I’ve been spending a little too much time (and money) at the newly opened restaurant and bar, the Eveleigh. Tucked away on a corner down Sunset Strip, it’s hard to resist its rustic charm: the exposed brick, wood beams, cozy seats by a roaring fireplace, and the barn-like feel. Not to mention, it is being considered the Australian hub of Los Angeles and an occasional appearance by Robert Pattison and Ryan Kwanten from True Blood doesn’t hurt either. Now that they’re serving brunch on the weekends, I’m tempted to stay the entire day.
Photo credit: usresident.com
The food: The place offers French-California cuisine, which is basically glorified comfort food. I have yet to try their brunch menu, but items include banana bread with lemon and clove mascarpone and honey ($9), roasted Portobello with burrata, vincotto, thyme and sourdough toast ($11). At night they have a killer mac’ and cheese ($8) and savory pot-roasted mussels with lemon, chili, parsley and aioli ($12).
The drinks: If you’re in the mood for a splurge though, treat yourself to a cocktail but try and limit yourself to one. At $12, yes, it’s steep, but the drinks are like liquid gold. They have their signature drinks but the bartenders can bring to life drinks so good beyond what you can even imagine. Just give them a couple of key words, your spirit of choice and a few of your favorite drinks and soon you’ll hate me because you won’t be able to drink anything else.
The experience: Despite the fact that it usually fills up at night (even on weekdays), under the dim lights, with some good company, all the noises become a pleasant background hum. You get the feeling that you’ve been transported to simpler times, away from city lights. Everything, save for what you see around you, seems to dissolve and for a few brief hours, nothing matters. With the refreshing cocktails, the smell of delicious food, and the good music, all hinted at by the warm feeling you get when you walk in, the Eveleigh engages and indulges all of the senses.
Eveleigh, 8752 W. Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069