The Church Key, Hollywood
8730 Sunset Blvd · West Hollywood, CA 90069 · Neighborhood: West Hollywood
When I have out of town visitors who want to experience L.A. nightlife and see “Hollywood” I usually suggest we go to Sunset Blvd. I know better than to take my guests to tourist traps (see: Saddle Ranch or Cabo Cantina), both of which were once go-to spots when I first moved to Cali 9 years ago! These days, I let my tastebuds be my guide and prefer a night of classy eating and good drinking. Luckily, there plenty of spots for that on the Sunset Strip, and the freshly opened Church Key is soon to be a new favorite…
The Church Key in Hollywood opened up late October and I was lucky to receive an invitation to sample the menu and experience what this hip and sexy new night spot has to offer; electric energy, stiff drinks and an ever changing menu. It can be as casual or intimate as you want it to be.
My first reaction: “Gosh, this place is cool.” Followed by “ooh, so cozy,” and “heeey, hello handsome!” Good looking servers (some donning Pan Am flight attendant uniforms), push around retro fitted Delta Airlines serving carts and serve up American-style dim sum.
They hand you plates and stamp your card and you relax on comfy couches decorated with crocheted quilts as you cheers your friends by the fireplace. Beverage Director Devon Espinosa (Ink, Pour Vous) has the Negroni’s canned in-house and the boozy Otter Pops (a.k.a. Fla-Vor–Ice a.k.a. popsicles) are frozen with liquid nitrogen. Yep. It’s that kind of place.
Sound like a good time? It is, and the food isn’t too shaby either. What I sampled…
Can’t say no to popcorn. Especially seasoned with brown butter, salt and vinegar. Mmm!
These pig ear Cheetos are weird, but cool, and oddly, they DO taste like Cheetos! Definately worth trying at least once. And more than once if you LOVE Cheetos!
You could come here simply to drink some cocktails, grab a few items from the carts as they roll by and call it a night. Or you can go big and order entrees too. There’s also a really nice bar to hang around and pick up good looking loners. Drink up! and pucker up!
I loved the creaminess of this pasta. Hand-rolled and made to perfection.
This snapper is an insanely popular dish (for good reason) and is a specialty of chef Steven Fretz (Top Round, XIV) — a MUST get.
This was Grrrrreat! (And btw, after this, I’m probably drunk at this point of the night)
So many stamps! Like a badge of honor having taken down all those plates. Whoa! Job well done teammates!
These donuts are a MUST get. I was too full at this point to think clearly, so… when in doubt, we ordered two desserts.
So much attention to detail, The Church Key is such a fun place. Even the bill is sexy.
Come with a friend or 5… or perhaps come on a 3rd date, to you know, impress your partner… She’ll think you were trying to put the moves on her… and might actually enjoy some of those moves…
[Special note: Thank you to the Church Key for hosting our dinner. All opinions are my own.]