We started Dinner Plan (“your three-step itinerary to a damn good time”) five years ago.
Our goal was to help readers plan a great night out — from dates to client dinners to drink-ups with friends — in a given L.A. neighborhood.
Yeoman’s work, but we’ve been happy to do it.
To commemorate the series, we decided to put together an eight-step guide to the biggest, baddest L.A. Dinner Plan ever conceived.
Happy hangovers.
The ultimate local kit, from bottom to top
Base layer: the ultra comfy Related Garments matching black and white undie-socks that they did in collaboration with Baja East. Shoes: deep-navy blue canvas Haywards by Clae, the best casual sneaker in the land. Jeans: sulfur-dyed black Japanese denim courtesy of Schaeffers Garment Hotel. They’re classy, textured and tough. Shirt: Japanese chambray by Blair Lucio at General Quarters. Soft and snazzy and fits perfectly. Jacket: a waxed canvas supply jacket from Rogue Territory.
First stop: Bibo Ergo Sum
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills doesn’t usually set off alarm bells for hot spots, but Bibo Ergo Sum is a new art deco spot with cocktails courtesy of the folks behind the Normandie Club and Walker Inn. The menu is divided into Pledge, Turn and Prestige, like that Christopher Nolan movie about magic, so the drinks all come with a little presentation. Good way to kick off the evening.
116 N. Robertson Blvd. (map) | Website
Next Stop: Ponte Ristorante
Beverly Grove
It’s best not to overeat on a night of heavy drinking, but it’s also good to line the stomach with braised duck agnolotti and octopus at The Ponte. The bar is manned by Ryan Wainwright, one of our favorite bartenders. His mezcal negroni packs a good, clean buzz.
8265 West Beverly Blvd. (map) | Website
Next Stop: House of Machines
DTLA
House of Machines is a South African transplant that just landed in the Arts District in DTLA. It’s a biker bar with craft oat sodas, good coffee and rockabilly bands. They transformed the warehouse into a prime spot for socializing with couches and nooks, yet it’s pretty open, and there’s a hidden speakeasy behind a green door, near where the band plays. Also, Bruce Kalman (Union, Knead Pasta) did the light bites.
2028 E. 7th St. (map) | Website
Next Stop: Lodge Room
Highland Park
It’s time to shake a tailfeather. Lodge Room has been bubbling beneath the surface as the next big music venue on the East Side, and in 2018 they’ll host the Allah-Las, YACHT and Conor Oberst on New Year’s Eve. It’s a small room with craft cocktails and lots of energy.
Last Call: Checker Hall
Highland Park
Checker Hall is the sister spot to Lodge Room, and sits right next door. Nosh on cheese puff pastries and lamb sausages and chase with a Mo Knows, a horchata vodka drink with coffee. Because despite last call, we’re not done yet.
Late Night: The Speek
Koreatown
It’s the holidays, so somebody is having a late night party, and for us, it’s at The Speek in Koreatown. The Speek is a special room at The Line Hotel decked out in mid-century fashion by the Houston Hospitality brothers. It’s for private parties, so there’s no curfew. You get your own fully stocked bar, and you’re far enough away from the guests to allow for a rager.
3515 Wilshire Blvd. (map) | Website
Late Night Meal: BCD Tofu House
Koreatown
Obviate that hangover with a big bowl of Korean soup. BCD Tofu House is a couple of doors down from the Speek and some spicy soon tofu with pork, kimchi (probiotic!) and an egg will blot out the hooch like Downy picks up spilt milk.
3575 Wilshire Blvd. (map) | Website
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