Anyone want to be that man in the far background wearing the black coat's Penny Lover?
Save for Mozza, it's been a while since I've been anywhere completely new. And I'm not going to blog about Zankou, the take-out I had from Thai Town the other night, or other places that have been written about ad nauseum by myself and others.
But we've been getting out there again. Lately I've eaten at La Cabañita, Ammo, and made return visits to the Hungry Cat at both dinner and lunchtime. James seems to like it there, and I'm very happy the barramundi has been added to the menu -- even if the cucumber martini needs to be put back on (hint, hint. Are cucumbers seasonal anyway?).
Big Night Out was reserved for a fun dinner with friends Georgia and Anthony at the Sunset Tower Bar. Here are a few thoughts on this swanky place, where it'd been about a year since my last visits.
Several small things have changed. Parking is now $8 and there's a new chef. Still, the menu isn't too far from where it started. The Tower Bar makes expensive standard French/Italian fare -- no surprises, nothing imaginative nor particularly interesting. The food is good, yet what comes out of the kitchen into the Deco-esque dining room is on the level of what you find at a less glamorous neighborhood restaurant, e.g. Blair's in Silver Lake.
Shrimp cocktail, pork loin, steak frites, and short ribs with baby carrots, mashed potatoes, and cipolline all taste like well-prepared versions should. The level of cooking and concept is just sophisticated enough to match the delightful atmosphere, which was hugely enhanced by a swinging piano/bass duo who played our requests ("Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "Ain't Misbehavin'") and an amusing array of celeb guests.
The Tower Bar staff, however, shouldn't bring a 2005 wine when the 2004 printed on the wine list is what a customer ordered and expected to get. And the apple pot pie dessert wasn't heated.
Despite these little issues, I can't think of a better place to leave the baby at home and let the grown-ups play cosmopolites for a night.
Nice pics-the shrimps look huge. I love, love the Hungry Cat, they have great seafood but they have the best burger ever. It's funny, I was thinking of going to the Sunset Tower Bar last night. I'll have to go to see Lionel Ritchie now!!
Posted by: Ahra | February 15, 2007 at 05:03 PM