The elusive Model Milk. I tried on many occasions to make a reservation here on short notice. Nearly impossible. I finally had a concert at the saddle dome far enough in advance that I could plan and book. My experience didn't start out well. Because the concert began at 7:30, we wanted to get a table at 5:00, exactly when the restaurant opens. I arrived a bit early and found a locked door. They don't have a lounge that you can sit it for a few minutes before the actual restaurant opens which I found odd. No matter.
Once I got inside, the excellent experience began. I was greeted by several very friendly hostesses and escorted to our table on the balcony. Once we were all seated our waiter came over and helped us select a wine. The waiter informed us that he was Metrovino trained which gave him instant credibility with me. The wine list was very eclectic but also very expensive and that was a negative. Their wines start at around $70 and go up from there. That takes Model Milk out of the running for a casual dine-out experience. Our Oregon pinot noir was supurb but, again, expensive and more than we would have wanted to spend on a wine at a dinner for 4 early on a Monday night.
We started our meal by sharing the garlic cheese fries and devilled eggs. Both were excellent. I even made the comment that the fries were better than the garlic fries at Dodger Stadium, lofty praise indeed. For dinner, 3 of us had the fried chicken special with mashed potatoes and corn bread. I absolutely loved it; my dining companions were more mixed. It's possible that their take on Southern comfort food hit the spot with me because I had gone for a run in the afternoon and came hungry! In any case, I left Model Milk with a VERY favorable impression of the food and would have given the restaurant 5 stars (something I don't do often) but have to subtract 1 for the lofty wine list. I highly recommend.