SADIE KITCHEN & LOUNGE
HOLLYWOOD’S LATEST LEADING LADY

For someone born and raised in Hollywood, I always find it refreshing, and sometimes a little bittersweet, to see “out with the old and in with the new” along the famed boulevard. So when Sadie Kitchen & Lounge debuted recently amidst the hustle and bustle at Las Palmas and Hollywood, I was excited to check out the new space.

With a hint of the Depression and all the glamour of the Forties, Sadie is a belle of a mixology bar and lounge; loaded with life. Walk into the front parlor and you’re immediately greeted with deep neutral tones, reclaimed brick and wood, and vintage light fixtures. Walk down the long hallway to the main dining lounge and that same vibe continues, until you spot the outdoor dining courtyard. Wow! Talk about dining with the stars.

Offering a beautiful setting for drinks, dinner and a wonderful night out, Sadie’s new American menu proudly sources local, sustainable and free range whenever possible. Consulting Chef Mark Gold has crafted a rustic and seasonal menu and Sadie's director of spirits, Giovanni Martinez has put together an impressive cocktail menu with a blend of artistic vision and unbridled skill.

During our recent visit, we began with two handcrafted cocktails. The White Monk with white pepper and cardamom-infused Dolin Blanc Vermouth, silver tequila and two dashes of Castilian bitters and Benedictine rinse is a smooth and refreshing drink. While the Kentucky Ninja made with Japanese Single Malt Whisky, bourbon whiskey, fresh lemon juice, lavender-infused wild honey shaken and served in a Peychaud’s bitters rinsed glass is sweet and a great choice for the ladies. Extremely tasty, at $13 a pop I did find these two drinks a bit small in size.

Kicking dinner off we started with the PEI Mussels, served with grilled bread, smoked almond, chorizo and butter glaze. This is a good sharable dish and offers a great comfort food feeling.

The Roasted Mushroom Flatbread with mushroom, soubise onion, bleu cheese and thyme is also perfect for sharing and is our pick for starter item. Hearty yet not too filling, it’s savory and really hits the spot.

We split the Duck Salad, which was offered as a special item this particular evening. The combination of tender and delicious duck slices under a light salad is a wonderful selection whenever available.

Looking at the cocktails at a nearby table we ordered the Maguey After Amaro, prepared with Reposado Tequila, agave syrup, fresh lime and Ramazzotti shaken and finished with Forbidden bitters. A sweet, almost dessert like cocktail, there was even a hint of a coffee taste. And if you’re looking for a good, stiff drink, go with the Penicillin, made with Chivas Regal, honey, lemon juice, ginger syrup and Islay Whiskey (Sam Ross, 2005). This is a great, “real” drink. And these two cocktails are served in bigger glasses.

Our main course consisted of the Pekin (not Peking) Duck Breast with crispy skin, glazed carrots and black rice. Paired with a nice glass of red wine, this is a fantastic choice loaded with taste that will send your taste buds into overdrive. Sadie’s take on "Linguini and Clams" with Udon noodles, littleneck clams, lemon and garlic is a filling meal. Do take into account that the noodles will not give you that Italian pasta taste you may desire. A nice glass of white wine will add to the fine taste of the fresh clams.

If you saved room for dessert the Homemade Donuts and Irish Coffee Cream is a must-have. There’s a reason why it’s the most popular decadent item on the menu. Other strong contenders among the Sweets are the Orchard Lime Tart, and the Chocolate Pudding. But definitely do share the donuts.

And if you like your desserts in liquid fashion, the Blueberry Hill, made with Beefeater Gin, fresh blueberries, tarragon, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice, was a great choice. That is until we tried the Bramble, prepared with Old Tom Gin, fresh lemon juice, crème de mure, and fresh blackberries (Dick Bradsell, 1980’s). This one is the hands-down winner. Donuts and a Bramble, boom, dessert doesn’t get any better.

Cheers to Sadie for her hospitality, ambiance and desire to satisfy.

Sadie is located at 1638 N Las Palmas Ave in Hollywood. Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 - 11 pm; Thursday thru Saturday from 6 pm - 2 am. Call 323-467-0200. Secured valet is available for $7.00 with restaurant validation, as is self-paring at the adjacent lot.

 

Photo Above - Alen Lin

Photos Courtesy Of - Sadie Kitchen & Lounge