Best of L.A.'s MacArthur Park
Picks by charlie-amter
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The swank, well-designed Royale brings new attitude into what once was one of Los Angeles' most nightlife-deprived areas. With Monday night weekly parties like "Eastside Mondays," hipsters no longer need to head into downtown or Hollywood to drink decent martinis or dance the night away. Located in front of the historic Wilshire Royale Hotel, Royale has been attracting an upscale urban crowd lately. For the hungry, well-heeled hordes there is also a chic restaurant that offers everything from a triple-digit kobe beef surf n' turf to fresh fish to creamy old-style mac n' cheese.
Royale straddles the fence between modern minimalism and 1920s glamour. The décor is heavy on sleek black slate, white Italian marble and hand-carved French oak, but chef Eric Ernest’s dinner menu is pure California fusion with entrees running the gamut from the filet mignon with “supergreen” spinach and miatakes to the original Royale burger with black truffle cheese and pomme frites.
The after-work crowd rocks out during Happy Hour Remixed (weekdays from 5-8 p.m.) with $4 well drinks, $5 martinis and a live DJ soundtrack. Added bonus: Round up 30 of your closest friends and grab the larger-than-life circular booth at the back of the lounge.
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