The team behind
A.O.C., Lucques,
and the Hungry
Cat have gotten
together and
started a new
project; they
call their
“little brother”
Tavern.
Located on San
Vicente’s
restaurant row
in Brentwood,
you may
recognize the
old Hamburger
Hamlet space
that
restaurateur
Caroline Styne
and Chef Suzanne
Goin revamped,
giving it high
ceilings and
large windows
looking out onto
the coral,
tree-lined
street. Although
the fading
restaurant chain
may be missed,
this American
Bistro will make
you forget all
about it.
Stop in for a
drink while
lounging in one
of Tavern’s
high-backed
chairs and
nibbling on
small plates
from the bar
menu such as the
seared albacore
with tapenade or
the marinated
olives. But it’s
the sun-drenched
dining room,
known as the
Atrium that
deserves the
attention.
Encased in glass
and dotted with
real olive trees
and chandeliers
hanging from
ropes, this room
will take your
breath away.
On the menu you
can expect wild
mushroom ragout,
grilled lamb
with white beans
and feta salsa,
and duck sausage
with pancetta
and kumquat
marmalade.
Currently they
are open for
dinner only but
soon Tavern will
be expanding to
both breakfast
and lunch. So
whether a drink
or for dinner,
be sure to check
out Tavern in
Brentwood and
see how this
“little brother”
stacks up next
to his older
siblings. Who
knows, sometimes
those kids can
really surprise
you – in a very
delicious way.
~ Shadi Bailey
Where:
Tavern, 11648 San Vicente
Blvd., Brentwood
When:
Open daily from 5 pm
Cost:
Starters, $12 to $16; main course, $22 to
$32; bar menu, $4 to $17
