LA Dining

Samedi Soirée | A rendezvous at The Classic Cat

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Samedi Soiree

A rendezvous at The Classic Cat

A rendezvous at The Classic Cat

What began as a classic Covid Saturday night (read: boring) evolved into the very evening this old soul has been craving: celebrating the soft opening of The Classic Cat and chatting with with the masterminds behind what is surely to become one of the latest and greatest hot spots—no, not the pandemic kind of “hot spot,” the GOOD kind—in West Hollywood, if not LA in general.

Hidden behind an unassuming and deliberately unremarkable entrance on the gritty block shared with Sunset strip fixtures like The Viper Room, and Whiskey a Go-Go, what the Cat lacks in glamour on the outside, it makes up for in spades on the inside. Built for the in-crowd subset that’s a little too Ratpack for the typical in-crowd places, it’s slightly reminiscent of fellow WeHo nightspot Delilah—but if you’ve ever found yourself wishing for a similar vibe with a little more bottle service and a little less elbow-rubbing, you’ve come to the right place.

This new spot on the rock block, with its blend of florid Tropicana decor and lush Art Deco vibes—think classic velvet banquettes, palm fronds galore, and feather boa chandeliers—is a reimagining of the classic supper club of yore (aka the 1950s and 60s) once preferred by Hollywood royalty, where the brightest stars of Tinseltown collided with the Las Vegas jet-set and the underground elite alike.

As it stands with current Covid-era compliant restrictions, an imaginative menu of dinner and cocktails is served under a deceptively open-air ceiling, and a virtual deejay spins away on a screen until live music of varying genres will be allowed to entertain during the supper portion of the evenings.

In the post-Covid era, come 11:00 pm, club music will take over, as will as the bottle service crowd.

Just the kind of vibe you’d expect from a place bold enough to launch during the second wave of what will forever be known as the Corona era. 

The Classic Cat
8830 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
424-377-4078
Reservation Only
@theclassiccatla

La Glace | An ice cream trifecta of rose, lavender, and pistachio perfection.

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Le Re-brand | Ladurée Goes Green

The pièce de résistance of Ladurée is its traditional St. Honoré dessert (front) and signature pastel china.

The pièce de résistance of Ladurée is its traditional St. Honoré dessert (front) and signature pastel china.

Did you know that our beloved Ladurée has rebranded as a fully Vegan restaurant, with an entirely reimagined, plant-based menu? In participation with Vegan chef Matthew Kenney, both full-menu Los Angeles locations, including Beverly Hills and The Grove, have made the shift. (Note: A third kiosk location at The Americana at Brand in Glendale offers to-go beverages and pastries only)

While I absolutely respect and understand the need for dietary restrictions and fully support the informed personal decisions that come with choosing a Vegan lifestyle, as a fierce defender of the preservation of French culture, including its historical integrity and the deep-seated roots of French cuisine, I’m sorry to say that I’m not excited about eating a Croque Monsieur made with tofu instead of the traditional jambon and gruyère cheese.

Offering Vegan-friendly options or substitutions (some of which are already available in French locations, and will be rolled out to the nearly 80 worldwide destinations) is a wonderful way to accommodate alternative dietary choices, but a fully meat-less menu overhaul here in the States feels extreme.

The 158 year old pâtisserie, known especially for its gold-standard macarons and dreamy desserts served upon the brand’s signature pastel green, pink, and blue rimmed dishware, is a world renowned French institution and an unofficial cultural landmark.

What do you think of these changes?

Ladurée Beverly Hills
311 N. Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills

Ladurée The Grove
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles

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