We lived in LA for a dozen years beginning in the mid 90s and AOC was our go to special place for a night out. We’re about to come back with a visit for our kids and would like to take them to a restaurant with that type of format, i.e. lots of small sharing plates with excellent ingredients and a lot of creativity in the execution. Is AOC still good or has its heyday passed ? And if the latter is there another restaurant you would recommend with a similar format and style in greater LA? Similar price point.
AOC on 3rd is ok. It is not going to impress you with creativity or execution, but will be solid. Other options exists, best asked on foodtalkcentral LA board.
Some ideas that first popped into my head ( not all small plates but shareable, amenable to family style dining)
Broken Spanish Comedor
SiMon!
Xuntos
Pasjoli
Republique
Majordomo
If you want shareable plates with high execution but also capturing California ingredients in a creative way I would always recommend Gjelina
1 Like
If this was 2010, it would be great.
Now? Not so much.
1 Like
excellent suggestion
Yes. I’m for sure thinking of that one. I’m only holding back because I really want to do Gjusta and am uncertain whether I should do both. Different places and meals but I’m thinking a similarity in style and flavor given their common ownership might not be the play. As we only have so many meals there.
Will research these.
Of course it is always personal preference but we went twice to Gjusta and were completely underwhelmed and haven’t returned for years now. Much more basic and muted flavors and we found it very expensive for the quality. In addition, this isn’t also really a restaurant but more a deli and isn’t even remotely comparable to AOC (I remember sitting on some crates outside at Gjusta because that’s all they had available
Xuntos is better than both Gjusta (and/or Gjelina) and AOC, combined.
Will research.
That’s disappointing to hear. I was interested in the bread, sandwiches etc. honestly I thought if we liked it that would be our regular breakfast place as it’s near our hotel so I think I’ll still try it. And see if it’s one visit or several.
