4/5 Chelsea P. 5 months ago on Google
Imagine
my
surprise
when,
looking
for
a
quick
vegetarian
meal
before
a
show
next
door
,
I
stumbled
into
this
bustling
swankfest
thinking
it
was
some
kind
of
fast
casual
restaurant
(blaming
generic
Silicon
Valley
boardroom
spawned
name).
The
first
giveaway
that
this
was
a
much
more
formal
scene
was
the
valet
up
front
and
the
patron
in
front
of
me
who
practically
threw
his
keys
at
the
equally
grumpy
valet
guy.
The
second
was
the
group
of
insta-baddies
that
walked
right
ahead
of
me
to
secure
what
was
probably
(
definitely)a
comped
meal.
Spotting
the
“LA’s
10
best
restaurants”
articles
behind
the
maitre
de’s
pedestal,
I’m
thinking
“Rats!
I’m
definitely
not
getting
in
here.”
“But
hey,
I’m
wearing
a
wool
coat
and
mules
for
god
sake!
I’ve
got
a
shot!”
I
convince
myself
while
I
wait
in
a
line
that
moves
with
surprising
speed.
“I
don’t
have
a
reservation,
but
can
I
squeeze
in
at
the
bar,”
I
ask,
wincing
hard,
my
feet
already
walking
towards
where
my
finger
is
pointing.
To
my
surprise,
front
of
the
house
waves
me
in
anyways.
Ok,
when
does
that
ever
work?
Nice.
After
managing
to
get
a
seat
at
the
bar,
I
ordered
the
squash,
fall
vegetables,
and
a
cappuccino.
No
later
than
I
uttered
the
last
syllable
of
my
order
did
my
plates
seem
to
appear
in
front
of
me,
accompanied
by
not
dull
and
dead
eyes
and
a
thrust
of
a
plate
in
my
face
as
I
expect
pretty
much
always,
but
a
playful
little
joke
and
“Enjoy!”
practically
yelped
out
of
the
waiter’s
mouth.
The
room
is
very
tasteful,
an
impressive
chandelier
fixture
above
the
bar,
luxurious
booths,
and
warm
yellow
lighting
were
among
what
I
noticed.
It
was
a
very
New
York
atmosphere,
complete
with
jazz
playing
(they
even
played
New
York
New
York,
which
I
found
a
little
funny).
The
squash
was
inspired,
with
a
pomegranate
and
pumpkin
seed
dressing
and
yogurt
to
balance
the
sweeter,
heavier
taste
of
the
squash.
The
fall
vegetables
were
well
made.
I
think
the
in-demand
courses
are
the
pasta
dishes
and
an
eggplant
dish
that
I
overheard
someone
say
was
over
ordered
and
not
coming
out
on
time,
which
I
dared
not
order
myself
being
on
a
time
crunch.
I
also
had
fun
watching
the
barmen
pour
martinis
and
muddle
…stuff…without
a
moment
to
break.
I’m
still
myself
surprised
at
how
incredibly
smooth
service
was,
how
charming
the
wait
staff
is,
how
unique
the
room
was,
not
to
mention
the
very
tasty
food.
It
is
so
nice
to
visit
a
restaurant
that
understands
the
finer
points
of
a
truly
pleasant
dining
experience.
(Also
very
nice
not
to
be
treated
like
a
space
alien
as
a
solo
diner)