We are SO excited. Been looking forward to this for sometime! I will let you know where we end up for dinner and how the show is!!

"If I were a rich man... yadddaaa yaddaaa... " :-D

Oh, starrs I am so clueless.....what is an FF? Thank you for indulging my ignorance. :)

BTW, Charcoal looks fabulous! We will go next time we are in LA (which is often) but will probably have to do it w/o our vegetarians-- DS and his fiancee. Looks like a definite carnivore venue!

News directly from West Hollywood! (DS lives there, on phone w/him right now.....) Charcoal closed about 4 mos ago! Replaced by a gastro-pub called Boho. He has eaten at the new place which he reports to be good.

Darn! Sorry, MomDD - I didn't know :-( IMO, it's a shame.

socialworker, in my trip report I referred to my FF = Fabulous Friend! :-)

Thanks, starrs, I guess I missed the reference and/or forgot, b/c I did read your wonderful trip report! :)

Starrs that is funny! No wonder I could not find it yesterday hahahhah! Socialworker thank you :).

We were going to either eat at Volcano or Katsuya - we got up there pretty early - dropping our dd off at camp for a week and hitting the road around 3:00 or so. We arrived around 5 pm (traffic) and walked along Hollywood Blvd - we decided to have a drink prior to eating. We looked at Musso Franks which was closed on Sunday/Monday for the record - and Lucky Devils - Lucky Devils just did not lure us in - we went into a place called Essex Public House. It is a fairly small place...new place (we learned it has only been open about a month) http://www.essexhollywood.com/

They have a GREAT beer menu on tab - and dh tried several - and ended up with one he loved called Arrogant Bastard Ale (I kid not) from a small brewery in San Marcos/Escondid Ca. He loved it.

We enjoyed the atmosphere so much as well as the service we opted to dine there - small menu but very good food. I had the seared Ahi which was good - not amazing but good - and dh had the shepards pie which he LOVED and raved about.

The best thing was the service - very friendly, hip, cool people that really did a great job. Everyone from the hostess to the bartenders to the waitstaff.

We headed down to the Pantages (this is well within walking distance) and the buzz was that Topol was sick and we could get our tickets exchanged for another night. Dh said "who is Topol" :)

Lawerence Fishburne was also there with who I assume was his lovely wife. They did end up walking out so I wonder if they wanted to see Topol on his farwell tour.

The Pantages is old theater glam always a treat just to be in the building.

Watching Fiddler on the Roof for the first time on stage brought up many emotions for me as my Great Grandmother arrived from the Ukraine in the late 1800's from Berdichev. I was touched deeply by the story on many levels. I admit I left a little sad...

Thank you all for your recommendations. I do hope if you have the chance to stop by Public House Essex you will.

All the best,
Dawn

Glad you had a nice time! DH loves Arrogant Bastard!

Deb

Thank you Deb! I am going to try to find it for dh in a 6 pack. He really enjoyed it :)

Mom-Glad you enjoyed Fiddler. I love that show. Nice to know about other restaurants close to The Pantages.

I think most Bev Mo Stores carry Arrogant Bastard. I live fairly close to Stone Brewing Company in Escondido. I honestly didn't know it was there because it's very hidden. The place is huge. There's the brewery and then the restaurant and the outdoor patio and garden area which is beautiful. I've only eaten there once but the food was good. I love the restaurant as the whole wall is windows that go up and down depending on the weather. It would be a great place for a Fodor's GTG. maybe you could get your DH to come!! It's probably about an hour drive from your area. Here's a link to some pictures.
http://www.thebrewsite.com/2007/04/0...ng-company.php