Santa Monica hotspot The Georgian Room is a uncommon, well-done steakhouse speakeasy

In Los Angeles, the town of perpetual youth, locations with real historical past are price clinging on to – a sentiment felt all of the extra within the wake of the latest wildfires. The Georgian Room, an intimate, subtle steakhouse tucked away beneath Santa Monica lodge icon The Georgian is one such uncommon gem. If it looks like a discreet speakeasy that’s as a result of it actually was one as soon as upon a time, first opening its doorways in 1933 proper on the tail finish of the prohibition period and changing into a favoured beachside hangout of mobster Bugsy Siegel and film stars Clark Gable and ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle alike. As we speak, due to a stunning renovation accomplished in 2023, it serves up each Hollywood Golden Age nostalgia and modern class.

Inside The Georgian Room

It’s arduous to overlook The Georgian. The towering turquoise Artwork Deco lodge – considered one of Wallpaper*’s LA favourites – has been generally known as Santa Monica’s first girl because it went up nearly a century in the past, changing into one of many very first skyscrapers on Ocean Boulevard. Slip round to the fitting and down a flight of stairs and also you’ll discover The Georgian Room hidden behind a set of doorways with distinctive mermaid-shaped handles.

Inside, the area has been meticulously restored by lodge house owners Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi of BLVD Hospitality, who enlisted Tom Parker of design agency Fettle and labored off dozens of classic pictures to deliver the room again to its former glory. On the fitting, a 1918 Steinway & Sons piano is constructed into the attractive Italian-Quartzite-topped bar. To the left as you enter wealthy crimson partitions and vibrant artwork, together with framed prints of The Georgian Room’s unique menus, present an eye catching backdrop to the row of racing inexperienced leather-based cubicles. The sound of twinkling jazz fills the air. The place is picture-perfect, though a no pictures coverage preserves the discreet atmosphere.

The drinks are playful twists on acquainted classics, just like the Writers Room model of an Outdated Common made with Zacapa XO rum, Cognac and Pedro Ximenez and served in a plump Cognac glass. The meals is Italian and universally glorious, which makes the ‘Go away It To The Chef’ possibility excellent for the indecisive and the adventurous alike. Ask the chef to serve up a bespoke household type meal and 4 programs will arrive in flip. The classics – Caesar salad, caprese, agnolotti, dry aged New York strip steak with peppercorn sauce – are executed very nicely. The remaining – Crudo Hamachi, Grilled Blue Prawns with Calabrian chili, sea bass with romesco sauce – is even higher.

The Georgian Room is the kind of setting that makes for these magical, romantic Los Angeles nights you would like may by no means finish. Little marvel Dick Van Dyke has been identified to affix the jazz musicians for an impromptu efficiency. It’s unique – solely 65 individuals are allowed in at anybody time – with out ever feeling pretentious. A spot to soak within the historical past, then make just a little of your personal.