SOCIAL HOLLYWOOD

6525 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles (323) 462-5222

 

You could come to this vibrant new hotspot just because it’s the current ‘it’ spot or because you’re tracking the new league of Hollywood celebs but the real reason to make an appearance at Social Hollywood is because they make you feel like the star.  From the convenient valet to the convivial hostess at the glamorous monochromatic lobby with white marble chairs, everyone is actually pleased to see you and none of the attitude rife in trendy spots that feel they must make you earn their cordiality is present.

 

The child of renowned restaurateur Jeffrey Chodrow (China Grill, Asia de Cuba, Blue Door) and co-owner Melissa Richardson (Pure Nightclub), this multifaceted restaurant, lounge, club and event complex that was once the playground of luminaries like Chaplin and Valentino, is now home to the resplendent Bar and Moroccan Room.  Designer Mark Zeff has brilliantly merged old world glamour with the times and by preserving the integrity of the landmark’s original design, given us a dining scene like no other.  The Moroccan Room is the epitome of what Los Angeles might aspire towards an international, Buddha-Baresque vibe.  In a city irreverent about its past and vapidly focused on the current trend, Zeff has created a throwback to the glamour and sensuality of legendary Hollywood without surrendering the “hip” factor.

 

The Bar boasts a restored antique carved-wood bar, hand-knotted rugs, chandeliers, lush draperies and a towering high-tech wall of ‘glass wallpaper’ that must be touched to be believed.  The Moroccan Room across the way is the 2,800-sq. ft. restaurant with antique furnishings under vaulted ceilings that have been restored to their original 1920’s fresco artwork.  Here you can begin your culinary seduction with the lobster bisque, creamy and saffron-infused under a pastry dome and served with foamy Jerez espuma.  The juicy seared foi gras with pineapple and peanut brittle is fantastic, a perfect balance of sweet and salty, soft and crunchy.  Butterfish tagine will delight even Neptune with its hearty and abundant catch of shellfish, tomatoes, potatoes, olives and roasted peppers.  The grilled tenderloin, while a tad dry for medium, is still accented perfectly by the celery truffle gratin and enhanced by the cheesy gremolata with herbs.  Acclaimed chef Michelle Bernstein (Azul at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami) collaborated with local executive chef Joseph Ojeda (Asia de Cuba) to weave pure magic so that almost any choice you make is sure to delight. 

 

Sip from a wine list selected by Sommelier Franklin Ferguson which includes both regional and global selections but don’t let that keep you from the beguiling Lycheewood martini or the Czarina which packs the punch of a revolution.  Of course you could also live it up with the Brazilian Carnaval made with chacaca brandy or get social with the mojito.  End with the extraordinary Michy’s Dulce de leche Baked Alaska, homemade dulce de leche ice cream on a shortbread base, covered in crème and swimming in a passion fruit salad.

 

Don’t miss a chance to tour the second level where Social Hollywood will extend an invitation-only membership to access game rooms, private dinning chambers and what else?  More glamour of course!

 

-- GD