Wine and Dining: Three Beautiful Notes

SEALEGS WINE BAR

Restaurateur Alicia Whitney comes from a background of marketing events and nightlife, which ultimately inspired her to open the first Sealegs five years ago. It was pretty much an overnight success, and has since spawned new locations in Orange County and L.A.

Alicia is credited for introducing one of the fastest growing wine bar concepts in Southern California, and part of that success is a wealth of fresh, local and sustainable items that are paired with the wines. The team at this Hamptons-themed treasure are so friendly, and definitely have each other's backs. Our server, Karlee, was well-informed and friendly and favors the location on Beach Boulevard, because it "Feels like home."

Probably the most impressive feature there is the expansive wine cellar, with over 4,000 bottles, 40 wine lockers and an extensive craft beer collection spotlighting 10 beers on draft and many more by the bottle.

Sealegs has one of the most elevated food menus too, when compared to others, and is comprised of award-winning California cuisine with revolving dinner specials. The menu features an inspiration of old world tradition, California-fresh and a touch of New England class that is seasonal and ever-changing.

We had delicious wines paired with each course, including Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Flowers Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Illumination Cabernet, Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc and a Force of Nature Red blend. The wine list has been skillfully selected from the regions of California and other points around the world.

The cuisine is excellent. We started with Garlic Shrimp, saut�ed in olive oil and roasted garlic served with toast points, perfect for dipping. Their Mac & Cheese is served in a cast iron skillet was divine; white cheddar, blue cheese, mozzarella, spring peas, asparagus coins, baby kale, topped with white cheddar, goat cheese and crusted with panko. It totally melted in my mouth. Their Meatball is the talk of the town: Ground Wagyu beef, veal and pork, topped with a spicy San Marzano tomato sauce and Di'Stefano burrata cheese... living up to its well-deserved reputation.

Healthy salads are always a good choice, including their Baby Kale Caesar; kale tossed with shaved Parmesan, chickpeas, croutons, in a grilled Meyer lemon Caesar dressing or the sinfully delicious Bacon Bleu; mixed greens tossed with bleu cheese, marinated tomatoes, crispy bacon and a roasted garlic vinaigrette.

For the main course, you cannot go wrong with Chimichurri Flat Iron Steak: Marinated flat iron steak atop a toasted barley salad with roasted red bell peppers, arugula, olives, radish, crispy chickpeas, heirloom grape tomatoes, all topped with avocado. My guest took the healthier path, ordering the Salmon Papillote: A buttery 6 oz. filet cooked and served in parchment paper, seasoned with brown butter, thyme and lemon and served with saut�ed garlic spinach, pommes dauphine topped with asiago cheese and lemon aioli. We were both extremely satisfied.

Sealegs is well-known for their insanely delicious Sunday Brunch that features a Bloody Mary that is a meal in and of itself.

Sealegs Three Locations:

Sealegs LAX
200 World Way
Los Angeles
424.227.8295

Original Sealegs
21022 Beach
Boulevard, #105
Huntington Beach
714.536.5700

Sealegs Beach
17851 Pacific Coast Highway
Bolsa Chica State Beach Huntington Beach
714.698.4188

sealegswinebar.com

V WINE ROOM

Michael Consbruck is the owner of V Wine Room in West Hollywood. He grew up on a production agriculture farm in Junita, Nebraska, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in plant science at the University of Nebraska, then earning his Master of Arts degree in journalism and marketing.

In between landscape architectural projects and due in part to his respect for California viniculture, combined with his background in agronomy, Consbruck began to get involved in the wine industry in Los Angeles, representing boutique wine makers from central and northern California.
Working closely with the wine makers, he began to learn enology, and has since becoming a certified sommelier.

After all these myriad worlds collided, V Wine Room was born. Located in a historic building Charlie Chaplin originated as an actor's studio, which then served as a public library from 1929-1941 to the unincorporated area known as Sherman in Los Angeles County, the building has been used for a variety of retail activities. Vacant since the late 2000s, V Wine Room opened in February 2013 with a mission of expanding the reach of California Boutique winemakers. They know each of the winemakers personally, so every glass served to guests carries the love and respect given to each wine.

The staff is highly trained, and includes three food and wine industry professionals: Sommelier Adam Monte, cheese monger Hilary Kinzler and a winemaker Barrett Hill. A group who loves talking about wine, helping people further their knowledge of the grape and of course, drinking wine.

They recently added V Cheese Shoppe, a cheese, specialty food and gifts store, opened in May of 2016. The location features artisanal and handmade cheeses from around the world, locally crafted spreads, honeys, olive oils and other goods. Each cheese at V Cheese Shoppe has a thoughtfully paired boutique California wine available for purchase at V Wine Room.

V Wine Room
903 Westbourne Drive
West Hollywood
310.339.9202

vwesthollywood.com

FIVE O'CLOCK WINE BAR

When this incredible space opened near Naples, in the Alamitos Bay Marina, Dena Jones jumped on the opportunity to live out her dream. Her vision was to turn the space into a cozy wine bar that also serves draft beers and fun eats. She managed to transform the quirky layout into a funky, little, indoor hang-out and into a caf� style outdoor patio, with a view of the Bay. Comfortable seating outside surrounds fire pits, which lends itself well to the live music performed Friday through Sunday nights.

We stopped in one afternoon to sample the unique wine flights and tapas plates. Dena let us know that the wines and menu are constantly evolving and changing, in order to maintain an element of surprise for guests. The menu was petite as were the portions and what we shared was fulfilling and paired well with the wines sampled.

When you visit a wine bar, it is basically mandatory that you order an Artisan Cheese Plate. Theirs offered three select gourmet cheeses with nuts, berries and the like. Other notable items included The Caprese; ultra-fresh with Buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil and toasted almonds drizzled with a balsamic glaze. While sipping my red wine flight, I ordered the Chicken Sweet & Spicy BBQ; sauced grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, red onion, drizzled with an avocado cr�me sauce, flavors that beautifully complemented one another.

Five O'Clock Wine Bar
194 N. Marina Drive, Suite 101
Long Beach
562.810.5452 [email protected]