Dinner – RDEN – November 6, 2023 – Hollywood, CA.

This is the most elegant dining you will find in Hollywood. It’s located right across the street from The Hollywood Pantages Theater, so it’s just the perfect place for a before or after show meal. You can also make it your destination spot for glamorous reinvented Hollywood. The food will make you realize that delicious, well thought out food is still out there. It’s a must try for Angelino’s and anyone in Southern California, it is just that good!

What was previously Wood and Vine, got completely revamped and is such a delightful experience. Wally Moran was the manager at Wood and Vine, and lucky us, he has now resumed his post at RDEN. He always makes me feel so at home. I did many reviews of Wood and Vine, and Wally would host me for reviews near my mom’s Birthday, so we always made it a celebration of her and delicious food. There is so much history here for me, having also worked at the Taft Building off and on for 12 years in music publicity for The Courtney Barnes Group. I certainly have had a colorful life, but so many things lead me back to this very historic building. I came to their grand opening and was so happy to see Wally back in action. Wally at the helm really makes for a glorious experience.

Here’s What I Tried:
Specialty Cocktails:

Beautiful GaRDEN with vodka, peach, apricot, sugar, and lime. Just a delightful drink with lots of sweet flavors, it went down super easy.

Florecita, with tequila, watermelon, and habanero, agave and lime. For the tequila lover, it is bold and bright, just the perfect drink.

Soup:

Mushroom Miso Soup, traditional mushroom miso soup with tofu, green onion, and seaweed. A new take on the Japanese staple. It just has a bold richer flavor.

Salad:

Caesar Salad, with [GF Avail] Romaine, croutons, parmesan, pepitas, jalapeno, and Caesar dressing. The pepitas add so much, and the dressing is amazing.

Entrees:

Seafood Pasta, with linguini, shrimp, mussels, baby scallops, calamari, Fresno chili, Thai basil, lemongrass, butter, and a white wine sauce. This is a super creamy pasta, with all of the bells and whistles that you would want from a very delicious seafood pasta.

Short Rib, with mashed potatoes, broccolini, and bordelaise sauce. The bordelaise sauce for me was the star of this show, however, it doesn’t hurt that the meat is super tender, a true winner.

Surf & Turf Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail, with mashed potatoes, and brussels sprouts. The filet is off the charts tender, and the lobster tail was super fresh and yummy. The brussels were sweet and caramelized, a really delicious way to prepare brussels sprouts.  A true go-to for me.

Sushi & Sashimi:

Sashimi Platter, such lovely fresh fish, you just can’t go wrong with any of the sushi and sashimi.

Baked Scallop, with snow crab and avocado topped with baked Hokkaido scallop, scallions, sesame seed, and eel sauce. I would have to order this roll every time. It’s totally something I truly adore.

Dessert:

Fruit Panna Cotta, a nice light refreshing way to end my incredible meal.

Wine:

Chalk Hill, Chardonnay, 2021 Sonoma, CA.  This very creamy, buttery wine went so well with the lobster tail.

Justin, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020, Paso Robles. Of course, pair this with the short rib and the filet mignon, it is otherworldly.

Hands down, everything was great. Each dish had its own flavors and did not overlap onto each other. This is great cuisine, at its best! I am just so impressed with all the attention to detail, and the amazing menu items, just terrific.

About RDEN:

Built in 1923, the Taft Building stands as a historic monument in Hollywood, located adjacent to the world-renowned Pantages Theater and the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. RDEN now occupies this historic space, breathing new life into its storied walls under the visionary leadership of Owner & CEO Gaspar Petrosyan and his dynamic team at Public Square LA Hospitality including top talent Director of Operations Wally Moran, Chef de Cuisine Noe Olivera, Executive Sushi & Omakase Chef Tommy Ko, and Bar Manager Carlos Giron.

RDEN offers an exquisite dining experience across its multiple spaces, including a glamorous upstairs dining room with panoramic views of Hollywood Blvd., a sleek omakase bar, and a stunning patio for alfresco dining under the stars. Whether for drinks with friends, pre-theatre dining, intimate gatherings, or special events, RDEN promises an exceptional experience for all who walk through its doors.

RDEN’s culinary journey is expertly guided by Chef de Cuisine Noe Olivera, a master of his craft. Olivera’s menu pays homage to classic steakhouse fare while infusing it with modern global twists. Appetizers like Spicy Hummus and Lavash Chips, Peruvian Ceviche, Mussels, and lush Charcuterie set the stage for a gastronomic adventure. But it’s Olivera’s Entrées that truly steal the spotlight, with Hollywood classics reimagined with a modern flair. Dishes such as Uni Pasta, Surf & Turf, and the 32 oz Wagyu Tomahawk tantalize taste buds and showcase Chef Noe’s culinary prowess. Sides like Lobster Tail with Butter, Mac & Cheese, and signature Brussels Sprouts complete the unforgettable dining experience.

To make RDEN even more exceptional, Executive Sushi & Omakase Chef Tommy Ko has brought his 23 years of sushi experience to the table. At the intimate six-seat Omakase Bar, Chef Tommy crafts unique, chef’s choice Omakase menus for adventurous guests. A full Sushi menu also delights patrons with traditional Rolls, Sashimi & Carpaccio, and Nigiri Sushi & Sashimi, ensuring there’s something for every sushi lover.

The interior is so elegant, with smooth jazz piped in for the backdrop, gorgeous crystal chandeliers and marble floor adorn the interiors. It is sleek but warm at the same time. You can tell that a lot of time, money and effort went into the remodeling, it all comes together and works.

RDEN is named after a street in Glendale, where owner Gaspar, and his son in-law live.

There is a huge buzz now about RDEN, the night I was there every table was taken. People are finding out about it from word of mouth. The beauty of this great establishment is that it is really old school. I really loved my server Alby Delgado, he made sure everything was just perfect. And owner Gaspar walks around and talks to every customer, like what restaurant owners used to do back in the 70’s. I remember going to a local Italian restaurant with my family and the owner would wear a sports jacket and come talk to every table, I just love that. I recommend you go on a night when there is not a show at The Hollywood Pantages Theater, so you can get the feel, taste their amazing food, and not be bothered by their very large turnout on show nights.

Kitchen Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 5pm – 11pm Friday & Saturday: 5pm – Midnight – Bar is open.

RDEN

6280 Hollywood Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90028

323-977-1680

  • Note: Some content was taken off of their website.
https://www.rdenla.com/

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