Fellow Traveler

"Anyone who lives near West Hollywood and drinks natural wine (see: me) knows you generally have to leave the neighborhood to buy it. The opening of Fellow Traveler in November changed that in a big way. Run by sommelier Rick Arlene (formerly of Auburn), the wines at Fellow Traveler are fresh, funky, and, frankly, unlike anything you can get for miles. That said, the food might be even better. On paper, Fellow Traveler’s menu reads mostly like snacks you’d eat while drinking wine (and to be sure, that is the goal here), but the fact is, this is food worthy of its own order. The charcuterie board is balanced and interesting, I could drink the truffle porcini dip from a Yeti, and the smoked paprika aioli burger is easily one of the best new burgers in town." - Brant Cox

"New West Hollywood wine bar Fellow Traveler even has a standalone caviar service using Sterling that comes with burnt chive creme and egg yolk jam." - Matthew Kang

"Fellow Traveler, located in West Hollywood next to E.P. & L.P., is a new natural wine bar opened by Rick Arline and partner Nick Shultz. It occupies the former Pacifique space and offers a bistro vibe with modern blue banquettes and checkered tile floors. Chef Gabriel Geiger provides a menu featuring cheeses, charcuterie, pates, rillettes, a cheeseburger, olives, spicy nuts, housemade potato chips, Bub & Grandma’s bread, truffled porcini dip, roasted garlic hummus, and Sterling caviar setup. Arline, a certified sommelier since 2012, curates the wine selection and offers three different wine boxes priced at $90 to $95, with wine subscriptions starting November 25. Fellow Traveler provides takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery via Doordash. Operating hours are noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday." - Matthew Kang