Pinkies Up! @ Lola's Bar & Lounge

The moment when the sun sets about
moving slowly towards West Hollywood's
horizon, the sleepy stretch where North
Fairfax Ave meets Romaine Street comes
back to (night-)life. Cozily tucked away in
the shadows of luscious trees and neatly
trimmed sidewalk greenery is Lola's --
Hollywood's cocktail Mecca, where
Martini epicures find salvation in their
Promised Land of the Apple Martini --
which btw was invented right here. 

With dedication, perseverance and a
sharp foresight in the cocktail department
restaurateur Loren Dunsworth and her
crew of mixologists extraordinaire made
an overnight success with this supper bar
and lounge that was the first in Tinseltown
to list more then 40 Martinis. From its
opening in 1996 until today -- literally 17
billion Martinis later -- Lola's remains on
Hollywood's cocktail radar matchless.

Step into this coquet microcosm of
swimming-pool-size-Martinis and
succumb to the list of more than 70
sweetish tongue-tingling concoctions --
this is the stuff that boozy dreams are
made of! An open space pool table
area is where laid back scenesters
vie for a spot -- even rubbing elbows
with celebrities at times. Dating couples
while away their time in the thick of a 

sultry atmosphere while snacking on
delectable comfort food and snuggling
on plush couches in intimate nooks
hidden in the dark. A flirtatious crowd
of 30-Somethings swarms around black
wooden tables and over tasty appetizers
while making the main dining room
abuzz with the latest Hollywood buzz.
Patrons get close to the action at the
two bar areas where mixologists conjure
up their latest Martini creations --
shaking it up seven nights a week! First-
come first-serve is Lolas' bar policy.

Being the birthplace of flavored Martinis,
Lola's top mixologists have created a
wide array of diverse Martini creations
and flavors over the past years: From the
classic Dirty to the super-sweet Caramel
Apple to the daring Garlic Mashed Potato,
to the Cantalope, the the Strawberry Fields,
Pear, Chocolate- or Apple-flavored, Lime
Pie or Lemon Drop -- Lola's famous Martini
list leaves nothing to be desired. Do you
dig caffeine and alcohol together? There is
a vodka-enhanced frappuccino-inspired
drink included in their repertoire. Are you
a Cirque du Soleil fan? It's magic comes
right to you in a sugar rimmed glass
containing Saké, Vermouth, ginger and
edible glitter. Every alcoholic masterpiece
arrives beautifully garnished according to
flavor or theme.

Chef Reagan Moore Jr. dishes up a menu
that contains starters like: A spicy avocado
and crab tower with tomato marmalade and
red bell pepper coulis -- here your best bet
is the PMP Martini for a sublime dining
experience; Peppery greens, tangy shrimp,
smooth bleu cheese along with an orange
reduction with tarragon vinaigrette -- opt for
the Clockwork Orange Martini for perfect
indulgence. Or debauch in Lola's staple:
the beloved Mac and Cheese.
Entrées include: A Blue Moon-braised
shrimp and angel hair pasta tossed with
sun-dried tomatoes and tarragon pesto --
goes perfectly with Blue Moon White Ale
Draft. A flaky salmon and roasted root
vegetable medley join up a tomato confit
and white butter and basil sauce. Wash it
down with a What a Pear Martini! Grilled
tenderloin enriched with an ample gamut
of flavors like spinach, caramelized shallots,
drizzled with a blood orange demiglace
satisfies a carnivore's palate. Say cheers
with the Blood Orange Martini.

Happy Hour is from Monday through
Saturday 5:30 pm to 7 pm, and Sunday 4
pm to 7 pm. The kitchen dishes up food
until 2 am daily, but the lounge and bar
scene is abuzz until much later.

945 N Fairfax Avenue

West Hollywood

CA 9046