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I went to Gordon Ramsay at the London Hotel many years ago during DineLA but had not been back and then heard it closed over a year ago. I never heard if a new place opened but apparently Boxwood has been the restaurant at the London Hotel for over a year now. I recently went with a friend for a media dinner and was intrigued with what we would experience. For years the Sunset Strip was not a foodie destination but with restaurants like Eveleigh and The Churchkey, I anticipated that anything new would aspire to be on the same level. The restaurant is opulent with views overlooking the lights of the Sunset Strip, textured white walls and leather banquettes. Unfortunately, Boxwood does not live up to the quality of food that those other restaurants offer. The menu at Boxwood seems to have a little of everything, from sushi to pasta to chicken tikka masala to steak. Although there are Japanese, Indian, Italian, French and American dishes, the menu is not an international menu. The menu does not seem to have a purpose or direction. It seems more like a hotel restaurant that is trying to appeal to all but not necessarily pleasing anyone. We started with a few cocktails. I would define the quality of drink not only by its balance but by it being finished. Sadly none of the drinks at our table were finished. The Heir and the Spare (Peligrosso Cinnamon Tequila, Pimms, Ginger Beer, Orange Puree, Lemon Twist) is very hot and sweet and tastes like a cinnamon red hot candy. London Calling (Mezcal, St. Germain, Averna, Lemon Juice) has too much going on, from the smokiness of the mezcal, the sweetness of the St. Germain, the bitterness of the Averna and the citrus of the lemon juice. The Eye (Basil Haydens, Strawberry, Blueberry, Mint) is too light and the fruit adds sweetness but does not add depth or acidity. [gallery ids="13347,13334,13346"]
Although Harlowe Bar in West Hollywood opened in May 2014, now at the end of 2015 it is like a new bar. While the bar looks like a turn-of-the-century brasserie, the team running it is relatively new and in time for the winter season they have created a menu that represents the season, showcasing classic and original cocktails, fountain cocktails from an 1890s Iowa soda fountain and adult floats made with house-crafted sodas and ice creams. Harlowe Bar is a neighborhood joint. With a lunch counter, turn of the century soda fountain and medicine cabinet, it is "old school California fused with European cafe", as described by General Manager Billy Bob Thompson. Bar Manager Wes Gerald joined Harlowe only one month ago. But, after working at Little Fork under Brian Butler, he has a respect for the classics and understands how ingredients work together. His goal for the new cocktail list is to "create a list for people who just want a drink." Wes continued that "it's not about heavy drinks. A drink should be drinkable. Drinks should be fun." Bar Manager Wes Gerald and General Manager Billy Bob Thompson The cocktail list is rather robust with five sections and between two to five selections within each one.
Monday night may be the night you like to stay in. And, perhaps it is a good night for cooking at home as many restaurants are closed on Mondays. But, if you want to have that home-cooked meal and don't want to do the work, head to Smoke.Oil.Salt in West Hollywood. Smoke.Oil.Salt is an authentic Spanish restaurant and wine bar known for its traditional Catalan dishes (paella, fideua, wood-grilled fish and seafoods). But, on Monday nights, Chef Perfecto Rocher is preparing a traditional stew from Valencia, a region south of Catalan. At Smoke.Oil.Salt., Chef Rocher's Valencian Putxero is served on a “TV Dinner/School Cafeteria Tray” with the items in different sections. Traditional Valencian Putxero is a Spanish stew made with rice, lamb, beef, pork, pilotes (Valencian meatballs), chickpeas, potatoes and other vegetables. This stew may vary from household to household in Valencia but it always contains meat, vegetables and sometimes sausage with ingredients typical to the area where it is prepared. Valencian Putxero TV Tray
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