Rush to This Happy Hour

Posted by Charli

on July 3, 2009

BLVD 16 Bar

I’ve been a fan of the earth-friendly Kimpton Hotels chain ever since I stayed at the glorious Hotel Triton in San Francisco, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to learn of yet another considerate effort on their part in Los Angeles: BLVD 16‘s Rush Hour Happy Hour at Hotel Palomar in Westwood!

Fighting L.A. rush hour traffic to get anywhere is no picnic, but the dimly lit BLVD 16 and its Farmer’s Market-fresh menu will soothe your frazzled nerves right away. A perfect before-dinner excuse to munch with friends, co-workers and out-of-towners, BLVD 16 has a lot to offer, all in the $3-$6 price range.

The new American lounge menu is not spared any of the restaurant’s extravagant detail, from its Grilled Flatbread of the Day to its Roof-Top Herb Fries (served with balsamic espresso ketchup!). Seasonal menu changes mean you may see something unexpected, like spiced pickles, a colorful beet salad or an adventurous asparagus grits topped with poached egg (pictured), all of which have suggested 1/2-glass wine pairings on the menu.

And despite the restaurant’s abstract diner-esque exterior (and gorgeous, sleek interior), careful inspection will show that designer Cheryl Rowley put a lot of thought into reflecting its heart and soul; earth tones and golden hardware match the country-inspired new American fusion cuisine while abstract photography tells the story of the 16-mile-long Wilshire Boulevard, from its past as a barley field to its present as a dynamic city street.

Perhaps most impressive are the restaurant’s green efforts: Ask Executive Chef and Wisconsin transplant Simon Dolinky about his experimental hydroponic garden upstairs and you might get a dissertation on how to grow your own tomatoes, jalapeños and herbs – just a few of the ingredients that he’d like to have come solely from his urban crop. (Personally, I love a passionate chef, especially one who used to shuck peas with his mom.) You can appreciate his gardening in dishes like the raw tuna “Rolls” and cocktails that feature herbs like mint and basil.

Happy Hour starts daily at 4 p.m. and lingers ’til 7 p.m.

P.S.: Need to start the holiday weekend early? Head to their 4-day “Red, White and Blue” celebration, now through July 5. With purchase of a cocktail, they are offering a Happy Hour “4×4″ bar menu (that’s $16 for four dishes at $4 each) with selections such as All-Natural Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions and Cheddar Cheese and Crunchy Grit Fries with Spicy Creole Mustard. You can also stay for a $35/person three-course dinner (offered ’til July 15) featuring Ahi Tuna and Watermelon Poke with Radishes and Avocado, White Corn Raviolis with Shiitake Mushrooms and Maine Lobster Ragout, Blueberry Shortcake with Ginger, Lemon, and Cassis, and more.

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