Vinum Populi & Ugo

Saturday evening, Boyfriend and I decided to catch Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (see blog: Stop and Stare for review). I suggested we go to downtown Culver City because I had always wanted to take him to this small wine bar which was just across the movie theater called VINUM POPULI.

Vinum Populi is this tiny hole in the wall wine bar. Depending on the time and day, the bar could either be filled with loud, young people enjoying their wine, or quieter couples having their moment over glasses of wine. One thing you will notice immediately are the little stations of enomatic machines.
These machines use Argon to create a seal over the wine so that they don't oxidize.
It's an awesome concept, combining a wine lounge, wine store, and "enoteca."

You go up to the bar and get a pre-paid card and a wine glass. It is up to you how much to put in the card. You walk around and pick a wine to taste. The prices in glowing red numbers are for how much an ounce of the wine costs. You insert your card into a slot and there are red dots that light up. You press the red dot over the wine you wish to try and an ounce of that wine will automatically pour into your glass.

Ta-Da! Nice and easy!

I went to Vinum Populi for the first time with my girl friends after we watched Sex and the City (the Movie). It made for the perfect setting for us girls to regale over the movie and share every moment that made us cry.

Boyfriend and I also talked about a movie (albeit an entirely different genre) and enjoyed our drink.


After we had had our fill, we moved on to Ugo, the adjoining Italian restaurant. I was actually drawn in by the dessert which looked so enticing in a refrigerated glass display. After a quick look of the menu, we decided to stay and eat.

Whether it was the fact that we had just had a considerable amount of wine, or that it was midnight...but man, the food was good. Boyfriend had pasta and I had a panini. Mmmm...
They also had gelato, the healthier sibling of ice cream...and oh-so-good! Try Amadeus Dreams. Boyfriend says it tastes like Spumoni...but chocolatier.

PS. Avoid the Negroni.

The Standard

Hotel. Restaurant. Rooftop Bar. Club. Awesome Night Out.

The Standard is definitely a highlight of living in Downtown Los Angeles. First of all, dtLA has one of THE best cityscapes around.


Now, imagine being right in the midst of that with a lychee martini or a G&T in hand, while a cooler Southern California breeze slightly ruffles your hair. The noise level is not deafening. You are on a rooftop bar where there is no ceiling for the music and chatter can bounce back against. Instead, it just dissipates into the night air. At one section, you are next to a nice warm fire. Women in short dresses congregate close to the fire, glowing in its yellow-red hues.

At another section, there is a shimmering blue swimming pool. This section is cooler, quieter, further away from the noise of the crowd and the thrum of the music. Here, there are mostly couples, courting. Scattered all throughout the rooftop are lounge chairs and couches. Groups of young to middle-aged people are laughing, talking and sharing a drink. At one corner is a small square dance floor where people enjoy whatever grooves them. And yes, along one side are these red...pods...with waterbeds inside, where girls share giggles and secrets, and boys try to look into the darkness to discover what exactly the laughter is all about.

Standard is the ultimate rooftop and pool party. The bar is well-stocked, and there are ample well-to-do men working in the financial district who are willing to buy drinks.

This spot is definitely a go-to spot any day of the week.

Logistics:

The Standard is located on the rooftop of the Standard Hotel, on the corner of Flower St. and 6th St.
There is $15 valet parking, or a smattering of $5-$10 parking lots within a few blocks of it. There is also street parking where available.

Most week days there is no cover charge. On the occassional hopping Thursday-Sunday there may be a $10-$20 cover charge.