The Astronomer and I checked out Bar Restaurant in Silver Lake during the Thanksgiving holiday while my in-laws were in town to provide free and enthusiastic child care. Black Friday may be the finest time to go out to dinner. Turkey-induced comas and over-charged credit cards make for mellow dining rooms across the city. Our kind of scene.

Here in this comfortable and quirky dining room, Bar Restaurant serves up a “not too serious neo-bistro” dining experience from Chef Douglas Rankin. He previously spent years behind the stoves at Trois Mec, Petit Trois, and the Bazaar.

Before diving into the Euro-Californian fare, The Astronomer and I sipped a cocktail each. I had my usual Old Fashioned, while he had the evening’s special, which was tall, gingery, and well-balanced.

To pair with the drinks were two lil’ snacks: a small heap of silky Bayonne ham ($14) and boquerones (marinated white anchovies) in a piquillo pepper sauce ($12). These perfect little nibbles set the tone for the evening.

For our official starters, a frisee salad with crispy potato and egg yolk bonito ($16) and a lamb tartar ($19). Both were delightful as can be.

We shared a trio of fantastic seafood dishes for our mains. The octopus with yam and pumpkin seed mojo ($21) was cooked and seasoned just right.

The rainbow trout with vadouvan rice and salsa verde ($32) was beautifully prepared as well, complete with crispy skin and tender flesh.

Best of all was Chef Rankin’s take on moules frites, a shallow bowl brimming with plump de-shelled mussels, a dijon emulsion, and curly fries — this was an updated classic that the world didn’t know it needed. 

To finish, apple pain perdu with brie anglaise ($13). Mmm…

With a name like Bar Restaurant, The Astronomer and I weren’t quite sure what to expect when we stepped into the space. But after drinks, snacks, mains, and dessert were had, we departed truly impressed with this cool and unexpected little spot.

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Bar Restaurant
4326 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Phone: 323-347-5557

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