Melanie

"Housed in an intimate space along West 3rd Street, this newer no-reservation neighborhood wine bar comes from Andy Paxson and Dave Gibbs, the same pair behind Augustine, Mirabelle and Sushi Note, a Valley omakase bar well-known for its wine pairings. Every bottle available by the glass on a list that spans red, white, orange, rosé and sparkling. Delicious fare like mussels in a silky coconut milk broth and tender hanger steak make the transition from a drink to dinner quite easy, though the staff is more than happy to uncork a bottle if you're only looking for a casual drink. West Third Street’s low-light wine bar from David Gibbs (Mirabelle, Sushi Note, Augustine) offers easy French and Italian fare to go along with terrific wines by the glass. When the evening hours start and the room is full, Melanie could be mistaken for a Parisian bar where the mostly local crowd samples red Morgon from Domaine Bulliat or a sparkling Crémant de Jura from Domaine Rolet to go with salt spring mussels or charred Spanish octopus. At first glance, Melanie in Beverly Grove looks and feels like many other good wine bars around town. There’s a curated list filled with mostly European biodynamic wines, a cute space that feels like a friend’s living room right as the party is starting to peak, and a menu filled with snacks you want to eat while drinking chilled Beaujolais. But what makes this spot truly recommendable is the staff. No question here is a dumb question, even if your date asks if orange wine is made from oranges. As far as the food goes, plump, buttery mussels in a vadouvan curry are a standout. And though it’s not technically on the menu, be sure to ask for a side of their perfectly-crispy shoestring fries."