Korean BBQ has come to the westside! Located in Culver City, on Main Street next to The Wallace, Hanjip Korean BBQ is the result of partners Stephane Bombet (Terrine, Viviane) and Francois Renaud (Terrine) and Chef Chris Oh (Seoul Sausage).
Inside, the decor is modern and eye catching. The walls, as well as the ventilation systems above each table, are covered with black and white geometric lines.
Korean BBQ is meant to be shared with friends. While you can sit at a table for two or four people, the booths and round tables in the center are better for parties of six. With the amount of food you will probably eat, the bigger the group, the better!
As soon as we sat, we were served an array of banchan. Fish cakes, kim chi, potato salad, spicy cucumber and bean sprouts are some of the banchan. The standout was the crispy octopus banchan.
The newest restaurant addition to Beverly Hills is Viviane Restaurant, located in the Avalon Hotel on Olympic Boulevard at Beverly Drive.
The Avalon Hotel looks like a stylishly converted motel with all of the rooms overlooking the pool in the center. The decor of the hotel is mid-century with subtle colors and furniture with a 1950s and 1960s aesthetic. The bright blue from the pool is what glows throughout the space, whether you sit inside or outside. But, I suggest getting a seat outside by the pool. Whether at a table, or in a colorful cabana, it is peaceful, not too loud and, as it is Los Angeles, perfect to take advantage of being able to eat outside year round.
Viviane Restaurant is by restaurateur Stephane Bombet of Bombet Hospitality Group and Executive Chef Michael Hung, formerly of Faith and Flower in downtown LA. No more fighting the traffic to get to downtown LA to taste the food of Chef Hung!
Just before the holiday season started, Terrine LA opened its doors on Beverly Boulevard in the old Pane Vino space, a block from Jar Restaurant. And, just after the holidays, Terrine LA opened its doors for brunch. So, to start the new year off on a good foot, we headed to Terrine LA for brunch.
Terrine LA is a gorgeous space. The brasserie-style restaurant is a wide open space with bright natural light (in the daytime). The elegant copper and marble bar runs along one side of the room and a whitewashed brick wall runs along the other side. A large picture window behind the bar offers a view into the kitchen. And there is the romantic patio featuring a lovely old tree in the center. However, as it was one of those very rare cold days in LA, we opted to sit inside.