I have absolutely no idea what AOC stands for, so I turned to the Internet for answers. Not only did I not find out what AOC stands for, but I learned that they’ve actually closed down and moved locations since I visited like half a year ago. So, yeah, awesome. I’m glad my site remains a fixture for relevant and professional food reporting. Want a review for a place that no longer exists or has moved to a completely new location? Right here, baby. I’ve got you covered. I’ve actually never been to their new location and it seems dumb to post a review of their old location since it doesn’t exist anymore, so I think the smart thing to do here would be to just stop typing. Okay maybe one more word just for kicks: hippopotamus.
roasted dates, parmesan and bacon
I hear when AOC first opened years ago, the concept of small plates was actually pretty novel and not as widespread as it is now. This probably made their bacon-wrapped dates particularly unique and delicious, but now that every other restaurant I visit has them, a bit of the magic is lost. Definitely delicious, just don’t expect them to be much different than any other bacon-wrapped date you’ve had.
arroz negro with squid and saffron aïoli
brioche with prosciutto, gruyère and egg
cauliflower, curry and red wine vinegar
My date must have ordered this, because I can’t imagine I would ever order a dish composed entirely of cauliflower. Unless ‘cauliflower’ was code for ‘churro-wrapped steak’ in which case yes, give me the cauliflower. Give me all of the cauliflower.
chocolate vacherin glacé with peanut butter ice cream and caramel
I want to say this tasted like a fancy Snickers bar. And I mean that as a compliment, because as far as candy bars go, Snickers is right up there with the best of them. Now if I had said it tasted like Almond Joy, it would be safe for you to assume it tasted like vomit. Or rather it tasted like something that caused me to vomit. Because Almond Joy equals vomit. That’s a scientific fact.
AOC
8022 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
(323) 653-6359
