CityStyle LA

Hollywood’s Next Great Cocktail Scene

Editor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:15:59 +0000

You’re always ready for another top-shelf, well-made cocktail.

And when your libation temple of choice also happens to be serving Fried Oysters and Saffron-Infused Shrimp Cocktails, well, then you’re really ready.

Which is why you’ll be thrilled to indulge your appetite for drinking and eating at THE TAR PIT, opening to the public in just under two weeks.

The next big thing in Hollywood is the product of a partnership made in nightlife heaven. Running operations are Jay Perrin and Mark Peel, the dynamic duo behind Campanile. Audrey Saunders, the reigning queen of the cocktail scene in New York and owner/mixologist of Pegu Club heads up the bar side, along with Marcos Tello as head mixologist. All of this to produce a modern version of the grand, old Hollywood-style supper clubs.

Speaking of supper, The Tar Pit will also be serving Classic American fare. Think Clams Casino, Steak Tartare, Oysters Rockefeller, and yes, Saffron-infused Shrimp Cocktails.

But our money is on liquid cocktails. The kind that used to be served with vintage barware and crafted with housemade bitters and homemade sodas.

Don Draper would be proud.

The Tar Pit opens soon.

The Tar Pit
611 N. La Brea Avenue (between Melrose & Clinton), East Hollywood
tarpitbar.com

Cafe By Day, Winebar By Night

Editor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:15 +0000

Sure, you’ve been hearing about how productivity is up.

But what about productivity at your local Hollywood eatery, you ask.

Turns out we know a new artisanal cafe by day and winebar by night: welcome to THE MERCANTILE, opening Thursday on Sunset.

Another George Abou-Daoud venture, this one fronted by former Casa chef Kris Morningstar, The Mercantile is the kind of place you’ll want to visit when you’re craving a Pumpkin Seed Butter and Preserves Sandwich at noon or midnight.

By day, the Sunset Boulevard shop will lure you in with gourmet sandwiches, charcuterie, cheeses, and salads. By night, the multi-tasking cafe will dim the lighting and break out a global wine list, paired with a curated selection of small plates (more charcuterie and yes, more cheeses).

And if that isn’t productive enough, we hear The District, Abou-Daoud’s new, seasonally-driven American bistro located next door, will be opening in the next few weeks.

Productivity has its privileges.

The Mercantile soft-opens on Thursday.

The Mercantile
6600 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood

Welcome to Wonderland

Editor — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:00:34 +0000

Hollywood is known for its happy endings.

It’s also known for its legendary nightlife.

Time for your two favorite knowns to meet: introducing WONDERLAND, now in soft-open, on Cahuenga Boulevard.

Like all good fairy tales, Wonderland has everything to keep the kids happy. (Well, assuming the kids are 21 and over.) Your evening starts out innocently enough. A pink tutu-clad cocktail waitress greets you with a drink request. You: smile. And proceed to order the signature Rabbit Hole, a refreshing, mojito-like mix of Oronoco Rum, mint, lime juice, and sugar. She returns and you settle in for another round, or perhaps something from the Cali-comfort food menu, like Farfalle Casarecce, a light bowtie pasta dish with chopped grilled chicken, garlic, broccoli and sun dried tomatoes in a white wine sauce.

A few chapters later, you begin to notice and appreciate the charm of the upside-down mushroom shaped lights, the mismatched mirrors, the crazy clocks, and other curiosities. You continue to marvel around you, particularly at the massive, sparkling bar.

And then you notice the brilliance of the retractable roof.

Just another happy ending in Hollywood…

Wonderland is now open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Wonderland
1835 N. Cahuenga Blvd, (S. of Franklin), Hollywood
(323) 957-1599 | dolcegroup.com

Hollywood’s New Ultra Sports Bar

Editor — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:00:11 +0000

A new season calls for new nightlife options.

And it doesn’t get any newer than the space formerly known as Goa.

Yes, it’s time to meet the much anticipated Capitol City, opening next week in Hollywood.

Think of Cap City as your new Monday Night Football/College Football/NFL go-to option. In addition to giving you lots of space to roam (over 7,000 square feet), separate dining and sports viewing areas (six of them, actually), a very long beer (30 feet), lots of beer (60+), lots of beer on tap (30), and lots of hi-def TVs (45 and counting), Cahuenga Boulevard’s newest bar also doubles as a gastropub.

Thanks to award-winning Chef Shad Davis (formerly of Belmont, Stone Fire Pizza, and The Corner), you’ll be treated to a classic gastro-pub menu (savory ribs, gourmet burgers) and seasonally-driven dishes.

Of course, you can also count on full table service with solid cocktail/wine lists to keep you entertained in the bar/restaurant’s VIP area on the mezzanine level (complete with a secret entrance).

We know how you roll…

Capitol City opens to the public next week.

Capitol City
1615 N. Cahuenga Blvd (south of Hollywood Blvd), Hollywood
Tel: (323) 465-1750
capcitysports.com

The Great Outdoors. Now with Cocktails.

Editor — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:00:49 +0000

Sometimes a night out should mean a night out.

Literally.

Take the soon-to-open Rockwell Restaurant and Lounge, the outdoor offshoot of Vermont Restaurant in Los Feliz.

When it officially soft-opens in two weeks, you’ll be able to saunter in to the 6,000 square-foot, multi-level space when you’re in the mood for, say, Truffled Parmesan Fries and Grilled California Artichokes with tarragon mayo, a refreshing glass of wine, and an awesome view of the city.

As for the scenery, don’t look to the inside but out. Rockwell plans to bring the inside out with a coveted wood-stone oven, top-floor VIP seating area, and brace yourself: a private observatory deck (perfect for your inner voyeur).

Throw in a bar on each level, innovative cocktails (we hear there will be one made with housemade vodka, St. Germain and a grilled grapefruit), and a Cali comfort food menu by Vermont’s Chef Stephane Beaucam, and the great outdoors should be, well, great.

Décor by Mother Nature.

Rockwell Restaurant and Lounge soft-opens in two weeks.

Rockwell Restaurant and Lounge at Vermont Restaurant
1714 N. Vermont Avenue (at Kingswell Avenue), Los Feliz
Tel: (323) 661-6163
vermontrestaurantonline.com

Hollywood’s New Ultimate Nightlife Playground

Editor — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:00:53 +0000

Ah, Vegas.

You love it. It loves you. It’s a fine relationship.

Keep that good thing going at Playhouse, opening on Thursday, in Hollywood. Another solid notch in the nightlife belt of Muse Lifestyle Group, Playhouse is the new face of the historic Fox Theatre. Now completely revamped into a Vegas-style nightlife temple, it spans a massive, 13,000 square feet over three grand floors.

And you’ll need all that space to play. Drop in to appreciate the club’s four bars, award-winning sound & lighting system, intelligent lighting, and especially its good-looking staff, all outfitted in designer costumes by Kelly Nishimoto, and equipt with unexpected talents beyond pouring bottles. And by that, let’s just say, this your warning that ordering a bottle of Dom Pérignon may elicit an unexpected burlesque show…

Or your bartender may hop on the trapeze or your server could turn into an aerialist.

There, we warned you…

Playhouse opens to the public this Thursday. For a closer look, click here.

Playhouse
6506 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood
Tel: (323) 656-4600
playhousehollywood.com

Venice Beach’s New Hotel (And Rooftop Bar)

Editor — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:00:22 +0000

You’re no stranger to the boutique hotel scene.

Sipping among the sun-drenched set is another story.

So maybe it’s time you get acquainted with the latest Venice Beach magnet, the Hotel Erwin, now open on Pacific Avenue. Revamped by the trendy hoteliers at Joie de Vivre, their latest project is a heavy nod to the eclectic surrounding beach culture, boasting graffiti covered doors, pop-style furnishings, a counterculture vibe, and work by cutting-edge artists. It’s situated just two-hundred feet from the water, so the 119-room crash pad proudly notes that rooms come fully stocked with urban style, vodka and Pacific Ocean views.

After settling into your digs, make some time to hit HIGH, the hotel’s chic, open-air rooftop lounge, set to debut this Friday. There you’ll catch a 360-degree view of SoCal (you can finally say hello to Catalina and that Hollywood Sign), while taking in a Beach Blon’d, an refreshing mix of Leblon Cachaça, Cointreau, lime juice, strawberries, basil and balsamic syrup.

Thankfully, your slick suite will be just a few steps away…

The Hotel Erwin is now open. HIGH, the hotel’s rooftop lounge opens on Friday. Click here to experience more of the Hotel Erwin.

Hotel Erwin
1697 Pacific Avenue (at Harvard Court & Venice Way), Venice Beach
Tel: (310) 452-1111
jdvhotels.com

A House Party You’ll Want To Crash

Editor — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:00:02 +0000

You love nightlife.

You love home.

The best of both: the new Victorian cottage meets lounge/restaurant at Jane’s House, now in soft-open. Once a former schoolhouse for prominent actors’ children back in the golden era of Hollywood, it’s now been remodeled with sleek modern touches giving off a house party vibe, all while keeping its classic appeal.

Settle in and start things off with a cocktail and appetizers from Chef Jamie Ta’s comfort food menu (yes, they have sliders!). From there, you’ll want to move things upstairs where an extra-large balcony doubles as a DJ booth.

Make your rounds at your choice of two bars and head to the patio, where a full night of dancing and people-watching await (you’ll find smart, sexy people). Or if privacy’s your thing, hide away with a few of your “friends” in one of two private rooms.

Just try not to make yourself too much at home…

Jane’s House
6541 Hollywood Blvd. (between N. Hudson & Whitley Avenues), Hollywood
Tel: (323) 308-1911

First Night at Guys & Dolls Lounge

Editor — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:00:36 +0000

Exotic cocktails. Stellar service. Pretty ladies.

There’s always a new nightclub in this city waiting for you to grace them with your approving presence.

Next up on your hit list: Guys & Dolls Lounge. The newly opened star-studded spot (formerly Guy’s Bar) has been given a sultry-sleek update by the creative hands of Emmy-nominated actor and nightlife impresario Michael Sutton. The spot is tricked out in full force with button-tufted booths and upholstered walls, an LED-lighting-backed bar, and a recessed ceiling bedecked with an opulent cascade of chandeliers that provide the must-have touch of Hollywood glamour.

Of course, you can also expect the usual top-shelf liquors and bottle service, and the lounge is conveniently located adjacent to Jerry’s Famous Deli from which you can order superb sliders and finger foods to be brought over for your pleasure. Sure, it seems like the normal course of VIP services, but Sutton is, afterall, a man who is highly attuned to your party-packed lifestyle, and has knowingly prepped G&D with a concierge who will field your requests from arranging for a private jet to booking last-minute hotel accommodations… for those hasty retreats when the cocktail waitresses in flapper dresses start setting down bottles you never asked for.

Another lounge… another victorious velvet-rope venture.

To really see the brand-new Guys & Dolls Lounge, click here.

Guys & Dolls Lounge
8713 Beverly Blvd (between N. Robertson Boulevard & N. Sherbourne Drive), West Hollywood
Tel: (310) 360-0290

Finger-Lickin’ Barbecue in Silver Lake

Editor — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:00:44 +0000

You enjoy your fine dining and fancy wining at the swankiest digs around town.

Though, more often than not, all you really want is a full meal. And maybe some good music…

Welcome, then, to Territory BBQ and Records, a restaurant-cum-record-shop opening later this week in Silver Lake. Unpretentiously set in a turquoise-stucco building, this hybrid venue will be plating quality Southern-style barbecue while also offering a deft selection of new and used vinyls.

The restaurant boasts varying flavors cured from the best barbecue spots in the country, from smoky North Carolina-style pulled pork (stuffed between slabs of Wonderbread, natch) to Memphis-influenced sliced brisket to juicy ribs served just how the Texans like it. Of course, the menu runs on with bonuses like fried chicken and cornmeal catfish, along with the usual suspects of Southern sides: collard greens, macaroni and cheese, flaky biscuits. And when you’ve thrown down the last bone, hop on next door to peruse some of those records spanning the genres of psychedelic, garage, funk, and more.

You might even find one to add to your exhaustingly ever-expanding collection at home.

Rocking out never tasted better.

Territory BBQ and Records opens this Friday. Bring your chow-down tee.

Territory BBQ and Records
534 N. Hoover Street (corner of Hoover Street and Bellevue Avenue edging Silver Lake)
Tel: (213) 662-4100
territorybbq.com