LOS ANGELES
A.O.C. 8022 West Third Street (between Robertson and La Brea); 323-653-6359.
“Bacchus wouldn’t know where to begin” at this Third Street hit with a “wonderful” wine bar and “inventive” French/Med-accented “Californian tapas” affording “drama in every bite.”
FOOD: 26 DECOR: 23 SERVICE: 24 COST: $46
SAN FRANCISCO
ISA 3324 Steiner Street (between Chestnut and Lombard Streets); 415-567-9588.
“Up-and-coming” “wonder chef” Luke Sung’s “parade” of “French tapas” in the Marina “allows you to create your own tasting menu” “where each dish is better than the last.”
FOOD: 26
DECOR: 18
SERVICE: 20
COST: $42
CHICAGO
AVEC 615 W. Randolph Street (Jefferson Street); 312-377-2002.
“Sexy and sophisticated people” say Koren Grieveson’s “merry-go-round of Med” small plates “blows the competition away” at this “stark” West Loop wunderkind that serves “lovely big pours” of “unusual” wines.
FOOD: 26
DECOR: 19
SERVICE: 23
COST: $37
WASHINGTON, D.C.
PALENA 3529 Connecticut Avenue NW (Porter Street); 202-537-9250.
At their “refined” Cleveland Park venue, Frank Ruta’s New American dishes “awaken taste buds you didn’t even know existed,” while Ann Amernick’s “fabulous” desserts are legendary.
FOOD: 25
DECOR: 23
SERVICE: 22
COST: $60
BOSTON
CUCHI CUCHI 795 Main Street, Cambridge; 617-864-2929.
This “festive,” “funky” place near Central Square, which looks “like a favorite grandmother’s attic,” “transforms” the concept of tapas with an eclectic variety of “delicious” “small plates” from around the world.
FOOD: 20
DECOR: 24
SERVICE: 21
COST: $33
