The name is fitting: Rustic Canyon, a Santa Monica neighborhood where owner and resident oenophile Josh Loeb grew up; Wine Bar, more for the wine selection than actual bar for sitting (little room for that); and Seasonal Kitchen, because the menu changes as the chef finds inspiration from the farmer's market, a practice synonymous with the Westside dining scene. Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen quietly opened in December, but word quickly spread, and it's been packed ever since. There's a communal, almost familial, vibe to the place--food is to be shared, wine consumed, talking to friends and neighbors highly recommended (part A and B will help with that). It's loud when it's busy (click through to see it so), but that's not stopping anyone.
Further reading from Miss Irene and Caroline on Crack.
