Let me be clear, all restaurants are fantastic places with lots of food in them. It’s just that some are better than others.

Last night I took my parents out to dinner. #spontaneous. Coincidently, earlier that day, a canine fitting my unique physical description (with a similar raw talent for DIY interior design) chewed apart the arm of one brown-whicker Ralph Lauren sofa. Naturally, my folks (and me) needed time to process the full scope of that dog’s artistic vision. For whatever reason, I also totally felt the need to get out of the doghouse”¦figuratively and for reals. Thankfully, I knew just the spot that would help remind everybody of all the good qualities I bring to the table. #smokeandmirrors.

A.O.C., on West 3^rd Street, is a collaboration between two pros named Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. Warning: do not Wikipedia these gals on an empty stomach. Without putting too fine of a point on it, the three letters (A.O.C.) are enough to make me drool. This place is a well-oiled foodie machine.

When we walk in the hostesses always refers to us by name. Jessica will find you the best table in the house even if you have to wait for a bit at the bar. And hopefully you do! The bar is my favorite place to hang. Christiaan, the bartender, is the stuff fancy cocktail dreams are made of. Even though I don’t drink, he always gets be a bowl of water, neat. My dad gets tequila, also neat. My mom is far more adventurous than us dudes and she generally orders the Kingbird (hand picked barrel Elijah Craig 12yr bourbon, cassia bark, roasted chicory, sassafras and maple).

When our table is ready””on the patio by the big fireplace”” we say “Well done!” to the boys at the bar and walk over to, what feels like, a little oasis in the heart of West Hollywood. Mediterranean tiling open roof, dim romantic lighting”¦I can already feel my dad forgetting the sofa situation.

Though

the menu changes with the season, almost everything’s made from locally sourced ingredients and the staples stay the same. As soon as we sit, we usually order the vintner’s plate (rillettes, cheese, cured meats, pickles, roasted grapes & grilled toast). It’s their version of a charcuterie board. Because my mom pretends to be on the vegetarian side, we also order the farmer’s plate. Both are great to share, which I’m getting better at. The important thing is: never forget to order the bacon wrapped dates stuffed with cheese. That would be a mistake, bad karma, uncool and a recipe for regret.

Overall, the dishes range from small (share plates) to big platters. So really, it depends on your hunger level. On a scale of 1 to 10, mine usually hovers somewhere between 12 and 13 (sometimes 38). Anyway, we usually get the house-made lamb and bacon focaccia. If I’m feeling fancy (French for hungry) I’ll usually add a fried egg to it.

Looking for some fantastic dishes that shouldn’t be missed? Any one of the seasonal salads will satisfy just about anyone’s palette but the Spanish fried chicken, the brioche with prosciutto, gruyere and a fried egg or the duck crepinette (which, if you ask me, is just a fancy/hungry word for a pulled duck meatball) or the sweet potatoes with bacon are all top notch. But wait”¦there’s more. When you’ve just started to get warmed up and still want a bit more savory in your meal: commit to the herb-roasted rack of lamb with chestnut stuffing. Even if you can’t finish all of it”¦say hello to leftovers for breakfast!

Now for your reward:

If it’s in season, my sweet tooth usually recommends the persimmon cake.  If not, the butterscotch pot de crème with salted cashew cookies is tried and true. You really can’t mess up in the dessert department.

Julie Grimm, the restaurant’s GM is down to earth and always on the floor greeting guests or helping out when the dinner rush jumps into full gear. She’s as much a part of the restaurant as the food and really helps make the dining experience amazing.

This dinner was a hit. We Ubered home stuffed and my folks didn’t even mention the sofa.

Stay hungry my friends…