O Me, O My: O-Bar It Is

Friday nights are always prime for celebration, and a friend and I did just that this past weekend. We wanted something casual yet lively, chill yet sexy. A couple of ideas rolled off our tongues, but upon mentioning O-Bar in West Hollywood, the decision was made. This was my second time going there, and I can genuinely say that I love it to death! Find out more about the night after the jump…

We walked in without a reservation, and I guess because we’re so fabulous (and we were only a party of two), we were able to get a table immediately. There was a loud, expansive party of old UCLA alumni crowding the shimmering bar, and the hostess literally had to scoot them to the side so we could slide into our mini booth. It wasn’t the best seat in the house, but we definitely had a nice view of the deep chocolate and turquoise dining area with comfy throw pillows lining the wall seating. With ample in and outdoor seating in addition to the bar, the restaurant can get very crowded. There are canopied tables for groups that want semi-private dining, and during the summer I suggest sitting on the patio that faces busy Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s perfect for sipping mojitos and people watching!

The focus of the night for us was not food but drink. And drink we did. Several glasses of wine and martinis that is. O-Bar’s drink menu is rather extensive, ranging from your ordinary cabernet to their Velvet Fist cocktail (don’t ask me why it’s called that) and the ever popular varieties of mojitos! A motto on the restaurant’s website says ‘Beber Y gosar’, and they provide plenty of opportunity for one to drink and enjoy. Never ones to drink irresponsibly, we definitely had a small meal to tide us over!

Unfortunately, O-Bar’s food choices are not as varied as the beverages. And it’s also pricey. We both enjoyed a salad–the ahi tuna salad for me and the duck confit and chicory salad. Both were good. Presentation is always key, and my ahi was served up slightly seared on bed of dark, leafy greens. The dressing was light and fresh, and there was soy sauce to dip my wontons splayed out on a small ahi tuna pâté of sorts. All in all, it was very good, but for the size of my meal, I wouldn’t consider it worth $15.

My first time at O-Bar was a bit more food-oriented. Two of us ordered the same thing–the buttermilk fried chicken with collard greens and a sweet potato waffle. This was definitely not your grandmother’s fried chicken, but it had a good, spicy flavor, and the rosemary flavored syrup was an interesting combination with the waffle. Another friend chose the meatballs with mashed potatoes. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy everything, despite his initial trepidation to try meatballs rolled with rice and topped with tomato sauce. The final taste-tester sampled the filet mignon. One would think that for $29, they’d get more than a cut of meat literally the size of a deck of cards. I realize that the National Portion Control Committee has approved a standard serving size for all meats, but I also believe those servings should be priced accordingly.

The best thing about O-Bar is that the restaurant has all of these crazy ’special events’. Just recently there was the Anti-Valentine’s Day bash with drink deals and a select menu, and this past Sunday, the restaurant hosted an Oscars viewing party. Different holidays like Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, Halloween and New Year’s Eve all merit a special menu and good times as well. This is in ADDITION TO their nightly late night Sugar Rush where you get to pick and choose from their decadently sinful list of sweet treets, the Tuesday half-priced drinks during Happy Hour from 6:00-8:00 pm or the weekly Tickle Me Wednesday prix fixe champagne dinner. My personal favorite is Smack Thursdays. Every hour on the hour starting at 11:15, bumrush the bar for 5 minutes of free cocktails! Use those muscles you’ve been working on at Ballys to beat off your fellow lushes! These are just a few ways to experience the spot without breaking your bank.

For a very cute, low-scale posh evening, visit O-Bar in WeHo. There’s always a little something for everyone.

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