Opening a wine bar when you have vision and history can be an undertaking far beyond most people’s capabilities. Sometimes the stars align and the project gets off the ground without a hitch. Other times it takes years for the right space to present itself, the right partners to fall into place, and the energy all coalesces into a form that is much bigger than the sum of its parts. This is CANTO VI , opening tonight in Los Angeles’ Chatsworth neighborhood, much more known for being the porn capital of the world than as a wine destination. This is what Brian Kalliel and his partners from Liquid Catering have set out to fix. The San Fernando Valley is famous for the wrong reasons, and the residents have been longing for more upscale wine establishments. Today, they are getting a complete gem right in their backyard.
For years, Brian Kalliel was the wine director and head sommelier of Mélisse , a now Two Michelin Starred restaurant in Santa Monica, CA. At the time they were one of the few establishments in Los Angeles to be recognized by the Michelin Guide, prior to their departure entirely from auditing and recognizing Los Angeles area restaurants. Brian and his team garnered critical acclaim for their incredible wine list, next level wine pairings, and their dedication to ultimate hospitality and top service. For years after his exit, Brian dreamed of opening his own wine bar. Many start and stops over the years brought him to what I can best describe as a diamond in the rough. I truly believe CANTO VI is going to break your expectations of what can exist and flourish in LA’s deep valley.