One of the good things to come about from Michelin’s arrival and Asia’s 50 Best’s inception is that the City of Angels has become a terrific staging ground for an increasing number of eateries, each with their own points of view and interests. One of those eateries is the “chef bar”-slash-kappo that is Homeburg, the brainchild of Chef Taiki Rattanapong (who also owns homey takeout favorite Bun, Meat & Cheese). Here, the focus is on all things beefy — most notably, the humble hamburger.

If you have ever seen the film “Sideways”, you will remember the scene in which Paul Giamatti drinks his prized 1961 Cheval Blanc with a meal at In-n-Out Burger. This is essentially the meal enjoyed by our OMGD members last week, who noshed on “hamburger macarons” with 2018 Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and jerk-marinated chicken with 2016 Peter Michael “La Carriere” Chardonnay. The “Homeburg Original”, which burger connoisseurs might note is similar in theory to Shake Shack, was paired with a Quintessa Rutherford Bordeaux blend 2018; the meal ended with several sweet notes capped by a “mini cheesecake” of camembert and gruyere cheeses.