Thursday, March 15, 2007

Guest post: Going head to head with S. Irene at Bar Marmont

"I would never send EatingLA to the Sunset Strip, knowing your aversion to heinous valet charges, restaurants with doormen and secret passwords and overpriced drinks," says Kathy, "but you may want to consider a visit to Bar Marmont."
She continues,"There's a new chef and menu; chef Carolynn Spence was hand-selected by the Chateau and Bar's owner Andre Balazs -- she worked at Mario Batali's famed gastro-pub Spotted Pig in the West Village. She's got a sure hand in the kitchen. We had the perfectly cooked, tender double cut pork chop with bourbon braised peaches and corn fritters (hush puppies to me). Best barfood I've had in L.A. in a long time. Dessert was a standout: warm, salty pistachio crumble topped with pistachio gelato. I'd go back to try the duck pastrami and the afogato, walnut nocello ice cream drowned in espresso. $8 Stella Artois and $6 single shot espresso are more euro-priced than usual. Main courses are $20/desserts $11 -- food prices are fair considering the ample portions and the fact that the food actually tastes like someone who knew what she was doing cooked it. I asked for a menu and the host wanted to know if I was S. Irene Virbila, I said 'yes, of course.'" -- Kathy McDonald

5 comments:

Clare said...

I love it!

I haven't tried the Bar Marmont yet but I go to the Chateau often, and I hear she is working on changing the menu there as well. Looking forward to her new creations...

Ellen Bloom said...

Ha! That's so funny that they thought you were S. Irene! Many days, I wish YOU were reviewing for the L.A. Times!!!!

p.s. what's with the first comment?

Acme Instant Food said...

I've never visited there and this post might change my mind. Who doesn't like a good chop and fritter in a bar?

Pat Saperstein said...

Hi Ellen, Actually that was a guest post from my friend Kathy, but that's a very kind thought!

Anonymous said...

dont know when the chef changed, but i had the best fried calamari rings there!!!