Off the taste bud scale!

Off Vine is one of my favorite spots for a casual dining and high quality food spot in Los Angeles. Yes, this will be one of my usual haunts and aim to try every dish on the menu! You would never know it's there unless you were looking for it. It has no signage and can only be spotted because it's the lone building surrounded by bamboo and shrubbery and there's the big parking lot to the side and across the street from it with the valet guys in front.

It's a two-story Craftsman home that was remodeled into a charming restaurant. A meal in their bamboo enclosed patio makes you feel as if you're far away from Hollyweird and LA until you start hearing talks of scripts, producers, casts and the like. Can't really escape it when you're sort of in the middle of that scene. Don't pay any mind to those murmurs, or stop eavesdropping. Cool summer nights are perfect for patio dining. On extremely warm days, soak in the cool air conditioning, hardwood floors and quaint indoor tables. The cozy upstairs space is perfect for a private party. The owners left the bathrooms as is with dated vanities, toilets and a subdued shower upstairs.

Every visit here has been great! I can never finish an entire meal, even if it's just a salad. I love the spices in the curried chicken salad with mango chutney, apple, almonds and dried currants. There are no greens in this salad, unless you want to count the crunchy celery bits. The Chinese Chicken Salad is also a wonderful version. For dinner appetizers, the smoked mozzarella and chicken ravioli with apple mango chutney is oh so awesome! The Joe had the cornish game hen with cornbread stuffing. He thought the meat tasted as if it had freezer burn but I think it was just the spices that were used. I LOVE the shrimp and crab stuffed tomatoes with couscous and chipotle mayo dressing served on a bed of mixed greens...so filling and oh so delicious! The only desserts I've tried there have been the souffles. Why go through all the trouble and worries of making one yourself when you can order it at the beginning of your meal and have it ready for you at the end topped off with whip cream and ice cream if it suits your fancy.

The wait staff are cordiable and always accomodating. It might also help to go with a friend of one of the owners but certainly not necessary. The entertaining staff and cute, as I'm told, might also have something to do with their location.

Overall, Off Vine is one of those places that rarely misses the mark. And because of that, I will continue taking in its charm, simplicity, beauty and welcoming atmosphere and food.

Off Vine
6263 Leland Way
Hollywood, CA 90028
p. 323.962.1900