BOGIES BAR & LOUNGE
WESTLAKE VILLAGE’S PARTY HEADQUARTERS
OFFERS DELECTABLE DINING & DECADENT DIVERSION

In case you’re not familiar with Westlake Village, it’s approximately 40 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles and if you’re in search of a good, satisfying meal and a party atmosphere head out to Bogies Bar & Lounge and make a night or weekend out of it.

Located within the impressive Westlake Village Inn property, with its 17 beautifully landscaped acres and adjacent golf course, the resort is a popular wedding location and Bogies, the classy little joint perfect for dining, drinks and delight, is at the center of the good time. The restaurant/club is available for private events offering private cabanas available for reservations and promotional events.

Featuring the latest in libations and cuisine, we found the place packed on a recent Friday night where a cover band was tearing it up in the packed main room. With the reputation of being a “cougar” bar, the clientele slanted slightly older and professional on Fridays and apparently younger and more casual on Saturday nights when DJs spin all night.

But lets get to the food and cocktails already. Our first round was a simple and stiff standby of Jameson on the rocks while we wandered around the spacious venue. The cabanas are impressive and offer a fine view of the property’s lake and the roomy and sophisticated spaces available for private parties are astounding.

Seated at our table next to the elegant fireplace it was time to give the Bogi-jito (10-cane rum, fresh lime, simple syrup, mint leaves, club soda, and a sidecar shot of Zacapa 23-year-old rum) a try. This is a great take on the mojito and is a definite selection to start any evening’s festivities.

Our first course consisted of the Mediterraneo Clam Chowder (stewed clams in a spicy tomato broth with potatoes, celery, carrots, onions and fennel seasoned with herbs de provence) that was hearty and not clammy. Even though I’m more of a Boston Clam Chowder guy than a Manhattan Chowder person, this was delicious, and the best tomato-based chowder I’ve had.

Next came the Spicy Seared Ahi Tuna (seared sashimi grade Ahi tuna served with a mango and avocado salsa and marinated baby vine ripe tomatoes) that is actually prepared as a light and tasty salad.

Opting for the Mediterranean Flat Bread (thin flat bread topped with a salad of Prosciutto, salami, marinated tomatoes, peppers, olives, caper berries, Arugula, feta cheese and balsamic syrup) was one of the best decisions ever! Intimidating in size, just embrace it, as this is a must-have item. It’s absolutely delicious and perfect for sharing or great as a single entrée, but be forewarned it is big.

A house specialty, we ordered the Mac N’ Cheese N’ Sausage (baked macaroni in four cheese sauce and bread crumbs, served with grilled Polish sausage and grilled onions) and found ourselves in culinary Nirvana. A great and fresh take on a comfort food staple, the Mac N’ Cheese was already a winner thanks to its savory creamy taste alone, but add the tasty sausage and grilled onions (a wonderful dish on its own) and you have a hearty and wonderful new creation.

For our entrée we went with the delightful Miso Glazed Salmon (salmon filet roasted with a Miso glaze and served with Horseradish mashed potatoes and broccoli). The salmon was light and tasty and the mashed potatoes were just out of this world.

In need of another cocktail it was time to give the Breakfast Martini (Tanqueray Gin or Belvedere Orange Marmalade, lemon juice, simple syrup) a try. Strong and satisfying, it was just the way a $12 specialty cocktail needs to be.

And since we couldn’t leave without dessert, we opted for the Flourless Chocolate Cake that proved good without the guilt, and the decadent Brownie Ice Cream Sundae…now that’s a delicious dessert.

Prudence would have called for us to hit the dance floor to burn off some of the calories we had just consumed but we were too full for that. If only you could shed calories by osmosis we would have been in tip-top shape by Last Call thanks to the packed main room of over zealous revelers. Good times!

Bogies offers a first rate Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 5-7PM offering 50% off its menu (excluding entrees), including the wonderful Mediterranean Flat Bread for under $7. You can’t beat that! Happy Hour also features $6 well drinks, $6 house wine, $3 bud light draft, and nightly specials.

Although it is a bit of a drive for anyone in L.A. proper, Bogies is ideal if you want to skip out of work and hit up a knockout Happy Hour or escape the usual scene and party in the Burbs. But you should really consider making a night or weekend out of it and stay at the swanky Westlake Village Inn that does offer some pretty impressive deals.

Bogies is located at 32001 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361. Call 818-889-2394. Hours: Monday - Thursday 5pm to 11pm; Friday 5pm to 1:30am ($5 cover from 7:30-9pm, $10 from 9-12:30am); Saturday 8pm to 1:30am ($5 cover from 8-9pm $10 from 9-12:30am). Free private parking lot.