Los Angeles' often missed attraction is its downtown. The City of Angels was just a few decades ago supposed to herald the "city of the future." And it has a mish-mash of architectural styles that only the forward-thinking could really appreciate.
And one of those century-old buildings with loads of character houses Cole's, "the originator of the French Dip." The French Dip is a roast beef sandwich on a French roll. Cole's has been around since 1908, but it's what lies behind the restaurant that's getting all the buzz.
You go anywhere trendy in LA and typically like cosmopolitan cities everywhere there are no signs. You have to be in-the-know. And being in-the-know is knowing to go at the back of the restaurant to a door with only the cocktail sign below - You've arrived at Varnish.
Varnish is a an intimate "speakeasy" bar with a specialty in "aromatic cocktails." Aromatic cocktails? Think old cocktail recipes from the 30s through 50s. For example, the Aviation Cocktail, a cocktail that was famous about 50 years ago. The Aviation Cocktail is made with Creme Yvette, a violet liqueur that was discontinued in the late 60s, but has been reintroduced. Violet-scented cocktails. Hmmmm. I love cocktails.
The best time to go is during the week, as on weekends Varnish gets crowded. Remember, it's LA. So, it's really crowded.
- Denise
Websites
Varnish Bar - www.thevarnishbar.com
Cole's Restaurant - www.colesfrenchdip.com
Cocktailia Blog - www.cocktailia.com
Bites and Bolts - covering good eats around LA - www.bitesandbolts.com
Architectural Tours LA - an amazing tour covering over 70 sites of downtown from Little Tokyo, China town, Disney Hall and more - www.architecturetoursla.com
LA Conservancy - Offers free tours of major LA neighborhoods and downtown - www.laconservancy.org
Photo Credits: Frank Gehry's Disney Hall
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