Wife and the Somm

Loved the decor. Restaurant staff were nice. Not a large wine selection but we enjoyed what we ordered. Food was good, we really enjoyed the mussels. We would dine here again.

This place is fantastic. It's tucked into a slightly unassuming neighborhood that belies its sophisticated but friendly vibe. The owner is always there, the wine list is phenomenal and the green beans are THE BEST. Highly recommend!!! Best way to spend a summer night on the east side!

My husband & I had an amazing experience here last night! From the moment we arrived, we felt so well taken care of. The atmosphere is casual & relaxed, yet the service is of fine-dining caliber.
As wine lovers, we of course tried the flight of the week, which was South American wines. The Somm spent time with us explaining each one. We also opted to do wines by the glass since they have such a great and unique selection. They were kind enough to split the glasses too, so we could try more!
The food was absolutely incredible. They focus on small family farms for their ingredients and everything was so fresh and deliciously prepared. One of the best meals we have had in the LA area in years. I cannot recommend it enough!

Nice ambiance and friendly staff who were also attentive, but for us it stopped there. The food selection wasn't great with extremely small portions, even for it being tapas style.

Food and wine were also overpriced. We tried 4 different types of wine, which were all mediocre, and prices for one glass is only about $5 less than the purchase price of a bottle at any store. I know there is generally a premium for ordering wine at a restaurant, but this was a little much.

The food here is absolutely STELLAR!
I had the duck, pasta of the day, squid, and Chef also made us a custom soup to try out as an appetizer.
The duck is so flavorful! It comes with a cherry sauce and mofongo (which also deserves its flowers, it was AMAZING)
Having the squid, ink sauce, and mango in one bite is a must - this was my favorite dish of the night

Can't wait for my next visit!

I adore this restaurant. The food is incredible and the wine selection is impressive. We ordered the steak, swordfish, potatoes and brussel sprouts. I would order it all again. I had a nice glass of Pinot noir and it paired perfectly with the steak and sides. Not only is the food delicious, the restaurant itself is aesthetically pleasing. This is the perfect spot for a date night.

So some of the service was warm and engaging but at other moments I felt my wine related questions were an annoyance which was off putting. The mushrooms and squash dishes were beautifully done with the tomato and pecorino being underwhelming as a dish but still tasty. I can't say any of the wine was mundane, which is why one goes to a wine bar. Very solid enjoyment in every glass. I wish they offered an option for half glasses. Otherwise, no complaints. The ambiance was modern but comfortable. Street parking wasn't too hard to find.

I love newcomer businesses in outlying neighborhoods. That's how I came upon Little Beast and Hippo. In a quiet and non descript neighborhood in Glassell Park, the Wife welcomes you into her serene and warming interiors. Upon walking in you feel like you've arrived at a private dinner party held for you.

The menu is not extensive but covers many tastes. The wife has a global extensive wine list-- check it out online. It's not a full bar. Did I say an extensive wine list? Must be because the other half is a Somm. ;)

Everything we had was delicious. The Spanish octopus was authentic. The pork belly roasted to a crunch in the outer layer and juicy inside was scrummy tasty. The PEI mussels were fresh, the cream a bit rich, held true to its Norman preparation. The Basque cheesecake with flavors of honey and a bit of citrus was excellent with the pineau we selected.

I love this newcomer. Definitely coming back.

End of Yelp!

Parking is not great. All street parking in what feels like a dodgy area.
The interior is quite nice. Several rooms and a patio area. We sat at the bar. The bartender Stephan was friendly and welcoming.
Their wine prices are quite good. A bottle of French chateau de Perone (like a Chardonnay) was only $58.
Now to the food which I found a little lackluster.
We got the octopus. This was cooked perfectly, however the potatoes had no taste at all.
We also got the Gnudi. I felt this was a little bland and needed some sort of seasoning or sauce.
For dessert we had the basque cheesecake which was very good.

Came here for a wonderful catch-up brunch with my friend. I've never really been to this area of LA and it's so cute. You step through this door to a gorgeous patio and through to the restaurant. There' s separate back patio and it's soooooo gorgeous. Lighting and tree branches.

I would love to come back here for dinner but the brunch was delicious. I think we shared the house made biscuit, baked eggs and burrata toast. It was so thoughtful and delicious. I have to come back for their neighborhood night prix fixe! Lot of natural wine options and the service was absolutely lovely.

Great date night spot!