Some of these spots are not brand new but maybe they have just added a brunch that we checked out or a new rooftop cocktail experience, either way, here is what Weho has instore for a great time out on the town this summer.
Best Tableside Preparation: Yardbirds
Yes, people are raving about the 27-hour brined fried chicken, that is dredged in cayenne spices, from this Southern style newbie at the Beverly Center, but a surprise favorite on our recent visit was actually a salad. The Muffaletta is a spin on the classic sandwich from New Orleans but this salad is made table side with mortadella, copa, salami, olives, pimento, swiss and provolone then drizzled with a house-made vinaigrette. With a side of light crispy bread, it’s a completely satisfying meal – especially if you don’t want many carbs. To that end, you should also order the fried green tomato BTL as it’s not served with any buns. Save your calories for one of their strong Mason jar cocktails or the mac-n-cheese served in a skillet with a massive lobster tail. www.runchickenrun.com
Best New Italian: N. 10 Restaurant
We reported on this sexy 3rd Street eatery – named after an Italian soccer star and designed by Kristopher Keith of Spacecraft- over a year ago and we are happy to see that it’s finally opened and serving some of the best pasta in the neighborhood. They have recently launched a new brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm by American and Italian chefs, Nick Parker and Fabio Ugoletti, focusing on multi-regional specialties, but the lobster scramble with a giant claw looks pretty good to us. www.n10restaurant.com
Best Brunch Pizza: Gesso
We were sad when this location of Pitfire Pizza shuttered on Fairfax but it flipped beautifully into a cool bar and an even cooler spot for brunch. And, great news: amazing pizza is still on the menu. The holy grail of hangover food can be found in the bacon and egg pie with gruyère, crispy potato and caramelized onion. We promise there is not a better breakfast pizza in the city. They also make amazing cocktails with everything from sake and Japanese whiskey to pineapple infused bourbon, and even infuse their own gummy bears with thyme which are almost too cute to eat. www.gessoresto.com
Best for All Meals: The Henry
When The Henry opened on Robertson Blvd. by a food chain from Scottsdale, we were expecting to find another mediocre bar-restaurant dining spot with burgers and booze. We are delighted that it has exceeded all our expectations and has become a go-to for not just a solid happy hour, but lunch, brunch and dinner as well. We found the black truffle cheese fondue with soft pretzels and short rib pot stickers kept us coming back again and again to this neighborhood gem. www.thehenryrestaurant.com
Best Fried Chicken and Waffles: Sweet Chick
We thought that the buzz might have mellowed for this fun New York transplant from rapper Nas on Fairfax, but a recent weekend brunch found the room packed with plenty of hip-hop playing, drinks flowing, and the best fried chicken and waffles in town. There, we said it! Let’s start with the fact that you can order your waffles with many different flavor combinations including, Bacon-Cheddar, Dried Cherry, Rosemary-Mushroom, Apple Cinnamon or Spiced-Pecan. Then the chicken is, wait for it, brined in sweet tea for 24hours. One can see why even carb-counting celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Mariah Carey, Halle Berry and Nicki Minaj are big fans, just like us. www.sweetchick.com
Best New Bar: La Fête
OK, granted this was once part of Norah’s on Santa Monica Boulevard, but the Thomas Schoos designed restaurant now has a separate bar with a French themed cocktail menu, including a pastis service. Restaurateur Rohan Talwar aim is to embrace the bohemian abandon of Saint-German, the New World’s epicenter for creativity and destination for the hottest parties, right here in Weho. Bar Director Dave Kupchinsky brings his expertise from his illustrious past at every cool spot from Little Dom’s to the Eveleigh and The Broken Shaker downtown, to name a few, so they are off to a great start. And, we celebrate a spot that can mingle rosé and pisco into one cocktail. www.LaFete.LA
Best Revamped Rooftop: The London
We admire this hotels penchant for reinvention which starts with the lovely new lounge bar off the lobby near the former entrance to the Boxwood restaurant. While they also serve an afternoon tea and a have a screening room nearby, we love the new Boxwood on the Roof which allows you to dine on Chef Anthony Keene’s food all day while soaking in the 360-degree views of the city. You can’t go wrong with the elevated comfort fare standards like fish-n-chips with mushy peas but they can also whip you up a PB&J smoothie or a crystal inspired cocktail such as the Blue Sapphire Cooler with Beluga Vodka. We highly recommend you don’t skip the raw bar with a standout foie gras crispy rice cake with uni butter or a lobster stuffed hand roll. www.thelondonwesthollywood.com
Best Themed Pop-Up:
Running from now until September in the Westedge Shopping Center on Santa Monica Blvd near LaBrea, “Saved by the Max” is a pop-culture restaurant pop-up inspired by the Saved by the Bell series. If you want to relive those childhood memories of watching a young Mario Lopez hang out by his red locker at school in the late 80s-early 90s, while grabbing a bite in a movie-set style diner, then this is the spot for you. Our publisher nicknamed it “saved by the food” and the chef, Brian Fisher, is actually of Michelin-star caliber back in Chicago. So, we were very happy to try the pork sliders, mac-n-cheese and Korean fried chicken while spotting Fabian (“I can’t believe it’s not butter”) and listing to George Michael tunes. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience no matter how you slice it. Have fun and order a few strong cocktails! https://www.facebook.com/events/2030696533614293/
