Artisan After Dark

Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City now has a new name and an expanded menu—all in the hopes of making the business more of a nightspot. Owner Shelley Janson rebranded the popular lunchtime eatery as Artisan Cheese & Wine and now offers small plates at the new wine bar after 6 p.m.

Shelley took over Artisan in 2016 and admits it took a while to get her footing. She says, “I’m excited, as this was my vision when I bought Artisan. But the restaurant business is pretty overwhelming, and it just hasn’t been the right time.”

Evening visitors will now receive a complimentary goat cheese crostini with burst cherry tomatoes. After that, diners can select from small plates like burrata with prosciutto, melon and balsamic glaze. Crispy grilled cheese is a play on grilled cheese with tomato soup, featuring molten Provolone between thin-sliced bread that gets extra crispy, plated with chunky tomato relish. Since this is L.A., tacos are on the menu—in this case co-starring duck confit, pungent Gorgonzola crema, Belgian endive and microgreens on grilled corn tortillas.

Artisan’s rustic cheese platter changes frequently, but during our visit it included soppressata, prosciutto, house-made fig jam infused with honey, baby lettuce salad, Marcona almonds, fresh fruit and three cheeses: creamy cow’s milk Dauphinoise, crystalized Cheddar and Auxarc (from Missouri). Each platter comes on a compostable wood board that diners can take home.

For wine, Artisan offers 17 different varieties by the glass in whimsical categories like Bright Energetic Whites, Lively Medium Body Reds and Deep Convicted Reds. Artisan Cheese & Wine also added a list of cold sandwiches, including an Artisan hoagie. A new Sunday brunch menu now coincides with the Studio City Farmers Market and includes Brie en croute and a three-cheese/three-mimosa flight.

12023 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-505-0207