WINE AND CHEESE

Thank heavens I’m not lactose intolerant because I love cheese! Cheddar, Gouda, Gruyere and even a stinky cheese paired with a great wine is FABULOUS!

Often, my friends and I will get together for a WINE AND CHEESE night. It’s easy to make a FABULOUS WINE AND CHEESE platter at home! Get a variety of cheese from your local grocery store or cheese shop and pick up a sampling of wines. I like to go to Trader Joes and get a couple inexpensive bottles of both white (my favorite is Pinot Grigio) and red (my favorite is Pinot Noir). I like to get my cheeses from Whole Foods because they are fresh and the nice man behind the cheese counter can help you choose a good variety.

Here is some cheese choosing advice from my brother Evan (who loves cheese just as much as I do): Get at least one hard cheese, one mild soft cheese and one stinky cheese. Some of my favorites: Gruyere (a hard cheese from Switzerland), Gorgonzola (a stinky blue), aged Gouda (tastes like cheddar kinda but fancier) and cracked pepper Boursin (a box soft cheese that is always a good addition to a cheese plate). Don’t forget a baguette and some light, thin crackers. I have also recently been making bacon wrapped dates with pecans inside (bake at 350* till browned).

WINE AND CHEESE is fun at home, but it’s also fun to get a group of friends together and make a night of it. Here are some of my favorite places for WINE AND CHEESE in LA:

BOTTLE ROCK in Culver City
BOTTLE ROCK was voted “Best Wine Bar” in Los Angeles by Cityguide AOL and I understand why! BOTTLE ROCK is FABULOUS! Part wine bar / part retail shop, they have over 800 wine labels from around the world ranging from $5-$600. There is a great cheese and meat selection to pair with your wines as well. There are 14 cheeses to choose from (Choose any 3 for $12, 5 for $15, 7 for $20 or 10 for $25). Don’t miss the Epoisses, a cows milk cheese from Burgundy!
Check it out at: www.bottlerock.net

AOC in Los Angeles
One of the schnazziest WINE AND CHEESE bars in the world is AOC on 3rd street in Los Angeles. A sleek and sexy spot with a list of 50 wines by the glass or carafe and many more by the bottle. The wine list is complimented by a delicious cheese menu, meats by a special French charcuterie chef and many other small dishes and salads. I have only been here a couple times and each time was more FABULOUS than the last. Be warned though… this place ain’t cheap.
Check it out at: www.aocwinebar.com

BLD in Los Angeles
BLD (which stands for breakfast, lunch and dinner) is one of my favorite and most frequented spots for WINE AND CHEESE. It may be best known for it’s breakfast specialties like the blueberry ricotta pancakes and French toast, but the cheese plate is not to be missed! The epoisses, manchego, truffled goat, chorizo and salami served with toasted raisin walnut bread, baguette, quince paste, fresh fruit and spicy almonds, paired with a delicious white wine is my idea of a perfect evening!
Check it out at: www.bldrestaurant.com

I would like to give an honorable mention to one of my other FAVORITE alcohol and cheese combos! Queso, chips and a margarita are FABULOUS! Just the thought of it makes me want to run to the border (or maybe just Cabo Cantina)!

OOoooooooo…. I love Wine and Cheese!!