We usually steer away from restaurants associated with celebrity chefs in favor of smaller, more unique concepts, but while we were in LA with Alaska Airlines, we were told by several local chefs to not miss this bar for cocktails, and we were impressed.
Gwen Butcher Shop and Restaurant in Hollywood is co-owned by celebrity chef Curtis Stone and his brother, Luke Stone. It combines a retail butcher shop with a fine dining restaurant and bar – all in one elegant and stylish space.
The decor throughout the restaurant is beautiful—elegant without being over the top—with tall chandeliers, a refined color palette, and an open kitchen that reveals a huge grill.
The bartenders were fun and the cocktails delicious. The attention to detail on the cocktails was exceptional. Served in vintage glasses, some of our favorites included the “Cup Styled” (mezcal, fino, amaro, ginger, carrot, and lemon), the “Collins Family” (Japanese whisky, genever, passion fruit, Sencha honey, yuzu), the “Negroni Reflection” (Sloe Gin, Salers aperitif, thyme, amara, raspberry), and the “Manhattan Schooled” (barrel aged gin, vermouth, amaro, maraschino, fennel).
We had dinner plans elsewhere that evening, but the bartenders sent out a charcuterie board because it was so good, they didn’t want us to miss it. The butcher shop is the heart of the restaurant, and they serve a number of house made items. We loved the green olive terrine and nduja (fermented and spreadable pork salami with Calabrian chilis), and we were especially fond of their bread with a salt and olive oil crust, served warm. We’re not sure what it was about it, but the texture and flavor reminded us of buttered popcorn in the best possible way.
We would have loved to stay longer, but with dinner reservations fast approaching, we had to cut our evening at Gwen shorter than we would have liked. As we walked through the butcher shop to leave, we were seriously tempted to bring some nduja home. If we lived in LA, we’d be loyal customers, and Gwen’s bar would be a favorite. We can’t wait to go back for dinner next time.
Thank you to Alaska Airlines for sponsoring this story.
