Scene Setter: Allston Yacht Club in Echo Park is ready for its close-up

Open since last year, Allston Yacht Club in Echo Park has been diligently working on a formula for success. Owners Charles Kelly and Bill DiDonna have heeded customer advice to create a menu of food and drink that offers a little something for everyone. The result is a global grab bag of small plates, including a variety of savory skewers, pork belly, calamari and duck confit that go nicely with a list of fresh and tasty cocktails, and a small but thoughtful wine list.

The restaurant was confident enough about the final result that it held its official grand opening party last week.

One of the best features of AYC is its low-key bar, which is situated at the back of the dining room and always staffed by friendly bartenders from the area who know how to keep a good conversation going and enjoy introducing patrons to one another. In many ways, it's an ideal place to end up for an after-work drink. You can have a cocktail or two and satiate your belly with a a few small bites and still be ready to go out for a longer night of drinking and dining.

Find out more about the menu and the owners by reading the story that ran in today's Calendar section. There's also a lovely photo gallery to gawk at.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Vietnamese-style chicken skewers. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times