That bottle of red has been “aging” on your Ikea wine rack for months, maybe years. So what if it’s a five-buck Merlot from Trader Joe’s? Sentimental value counts for everything. Cracking it open should involve more ceremony than a date with General Tso at the corner Chinese cafe. Yet, white linens and the attention of a dude in a three-piece suit can come with a steep per-bottle tariff—not to mention the indignity of his sommelier sneer when taking note of your worldly wine possessions. Luckily, a special evening with your own booze can be both frugal and gourmet—some of L.A.’s finest restaurants offer complimentary corkage at least one day per week. Remember to tip accordingly, since you are using someone else’s services (and glassware!). Just because you’re cheap, don’t mean you ain’t classy.
Navigating: free corkage
Pop your top without losing your shirt
By Jiyeon Yoo
MetromixJuly 23, 2008
Auntie Em's Kitchen
4616 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los AngelesThis Eagle Rock darling freely welcomes BYOB at all times. While we can’t imagine a better red-on-red combination than the legendary red velvet cake with your Chateau Margaux, Em’s seasonal Farmers Market Dinner is a stellar evening showcase for both your gastro- and oenephilic sides. So much so that fellow Eagle Rock-stars John and Jen Nugent from Colorado Wine Company offered copious wine pairings for the most recent prix fixe menu. The summer event is coming up any day now, so get on your mark for a coveted reservation.
Boneyard Bistro
13539 Ventura Blvd., Sherman OaksForget about pounding the brewskis. This boneyard picks at upscale barbecue—with touches of California savoir faire. Might we recommend a spicy red to go with the hickory-smoked brisket or tri-tip? Perhaps a crisp white for an appetizer of Thai-spiced calamari? Or, just bring the whole collection: Corkage is complimentary on Thursdays. Now, what would wash down a side of deep-fried mac ’n’ cheese?
Citrus at Social
6525 Sunset Blvd., HollywoodMichel Richard’s return to Los Angeles—and the 21st-century reboot of Citrus—has been auspicious indeed. The whimsical interior (in citrusy hues, natch) brings some much needed charm to Social Hollywood’s hauteur. The food, equally whimsical, is pure Papa Richard: rich, indulgent, playfully punny—and did we say rich? Lofty prices rival the calorie monitor—but this is no time to count either! All the bonhomie recently launched a no-corkage Tuesday, which not only waives the $25 surcharge but also lifts the usual embargo on labels represented on the wine list.
Cobras & Matadors
7615 Beverly Blvd., Los AngelesChalk it up to the inevitable tangles of the grapevine, but persistent rumors claim that corkage is free only when bottles are purchased at the wine shop next door, which shares an owner in Steven Arroyo. Whether that was ever true or not, it’s hardly the current state of affairs. In fact, while the other two C&M locations stock wine and beer, this original outpost is still dry—not even a drop of sangria is available from the kitchen. So BYOB is a must, unless you enjoy tapas as a teetotaler.
Craft
10100 Constellation Blvd., Los AngelesUh, in case you haven’t heard, Craft is the offspring of Tom Colicchio, the toppest of Top Chef—and it’s housed within hallowed grounds of the CAA. That’s some major star power. Like its much-laurelled N.Y. sibling, the Los Angeles location boasts a menu heavy on the protein, heavier still on the pricing. Most items are a la carte—in this case, you build your own meal a $3 oyster and $12 potato at a time. All the more reason to take advantage of Sunday nights, when the Hollywood machine is actually partying along Sunset and corkage is gratis. The $25-per-ounce Wagyu beef, however, is another matter.
Cube
615 N. La Brea Ave., Los AngelesThe retail arm of the Divine Pasta Company, this sleek space along La Brea Avenue houses a cheese bar, a cafe and a gourmet food shop. More than the sum of its pasta-making parts, Cube cultivates artisanal products from all over the world; you might get a history lesson of olive oil with a sample of Parco dei Buoi from Molise. Lunch and dinner menus change weekly, inspired by different regions of Italy and by the finest produce from local farms. And really, what’s a cheese flight without wine? Management has been threatening to get a liquor license for some time now, so stop by while the corkage is still complimentary.
Girasole
225 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los AngelesBack in the day, Osteria La Buca was the go-to neighborhood gem-in-the-wall for marinara and BYO Chianti—even if it meant driving 25 miles and waiting another hour for one of the 22 seats to open up. But a gorgeous expansion and impressive wine list did away with the DIY character, leaving a worthy successor in nearby Girasole. The jaunty, orange-y awning—without it, you’d completely miss the tiny storefront— welcomes guests to a low-key evening of comfort pastas and belly-hugging sauces. Bonus points: Reservations are accepted. How about that bottle of Barbaresco for the signature spinach gnocchi and pesto? Si capisce!
Josie Restaurant
2424 Pico Blvd., Santa MonicaBlink and you might just whiz by one of the L.A.’s favorite fine-dining establishments—hidden, as it is, out in the open along a forgettable part of Santa Monica. Chef/owner Josie Le Balch’s farm-to-fork dedication highlights the best stuff of the season: crisp artichokes or sweet corn to dress the chicken one week, earthy mushrooms the next. The warmly lit room feels like eating at home, if Mom had a progressive American touch for venison, elk or pheasant. Mondays are no-corkage, with a two-bottle limit—and there should always be room for Jonna Jensen’s magical seasonal desserts. Now we’re talking homey.
The Park
1400 Sunset Blvd., Los AngelesGentrification may be apace in Echo Park with this latest sit-down affair, but at least you can carry in your poison without a corking surcharge. The menu is eclectic, to say the least, hopping globally from Szechuan-inspired calamari and vegetable curry with pappadam to closer-to-home classics such as burgers and mashed potatoes. What to pair with clam chowder and Jidori chicken? Better bring several varietals—the accommodating waitstaff is sure to take care of the pour.
Providence
5955 Melrose Ave., Los AngelesCritically acclaimed, Michelin-starred and, most recently, "Iron Chef"-victorious: What hasn’t chef/owner Michael Cimarusti accomplished after opening one of L.A.’s preeminent dining rooms? Handpicked by Joachim Splichal to take over the former space of the Patina flagship, Providence specializes in seafood—more particularly, in fish—elevating big-eye tuna and Arctic char to haute, truffle-laced heights. But for all the fancy chefery, the dining room is whimsically decorated with faux barnacles (or is it cockles?) and the service is downright convivial. Providence’s inviting ways only get sweeter on Monday nights, when the $25 corkage is waived—leaving you the extra cash for any of the three belly-popping prix fixe menus.
The Patina Group
Joachim Splichal’s restaurant syndicate deserves a special word for its BYO goodwill. Of the eight full-fledged restaurants in Los Angeles alone (we’re not even counting the Patina parade along Downtown Disney), five welcome personal wines without limitation on type or number. Considering the diversity of menus—from Old World Italian to a three-martini steakhouse—there’s certain to be a Splichal scion to go with your prized vino.
No corkage nightly
Cafe Pinot,700 W. 5th St., Downtown, 213-239-6500
Eat. on Sunset, 1448 N. Gower St., Hollywood, 323-461-8800
Pinot Bistro, 12969 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-990-0500
No corkage Wed.-Sun.
Nick + Stef's Steakhouse, 330 S. Hope St., Downtown, 213-680-0330
Zucca, 801 S. Figueroa St., Downtown, 213-614-7800
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