If you’re in the Westlake area and want to have a nice bottle of wine, your options are severely limited. The Grove’s always had a surprising sophistication in its wine selection, even if it’s strongly trend-oriented. Those looking for the Malbecs and California Pinots they keep hearing about will mostly have the better ones offered to them; likewise, you can find Sancerre, a grower Champagne or two, and affordable Piedmonts here. Rare is the wine bar that can be so hospitable to a whole range of winos. Nearly everything is available as a flight and glass—ask about freshness before ordering. Bottles are sold to go at a 25% discount, bringing the price closer to retail level.

Equally hospitable is the airy and comfortable space, and especially its gorgeous, tree-lined patio. You may have to endure a menu of unimaginative dishes that perhaps the marketing team at Redbook put together: miso-marinated salmon salad, bowtie pasta with chicken and cream sauce, and—our personal pet peeve—sesame-crusted ahi tuna (aren’t ahi endangered yet?). You can’t miss with an admirable bruschetta assortment, of which the chicken liver pâté with sage and bacon stands out. Pizzas are even stronger, with a crisp and delicate crust and strong, wine-friendly toppings. Pastas tend to be overcooked and aggressively sauced—based on Bravo’s high ratings, we guess there’s a certain market for that.