BAR AVOJA
1545 Wilcox Ave.
Bar Avoja
Courtesy of Subject
Mother Wolf’s partners Giancarlo Pagani and Evan Funke have turned a rear room at their hit Hollywood restaurant into this upbeat, DJ-driven riff on a Roman villa. Drinks run the expected la dolce vita gamut, albeit centering on dialed-in spritzes. Funke, the James Beard-nominated chef who now feeds Vanity Fair’s Oscar party, is concocting his singular takes on both Eternal City street food (arancini cacio e pepe) as well as Cal-Ital innovations (Wolfgang Puck’s salmon pizza).
DAISY MARGARITA BAR
14633 Ventura Blvd.
The team behind Mirate in Los Feliz has followed up with this lively Sherman Oaks riff on Mexico’s Norteño cantinas, which originated the margarita. Its iterations of the iconic libation — each arrives pre-salted — run from the classic to the frozen guacamole-flavored to the salsa-oriented. There are also variants like the sour apple as well as the creamsicle (tangerine, mole, coconut, etc.). A full, stomach-lining menu offers a range of aguachiles, tacos and hefty mains. Think branzino asado or lamb shank.
Daisy Margarita Bar
Courtesy of Daisy Margarita Bar
BAR 109
641 N. Western Ave.
Bar 109, Bar Director Kayla Garcia
Shelby Moore
Perhaps the most impressive new drinks destination in town is in Melrose Hill, near the Paramount lot. Head bartender Kayla Garcia (pictured) is turning out a martini with saline and white kelp, as well as a boulevardier infused with oolong tea. Chef-owner Brian Baik, who spent time back east at Eleven Madison Park, will soon open a tasting menu restaurant next door. Here, he offers snacks like Wagyu beef hotdogs and a memorable shrimp cocktail boasting colossal crustaceans and a house-made sauce.
This story appeared in the Oct. 22 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.