Melrose Bar and Grill Review – Make Sure You are Hungry! | Splash Magazines

The Sign Outside of Melrose Bar and Grill

The Chic Dining Area at Melrose Bar and Grill

After 18 years, three locations and thousands of loyal friends and customers coming through their doors nightly, the husband and wife team of Julie and Chris Bennett decided to create a new restaurant on the famed west end of Melrose Avenue where Doug Arango’s restaurant has called home for the past four years. With a prime location that is just blocks from The Troubador, minutes from Beverly Hills and a short walk from West Hollywood nightlife, the newly minted Melrose Bar & Grill made its debut on September 24, 2007. Upon walking into the new Melrose Bar and Grill you will most likely be greeted by the lovely smiling face of co-owner Julie Bennett. Julie explains, “We were planning to simply renovate the restaurant, put on a fresh coat of paint, etc., and then Chris and I realized that what we really wanted to do was head in a new direction—to create something much more relaxed and contemporary that would capture the essence and desires of the neighborhood and the times”.

Bulletin Board Telling the Day's Specials

Oysters, Lemon, Salt and Tarragon Mignonette

The Melrose Bar & Grill menu offers dishes such as the Pub Steak, Duck Burger with Gouda and cherry ketchup, Alsatian-style Pork Chop cider-brined and served with house-cured sauerkraut and Bennett’s own delectable thin crust pizza’s. I ordered my pizza with shrimp and it was heavenly to say the least! The kitchen will always offer something new via the prominently displayed chalkboard specials where raw fish appetizers, fish and meat entrees, a Maui Beef Burger (when available from Maui Cattle Co.), chowder, a selection of cheeses and desserts will be featured. For lunch the regular menu will be supplemented with lunch dishes such as sandwiches and entrée salads. I would definitely suggest that you start your meal out with Oysters and a plate of cheese which includes Muenster, Tallaggio and Irish Cheddar among others.

The Famous Melrose Bar and Grill Margarita

Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice

In addition to the full dining bar that faces the open kitchen, the bar area will include bar height tables for groups to gather after work. A flat screen tv will show the game of the moment, and magazine racks will be filled with newspapers, entertainment trade papers and fashion/music magazines. Another great thing about the Melrose Bar and Grill is that it offers Wifi connection to all of its customers. This means you can come in, order up some oysters with tarragon mignonette and cheese while getting your business done!

Cheese Plate

Partner and Wine Director Robert Evans, has compiled a wine program that received Wine Spectator Magazine’s “Best of Award of Excellence.” The Melrose Bar & Grill will offer a user-friendly “Short List” as well as a “Reserve List” with more than 600 selections. An international beer selection and classic cocktails will round out the beverage program.

Pub Steak and Fries (With Mashed Potatoes in the Back)

“Some people really want to know they can come in and get the same dish all the time; it’s a comfort thing,” explains Chef Bennett. While others are mostly interested in what’s new on the menu; our new concept will be able to satisfy the needs and preferences of both types of diners,” he adds. “Our goal is to keep everything under $25 on the menu and offer people the opportunity to come to the same restaurant for lunch and dinner—both in the same day. In fact, we will actually be open all afternoon, and hope people just pop by whenever they are in the area—whether for a drink, a snack or mid-day meal.”

Buratta Cheese, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Toast

The new look will be comfortable and casual with a natural color palette, half-moon booths, banquettes dividing the space, rustic wood chairs and wood table tops. With such a fantastic concept and amazing food, the Bennett’s will easily be in business for another 18 years.