Tucked away in Highland Park on a quiet residential street across from an elementary school is Sam's Place. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a cozy, warm, and intimate atmosphere. I went shortly after they opened around 5pm--candles were lit, the sun was setting, and the mood was just right. A small menu usually means you have to try everything, right? That's exactly what we did. As you can see from the photos, each dish was perfectly portioned for two people. The shareable plates were packed with flavor yet kept beautifully simple--nothing overdone or overwhelmed with unnecessary ingredients. They offer wine by the glass, but we opted for a bottle... because why not. I've been meaning to go back--Highland Park has such an eclectic nighttime scene, and this spot fits right in! read more

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Came a week ago for a night cap, waited at the bar for 10 minutes then when I ordered a drink was told they were closed at 11. I looked at my watch and it was literally 11:03p. So we left Hosted a mixer yesterday from 4-7p with local business owners and for whatever reason, despite there being only 3-4 other people in the entire spot, the cook kept insisting we move all the way to the back so to "be out of the way" of other patrons as if WE weren't patrons. Not a good look when the only POC in the building are being made to feel like we don't belong considering most of us are from here. Felt a bit Rosa Parks to me which is most definitely not the vibe. We ultimately had 20 people there enjoying the company but being treated like trash at a spot where most of us would walk to! Aside from Gabriel, who is always nice, Customer service was subpar and not the way a local bar should feel. Posting this knowing they will likely not care but hoping you will. read more

Highland Park is a bustling neighborhood with a variety of great small businesses - most of which are found on Figueroa & York Blvd. Often overlooked is a section along Monte Vista. I heard through the grapevine about a cool little wine bar on that side of town, so I went to check it out. Inside you'll find a spacious bar and cozy wooden booths along the wall. There's also an outdoor patio section with a walk-up window to the bar. In addition to wine, they also serve beer and non-alcoholic wine. You can purchase wine by the glass or a bottle. You can also try before purchasing a bottle. The couple next to me tried two before making a selection. Food options are limited but the dishes that passed by me looked tasty, especially the Herb Salad & Japanese Sweet Potato. The wings were also very popular. Wine steward Sam was very friendly & personable. I'm not sure if he was the owner or if the name was just coincidence. I had a glass of Anima Mundi Sparkling Wine. It was crisp with hints of apple & brioche. I enjoyed it and my visit to this charming wine bar. I'm looking forward to coming back with friends to share a bottle or two and some good food. read more

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Came here with girlfriends for a light dinner and drinks - we ordered a bottle of orange wine, the herb salad, Japanese sweet potatoes, and the steak. I was most impressed with the sweet potatoes, which were uniquely seasoned and laid on a bed of tahini. Such interesting flavors! I enjoyed the steak and salad as well. I felt like the salad wasn't super special though. Great ambiance in here, but seating is tight and it is super loud. Left after a while because we were tired of shouting to converse. read more

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Yes! Love this place! Caught up with a friend here yesterday, and we were first at 4pm on the dot (along w/ a few other humans + a well behaved big boy pup). Actually many pups were there! I felt like I was in a little cabin living room; super cozy, inviting, warm. The booth was comfy and would have sat on the patio if it wasn't 90 degrees outside lol. The bartender was kind and helpful, but relaxed - v chill. I appreciate a tailored menu bc I'm too indecisive! We didn't get any food but the draft beer in an icy cold glass was perfect for this heatwave. By 4:30pm it was packed but still calm. Some of the music was a lil depressing (too folky for me hahaha) but to each their own! Props for having Corona NA on the menu too -- my hub's fave of the fake beers haha Will be back for some more chill times soon!!!! Thank you for the hospitality! read more

Sam's Place - Vibes - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Love hidden bars like this!! Such a gem. Tucked away on a quiet street, the cozy, candle lit room was so inviting for a perfect glass of wine and small bites. We tried the chicken wings which were so smokey and good!! The sweet potatoes were also so flavorful and rich with a creamy sauce on the bottom. The rosette plate was a stack of perfectly toasted bread with salami and butter. Soo good!! Mind you all these plates are on the smaller side hence the price tag, so you can order a couple and share! Wine was also perfectly chilled. It's a great place to hangout with friends or go on a date night! Love the outdoor patio! read more

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Great neighborhood place, solid food, with a wonderfully chill mood. Like most places in LA, the music is so loud you have to yell over it to be heard by the person sitting across from you. The Rosette Plate was a favorite, with great bread and fantastic salami. We used the leftover bread to dip into the steak jus. I guess if I'm nitpicking, I wish there were more than 4 wine options, because at $17 per glass for wines I'm unfamiliar with and not too many other options, it feels kinda steep. That said, it's friendly, the food is good, the servers are nice, people had their (very good) pups nearby which lent a calming vibe. read more

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So cozy and inviting with simple food and wine, consistently done well. It's the only place I ever want to go. I've been so many times and it never disappoints. Great outdoor seating too (with a pass through window, so you don't have to go inside to order). You can easily eat dinner or just do drinks with a couple bites. Honestly love everything on the menu, steak and sweet potatoes highly recommended. read more

Sam's Place - Sam's at Christmas - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

such a lovely time here. i definitely recommend getting here earlier to grab a spot. start with some drinks and order food when you're hungry. it gets busy and crowded, standing is a bit awkward if you're trying to eat. very dim and moody (which i loved). we sat at the bar and still felt intimate. the sweet potato was AMAZING! looking to try the steak next time this spot is on the pricier side but worth it! read more

Came here for drinks and appetizers. The place is a bit hidden in Highland Park. The ambience is low key and quite dark so it was a bit challenging reading the menu. I had orange wine, rosette place with the bread was delicious, and a full plate of meaty olives. The servers were friendly. Overall is a good place for a date. Just get there early otherwise you will have to wait to get a table. read more

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tried the Japanese sweet potato which comes with some interesting creme sauce. huge fan and the vibes were amazing like last time read more

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Fantastic ICE COLD BEER. Amazing food. The chicken wings were incredible. Everything I tried was so delicious. This place is a cool local spot like in cheers. Cool friendly vibe, staff and customers. The ambiance is great. The inside has a really cool casual feel but also feels kind of nice with the custom woodwork throughout the place. The patio is great too. Just a friendly vibe overall. The service is as good as it gets. The bartender was chill and friendly. He was on it with everyone in there, keeping the lively atmosphere going while staying on top of everyone's drinks and giving recommendations based on people's preferences. Cool dude and definitely knew his stuff. Seems like a lot of regulars in there too. read more

Sam's Place - Front of the bar/restaurant - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Came here with a couple friends for a birthday dinner and got lucky enough to condense some tables on the patio to seat 5. Although the place was absolutely packed the food still came out incredibly fast, and everything was really great! We all managed to get a few bites of everything and the Japanese Sweet Potatoes were a strong favorite. We split a bottle and it all came out to about $30 a head. The atmosphere is perfect for a wine bar and a friend. read more

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LOVE this place. The ambiance is romantic and warm. The vermouth is refreshing and took me back to Spain. The chicken wings were also delicious but oh my god the COOKIE. This is actually the best cookie I've ever had and I can't believe it was from a bar.. it's not on the menu but if it was I'd order seconds and thirds. Bartender was also super friendly. Can't wait to come back! read more

This new local wine bar is a gem hidden in Highland Park! Definitely get there early, as they open at 4 pm and tables get full quick. It's order at the bar for drinks and food/snacks, and tables are first come first serve. Great for groups up to 4 people! There's also a patio with lots of outdoor seating and heat lamps read more

Sam's Place - Orange and white wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The food at Sam's is amazing, the wine is reasonably priced and delicious, and the vibes are immaculate. We've been to Sam's three times and always had a great experience. The staff is friendly and helpful. read more

You gotta come here for the food and vibes. Sooo delicious and soooo cozy. While all the staff is friendly, they don't take your order at the table, so you have to go up to the bar and awkwardly wait behind other patrons until someone is available to take your order. But the food is worth it so I can look past this. The bread and butter is delish! The salad is the best salad I've ever had! The other items were good but I'd just get bread and butter and an entire salad to myself next time LOL! read more

Their food menu is small so we ordered everything on the menu except for the shrimp. And each dish was amazing. The sweet potatoes, chicken wings, the salad, all were 10/10. Wine was delicious too and I don't usually drink. Will def go back. read more

Great vibe and great food. Seat yourself when you get into the door. You have to order at the bar and then they bring your food and drinks to you. No one greets you or tells you that when you walk in, so if it's your first time, you might stand there a minute, wondering what to do. All wines are organic and or biodynamic so if you or anyone with you isn't into that sort of flavor profile, then you're out of luck on that front but having been three times the food is consistent and delicious. read more

Love this new neighborhood spot - vibes are on point with super cold beer and delicious food options. Highly recommend the Japanese sweet potato and chicken wings. Servers and bar tenders are super friendly and attentive. The ambience is casual but cozy and intimate - great for a date night or just hanging out with friends. We live in highland park and this is a new favorite. read more

Wow, we couldn't believe our great luck to find Sam's Place off the beaten path in Highland Park. The atmosphere is a hip but super cozy wine bar with a nice patio. The menu is very limited but the three dishes we had, steak, chicken wings and a salad were just perfect! Soooo, good! The staff were super chill and friendly. It was open late and there was a young hip clientele. It was almost full after 9pm on a week night. Super great place for a date or casual late dinner. read more

this was one of the best meals i've had this year and i can't believe it was from a local wine bar! don't let the few amoun of reviews scare you from checking this place out because the food and wine here is so good. i loved the tahini sauce that came with the japanese sweet potatoes. the cornichon butter paired with the salami and bread was insane. the chicken wings were so flavorful and juicy too. there's street parking and it's walk in only but i went on a friday and there wasn't much of a wait. also you order at the bar and it's self seating so keep an eye out for an open table! read more

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Felt like the place is so busy and the new trendy "Hipster" cool spot that the owner isn't friendly or maybe he was tired this past Saturday night I stopped by for a glass of wine and at 10:45 pm I asked for another glass of wine before I left for the night because the restaurant closes at 11 PM and I was told "NO" we close at 11. Felt like the guy was just kicking us out and was satisfied with the money that he received for that night and he was done with his customers. Me and other guest felt like he was a dick the way he even said it. He's not very friendly. And when it's 11 PM, it's 11 PM closed and done. read more

THE VIBES ARE SO GOOD HERE!! the music choice, the atmosphere, the lighting!!! parking is hard to get and prices are a little above average, but it's so worth because it's delicious and fun to be at. read more

Sam's Place - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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So cute and loved the two orange wines on the menu. They also have a Highland Park Brewery IPA on tap so extra points for that! Good small bites, loved the castelvetrano olives read more

The sounds of analog and scents of toasted bread bring a simple, calm yet retro vibe to these wooden wall to wall panels to this joint, hidden behind the hustle and bustle of highland park streets. Tucked away between the bodegas and residents only, hides a very unique spot with interesting rotating picks for wine and good camaraderie. read more

Great wine and delicious food! I went here recently and the ambiance is super great. It's crowded and tiny, but feels very cozy and has a super fun atmosphere. They have a small but very strong food menu. We got the rosette plate, which is just insanely good. The bread and meat are delicious and the herb butter that comes with it is out of this world. I know it's a super simple dish, but I literally dream about it. The herb salad is another must try. Again super simple, but perfectly done. We also got the bar steak, which was a little too rare and chewy. Next time, I would skip it and reorder the other two, which honestly were filling on their own. I can't wait to come back! read more

New favorite Highland Park spot. Love the atmosphere, food/wine was great. Reviews about customer service/hospitality... you're going to a small wine bar, not a michelin restaurant or disney land. You order and go find a place to sit. Imagine how much you have to juggle managing a small, very busy bar. How egregious if the server doesn't beam smiles and welcome you with open arms... read more

Unbelievable wine and food! Neighborhood vibes of the best kind, top service from Scotty and sweet potatoes so good we had to order a second plate. The vibes are high here! Will be back ASAP. read more

Sam's Place - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

i feel like this is one of those rare places that exudes calm, does everything at a really high level, is never too cool, and keeps it friggin smooth. scotty and crew, nestled between the brick patio and the wood paneled walls, have found a way to slow down time with warm service, a strong food program, and a well-curated wine list. really special spot read more

Obsessed with this spot. Great atmosphere, service, delicious food with quality ingredients for a super reasonable price. Curated selection of beers and wine that pair perfectly with food. The pickle butter, sweet potatoes and wings were amazingggg. Catch me sitting and sipping on the patio for hours read more

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I don't understand this place. I've never been to a wine bar where you can't try the wine before you buy a bottle. The wine they do have by the glass is very limited and didn't have a favor profile that we liked. The food offerings is also extremely limited. To be fair, the place was packed so it must be doing something right, but my friend and I ended up leaving because of the issues I outlined above. read more

Had a great time. Wine and food was great. Would appreciate if they made their menu easier to read in the low lighting and had more menus or QR codes avail. read more

ambience: 9/10 drinks: 7/10 food: 8.5/10 overall fun little spot to hangout on a friday night. their japanese sweet potato is a MUST try. read more

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neighborhood gem. casual. wines and beers. limited food, but great choices (herb salad, wings, bar steak, bread and butter). read more

Sam's Place - at the bar, Sam's pilsner - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Amazing neighborhood spot for a drink and bites! Ambiance is great and everyone who works there is so nice!

I love the food and ambiance here and have been recommending this place to my friends, but during my recent visit, I was very disappointed by the awful customer service, which I rarely have an issue with anywhere. Both the staff that were there around 8 pm on Wednesday, but especially the bartender, seemed very moody like they just had an argument with each other and did not want to be there. Why work in customer service if you can't hide your nasty attitude? read more

Food is yummy for sure. We had the steak, olives, pickle butter bread, wings, and Japanese sweet potatoes. All were delicious. I'm not a fan of chilled red wine, a personal bias, so I wasn't too into my wine. I did appreciate a top off though. I like that the place doesn't have a phone number or online reservation system, but I figured once you got there they would, instead it's first come first serve. Which kinda stinks when ya wanna eat and large groups are taking their time socializing. Maybe give a 1.5- two hour max??? We had to sit outside and then I ran to a the bar stools when I found 2 spots together. I think the bar area should be monitored --there were two open stools separate so my friend and I had to wait since no one who was sitting by themselves or w a partner was willing slide down or move over a smidge so we could sit together. I feel like business wise you'd want all the seats full. Outside seating needs some work, not very comfy or visually appealing out there. Ya definitely feel like "I wish was inside w the music, warmth, and experience." Overall, enjoyable and nice experience. Price was decent on the food and the food was flavorful. I like that the menu isn't too expansive. It allows them to be really great at the few things on the menu. read more

Very cool spot. Limited menu but actually made it easier...we ordered one of everything and it was perfect.

I absolutely LOVE this place. The food is incredible, the atmosphere is very hip, and the staff is really accommodating. I also thought the interior design was really beautiful. I come here all the time - it's my go to spot. The bartender is really nice and they even give me a free cookie sometimes. The best cookie I have honestly ever had.. It also feels good to support a mom & pop business, we need more of those! read more