OPENING OF THE BAR AT CLIFF’S

 

Before I left for my latest trip to New York in early May, I just had to make time to attend the opening of The Bar at Cliff’s, in Silverlake, no matter how behind in packing I was. And, even though I don’t imbibe, I’m so glad I went.

Shamefully, I just became of aware of this beautiful, most romantic restaurant in town, Cliff’s Edge, about a year ago, and made a mental note to visit it soon. But, as Mr. X eschews restaurants in general and I don’t want to be romantic with anyone else, (except Simon Baker or Hugh Jackman, and I don’t see either of those events happening soon,) I’ve been putting it off.

I understand that over the years, the owners noticed that all of their patrons opted to dine in the stunning garden, hence the interior was being wasted. So, with Silverlake’s recent ascendance to hipster status, the front room has been remodeled and turned into a destination bar. Great idea!

I don’t know what it looked like before, but now it’s very woodsy and inviting. It reminded me a little of Aspen, actually, where, trust me, I spent way too many in nights in bars. (Again, not drinking—just hanging with my friends. There’s really not much else to do in that town at night.)

A foodie pal and I went to the Bar at Cliff’s opening just to see what’s it was like, and we were pleasantly surprised by the food menu, many of the contents of which were served in very generous quantities that evening, with the owners and chefs even doing much of the serving!

During the early hours of the gathering, they passed trays of crostini, including one made-up of forest mushrooms, walnut pesto and white truffle oil and another of crusted warm goat cheese with sundried tomato jam. After awhile, they gave each table their own servings of perfectly-crisp fries with gorgonzola sauce, bowls of mussels, and, my favorite, their signature platters, one of cheese, the other of charcuterie, each wonderful.

Here’s what I hope is an entertaining story, of my weird culinary tastes, especially for those of you who were fans of my show, and can picture me telling it: I always ask just what exactly every food item placed in front of me, or on a buffet table, is, because I want no surprises in that category. But I was having such a great time at Cliff’s, that when I saw the cheese plate, with a small pitcher of a sticky substance that you spoon onto your plate, I just assumed it was honey, because many cheese platters I’ve had in the past come with it. So I poured a lot of it on my plate, then rolled a grape around in it, craving a sweet treat.

As soon as I popped the whole shebang in my mouth, I realized instantly that it was really truffle oil, my most hated substance on earth! The entire time I was trying to get it out of my mouth gracefully, I was thinking of just how very expensive it is and how thrilled with it the other patrons must be. But now it’s confirmed for me–I hate truffle oil. And I tasted it for the next three days. I say “ugh” to that situation, while every other guest there was probably screaming “YUM!!!”

My friend loved it all because she’s a very healthy and appreciative eater. I really enjoyed the charcuterie platter, the crowd, and especially the ambience! This was everything a bar should be. I can’t wait to go back with a group of people, though I’m sure that even singles will be comfortable there at all times.

Dana Hollister, one of the pleasant owners, invited me back to dine in the actual outdoor restaurant. I just hope that Mr. X will cooperate, and we can go there for a delightful summer dinner before it becomes too hot for me. If he won’t come to the Cliff’s with me, I may just have to push him off a real one!

The Bar at Cliff’s      Cliff’s Edge Restaurant    3626 Sunset Blvd.   Silverlake    323-666-6116    www.cliffsedgecafe.com