Red Room is a cool little wine bar in Encino. The food is good, the music is even better, but I take issue with the outside patio being part of the parking lot. The fire pit is really pretty and
the decor is clean and simple. But that parking lot. The location is in a strip mall right on the corner of Ventura Boulevard and Encino Avenue with limited parking. But that's not all folks. I have honestly, never seen more smokers in my life gathered in
one location. And what's even better? They all smoke, you guessed it, in the parking lot. Gross on so many levels. Service is a bit slow too but servers are really nice, so I'm still a bit up in the air about it. So let's talk about the food...and drink. We
love the "bubbles," so try a 6 oz. bottle of Tattinger Prestige Blanc ($19) from France or some Villa Sandi Prosecco ($8) from Italy. For a light-bodied white, we love Hall Sauvignon Blanc ($5/2.5 oz/$11/6 oz.) from the good
old Napa Valley. If you crave a full bodied white, the Eric Kent Chardonnay ($10) will please you for sure. Red wine lovers will go crazy for the full-bodied Caymus Special Select Cabernet.($85/ bottle only) A helpul hint: If there are two ** next
to the wine, there is a two glass minimum. Beer is available in 6 oz. pours, but we like a pint of the Eraser Rough Draft ($12). Flatbreads are truly wonderful. The Lamb Sausage ($12) is our favorite. Smoked mozzarella, roasted peppers, and
Moroccan olives are layered on top of crispy dough. This dish was excellent. From the Dine LA menu ($25), we enjoyed Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Caramilized Onions and Free-Range Jdori Chicken Breast with roasted
fingerling potatoes. For entrees, one of us had the Scottish Salmon ($18) served with asparagus, quinoa tabouleh, and cucumber raita. Salmon was moist and tender. Side dishes were nothing special. Risotto ($16) with prosciutto, balck garlic, and
goat cheese was well-liked by all. For desseret we enjoyed the chocolate budino which came with Dine LA, and the Tiramisu ($7). Both were just okay. My verdict is still out on the Red Room. The Red Room Food and Wine Bar 17499 Ventura Blvd. Encino.
(818) 386-0278. Closed Mondays.
Recommended Dishes: Flatbreads, Scottish Salmon.