A Wholesome New Hotel Restaurant and Lounge Opens From ‘Top Chef’ Alum in WeHo

Despite a short life span, the 1 Hotel has already two had previous iterations, one as the James, and another as the Jeremy Hotel. But this last version seems the most fitting for the ultra-modern structure sitting on the edge of the Hollywood Hills with a prime Sunset Strip perch. The newly formed interior plays the part of a wholesome, nature-inspired lobby lounge and a new all-day restaurant from Top Chef alum Chris Crary opening today in West Hollywood.

The hangout area in front of the hotel’s front desk is called Juniper Tree, with ample seating, some work areas, and of course a requisite hotel bar. Employing ingredients from the hotel’s own organic garden, the bar takes a seasonal approach to syrups, juices, and more for a perfectly WeHo drinking vibe: laid back, not too boozy, and cheerful. The space is lined with a lot of reclaimed found woods from Southern California, teak furniture, and indoor plants, which goes nicely with Crary’s bar bites like a tuna tartare or beef carpaccio with articokes and crispy kale.

Inside at Crary’s 1 Kitchen restaurant (the name could’ve used a tad more imagination...and searchability), the menu takes on a familiar Cali-Italian vibe with pastas, salads, and hearty mains that should appeal to a wide swath of diners. The garden salad literally comes from the hotel’s 2,000 square foot garden at the foot of the building, which is a nice touch. Depending on the season, find tomatoes, a mixture of greens, goat feta, and honey lemon vinaigrette binding it together (there are literally eight salads on this menu because, WeHo).

A heady truffle risotto comes with buttery-thin vegetables while a hunk of lamb shank comes above farro and stone fruit. Everything is easy, breezy, and reasonably priced and tailor made for the neighborhood mix of tourists, recent transplants, and longtime locals. 1 Hotel’s other food & beverage options, H.wood’s Alice restaurant and rooftop bar Harriett’s, sit above 1 Kitchen and Juniper Tree.

1 Kitchen will serve breakfast through dinner, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Juniper Tree operating from 3 p.m. to midnight.

1 Kitchen and Juniper Tree. 8490 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA.

Wonho Frank Lee/Eater LA