Stephanie B.
Yelp
Barsha Wines and Spirits is both a wine and spirits shop as well as a wine and beer bar. About half of the floor space is devoted to the shop, which also stocks crostini, cured meats and a selection of cheeses as well as other snacks and wine and snack accessories, and the other half is for the bar. The bar portion consists of a sofa and two chairs with a low table, two high tops that each seat about 10 communally (and are periodically reserved for wine club members coming in for tasting and pickup) and a bar that seats 5 people regularly but 6 if stretched. The casual bar has a rustic feel - like a wine box - with lots of wooden surfaces. The menu is limited - there is not a kitchen but a good toaster and a selection of snacks. The service is quite good - definitely one of the better points of sitting at the bar.
Our party of 3 was relegated to the bar because the rest of the place was on hold for wine club folks, but it worked out because we were able to have some extra tastes as we decided what to sip throughout the evening. The bartender/server was very knowledgeable and seemed to care a great deal about wine.
The wines were varied - both geographically and in flavor. Generally, the prices are $10 to $15 per 6 oz glass with the average around $12. The bottles of wine in the store are all over the map but definite have a vast majority in the $20-$30 range.
The nibbles are tasty but not necessarily fresh. We had five cheeses - Camembert, Smokey Blue, Roncal DOP, Fleur Verte Herb Goat and Aged Cheddar. They were served with a little tropical jam, candied papaya, grapes and spiced almonds. All of the cheeses but the Roncal were great - the Roncal seemed to have a little fuzz. We asked the server and he said it was "herbs," so we ate it. MISTAKE...major tummy aches the next day. I think that was the source.
In contrast, we had the kale Caesar, which is absolutely delicious. The shredded kale is tossed in a house Caesar dressing and topped with roasted, spiced garbanzo beans, sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, croutons and shaved Parmesan. If I returned, I would probably just order this.
We also had a charcuterie plate. This was also very good. While the Rosemary Ham was a bit dull as were the duck rillettes, the country pate, the chorizo rioja and the Loukanika Salami were amazing. In fact, the Greek salami was some of the best that I have ever had. These were served with Dijon, cornichons, pickled grapes, spiced almonds and crostini.
We had sips of lots of different wines (the benefit of having 3 people and small pour options (3 oz)). A French Sparkling Rose, an Austrian Gruner Veltner, an Italian Lacrima, a Santa Barbara GSM (best of the night), a Napa Sauv Blanc (second best of the night), a French Rose made from Pinot Gris, Santa Barbara Syrah blend and a Mendocino Cab.
At the end, we wanted a little sweet. They have quite a selection of Jeni's ice creams - we shared a trio. I think that chocolates would be a nice addition to the menu. I think that they would be a better match for the wine. We enjoyed the ice cream but would probably skip it next time.
We really enjoyed ourselves save the evidently foul cheese and the outrageously uncomfortable wooden barstools on metal legs. I cannot think of a less comfortable seat in any restaurant or bar in Los Angeles. Perhaps it was the hardest wood ever? Whatever it was, my toucus was in bad shape. I would definitely come again. A little pricey but typical in this area and not too sceney.