dineL.A. Restaurant Week Spotlight: Hollywood
Updated on October 13, 2015
There's much more to Hollywood than world-famous attractions like the Hollywood Bowl, TCL Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame. Dig a little deeper and you'll find a thriving dining scene with acclaimed restaurants. One of the best ways to discover Hollywood is during Restaurant Week. Read on for selected Hollywood restaurants that are participating, as well as events and hotels that will make your dining experience even more memorable.
Butchers & Barbers is the first restaurant concept from Houston Hospitality, which also owns the adjacent No Vacancy and Dirty Laundry, the nearby Good Times at Davey Wayne’s and several more L.A. bars. Butchers & Barbers features the seasonal comfort fare of Executive Chef Luke Reyes, who offers shareable plates and a charcuterie program with meats that are cured in-house, employing whole beast butchering. “Land” highlights include crispy pig ears with sprouting broccoli and smoked yogurt; 10 oz. grilled hanger steak; 18 oz. bone-in pork chop; and a 28-day porcini crusted, dry-aged 36 oz. rib eye with shallots, chanterelles and herbed French fries. “Sea” options include roasted scallops with chickpeas and heirloom tomato; and king salmon with parsnip puree, hazelnuts, celery and pea tendrils. Houston Hospitality Beverage Director Joseph Swifka oversees the spirit-forward cocktails, which complement Reyes’ menu along with a well-curated wine list and draft beer selection.
Located at The Redbury Hotel on Vine Street, Cleo showcases Chef Danny Elmaleh’s nouveau Middle Eastern cuisine, featuring mezzes, shared plates, flatbreads and more. Named for the legendary Egyptian queen, Cleo offers a welcoming atmosphere curated by famed photographer Matthew Rolston, with a playful marriage of classic Hollywood style and a charming Mediterranean vibe. Cleo’s Restaurant Week dinner menu begins with a choice of two starters, including babaganoush, Spicy Cigars, shishito peppers and roasted cauliflower. The second course features a chopped salad with an optional side of brussels sprouts. Third course options include chicken tagine, kebab plate with saffron rice, and couscous with seven-vegetable soup. Desserts include Elmaleh’s addictive sticky toffee pudding, baklava and Greek yogurt.
Located on the 4th level of Hollywood & Highland, The Grill On the Alley features a classic steakhouse menu of steaks and chops, fresh seafood, traditional wedge and Cobb salads in a sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere. For lunch, The Grill’s two-course Restaurant Week menu offers a baby kale salad and entree options like swordfish banh mi wrap, California chicken burger and filet steak salad. The three-course dinner starts with soup or an heirloom panzanella salad. Mains include a 14 oz. double cut Kurobuta pork chop, parmesan crusted Alaskan halibut and roasted brick chicken. Dessert is a choice of tres leches cake or strawberry shortcake.
Since opening his first Lotería Grill at the Original Farmers Market in 2002, chef-owner Jimmy Shaw has expanded to locations in Hollywood, Studio City, Santa Monica, Westlake Village and Downtown L.A. Shaw’s Hollywood Boulevard location features high ceilings, a full bar and the colorful oversized lotería cards that give his restaurants their names. Lotería Grill features the regional Mexican specialties that Shaw enjoyed while growing up in Mexico City - his celebrated tacos, refreshing agua fresca, chicharrón de queso and his signature, slow-cooked guiso served with handmade corn tortillas. Writer Joshua Lurie also gives props to Lotería’s nachos, ranking it among the best in L.A.
Five0Four Hollywood
The Royal Hollywood brings a taste of New Orleans to Tinseltown with its menu of po’boys and French Quarter-inspired decor. Pablo Moix (Scopa Italian Roots, The Chestnut Club) created a cocktail menu that mixes New Orleans classics like the Sazerac and Vieux Carre with original creations such as the Hibiscus Mule, Sweet Tea Smash and the Drunken Watermelon. Frozen Daiquiri dispensers help guests cool down on hot summer nights.
Royal Hollywood’s Restaurant Week dinner menu features a variety of po’boys with sides of tater tots, beignet churros and a choice of signature cocktail or frozen Daiquiri. Sandwich selections include the PBLT (crispy pork belly, Blue Plate mayo, vine-ripened tomato, butter lettuce), Gulf shrimp (marinated cucumber, shredded carrot, radishes, herbs, hot sauce aioli) and the Egg & Cheese, a scrambled egg sandwich with gruyere, vine tomato, arugula and Blue Plate mayo.
6541 Hollywood Blvd. #102 Los Angeles, CA 90028//} ?>
Events: Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is one of the most famous venues in the world, with a stage that has hosted everyone from Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand to Prince and Lady Gaga. During Restaurant Week, the Bowl is hosting classical concerts and legendary music acts like Steely Dan and Elvis Costello (July 13), John Fogerty - “His Songs from 1969 and More” (July 15) and a 100th Birthday Celebration for Frank Sinatra (July 22).
2301 N. Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068//} ?>
Events: "The Phantom of the Opera" - Pantages Theatre
Following an acclaimed sold-out tour of the United Kingdom, The Phantom of the Opera is playing at the Pantages Theatre now through Aug. 2, 2015. Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical phenomenon boasts a new set design and many exciting special effects, including the show’s legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score - with songs like Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, and Masquerade - is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this Phantom one of the largest productions currently on tour. Tickets are available for select weeknight performances during Restaurant Week.
Hotels: Hollywood Roosevelt
Extend your Restaurant Week experience in Hollywood by staying at one of the area’s acclaimed hotels, like the landmark Hollywood Roosevelt. Opened in 1927, the hotel has welcomed generations of VIPs, from Hollywood’s Golden Age to today’s hottest stars. Step into the Roosevelt and you’ll be surrounded by Hollywood history - the first Academy Awards took place in the hotel’s Blossom Ballroom, Marilyn Monroe’s first professional modeling shoot took place at the pool, and Clark Gable and Carole Lombard carried on their infamous affair in the penthouse (which is now named after the legendary couple).
After your Restaurant Week dinner, head upstairs to the Roosevelt’s mezzanine level and enjoy The Spare Room, an elegant cocktail lounge and gaming parlor with a vintage two-lane bowling alley and custom-made wooden board games like chess and Jenga.
7000 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028//} ?>
Hotels: Loews Hollywood
Loews Hollywood Hotel is located at the famed intersection of Hollywood and Highland in the heart of Hollywood. The hotel is the centerpiece of the spectacular Hollywood & Highland, featuring landmark attractions like TCL Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood, Dolby Theatre, and dozens of shops and restaurants, including Restaurant Week participant The Grill on the Alley. Conveniently located a short walk from the Hollywood Bowl, Loews Hollywood rises 20 stories and features 628 rooms and a rooftop pool.
1755 N. Highland Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028//} ?>
Hotels: The Redbury
Situation on Vine Street just north of Hollywood Boulevard, The Redbury is a boutique property with 57 spacious guest flats that feel more like a hip housing swap than a hotel. Designed with a warm, bohemian chic vibe, each suite features a full kitchen and room service is available from both the on-site Mediterranean eatery Cleo and nearby Japanese fusion restaurant Katsuya. For a true Hollywood experience, hop into one of the property’s BMW 7 Series house cars and get VIP entry to Sayers Club - like The Redbury, it’s also owned by SBE.
Hotels: W Hollywood
Located at the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine, the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences fuses classic Tinseltown glamour with sleek design and modern amenities. The 305-room property features one of L.A.’s hottest hotel pools, the WET Deck. Monday through Thursday, the WET Deck promises a laid-back scene with stunning city views from lounge chairs and private luxury cabanas. During summer weekends, WET Deck becomes a high-energy adult pool party, as noted by the hotel itself: “If you’re seeking a relaxing getaway, hoping to read a good book poolside, traveling with children, or wanting to soak up the sun in a peaceful, quiet environment, we can suggest one of our sister properties that may be more suitable.”
6250 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028//} ?>
dineL.A.'s Restaurant Week (July 13-26) is a 14-day dining event showcasing Los Angeles as a premier dining destination, highlighting the diversity of culinary experiences L.A. has to offer. Locals and visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of specially priced prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus from some of L.A.’s best restaurants. dineL.A. menus are subject to change.