The Mint – Night Club

REVIEW:

Not too large, not too small, this venue is the perfect size for hearing your favorite local band or the regular jazz acts it hosts. The acoustics of the space is quite good. The Mint is a beautiful old bar with a speakeasy vibe, with dark wood paneling, dark leather booths, velvet drapes, and chandeliers. She celebrated her 70th birthday just a few years ago and is a part of LA history. According to the club, “Back in the day, the likes of Stevie Wonder, Willie Dixon, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles and more graced its stage and more recently, Ben Harper, Macy Gray, The Wallflowers honed their craft and kicked off their careers playing this Los Angeles night club.”

The cover runs around $20 to $25 on Fridays/Saturdays, but they also occasionally have a free jazz night on Mondays. The venue is not large and at times it can get crowded, loud and humid. There’s a two drink minimum to grab a table, but the service is excellent and the staff friendly. The drinks are fairly priced for what you would find in Los Angeles. The bar food is quite good, especially the garlic fries and deep fried calamari and mini sirloin burgers. There is plenty of parking on the street, but they also have valet.

6010 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 954-9400

Father’s Office II

Intimate, but triple the size of their always-crowded Santa Monica location, there’s much to adore about Father’s Office II. It’s nestled in the old Helms Bakery Building and next door to the Jazz Bakery. Influenced by a blocky modern-primitive aesthetic, the Culver City location features a heated outdoor patio with seating at black-lacquered picnic tables. Chef and owner San Yoon is originator of the gourmet cheeseburger made with dry-aged beef, Gruyères blue cheese, sautéed onions, bacon, arugula and tomato on a French roll.  He still makes the best burger, pairing it with individually cooked batches of Belgium-style pommes frites. If you’re there to drink beer, try the cheese tasting menu with the large selection of microbrews. Great for:  After work drinks with friends or a classy first date meet up spot.
Average entrée: $10-$20. 310-815-9820, fathersoffice.com,
3229 Helms Ave., Culver City