Burgundy and pad thai walk into a bar
Sherman Oaks · Los Angeles · Modern Thai · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You walk into a compact, buzzing Thai spot on Ventura Boulevard and then the wine list lands on the table — 200+ labels deep, anchored in grower Champagne and Burgundy, with serious German Riesling threaded throughout. It's the kind of list that makes you do a double take and wonder if you accidentally sat down at a wine bar. The room doesn't look like it should have Domaine Roulot on the menu, and that's exactly the point.
The list is built around Champagne, Burgundy, and Germany, and sommelier Ian Krupp clearly has a point of view — this isn't a greatest-hits selection, it's a curated collection with real depth. Grower Champagne fans will find Frederic Savart, Amaury Beaufort, and Chavost alongside the expected Selosse references; the Burgundy section covers both sides of the road with Vincent Dancer and Domaine Roulot on the white side and Domaine Fourrier and Nicolas Faure for reds. Germany punches above its weight here too — Keller Riesling, Emrich-Schönleber, and the more obscure Wasenhaus from Baden show up for guests willing to venture past the French sections. Italy and California round things out, but they feel like supporting cast to the Franco-German headliners.
Roughly 15 to 20 pours rotate regularly, which means the glass list actually keeps up with what's interesting on the full bottle side — not just a Pinot Grigio and a Cab situation. Prices run $18 to $30 a glass, which is honest for this caliber of wine in Los Angeles. The rotation signals a program that's being tended, not just set and forgotten.
Frederic Savart 'L'Ouverture' 1er Cru Extra Brut NV Champagne — $185
At roughly double retail, this is actually fair by LA restaurant standards for a grower Champagne of this reputation. Savart's L'Ouverture is a benchmark bottle — textured, precise, and genuinely food-friendly with the brightness to cut through rich Thai flavors. You'd pay more for far less at most spots in this city.
Wasenhaus (Baden, Germany)
Most tables will head straight for the Burgundy, but the Wasenhaus bottling from Baden is the kind of low-intervention German wine that flies under the radar even among serious wine drinkers. It's a quieter flex from Krupp that rewards anyone curious enough to ask about it.
Emrich-Schönleber Frühlingsplätzchen GG Nahe 2020
A brilliant wine in isolation, but at $175 on the list versus $85 at retail, you're paying full restaurant freight on something that's genuinely available if you know where to look. Save it for a bottle shop and put that $175 toward a glass program deep-dive instead.
Keller Riesling (Germany) + Southern Thai fried chicken
Keller's Riesling brings that razor-sharp acidity and restrained fruit that acts like a palate reset after each bite of crispy, aromatic fried chicken. The wine's natural affinity for spice and richness was practically designed for this moment — and it's one of those pairings that makes the whole 'wine with Thai food' concept click.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Anajak Thai shouldn't have a wine list this good, and that's what makes it one of the most exciting places to drink in Los Angeles right now. Send every wine-curious friend you have — just make sure they actually look at the list before defaulting to a Thai iced tea.
Downtown Los Angeles · Los Angeles · French-inspired, New American
Perch is a place people go for the view, the scene, and the Instagram moment — the wine list knows this and doesn't try very hard. Order something simple, enjoy the skyline, and save your serious wine drinking for a restaurant that wants to earn it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hollywood · Los Angeles · Upscale Italian, Seafood
Marino is a reliable, well-curated Italian wine list that earns its stripes on selection and staff knowledge, even if the pricing makes you wince on the everyday bottles. Send a friend here for the Guidalberto and the Franciacorta — just steer them away from anything under $60.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Hollywood · Los Angeles · Neapolitan Italian, Pizza
Da Michele's wine list is narrow by design and better for it — a focused, fairly priced tour through Southern Italy that most pizza spots in LA wouldn't dare attempt. If you're even mildly curious about Campanian wine, this is one of the better excuses in the city to start learning.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Los Angeles · Los Angeles · Seafood
Water Grill is a reliable choice for serious wine with serious seafood — the list is deep enough to reward exploration, and the sommelier presence means you can actually ask for help. The markups sting, but this is Downtown LA and you knew that walking in.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Bel-Air · Los Angeles · Modern Californian with European/Mediterranean influences
This is a serious wine list dressed in a garden party — the depth is real, the sommelier is engaged, and if you're willing to pay the Bel-Air premium, the experience delivers. Just go in knowing the bill will reflect the hedge-lined address.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Beverly Grove / West Hollywood · Los Angeles · Greek / Mediterranean
Kassi Club is a party restaurant with a wine list that punches above its vibe — if you ignore the markup and order Greek, you're going to drink well. Send a friend here specifically to work through the indigenous varietals; just tell them to skip the Chablis.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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