Continuing on his quest to own more bars in Hollywood than anyone else, here we have a sneak peek at the Mission Cantina, the new Mexican-themed spot from George Abou-Daoud. Located next to Delancey, the East Coast-inspired joint he opened in May, this one has its own feel (and door), with deep indigo blue walls, ornate dark wood bar and fixtures, stained glass lighting, funky Mexican paintings on the walls. And you can't miss the giant wrought-iron gates out front. It's almost like the Bowery (his first) in that it's a compact space and with a really good bar (decor, service, crowd) that aims to serve good food, too. Expect an extensive tequila list, special margaritas, many Mexican beers, sangrita, and things like barbacoa or carnitas tacos, three kinds of homemade mole, and the obligatory nachos and quesadilla on the menu. There's still talk of Abou-Daoud opening an Italian deli on this same corner, but he has a few more projects up his sleeve, too. The Mission Cantina opens Friday night, August 22.
· Plywood Report Hollywood Edition: Club Sushi, Mission [~ELA~]
· Eater Inside: Delancey [~ELA~]
2) Hollywood: We are so in a Hollywood groove today, let's keep this party rollin'. First up: Club Sushi, the ginormous space at the Arclight next to Charcoal. You can see what looks like a mile-long bar and some stairs leading, well, up, but it doesn't look like it will open any time soon. Remember this was the place that had "Coming Summer 2006" signage up well into 2007, and only recently took down the "Coming Summer 2007" signs. "Coming Summer 2009?" [PLYWOOD]
Here we have Delancey, Hollywood's new "Italian gastropub," a good bar that just happens to have food which happens to be of the pasta-pizza-eggplant parm variety. Since it opened last month, daily lunch has been added and--bonus!--lots of sidewalk seating. Similar to the Bowery down the street (also owned by George Abou-Doud), you can roll into Delancey for a well-poured cocktail (impressive spirits list), glass of Italian vino, or a flight of beer from the 20 taps, or sit for orcchiette with sausage, prosciutto and arugula pizza, fritto misto, zeppole. It's whatever you need it to be, and good service to boot. Set on a part of Sunset Boulevard with little like it around, the crowd ebbs and flows but keeps growing. That'll probably change when Abou-Daoud opens a wine bar, take-out Italian deli, and Mexican spot all on the same corner: It's sure to be a neighborhood anchor in no time. Further reading here.
Welcome to a new weekend feature, Week in Eater, where we divulge the best stories of the week that was. This is a special Sunday edition, but look for us on Saturdays from now on.
The Plywood finally came down from around the buildings on Sunset Boulevard and Tamarind Avenue revealing facades for Delancey, The Mission, an unnamed wine bar, and bonus, a take-out sandwich shop, all opening "soon." George Abou-Daoud, owner of The Bowery just a few blocks west, has been working on these concepts for awhile now, but Delancey should debut first. The exterior is glazed fire engine-red brick with great light fixtures and wrought-iron details. From a quick peek inside, it's nothing like the Taste of Thai that preceded it, now with pressed-tin ceilings, leather booths, a nice long bar, bistro chairs, dark wood floors, brick arches. Bowery staffers confirm it will be East Coast Italian-inspired. Around the Tamarind side, the green building with two small windows will be a sandwich shop, also Italian; and on Sunset, there's a middle door to a wine bar, and next to that, a door to The Mission, a Mexican restaurant (word is it will have a rooftop patio). If that's not enough Abou-Daoud for you, the owner previously told us he has even more ideas/locations in the works. Maybe another Bowery in LA? Stay tuned.
· Plywood Progress Report Hollywood: Beso, Delancey, More [~ELA~]
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