BLVD
16 Restaurant and Lounge Gets a Fresh Start
When
in L.A., it'll be worth your while to head over to
BLVD 16 Restaurant and Lounge in Westwood,
which is ensconced in the trendy and sophisticated Palomar Hotel
on Wilshire Boulevard. Surrounded by a bevy of high-rise residences,
BLVD 16 exudes that friendly and familiar neighborhood gathering
place vibe that's duly complimented by an urban chic atmosphere
and uncompromised American California cuisine.
Recently
re-launched last February BLVD 16 is part of the Kimpton family
- a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven eateries throughout
the U.S. designed to provide intuitive and unscripted customer
care, stylish ambiance, and a certain playfulness in its hospitality
approach. This is achieved at BLVD 16, which offers a relaxed
and unrushed respite in a contemporary and artful setting. Here,
modern lines, warm wood accents, rich colors, soft lighting
and eclectic music converge, making the separate, uber-cool
bar and dining room spaces a feast for the senses.
For
those that just want a drink and a nibble, BLVD 16 boasts a
vibrant lounge and bar that feels like you are hanging out in
a friend's cozy living room - a really cool and classy friend
that is. There's everything from clubby, high-back leather chairs
to suede couches and plush sofas. Most notably, in the lounge,
is the shimmering and rather dramatic 25-foot bar, offering
plenty of room and repose for the weary corporate exec or the
energized group of friends ready to start their night off right.
It's an ideal place for getting away from the rat race, traffic,
and the office while catching up with friends or colleagues
- or that special someone for a romantic night out.
BLVD
16's specialty cocktail menu has it all - from the classics
and retro drinks to signature concoctions - that will ensure
you find the perfect blend to help you unwind and enjoy. My
choice - the Spring Fever ($14) - was a refreshing mixture of
Kettle One Vodka, St. Germaine, and sparkling wine with muddled
strawberries and kiwis served on the rocks. Also popular here
is the New Old Fashioned ($14), which contains Jameson Irish
Whiskey, Solerno blood orange liqueur, Luxardo Marischino liqueur
and a dash of bitters served up straight or on ice. Of course,
an impressive selection of wines by the bottle or glass and
bottled beers are also available.
Along
with the re-conceptualized and redesigned interior, new Executive
Chef Richard Hodge is now commanding the culinary helm. Chef
Hodge has revamped the menu into one that's seasonally driven
and often contingent on what he's found on trips to the local
farmer's market.
Complementing the drink menu at BLVD 16 is a special menu of
Bites, Share, and Small Plate items like Short Rib Sliders ($3
each) with Robbiola cheese and crispy onions, Artichoke Tart
($9), and Steak Tartare ($11). A crowd favorite is the Bourbon-Burger-Beer
($20) - a Rogue Dead Guy Ale, a pour of Bulliet Bourbon, and
an organic beef burger with bourbon onions, smoked tomato, jack
cheese and black pepper aioli served all together.
In
the dining room, Chef Hodge has ensured there's something for
everyone as the menu's main dishes are divided into key culinary
categories: Pasta, Sea, and Land. On the night of my visit,
I started with a taste of their Carlsbad Oysters ($3 each),
which were as supple and fresh as a sea breeze. Then, I moved
on to an equally fresh and flavorful Fish Taco ($4 each) comprised
of pickled Habanero, shredded cabbage, and crème fraiche
served on a corn tortilla. I also enjoyed the rich and amply
portioned Flat Bread ($7), bursting with squash blossoms, nettle
pesto, and silky Burrata cheese. The Carrot Soup ($9), pureed
to perfection and seasoned with a touch of coriander oil, rounded
out the stellar starters experience.
Next,
I sampled the Steak Salad ($16), which was an unbelievably large
portion of steak strips sautéed with sweet peppers and
mushrooms and tossed with baby spinach and hardboiled egg in
a robust warm tomato vinaigrette fitting of a steak dish. On
the lighter side, I also sampled the Roasted Beet Salad ($11)
- large chuck-sliced red and yellow beets dished up with upland
cress, Pt. Reyes blue cheese, and grapes tossed in a walnut
vinaigrette. Absolutely divine.
For
the main course, while the Mushroom Fettuccine ($13/$24) with
black truffle pasta and mushroom ragout in a herb broth and
topped with pecorino was hard to resist, I opted for the Duck
($24) - a grilled breast and confit leg with creamy polenta
and citrus. The duck, also generously portioned, was moist and
flavorful, and the confit preparation was on point. Another
in my party ordered the Scottish Salmon ($24) served with gorgeous
dark lentils and seared cauliflower in a tomato bread sauce.
As expected, the salmon was moist, fresh, and flaky, and the
recipe on the whole was well-strategized with complimentary
tastes and textures. On the side, I enjoyed the deep green Blue
Lake Green Beans ($7), nearly al dente and served with caramelized
shallots. The Mac n Cheese ($14), with a combination of manchego,
smoked cheddar, and jack cheeses served with bacon bread crumbs,
would be especially satisfying and was also in my sights for
a return visit up ahead.
Dessert
at BLVD 16 also did not disappoint. Amid a scintillating selection
that included cheese boards, Galette, Semifreddo, Caramelized
Banana Tarts and a Meyer Lemon Crème Brulee, I went with
the Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate ($8) - a sinful chocolate
cake with chocolate budino and chocolate ganache that would
make the most hardened pastry chef proud. A dramatic end to
an overall wonderful dining experience.
In
all, BLVD 16 has infused some fresh energy in the Westside scene
and will surely do its part to draw locals and travelers alike
to partake in its special brand of food, frivolity, and fine
customer service.
While
I enjoyed the dinner experience, BLVD 16 also serves breakfast
and lunch. The restaurant is located lobby-level inside the
Hotel Palomar Los Angeles-Westwood, which is located at 10740
Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Check them out online
at www.blvd16.com.
BLVD
16 Restaurant
10740 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310 474-7765
http://
www.blvd16.com
By Merilee Kern, 'The Luxe List' Executive Editor
"The
Luxe List" Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury
marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary
events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted
at www.LuxeListReviews.com.
Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor
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***Some
or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or
service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate
this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of
Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***