Bacaro, L.A. (USC)

This place is a little unusual for me. The wife and I were looking for someplace to go out on a date, and we decided on Bacaro because it was close to our old apartment and I had never been. It's a tiny wine bar with tapas style food. So this place isn't strictly a bar, but it is an alcohol focused restaurant so I thought it would be good to include. Wife and I pull up and look for parking. I don't see anything on the street immediately, so we pull around into the dark alley behind the bar and park in what said 1 hour visitor parking. We were there quite a bit longer than an hour and didn't get towed or anything. We get inside and I realize that the place is tiny. Probably 10-12 tables and a six person standing only bar. It was full when we got there and we probably waited 10 minutes for a table. This was fortuitous because it gave us time to peruse the wine list and pick a bottle. I have to suggest the Mas Malbec. It is an Argentinian red and it was delicious. Bought the bottle for $28. Seriously, you'll like it. While we're on the subject of what you should get, here are a few others: grilled hangar steak (medium rare), crostini, and finish with the bread pudding. The vibe in this place was eclectic, with a crowd ranging from USC undergrads, young hipsters, old hipsters, and people who wear baseball hats in restaurants. The last is a personal pet peeve of mine so if that applies to you, please don't do it around me. My wife and I had a fun time making up the history of the couples around us. There may have been a professor dating a student, and we determined that he taught English. That was, of course, pure speculation. Food was well paced, and we got around five plates not including the bread pudding. Did I mention the Mas Malbec? I did? Well, go drink it already. I'm probably going to BevMo! today to get a bottle for home. Left the wine bar around 10:30 and it was still full. All in all, a good night out, just a little on the pricey side at $85 including tax and tip.
Conclusion:
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Parking: Street, and some behind bar
Selection: Great Wine, good beer, no liquor
Service: Nice, Knowledgeable, a little slow
Vibe: Eclectic
Price: $$ (dependent on consumption and if you eat)
Address: 2308 S Union Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone:(213) 748-6030