The Varnish. Located in the back of Cole's in the heart of Downtown LA, this bar serves meticulously concocted old-school cocktails. No appletinis here, thank god. The atmosphere is pulled from a Raymond Chandler novel and the gypsy jazz playing in the background kept me planted in my seat for hours. The cocktails helped too.
Chaya. The originators of tuna tartare have opened a new location in downtown. The space is modern and whimsical, with Asian influences corresponding to its fusion menu. If you need a location for a high powered lunch or to impress a date, this is a great bet.
The Reservoir. The food Chef Gloria Felix creates is exactly what I crave when I go out: fresh, delicious, and a little outside of the box. The star anise pot du creme was a particular favorite, but the panko crusted shrimp tacos looked insanely good as well. The space is chock full of Silverlake charm with unique touches (imbedded strips of light in a wooden ceiling, a gorgeous copper bar) and windows hugging the walls. It's intimate without feeling on top of the table next to you. This place is perfect for a glass of wine on a mellow night out with friends.
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