel about how 3Twenty works, and a few minutes later I was like a kid in a candy store. I was charging up my wine card and tasting wines! I highly recommend the Rose' they had (only $2 for a 2 oz pour). I love the concept of the wine card and being able to sample several different wines. They have a great selection to choose from.
For food, my mom and I shared the following:
1) Flat iron steak, Roquefort, and arugula on toasted bread
The meat was absolutely delicious and so tender!!
2) burrata, asparagus, and olive tapenade on bread
This was my favorite, because the Burrata was melted on top of the Asparagus and melted in my mouth. The tapenade added the perfect saltiness to each and every bite/
It came with a side of Shoestring fries, which were absolutely addicting!
I'm truly in love with this place and can't wait to plan a girls outing at 3Twenty! This is a great place to plan a Birthday event also!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/23/2012
This is the nicest review we have had in the longest time!… More » -
Review from Amir A.
San Diego, CA
Lemme tell you why this place is so fly:
Valet parking ($5), its that or street parking which is hard to get, so this is convenient given the location. Valet closes around 10:30pm(?) and they will personally come inside to tell you they safely parked your car street side in front of the restaurant.
Food - the menu is not huge, its a small list of goodies. We had the Gruyere cheese omelet which was good but not anything to write home about but it came with shoestring fries that were crispy and spot on. We also had the skillet steak with roquefort butter which tasted amazing together, almost everyone around us had ordered it as well. My personal favorite was the garlic mussels with bread, I couldn't stop eating them. All the portions here are generally bigger than what you would get at other tapas places. 3-5 plates depending on what you order should satisfy a couple.
As for the drinks... This has got to be one of the coolest systems I've seen when it goes to wine tasting. They have several machines setup that are operated by a card that you insert and keeps your balance. Basically you walk up, find a wine you would like, grab a glass, insert your card, and push a button. The machine says "thank you" in the language of the origin of the wine you selected (heh) and pours you exactly 1/3rd a presentation level of a glass of wine. I would love to have this machine at my pad.
Overall the service, food, and of course the drinks were great I really have no complaints.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/23/2012
Hi Amir! This review is awesome! Thank you so much. I must… More » -
Review from David T.
I'll be going back here! This place is amazing.
A unique wine tasting experience. They have these wine dispensers that give you a 3 oz. taste of what ever wine you care to try. You're given a card that records which wine you taste (each wine costing a different amount. Like the wine, you can fill your glass, just push the button two more times. Or if you really like the stuff, by a bottle like I did when we went here.
Great atmosphere, with a wonderful staff.
Now I don't drink much, so a single glass was perfect for me.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/21/2012
Hi David! Thank you so much for the excellent and… More » -
Review from Thy N.
When my girlfriend told me she had a free night away from the baby for the first time in practically a year, I wanted to make sure to choose the perfect spot. I thought 3Twenty would be that perfect spot, but it wasn't.
I sooo wanted to love this place, but perhaps we just didn't come at an ideal time. We were hoping for a younger trendy crowd, but the place was filled with people my parents' age (50+). Don't get me wrong, I freaking love my parents but the last place I wanna see them or their buddies is at a wine bar on a Saturday night.
As for the wine - there's definitely a solid selection here. I tasted a couple Pinot Noirs and a Nebbiolo. They were fine indeed but a bit overpriced if you ask me. Having done this machine-dispensing wine-tasting thing at other shops around the world and having just come back from a weekend in Santa Ynez wine country, I'm inclined to say that, in comparison, this place is a tad overpriced.
I'm not writing this place off, however. I was more turned off by the crowd than the prices, and I suspect the crowd was a circumstantial thing. And I really did enjoy the pinots. I won't go out of my way to return here again, but I'll give it another shot the next time I'm in the hood.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/21/2012
Hi Thy! Thank you so much for joining us. I am so sorry… More » -
Review from Lisa A.
Los Angeles, CA
Love this Place! The wife took me here for a date night. Great vibe and very nice wine selection... I would highly reccomend it!
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Review from Justine F.
Los Angeles, CA
Last night I tried 3Twenty Wine Lounge on La Brea with a friend and we were both delighted with the $34 DineLA menu and the wine tasting experience.
We had to wait a few minutes for our table, and Edgar, the owner, came over to apologize to us personally and gave us a complimentary taste of a Chablis. We only waited 15 minutes to be seated and were having an incredible time busying ourselves with the wine selection. Edgar explained to us that the wine dispensers were handmade in Siena, Italy and took 6 months to ship to the restaurant. Since he has subterranean argon gas lines underneath the space, he can offer pricey bottles of wine as they stay preserved for 4 weeks at a time.
Our favorite was a Dutton Goldfield Zinfandel that came from a vine over 100 years old, with unimaginably deep roots. Only 197 bottles were made and I'm thinking I should go back to buy them all.
We ordered the truffle fries from the Specials Chalkboard as we perused the options for our 4 course dinner. They were bistro style shoestring fries and had the truffle notes we craved. We were happy to munch on them as we sipped our exclusive and beautifully complex glasses of wine.
The tiger prawns were wrapped in bacon and drizzled in paprika oil. They were a little on the salty side but that's what you get with bacon.
Fresh roasted red and orange beets with blue cheese crumbles and a lemon vinaigrette. The salad looks like one we've all had before, and the picture was snapped several bites in, but just one forkful and you would be surprised. There were pecans coated in cumin, and the aroma was so overpowering that the salad tasted like a NYC taxi cab at first, but the flavor was so enticing that I couldn't put the fork down. It's always fun to be surprised, and this was a good one.
The pea and pecorino bruscetta was phenomenal. The pureed peas were sweet and creamy and tasted so much like fresh Spring flowers I almost dabbed some behind my ears. And pecorino is such a pungent, flavorful cheese that it was a special treat to have it melting and bubbling on top of the sweet pea bruscetta.
The signature butternut squash soup with lardons and paprika oil was light for this kind of soup. It was more like a bouillabaisse with it's broth-like consistency and you could slurp it from the spoon if you felt like annoying your date. Or dip your bruschetta in for a gourmet take on grilled cheese with tomato soup. As if you didn't know about that American cult classic.
Skillet steak with Roquefort butter left one of those indelible impressions on me that I will not soon forget. I plan to return here frequently for this perfectly medium-rare slice of heaven. The red meat was so tender that our steak knives just sat by our sides, gleaming in the soft light, tossed aside and useless, like yesterday's news. And the butter! The icing on the cake. With the irrefutable bold flavor of Roquefort mixed in, the butter was tangy with the strong taste of this blue cheese, and yet still buttery and delicate. The goodness is an outrage. I mean, how are we supposed to continue on every day, knowing that the skillet steak is waiting for us at 3Twenty, ready to melt in our mouths in a matter of moments? It just isn't fair.
The Diver sea scallops with roasted asparagus was another honorable mention. The scallops were sizeable, succulent and sweet. They were almost raw in the middle, so their sweetness was impossible to miss. I was happily relieved not to have another overly buttered scallop on my plate. So often scallops are sauteed in so much butter that these spongy little mollusks soak it all up until they become nothing other than tiny pockets of butter themselves. Of course, it's hard to hate on butter, but it can be disappointing when fresh sea scallops are too rich to enjoy their natural sweetness. These were large, and far from drenched in too much oil or butter. They were astoundingly good and their freshness was enhanced with a light drizzle of parsley pesto.
The vanilla gelato arrived with a warm and lumpy chocolate chip cookie. The gelato was slightly melted so that it was soupy around the edges of the ramekin, which is exactly the way I like it to be. The temperature of the gelato was ideal for immediate consumption, and so was the cookie which was brought over straight from the oven. It left such a scent trail of fresh-baked-cookie-goodness that the tables next to us signaled the waiter to ask him what the dessert was. Funny the power of a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie.
The other dessert was a petit four made with marzipan and orange peel. It was coated in a white chocolate and the inside was the crumbly and moist almond paste known as marzipan. The small dessert was bursting with orange peel zest.
I was baffled at the quality of every dish. The paintings on the wall weren't my cup of tea, so I focused on my glass of wine instead. The food/service are the kind I can appreciate regularly. This DineLA deal is definitely worth it.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 1/31/2012
I can't believe my eyes. Honestly, I keep re-reading this… More » -
Review from Vanessa J.
Beverly Hills, CA
I love this place! You will definitely have a great time here.
The wine dispensers are so cool! I've never seen anything like it before, so I thought that was super unique.
Their food is superb. My favorite thing is the butternut squash soup, you must try it.
3Twenty, you just got yourself a regular!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/22/2012
Hi Vanessa! Thank you so much for the excellent review! It… More » -
Review from Jojo P.
Winnetka, CA
Great ambiance. Nice place to come and just sit, converse, and drink wine. Me and my friends opted to try the automated wine dispensary system that utilizes a card to keep track of your tastings. The waitress explained that one push = 1/3 of a glass of wine, which gives you the flexibility to either sample a large variety of wine (mostly red wines) or get a full glass of your favorite. We also ordered a few small plates, which one reviewer mentioned did arrive a tad bit slow, but we were unfazed because of the great ambiance and the novelty of the wine dispensers. The tapas portions were large, which was welcomed. The wait staff were also very friendly and knowledgable.
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Review from Courtney V.
Los Angeles, CA
I could spend all day everyday in this little wine heaven.
The food is very delicious and inventive, the wine is amazing and I love the way you can taste at your leisure and it's just a beautiful, clean restaurant.
Also the owner, Edgar, is a complete doll. So nice and informative, he makes you feel so well taken care of.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 3/19/2012
Courtney! I love this review! Thank you so much... although… More » -
Review from Tanis G.
Los Angeles, CA
Amazing food.
Amazing wine.
More than awesome owner (Edgar) who not only is an expert on wine and wine pairings, but he's the nicest, most personable person to talk to!
It's an all around great experience. I HIGHLY recommend 3Twenty.
Glad Miracle Mile has a place like this!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 3/17/2012
Hi Tanis! Thank you so much for the glowing review! It is… More » -
Review from Roger L.
Thanks DineLA for letting me discover this charming restaurant in mid-town. Being new to the area, I'm still discovering many of my to-go spots. I must say this ranks right around the top for tapas and wine!
They have these new-agey wine dispensers where you put a card in, and it dispenses by the ounce. Let me say, this is potentially disastrous for my wallet considering that if it were up to me, I would keep pressing that button for more wine all damn night. This lets you sample a variety of their wines (also get drunk). I believe the owner is the expert, who was kind enough to give me some of his recommendations.
The food was delish. My favorite appetizers were ALL OF THEM; although, extra points to the butternut squash soup and the bruschetta. Of the roast jadori chicken and skillet steak protein, I found the skirt steak to be infinitely more delicious. I felt the dessert including the the marzipan, and the gelato could be vastly improved.
All in all, I kinda like place... a lot. I think the ambiance here is literally perfect - laid back, sophisticated yet not ostentatious. In the spirit of DineLA, and buying local to support our local communities, I will be glad to revisit this place!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 1/30/2012
Hi Roger! Thank you so much for joining us and for your very… More » -
Review from Jessica S.
Los Angeles, CA
Went on a Thursday night at 8 and didn't need a reservation. Small restaurant and relaxing atmosphere. Wine tasting concept is definitely cool, but variety wasn't that great and some pours we're pricey for .2 deciliters or 1/3 of a smaller wine glass. It reminds me of Europe where u can get wine by the deciliter.
I might rate this a 4 just bc it's different and has a nice vibe, but the food was not what I was expecting. I was super excited to try the scallops based on Yelp reviews. They recently changed their menu so that dish isn't on there anymore. The waitress suggested my 90 pound friend and I get 4-5 dishes. We knew we didn't need that so we ordered two to split. She HIGHLY recommended the halibut so I went w that. (maybe she recommended bc it was one of the higher priced dishes at $16?) We also had the lamb poutine. Presentation of the food was nice. Makes you think your in for a treat. Our halibut was undercooked and not hot. The lamb dish wasn't hot either. The lamb dish was more of shredded taco meat on top of shoestring fries with gravy. It was okay, but I think the best part of our meal was the fries. That's a bit sad. Even the pesto the halibut was on was unimpressive.
So, I did like the environment and would've rated this a 4 if I enjoyed my meal more. But this def shouldn't be 4.5 stars on Yelp based on the food I tasted. Also, food menu is quite small. I was expecting more of a tapas style restaurant, where u get a bunch of small dishes and share. It was more like nicely presented dishes. Still, cool concept so have to give them props for that.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 3/22/2012
Hi Jessica! I am so sorry! It's really clear that you… More » -
Review from Rita A.
Los Angeles, CA
I am so excited that there is a new place to go in our area! The wine bar is so beautiful inside. The food is terrific I had a beautiful lamb dish. The wines are wonderful and priced well. It is just a great place to go with friends. The service is warm and good.Thank you for opening such a great place to build our community!
I will be back!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 1/9/2012
Rita! Thank you so much! It's so nice to know that such a… More » -
Review from Megan S.
Wine lounges are like Baskin Robbins for grownups, and 3Twenty Wine Lounge is no different. Friendly owners and staff coupled with an attitude of "wine is for everyone" makes 3Twenty a welcome addition to the wine-by-the-pour genre. Sample as much as you like, and if you've decided on one bottle, feel free to go whole hog and buy it as you sit and enjoy a meal or dessert.
This is a perfect place to take a friend who has always been a "beer and mixed drinks" only kind of person. Bring said friend, add knowledgeable server, and then leave them to go on (or go with them) their own grape odyssey. Hopefully, by the end of the night, they'll at least have settled on a couple wine varietals and or brands they enjoy and can take that knowledge with them.
In LA, not many places offer you your own semi-personal and completely customizable wine-tasting where they charge by the pour and have the option of ordering great food alongside said tasting. Even if they do, it can often be accompanied with a nice side of attitude/arrogance from the wait staff, other patrons, or your dining companions ("If anyone orders Merlot I'm leaving."). At 3Twenty, the learned (that's learn-ed) and the learners can coexist in happiness. It's the Sesame Street of wine bars, everyone's welcome.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 1/6/2012
What a cool review! Thank you so much. I really love that we… More » -
Review from Carol S.
I fell in love with this place as soon as I walked in. The decor is simplistic and modern, with cool paintings for sale from local artists. The servers & owner (Edgar) graciously greeted us and explained how everything worked. It was nice of the server to do so, but this isn't my first rodeo. With card in hand, I sampled about 6-2 oz. pours of red wine from the enomatic wine machines. They have a lot of amazing Napa cabs -- hard to find these brands at other wine bars.
The tapas came out pretty fast, and they were unbelievable!!! One of the best meals I've had in awhile. We shared:
- tiger prawns, crispy bacon, arugula, and paprika oil
- soft gruyere and chive omelet, shoestring fries
- roast chicken leg with crispy skin, corn, kale and tomato
- halibut, olive and parsley pesto, dijon emulsion
- skillet steak with roquefort butter
Hats off to the chef, who I was told, worked under Bobby Flay. We finished our meal with a tasty apertif - 2010 Brachetto d'Acqui (dessert wine). For the quality of the food, the prices are more than reasonable. YOU NEED TO GET OVER HERE!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 12/18/2011
Wow Carol, this review is so wonderful! Thank you sooo much!… More » -
Review from Brian U.
Sylmar, CA
The food was average to a bit better. This was the first butternut squash soup that wasn't the typical thick, rich soup. It was still good, but not what you might expect. The "crispy chickpeas with rosemary, warm olives and herbs, gruyere crackers" was a snack trio. The chickpeas were like little buds of popcorn and a fun little creation. The warm olives were hot. The crackers were okay. What the three items had to do with each other is anyone's guess except they are bar snacks. The tiger prawns wrapped in bacon on an arugula salad had too much bacon. It was an ordinary dish on an ordinary bed of greens. The steamed mussels with garlic and ale could have used a bit more fattiness, but the mussels were very tender. The braised lamb and goat cheese poutine was presented with shoestring fries topped with gamey lamb and dots of goat cheese. It had the components of a poutine, but they didn't cohere into a gooey mess.
The wine experience was better than the food and what makes this place fun. Like usual, I seem to have a knack for picking items on the menu that they ran out. I ordered a $54 bottle they no longer had, but they suggested two other bottles. I picked a $60 bottle, but they charged $54. That was a nice touch. They also gave us tastes of three other reds including a Turley Duarte zin which was close to port. So the food might be average, but they serve wine with plenty of eagerness and information.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/24/2012
Hi Brian! Thank you so much for the honest review! I am… More » -
Review from Nida K.
3Twenty had the class and sophistication like a high society. I have never seen wine dispensing machines before, so my easily amused self was very intrigued. The decor was very modern, yet simple. But let's start at the beginning, shall we...
I called into the restaurant to make reservations the day of. I thought we were going to have a party of 7 so I wanted to make sure we would have a table. Someone by the name of Edgar told me there were no tables available at the time I requested which was 8pm. Disappointed, I was about to hang up, but he said there may be something he would be able to do. He arranged for my party to have a reserved table on the heated patio instead. Given that I already told my friends about going to 3Twenty tonight, I told him that was fine. I was very happy to hear that he was able to accommodate me on short notice especially since I really wanted to try this place out!
When I arrived at the restaurant, some of my friends had already beaten me there. I was surprised to see that 3Twenty wasn't as busy as I thought it was going to be, and that we were able to snag a table inside. Perfect, because it was a cold night. The server came by and told us about the self serve wine. I've never seen such a thing so I was very curious to hear about the whole process. They give you this wine card which is essentially your tab. You insert your card into the machine and it keeps tracks of how much wine you're getting. The prices range based on the price of the bottle, but the cheapest I saw for a taste was $3.00.
There ended up being only 5 of us girls instead of 7, so we decided on sharing some tapas. We opted for the halibut, which was slightly tangy, but the fish had a good, flaky texture; grilled prawns, which were wrapped in bacon so they were really good; rotisserie chicken, super tender and I loved the baby carrots that it came with; mussels, pretty good, but I've had better before; and lastly, the skillet steak, tender, juicy and flavorful. We weren't stuffed silly but being girls that don't eat too much, it was a good amount.
One thing that I really liked about 3Twenty is that someone came by and handed us a bottle of wine that was almost empty. He told us that there was a little bit left and that we could try it. It was one of the more expensive wines that was listed at $8 a taste. We thought that was pretty cool of them to do. Later towards the end of the dinner, the same man came by and handed us another almost empty bottle. I'm not sure what it was, but two of my friends drank it and said it was one of the wines that they liked.
3Twenty is a very nice spot for a date or a small gathering. I really liked the whole concept of what they got going on here. You can try all kinds of different wines and see which ones you like.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 3/19/2012
Hi Nida! What an absolutely thorough review. Thank you so… More » -
Review from Namella K.
Los Angeles, CA
This is my first visit to a wine bar with these automated machines. How futuristic!
I go to yoga next door so when my friend wanted to meet up for a quick drink, I suggested this place. The decor is quite inviting with a small patio in front with heaters, nicely appointed main floor with the wine-tender machines, a bar with an actual person and a few tables for dining on little treats. We opted to sit on the plush velvet Queen Anne chairs up front and went sample crazy with wines galore.
First you get a charge card from the staff. You can preload with a set amount or leave it open like I did and pay at the end. You have to put in the charge card to make the machines pour. Help yourself to glasses at the wall by the bar.
I rather enjoyed my 2007 Groth Reserve Cab- full of berry and ripe fruit goodness. I began with Cakebread Chard to cleanse me out and it had a wonderful soft finish.
My friend treated herself to the Caymus Cab- oh my lord. Chocolatey, complex with a cedar nose at the end. Wow. You really do experience all of these flavors and scents. A premium wine for a couple of premium ladies.
The owner was walking around and greeting everyone. He talked about wine with some of his customers. My party was too busy catching up with our girl talk but he gave us space after he introduced himself. What a great host and pleasant owner to be around!
Please do check it out. Next time, I'm going to have a little food item to pair with some of these gorgeous wines!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 12/30/2011
Hi Namella! Thank you so much for this great review! I am… More » -
Review from Faye T.
Sherman Oaks, CA
I had the most incredible experience EVER at 3 Twenty Wine Lounge. The service was superb, the food impeccable, and the wine amazing. I'm not a huge wine fan so I'm very selective. Loved every wine I tried here. I had the lamb, which was the best I've ever had, and Edgar owner/host was just so courteous, generous and helpful. I had about 30 people come here to celebrate my birthday with only 2 days notice for Edgar. Although a bit hesitant to take on such a large party, he welcomed my friends and I with open arms. He was the perfect host. They were so welcoming that my friends just assumed I'd rented out the restaurant for my private party. This spot is a must visit!!!!
Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/23/2012
Hi Faye! Thank you so much for deciding to celebrate your… More » -
Review from Rachel C.
Los Angeles, CA
Thank you 3Twenty for an amazing birthday dinner!! My evening here was the best dining experience I've had in a long time, the prices were very reasonable, and I will absolutely be back again in the future.
I made a last-minute res for my birthday party of 11 and started off the evening with a self-serve wine tasting. Edgar (the owner) was really great about giving recommendations tailored to each person's individual taste, and there was no pressure to sit and start ordering - we had at least 30 minutes to socialize, wait for late arrivals and sample lots of delicious wine in the front section of the restaurant. Once we were ready to eat, we ordered a big selection of plates to share and everyone really enjoyed the food (standout favorites were the lamb, the truffle fries and the scallops with asparagus). Service was great and the waitress even helped us split the bill, which my non-drinking friends really appreciated. After the meal, we all stayed to enjoy a few more pours of wine each, and made a plan to return to 3Twenty again very soon.
The best part of the restaurant, besides the care and thought put into the wine selection, was the effort that everyone on staff, and particularly Edgar, made towards making our night really special. This place is a hidden treasure and I can't recommend it highly enough.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 1/2/2012
Rachel! Your smiling face brightened up the whole… More » -
Review from Billy C.
Los Angeles, CA
It's been a while since I've posted a yelp review but this place deserves a true 5 star. I went in for a small 8 party table and we're greeted by the friendly owner who gave us different wine to try out. At first, I thought it was going to just be another typical wine tasting experience but it ended up more than that. The wine and service was impeccable and the food (both cooked food and cheese appetizers) were surprisingy amazing (i ended up eating 4 plates by myself).
There is a lot of passion put into this from the owner of the lounge and I got the feeling he was more concerned our experience/enjoyment than the actual monetary aspect.
I highly recommend this spot to anyone! Kudos to the owner for executing everything great that should be in a lounge/restaurant. I will be taking all my friends here when I get the chance.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 12/30/2011
Wow, I am so grateful! You totally get what we are all… More » -
Review from Melissa K.
Redlands, CA
I was meeting a friend in LA on a Saturday afternoon and I recommended that we go here first to grab a small lunch. The last time I was here was in the evening on a Thursday and it was pretty crowded. This time, not so much. We were the only ones there for the longest time. Maybe we just missed the lunch rush or maybe it was never busy. i'm not sure. It wasn't a bad thing though-- we got to sit wherever we wanted and basically have the place to ourselves, so... score. We also both found parking at meters across the street-- $1 for 1 hr and they take CC's--I'll take it.
It was supposed to rain that day, but turned out to be a beautiful day, so we sat on the front patio area. Very quaint and prime people watching location.
I had the gem lettuce, avocado, cucumber, buttermilk dressing with chicken in a bowl and my friend had the flat iron steak, roquefort, and arugula. We shared shoestring fries. My friend really enjoyed her steak. i enjoyed my salad, however, I wish I had asked for the dressing on the side because it was a little too much for me. I'm not typically a big avocado fan, but the combination of the dressing, chicken and salad was very good. The bowl of fries was huge and delicious.
Our waitress was very pleasant and the chef came out to check on us as well. Good job 3twenty1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/17/2012
I stumbled upon the YELP reviews for 3Twenty while I was researching places to have my Birthday… Read more »
Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 1/26/2012
Hi Melissa! Thank you so much for joining us! Anyone is… More » -
1/17/2012
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Review from Cristalle T.
Los Angeles, CA
I am super impressed with this place at dinner time! The tapas are excellent and the wine choices are superb! The menu isn't that long so I suggest you be adventurous and try something outside the box. Also, spend about $40 on tasting delicious wine! It was so worth it to me.
Note: drink, eat and bring someone you can conversate for hours with :)Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 12/12/2011
Hi Cristalle! thank you so much for this glowing review! … More » -
Review from Sara A.
Ventura, CA
i figured i'd update my review based on my expert insight.
The food here is phenomenal, I say this because I eat here at least 3 times a week. start with a cheese plate, i like the 4 cheese plate but the burrata is also lovely and a bit lighter. get a wine card from your server and start with a nice white wine, like the Zaca Mesa viognier, or one of the lovely pinots, like the Emeritus.
salads/appetizers: beet salad is gorgeous, comes with a citrus vinaigrette, and the butternut squash soup is heaven. the crispy chickpeas are light & delicious, and go great with the warm olives & the gruyere crackers.
lunch: braised lamb tartine, and do yourself a favor and order a french press or a latte afterwards. the coffee (Blackwelder) is SUPERB.
dinner: you can't go wrong with the skillet steak. I also love the halibut. Ask Edgar to suggest a nice pairing with your dishes. You won't be disappointed.
inside scoop: if you eat the lamb poutine 3 times a week for 3 months, you gain 8 pounds. I'm not even mad.
DESSERT: vanilla gelato affogato.. a shot of espresso on your vanilla affogato. There is a selection of dessert wines behind the bar, ask for some Brachetto.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/25/2011
this is my new weekly spot.
if you love wine, and good food, and people who are passionate about… Read more »
Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 3/22/2012
Thank you so much Sara. This is such an awesome review! More » -
6/25/2011
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Review from Hahnmade H.
Los Angeles, CA
this is a public announcement for all single men in the miracle mile area.
[what is it about wine bars that ladies flock to??]
come here on the weekends and you will find 64% are groups of ladies.
what's cool about the place is that you'll find all different types--
-bandage dresses & chandelier earrings, ready for Stock Exchange afterwards crowd
-boots w/the fur [this time not a drink, their outfits] & designer jeans crowd
-burberry skirts & dripping in pearls, urban professional crowd
-i'm-too-cool-to-be-labeled femme fatale crowd *ahem*
they've got it all.
so here is what you do, gentlemen:
one) come dressed to impress. you may wear whatever you feel comfortable in. however, i do want to to steer you away from "affliction graphic tees" & "true religion jeans" any way you slice it - douchey
two) purchase a wine card
three) walk up to the ladies hovering the dispenser (don't be afraid to approach two ladies standing together, we don't mind being approached while we're with girlfriends) then ask "wow, what are you drinking? how do you like yours?"
however, if all fails:
four) you can always defer to Edgar, the owner. from what i saw, he was quite popular among the female patrons. be friends with him--super knowledgeable in wine & friendly by the way--he might turn out to be your wingman.
p.s. the vibe was super chillz, we were there until closing time and not once they rushed us.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 1/30/2012
This review is awesome. Seriously. Thank you for the… More » -
Review from Amie C.
I love the concept. Self-serve wine tastings ranging from very affordable to not so affordable. You can mix if up if you like! However, since you just charge everything to a little charge card, it could add up quickly. The food is delicious and good for sharing. The staff is helpful and informative with recommendations, and will come to the rescue if you're looking a bit lost. Dining area is pretty small so if you are planning to bring a large group here, I'd suggest reservations.
I will definitely be back if I'm feeling a bit spendy!Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 12/18/2011
Thank you so much Amie! Whether you're feeling a bit spendy… More » -
Review from James C.
Glendale, Los Angeles, CA
I celebrated my 25th a week or two ago here and I just have to say Edgar, the sommelier and owner of this fine establishment, will be more than happy to wine and dine you and yours with some of the tastiest foods you'll ever have.
Typically I just cop out for the ol' pizza+beer bro-down for my birthdays. This year, felt like I've been getting a little too old for that so I decided to keep the pinkies up and go for some wine. Made reservations about two weeks beforehand, and Edgar called me up twice to answer all my stupid questions with respect and sincerity.
The place wasn't too hard to spot with it's big elegant sign. It was intimately lit with fancy post-modern esque ceiling lamps and abstract art. Smooth jazz lightly filled the room so you didn't have too speak to loud to converse across the table. Yeah, don't trip, the bathroom was pristine, so you can literally bet your ass this place was in good care.
I ordered like four entrees and the cheese plate. Of the four cheeses I can remember, the blue cheese was ridiculously amazing; it was salty, creamy, and it just made me want to say fuck the other cheeses, I just want a plate of this shit, and then I realized I had a little etiquette. The braised lamb with poutine over fries were good enough to set the mood for a casual night. The chopped steak with the Rockfurt butter was intriguingly cheesy, buttery, and savory. The scallops with asparagus were sweet enough to tease you into ordering about 5 more if you didn't moderate your palate with some white wine.
The drinks were perfect and no one, and I mean no one made me feel like a riff raff, street rat, that couldn't buy that. Pointless Aladdin references aside, I was pretty much tanked before I could even order anything. Edgar was the fucking man and he hooked me up with like three complimentary birthday wines. Each and every one of them were a real treat. I feel pretty stupid for not taking down the names of those wines because whenever I think about drinking anything they haunt my taste buds. -
Review from Calvin S.
Los Angeles, CA
Been driving by this place for awhile now and finally stopped in and now wish I hadn't waited so long. Was very happy and will be coming back.
WINES
Each wine is priced by the 2 ounce pour. But, if you find one you really like you can just keep hitting that button for 4 or 6 ounces. If you ask for a bigger glass you can probably pour up to ten if you feel like you need to ;-)
Their system is a pay as you go versus other restaurants that make you pay an upfront fee and you drink your way down. So you're never paying for more than you drink or forced to keep a card.
They had a huge selection of reds and a smaller, but still sizable, selection of whites. The prices range from low $2.00 per pour to a $13.00+. And the owner was there to offer friendly advice or info on the wines if we wanted it.
OWNER(S)
As for the owner, he was there with his wife and father and they seemed very nice and welcoming, but not intrusive or overbearing. The owner even dropped off a free glass of pinot noir. I got a genuine sense that they created the place out of a desire to serve good food and wine first, and make money second.
FOOD
Okay, the food - extremely good. It's tapas style so that means smaller portions, which is fine by me since a lot of restaurants still over serve you in my opinion. My wife and I got four dishes and that was more than enough. All of it was very good. There wasn't anything I wouldn't order again.
Diver scallops with roast asparagus & basil - The scallops were prepared perfectly and were huge.
Skillet steak with Roquefort butter - The steak was nice, but I'd say maybe a bit more Roquefort and little less butter in the mix
Duck pate with a mild cheese with truffles (I can't remember the cheese, but I believe it was a semi-soft light colored cheese, it may have been pecorino) - The pate was very flavorful and served with crusty bread
And a shrimp dish that I cannot recall (and it isn't listed on their online menu) It was a simple grilled and seasoned dish. It was good, but of the four it was my least favorite.
RESTAURANT
Perfectly lit. Not too loud. Intimate without feeling cramped. There is street parking out front, just make sure you read the fourteen signs to make sure you're legal. There is also some outdoor seating in front of the restaurant.
As far as the bill goes, I would have thought we would have easily been over $100, but it was under and we had more than enough to eat and drink. Fully recommend. A nice addition to the spots on La Brea. -
Review from Stephani C.
Los Angeles, CA
This wine bar is simply delightful. I enjoyed every minute that I spent here. First of all, they have one of the most amazing and expansive wine menus I have ever encountered. It contains a wide variety of robust yet smooth reds and crisp whites. I also love the decor, which always has art work displayed by local artists. The manager Edgar is superb and always makes you feel welcome. On top of it all, the food is delectable. This wine bar is a Los Angeles jewel!
Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 3/22/2012
Stephani! You just made my day. Seriously. Thank you so… More » -
Review from Richard L.
Los Angeles, CA
Came here for a birthday party with 20 people and we had a great time. The service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the wine was well-selected.
Offers a great atmosphere for a party or group because there's a lot of mingling and socializing.
The owners were more than accommodating for everything we needed. They even let us split the bill into small chunks to make paying easier.
One very minor quibble: there was some slight trouble with the food arriving in spurts, but it's understandable with a 20-person group. One friend ordered a salad but it came toward the end of the meal, so I would suggest to the owners to have salads come out first and try to serve one dish per "sharing" group so that everyone is eating at the same time. Then, the other dishes can come out as they're ready.
But all in all, highly recommended. We will be back. -
Review from Cat N.
Shortly after my first review, the owner Edgar contacted me apologizing for their seriously minor "shortcomings" and invited me back to experience 3Twenty perfectly. Honestly, my previous review was a positive one, but it's a testament to his commitment to only the best and not resting until he's achieved it.
The only issues from before were service and personal gluttony, hah. Service was excellent this time around: everything was perfectly timed and efficient, and our server was attentive. The quality of the food really trumps quantity, and keeps you satisfied longer with less - though the servings are really not bad. The friend that I brought actually fell back in his chair after he tasted the lamb, it was so incredible.
Unfortunately they were out of the viognier that I liked from last time, but that just means that Edgar is constantly at work finding new wines to bring in. You can also pick up on his dedication from the personal descriptions on cards above each wine, versus generic ratings and a laundry list of flavors. If you're going to be there soon, I recommend the 2006 (I think?) Chianti - it's the first Chianti Classico that I've liked outside of Italy!
I hope my reviews have been helpful, and you'll see yourself that 3Twenty truly is a lovely experience!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/20/2011
This is one of the greatest date spots you could take a girl. It would also be perfect for "girls'… Read more »
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9/20/2011
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Review from Mike C.
Rowland Heights, CA
Me and two friends went there on a Saturday night, had to wait almost an hour to be seated because we did not make a reservation.
The automated wine dispenser is pretty cool, but it's not User-Friendly. But owners and staff are very friendly.Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 1/26/2012
Hi Mike! Thank you so much for joining us. I am so sorry for… More » -
Review from Tina O.
Los Angeles, CA
It was pretty crowded, but the wine choices were excellent, the food was great, and our server was fun and helpful. Overall a good place to go to start a date night.
Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/21/2012
Hi Tina! Thank you so much for joining us, and the wonderful… More » -
Review from grace p.
Los Angeles, CA
This place was such a surprise!! I came here with my "boss" and another. We all were wanting after work drinks and food. Couldn't think of anywhere to go until my "boss" mentioned this place. I had never heard of it, or even noticed it before. Right down the street from the Yogurtland on La Brea. They have a parking lot right next door (valet), which is convenient cause street parking is impossible. You go inside and are able to get a card, sample a wine and it adds up on the card for your bill. I used to always frequent a place like this in Culver City, but they made you pre-pay. I like this way better. The food is what got me!! My mind can't get over how good their skillet steak was, and the compound butter was crack. I need more! The wines are good, especially if you know your labels, I tried a nice red to go with my steak, but it was real spicy, a little too bitter for my taste. But good if you like that. Gotta try this place again and see if it was a fluke, or my new fav spot to get some good red meat without going to a pricey steakhouse.
Comment from Edgar P. of 3Twenty Wine Lounge 5/24/2012
Thank you so much for the excellent review! We definitely… More »
