Amidst the
bar-saturated
stretch of
Sunset Boulevard
in Echo Park,
just off the
strip, you will
find a nice
little surprise
in
Allston Yacht
Club.
Occupying the
old “15” space,
this restaurant
is
unpretentiously
chic, the yellow
splashed walls
create a homey
atmosphere, and
all in all, it
is a very fine
and much needed
culinary
addition to this
eclectic
neighborhood.
Allston Yacht
Club, named
after the Boston
neighborhood
that owner’s
Charles Kelly
and Bill DiDonna
once called
home, brings you
an extensive
selection of
small plates
from around the
world – the only
rhyme or reason
to the menu
being it is
something they
like to eat.
AYC’s menu is
divided into
three
categories:
snacks, sides,
and plates with
the price points
of $4, $6, $7 &
$8, with nothing
over $9. With
prices so
reasonable, you
can also enjoy a
good glass of
wine to
accompany the
delicious food,
and that is one
of the
philosophies of
AYC. As for how
to spend your
time here, it is
easy to while
away two or
three hours
sampling
everything or
you can come in
and be out in 20
minutes – linger
and lounge, or
dine and dash.
A good starter
would be the
tangy barbecue
duck confit or
any variety of
seasoned,
skewered meats.
Every restaurant
needs their own
version of a
classic grilled
cheese; AYC
fills theirs
with Manchego
cheese and baked
apples. Other
house
specialties
include the
fried calamari
with a nuoc cham
dipping sauce,
the cedar
planked salmon,
and the Merguez
sausage. Besides
beer and fine
wine, AYC offers
specialty house
cocktails such
as the
Ultraviolet
Martini (gin,
vermouth, lemon
and violet
syrup) and Hub
of the Universe
(gin, vodka,
Campari, sour
cherry, guava
and lime).
The service is
fun, friendly,
and familiar;
the food and
drink tasty and
affordable.
Allston Yacht
Club is about
comfort and
conversation, a
small-town feel
within an urban
landscape.
Although I still
don’t get the
name.
~ Shadi Bailey
Where:
Allston Yacht Club, 1320
Echo Park Ave., Echo Park
When:
Tue-Thu 5:30pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11:30pm;
Sun 5:30pm-10pm
