Eleven
8811 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica
(310) 855-0800
www.eleven.la
Eleven
wants to be a one-stop oasis for the
hip set rather than a pit stop along
the strand of nightclubs and lounges
in trendy WeHo. And what better way
to do this than to keep the patrons
enthralled by laying out chef
Vincent Mann's eclectic cuisine,
letting guest DJs like Tye pump out
the latest beat, and throwing in a
pat of entertainment for patrons
who'd like to momentarily focus on
something other than each other?
The state of the art entertainment
spot inhabits a historic 1922
building which used to house the
Bank of Sherman (West Hollywood's
original name) and later the iconic
Larrabee Sound Studios where divas
like Donna Summer, Patti LaBelle and
Prince (yes, definitely a diva)
created history. In tribute to this
legacy, the exterior of the building
has been restored to its original
condition and provides an enchanting
contrast to the modern setting
inside, designed by Emmy
Award-winning set designer, Jeremy
Railton. Within its walls, Eleven
still maintains original touches
including the worn brick walls,
soaring Palladian windows,
skylights, and exposed wooden
ceiling trusses but they now stand
side-by-side to Railton's glamorous,
updated design aesthetic.
Walk in through vintage double
doors, past the always charming
doormen, and you encounter the
island bar in the center of the
room, on the right of which is a
mesmerizing 10-foot high fire and
water installation by WET Design
(think Bellagio) and banquet and
freestanding barstool seating. A
patio overlooking a boulevard
bustling with eye-candy also
welcomes smokers, spectators and
conversationalists.
A grand wood and glass staircase,
always intended to make a statement
whether ascend like Davis or descend
like Desmond, connects to the
mezzanine dinning area overlooking
the main bar, stage and patio.
Earlier in the evening, the space is
airy, with jazz and electronica
tunes and the spacious mezzanine
floor space is laid out with dark
wood and leather seating. If you're
concerned your dinning experience
will be compromised by the club
vibe, rest assured that although he
noise level is "lively" you won't
feel like you're in a nightclub, at
least not just yet. This is the
magic of 11, it morphs before the
clock strikes 12, into something
different.
Marinated grilled shrimp is subtle
and more an olfactory experience
with hints of charcoal that is
strangely delicious. The big eye
tuna sashimi is refreshing and
summery with watermelon daikon
salad. The sautéed black code is so
buttery is escapes the fork and
practically melts in your mouth. It
comes with steamed razor clams
cigar-sized shells that hold
chewier, more robust stems of meat.
Crispy Organic Chicken with Oregon
morels, asparagus and fava beans is
pure delight and will turn you into
a greedy dinner partner. Chef Manna,
who carries Spago and Melisse in his
bag of experience, is in full
command here and will leave you
wanting more. Complement the meal
with some chocolate crème brulee and
order another martini as you prepare
for the next incarnation when the
tables are cleared and Eleven turns
into the trendy bar that brings the
boys (and girls) out.
-Ghalib Dhalla
-Warner Alas
