Hollywood definitely has it’s fair share of questionable reputations that may or may not have you visiting the area frequently. However, few people seem to know about all the changes and growth that have taken place in the area over the past few years. Well, the Central Hollywood Coalition, the non-profit board that manages the Sunset & Vine Business Improvement District, has an event coming up that aims to change people’s perception on the area.
On September 24th, from 6-10 p.m, the fourth annual Sunset & Dine will be taking place to celebrate some of the eclectic and innovative culinary concepts taking root near the famed intersection of Sunset and Vine – from chef-driven restaurants to well-known favorites. Guests will enjoy bites, beer and wine, as well as a live music concert curated by Amoeba Music and more! Last year’s event when so well, that you’re not going to want to miss it this time around.
“Sunset & Dine brings those who live, work and play in Hollywood together with local chefs, culinary professionals and musicians for a fun evening,” said Fabio Conti of Fabiolus Cucina. “The true entertainment capital of the world is transforming. There’s more than $1.8 billion in investment in the pipeline here. Special things are happening in Hollywood, and Sunset & Dine will give guests a taste of it.”
Find more details about the event and purchase tickets on their website.
SNEAK PEAK
This past Thursday night, I had the privilege of attending a media preview event getting familiar with the area and some of its restaurants. The only time I ever find myself in Hollywood is to either show LA- first-timers Hollywood Boulevard or to check out the music/club scene there. However, after exploring the area further, and checking out more of what it has to offer, I can honestly say that I will be making the trip there more often in the future. We stopped at three restaurants in particular to try them out; each of them will be present at Sunset & Dine.
Ciabatta Bar
We started at Ciabatta Bar located right next to the CNN building, and were warmly welcomed by the chef and all the staff. The restaurant is a casual sit down place with modern California Italian dining with a focus in food quality. Italian born Mauro Corbia founded the place and has a long history in the restaurant industry.
We were served two different types of sandwiches- the grilled chicken and soppressata. Both were fantastic, but I favored the soppressata. It was served on fresh ciabatta bread with spicy Italian salami, mozzarella, baby arugula, tomato, and their house dressing. I will definitely be back for the sandwich alone.
However, they weren’t done yet. They also brought out their drinks, showcasing their granita- a semi frozen dessert similar to a slushy. This was no 7/11 slushy though, the granita has natural flavoring and was all too refreshing. I tried a watermelon flavor that tasted as if I was actually sucking out the juice from an actual watermelon. We ended with their soft serve gelato, which had the same consistency as soft serve ice cream, but tasted way better. Make sure to stop by at the event and try it, especially if it’s hot out!
St. Felix
Next up was St. Felix, which was only a short walk away. The spot was a sophisticated bar/restaurant highlighted by excellent food & an excellent drink menu. The ambiance was trendy and fun, as we sat in the alley behind the place, which was filled with colored lights and trees. This may be the best place in Hollywood to come get a drink or two, as the drinks are superb, and so is the food. We started off with their Desperado, a cocktail with crushed red bell peppers, fresh mint and orange bitters, fresh pressed tangerine and lime juices, and then hand-shaken with the bartender’s choice of Milagros tequila.
What goes better with such an awesome drink than some delicious grub. We were then served a tray with three finger licking dishes: Saint Felix’s Infamous Sweet Potato Fries, Portobello Mushroom Risotto Croquettes, and their tacos. I was sold, I will definitely be there for happy hour next time I’m in the area. Even if it’s not happy hour, I’ll be there! It’s the perfect place to come relax and socialize with friends after a long day at work.
Farmer’s Belly
Farmer’s Belly may have been the last stop, but everything there was first-rate. While there are many good places to eat in the area, it may be difficult to find one that has such a focus on fresh and healthy eating. Farmer’s Belly serves organic, heirloom, and local fusion cuisine with a rotating menu and seasonal specials. It is such a cute spot, perfect for any occasion where you want to sit down and enjoy your meal. It also has a delicious breakfast menu if you’re looking for that early morning bite. They’ll come to you too, as they cater quite often!
Here, we were treated like kings, as they prepared a full-course menu for us. We began with the appetizers, which included a mini bleu cheese slider, mini chicken pesto panino, and mini farmer’s salad. I couldn’t pick a favorite here, as they were all so good. They were also the perfect size, as you can imagine how full I was getting from all the food I had eaten already!
The main dish was the Organic Mary’s Farm’s Rosemary Roasted Chicken. This divine dish was served with organic harvest grains and organic mixed farmers market veggies. The quality of the ingredients really enhanced the taste of the food, and you also felt great about what you were eating. The meal couldn’t have been any better, but they wanted to go out with a bang. That’s exactly what they did with their dessert, bringing out the mini sweets with a cafe gourmand beautifully displayed on a single plate. What better end to a great night could you hope for?
ABOUT THE SUNSET & VINE DISTRICT
The Sunset & Vine District is a seven-year property-based Business Improvement District (BID) that spans 15 blocks along the world-renowned Sunset Boulevard, from roughly Schrader Boulevard on the west to the 101 Freeway on the east. Renewed in 2012, the SVBID is composed of approximately 138 property owners who are assessed $1.4 million annually to pay for security, maintenance services and marketing to promote the revitalization of the area. Major landmarks in the District include the Cinerama Dome, Sunset & Vine Tower, Sunset Gower Studios, The Los Angeles Film School, and the former Tribune Studios. More information on the BID is available at www.onlyinhollywood.org.
