Rustic Canyon Wine Bar

Though overpriced for both food and wine, I could have overlooked the expense had the service been half-way decent. When I asked if I could substitute veggies for the french fries that came with my $30 steak, I was told that they don't make any stubstitutions. ""Really?"" I asked, ""not even for health reasons?"" And my waiter said, ""No. No substitutions, but you're welcome to order a side dish from the menu."" Was he kidding? I'm paying $30 for a plate, and he can't give me some carrots or something? This place totes itself as a ""farmer's market fresh"" restaurant--vegetables shouldn't be this hard to come by. Then, they screwed up in the kitchen and brought out 2 meals before the rest were ready. Ten minutes went by before our waiter noticed that we were sitting there with 2 plates on our table and no one was eating. Fine. You made a mistake, then do something about it. He didn't even offer to take their food back in the kitchen and bring it out warm with the other meals. Two at the table were already done eating before our meals showed up, and the restaurant did nothing about it. When we asked our waiter for a recommendation for a bottle of wine, he came back with a bottle that cost over $100! This is a wine bar folks, shouldn't the wait staff be able to make educated recommendations without picking the most expensive bottle on the menu? And, when we finally did get a bottle of wine, our waiter never returned to fill our glasses. In fact, we hardly saw our waiter at all. It was such a bad eating experience that when he asked if we wanted desert, we said, ""no, just the check"" which took another 20 minutes to come. Not only would I not go back to Rustic Canyon, but I want everyone else to know just how bad it was. The only saving grace was that the food actually tasted fine. Sorry Rustic Canyon, but I don't think you're going to last long. Pros: Cool atmostphere Cons: Horrible service, ok food, unaccommodating more

I've been excited to visit this restaurant since its opening and finally made the trip out tonight. The food and wine did not disappoint. The table started with a ""small plate"" of mussels with garlic bread for dipping and a small plate of asparagus. The asparagus was seasoned very interestingly with some delicious cheese and is the best asparagus I can remember eating. The mussels were also tasty. For a main course, I had the John Dory which was prepared perfectly. Paired with a delicious Rhone blend, it was a very satisfying meal. Our server was very friendly as well as helpful and water refills were prompt and plentiful. Absolutely no complaints about the service! Lastly, I love that the food is locally grown, sustainable and organic when available.\r \r There are just a few things that kept this from being the perfect restaurant. While the wine menu is impressive, there aren't really any bang-for-your-buck bargain wines. We didn't notice any hidden gems even in the $30-$40 range. The regular menu isn't exactly a bargain either, though portion sizes are fair. Still, our bill came to $70 per person, which leaves me scratching my head as to how some reviewers could call this place ""reasonable"". Most of the small plates/appetizers are in the $10-$15 range and main course items are around $30. It's not ridiculously overpriced, just not a ""bargain."" I guess you ARE going to pay more when you get the sustainable, organic, local stuff. Lastly, the restaurant is a touch noisy and crowded for my taste - especially the bar. It doesn't really feel ""rustic"".\r \r All in all, I'm excited to go back and try new menu items. Anyone looking for quality food and a friendly atmosphere shouldn't be disappointed. My one big request would be that there were a few more bargains so I could go back more frequently! Oh, (and if you're reading Rustic Canyon) a chef's tasting menu for sampling would be the perfect addition for special occasions!\r Pros: Good food, interesting menu, great service Cons: loud and a little cramped, menu items are priced fair to verging on a touch overpriced more

I came across this place just by chance while staying in Santa Monica on business. Everyone, from the moment I stepped in the door, was accommodating and pleasant, and the service was absolutely stellar. The menu is small but all the dishes are excellent; I'd recommend the filet mignon small plate/appetizer, in particular. Wines by the glass are reasonably priced in the $8-12 range, and the servers know exactly what wines go with your food. They seem happy to take special requests, as well. Finally, the dessert was amazing and the coffee was outstanding, if a little weak (it's served in a French press). I'd definitely recommend this place; go later in the evening (closer to 10 pm) for a more relaxed, quieter vibe and more individual attention. Pros: Ambience, variety of wines, excellent service Cons: Small menu more

AXE used to be my favorite restaurant. But now I have a new one down the street. I've been to Rustic Canyon about 6 times already, so i'd consider myself a biased local. it's really cozy and the portions are pretty good for sharing, so if you like eating family style and want to try a bunch of things on the menu.. IMHO here are my faves for february, since their menu changes every month.\r \r favorite wine: newton red label chardonnay..\r favorite apps. to share: wild arugula salad. mussels. cheese plate.\r favorite sides: brussel sprouts. yams.\r favorite main courses: ahi tuna. lamb.\r favorite dessert: chocolate peanut butter tart with chocolate glaze and peanut brittle. trio of bars.\r \r the brussel sprouts and the ahi tuna are the best i've ever had. and last month they had a huckleberry crisp that was pretty awesome. i also really love the burger, but am going thru a fish phase right now.\r \r the staff is really cool and they have great wine recommendations. and the place has a really good vice. if you sit at a communal table, have them sit you side by side, it's easier to hear one another.\r \r thumbs up... Pros: good vibe, friendly, customer service, wine list, seasonal food Cons: parking, hard to get reservation last minute. more

Far too expensive for average food, dismal service and noise level that was beyond deafening. I would not recommend this place. Cons: food, service, noise more

After waiting a mere 5 minutes to be seated I could tell by the vibrant vibe this was going to be a memorable experience. Our waiter was warm and personable. Not rushed as you find in most LA restaurants. Starting off with a phenomenal bottle wine, we decided on an array of different appetizers: the Caesar salad, the hummus plate and the salami plate all AMAZING. I ordered the trout and I was completely taken over by the flavor and freshness. I couldn?t help but munch on my friends Hamburger which was out of this world, by far best burger in LA!!! I hear the pot-pie is amazing. I look forward to trying it next weekend. Just when I thought my experience couldn?t get any better the chef Samir Mohajer introduced himself. After having a brief conversation with him it was very evident why this place is and will become a great success. Inviting atmosphere, impeccable service, sensational food, could it be? I give this restaurant 10 out of 10, hands down. more

When the cheapest wine by the glass is $9, you know you're in for an expensive evening. I was only there for drinks, so I can't comment on the food. We ended up getting a $35 bottle because the same bottle by the glass was $72. And that's all we had. I saw another person's tab. They had a few glasses of wine, a cheese plate, and some other appetizer. Before tip their bill was over $70. That better have been some damn good cheese. Based on nothing but the drink prices alone I wouldn't go back. I can only imagine the food is similarly overpriced. NOTE: The ratings on Citysearch are inflated. If you calculate the rating based on the reviews, this place would get a 3.25. Yet Citysearch is showing a 4+. So based on user reviews, this place is average at best, not recommend like Citysearch says it is. Pros: None really. Typical trendy restaurant. Cons: HIgh prices more

I went there for dinner this past weekend with my boyfriend. I'd be anxious to take him here b/c I hear the food was great. We had a reservation, and unlike all the other reviews we were promptly seated. The food was average. Wasn't that impressed with the menu. The wine list also wasn't very impressive, considering it is a wine bar. The service was fair. Our waitress just wasn't very friendly. Overall it was just average. I would go back, but not any time soon. There are other places I'd sooner go back to. Pros: Average food. Cons: Small wine bar. Hard to get a reservation. more

i love the food & people were so nice !! come back this weekend. recomend to everyone.\r price wasn;t bad at all compare to what i had !! yummy more

This place just opened up on Wilshire and it is a pleasant surprise, its a nice space, a bit open to the street but other than that a good clean space. The wine list is great lots of adventurous finds on there but to my disappointment the waiter behind the bar didn't know much about them. The food carries a large variety and on the whole is done very well, one particularly good dish are the au-gratin vegetables. Pros: good food, great wine list Cons: a little too expensive more

My family and I visited Rustic Canyon for the first time and were very pleased. The only reservation I could get was for 5:30 and that is when they promptly open. The interiors are very comfortable and you have a feeling of ?warmth? (which is great these days!!). My husband?s burger was cooked perfectly, but you could hardly taste it under the bold, apple smoked bacon. My mother's potpie was also very hearty even though it was filled with root vegetables. I stuck with the salad and cheese plate which left me a perfect amount of room for the apple cobbler which was very rich. They have an interesting list of sparkling cocktails (pomegranate cocktail was my choice) and wine as well (the deal is in the bottles). The wine bar is not very roomy, so come early or with a small group. Pros: Food, Interiors, Wine List more

I truly cannot understand citysearch's rating system. Given the ratings given to other restaurants that appear to have horrible reviews, why is this place rated as an 8.4? In comparison to the other ratings, this place deserves a rating in the mid-nines. The food is excellent. Ingredients are fresh and the execution is very good. There is a wide selection of wines by the glass. The place is a bit crowded but this is because the restaurant has great food for a reasonable price. Parking may be a pain but it is worth the effort. Pros: Great food and wine Cons: Parking is tough more

As a burger aficionado, I thought the ""cast iron burger"" was pretty incredible. If you like Father's Office bleu-cheese burger - this is better. I also had the sauteed mushrooms with polenta - a fantastic appetizer for the burger. My companion mentioned that the wine selection was very impressive, but not overwhelming. She got two different glasses and enjoyed them both. Service was fast, knowledgeable, and very friendly. \r \r I've heard others say it's too loud, but I didn't think it was any louder than most other restaurants I've visited. On the other hand, I wasn't at the bar, which looked pretty crowded. I certainly wouldn't let the noise stop me from coming. The food was simply too good. I will definitely return soon.\r Pros: Fresh Food, Service, Wine Selection, Burger Cons: Street parking was a bit of a pain, but there's valet. more