Neighborhood: West Hollywood
If you’ve been to The Belmont Café on a weekend night, you’ve seen what it is capable of becoming: a long line wrapped around the sidewalk, beautiful Hollywood girls dressed to the nines, and the men that will follow them anywhere. The music gets loud, the crowd gets drunk, and the bouncer gets slightly strict – I was denied entry once for donning flip-flops.
That’s fine – I prefer The Belmont during its more casual time – the daily happy hour from 4pm to 7pm. Here, the doorman is absent, the perky hostess is happy to seat you, and flip-flops are the attire du jour. The entire drink menu is served at half price. The real deal though is the appetizers, normally priced between $11 - $15.00, also given the half off treatment. This is no stale chips and canned salsa joint. The chef is working hard on these apps – sushi-grade ahi tuna chopped and mixed with diced avocado, served with delicately crunchy wonton chips. Beef filet skewers cooked to tender perfection, just right for dipping in the accompanying peanut sauce. Hungry for something heartier then hors d’oeuvres? Order up the beer battered fish and chips – it’s truly a complete dinner. Nothing here has ever disappointed – and a constant crowd pleaser is the mac n’ cheese – that’s blue cheese they are using, as well as scrumptious smoked applewood bacon. It’s heavenly… and even for a starter, heavy. Split this one with a friend.
This happy hour is so good, I fear the secret is getting out. Lately, I’ve found the hostess asking if I had reservations for the porch. The deck is fun – breezy, shaded, and an ideal people watching position over La Cienega’s smoking hot restaurant row (Spanish Kitchen, Area, Republic) The drawback for some? Smoking is permitted, and a good portion of the crowd is lighting up. If smelling second hand isn’t your thing, make sure to grab a table inside.
The service is adequate if somewhat short - I’ve found the young, attractive waiters usually have a look on their face like they’d rather be drinking with you then serving you. The crowd is undeniably trendy – I’ve mistaken 3 women for Jessica Simpson, if that paints a picture for you.
Still – it all comes back to the food and drink. My friends and I shared a variety of appetizers and drank our fill of frosty draft beer while the sun set on our weekend. At about 7.00 for each dish, and 3.00 per drink – we left full and buzzed and, with paying so little, quite happy. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Cost: 2 beers, 2 appetizers = About $21.00 before tip
Link: http://thebelmontcafe.com
Note: The only appetizer not discounted at happy hour are the crab legs.
More deals outside of happy hour – arrive before 10am, and breakfast is $6.00 or less. The make your own Bloody Mary bar on weekends is a fun compliment to your omelet.
Wow, thanks for the details. I can say you really enjoyed there!
Luke
Posted by: private jet charter | March 24, 2010 at 06:29 AM