The Los Angeles nightlife has been rapidly transforming into a world-renown scene over the last couple of years in order to compete with the big boys. Trailing in the states to nearby Sin City and east coast twins New York and Miami, Los Angeles isslowly showing promise. With major development in Hollywood, recent plans disclosed for the future of Downtown Los Angeles, and current projects in the San Fernando Valley, the nightlife scene is soaring with endless room for growth.
This expansion has created a new appeal to the restaurant and lounge combination; I thought I would put together my top five picks from the greater LA area and tell you a bit about each. Of course, these venues are my picks and you are welcome to check them out and judge for yourself. [Amirian is the Armenian Students’ Association’s Social Director for 2006/7].
1. Republic -therepublicla.comRecently named one of the “top 30 entrepreneurs in Los Angeles under 30 years of age” by the Los Angeles Business Journal, Mikayel Israyelyan erected what is now Republic in West Hollywood. This restaurant garnered hype among food lovers immediately and the M Lounge upstairs, appropriately named after the owner, took off just as quickly and has not taken its foot off the throttle ever since.
The main dining room, as beautiful as a restaurant can possibly be, includes a unique towering glass-enclosed wine case. If you happen to order a bottle of wine, a waitress will strap in and go flying up the 20ft-tall tower to retrieve your expensive bottle of grape juice. That’s pretty impressive, huh? The engineer in the kitchen is chef Gabriel Morales, who has cooked for the likes of Tom Cruise and the Beverly Hills Hotel, which equates to a mouth watering and “scrumtrilescent” menu and dining experience. Can I make a suggestion? The dry-aged New York steak with sautéed mushrooms and garlic whipped potatoes hits the spot.
You may also continue or even start your night upstairs at the M Lounge, which is the stunning lounge that overlooks the dining room. On Saturdays, the lounge turns into a nightclub where guests are encouraged to show up in sports coats and cocktail dresses for an “Old School Hollywood” theme. Sound familiar?
2. Chapter 8 - chapter8lounge.com
If you are like most nightlife seekers, you demand a change of locale and atmosphere with every nightlife experience. Chapter 8, not to confuse you with where you are in the book you are reading, is an aesthetically pleasing contrast to the typical overcrowded Los Angeles venue. Hidden in Agoura Hills just off the 101-Freeway is a hang out spot as “hot” as any found in “the city,” providing all aspects of the dining and nightlife experience.
The restaurant is dressed with black floors and tables, red walls and leather booths, and sparkling chandeliers. No, not like the Armenian ones you have in your living room. The patio has plenty of private cabanas, fire pits to keep warm and a separate bar. On any night of the week, you may find A-list celebrities at this stunningly constructed venue. During the weekend, it becomes a night club, complete with DJs and a line outside that actually moves. Did we mention that the food is to die for? Make the drive. It’s worth it!
3. The Penthouse – thehuntleyhotel.com
Where the city meets the sea you can find one of the most breathtaking venues in all of Los Angeles: The Penthouse. Blessed with its location, this restaurant and “ultra lounge”
sits atop the stunning Huntley Hotel in breezy Santa Monica. The venue recently debuted its scenic restaurant and “ultra lounge” dressed perfectly with beach cabanas, silver bars, and open flames. After a year and a half of renovation, from what used to be Toppers, this venue embodies the Los Angeles lifestyle seamlessly blended with the contemporary elegance of a modern residence. However, not many Los Angeles residents can say they have a million dollar view like this venue.
Check out their website and see for yourself. Better yet take a personal tour. You might find yourself hanging out in the lobby or at the restaurant and “ultra lounge” upstairs with a cocktail in your hand looking out the windows to a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, the Malibu Mountains and the surrounding city lights. Just don’t send me the bill.
4. Social Hollywood – socialhollywood.com
Whether you’re going out on a hot date or want to do the guys’/ladies’ night out, Social Hollywood is a restaurant and lounge that provides the best of both worlds. If you’re there for the latter, go up the stairs to one of the individually unique rooms. This place will simply remind you of a 3-D game of Clue. Check out the website if you don’t believe me. No need to be scared though, you’ll walk away safe and sound. That being solved lets go downstairs and check out the dining room. This “Moroccan Room” is dressed with a fresco ceiling, having been restored back to its original painted form in 1924 when the building was built as a gentlemen’s club. No, not that kind of gentlemen’s club! With furniture designed for royalty, screens set to create a sense of intimacy and intellectually stirring conversation and food and drinks made to perfection, this venue doesn’t miss a beat. If you’re expecting to party like a rock star, this isn’t exactly the venue you’re looking for.
5. Nirvana-nirvanabeverlyhills.com
Nir-vah-nuh – a place characterized by freedom from or oblivion to pain, worry, and the external world. Thank you dictionary.com for an exact description of what its guests can expect from this restaurant and lounge. Nirvana is a sexy, seductive space held together by a glass-floored walkway stretching from the front door and past the beds to a six-foot Buddha head in the back. During the weekend, you can find a crowd out to have a few cocktails and to chat the night away with good company in a relaxing atmosphere. There are no lines outside and reservations are not needed. The menu consists of exotic appetizers and dishes, not to mention plenty of food on sticks. Don’t go there, khorovats is not sexy nor is it easy to eat in bed. A small, more traditional dining room is also available if you can’t handle the food in bed and a date all at once. Keeping with the mood, you might want to burn off the calories from your drinks at the end of the night and check out the exotic car dealerships which are walking distance from the venue.
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