Copyright The Hollywood Reporter
Skipping a full meal but still hitting all the right notes, the trio of fries, a Caesar and a martini —affectionately dubbed the “happy meal,” “girl dinner” or “holy trinity” — has gone from social-media trend to staple of Hollywood’s light-bite and cocktail culture. In Los Angeles’ hotel bars — many of which have achieved legendary status as the city’s unofficial industry boardrooms for deal-making, negotiating and handshaking — this combo thrives. Here are the five scenes where Hollywood still unwinds, one fry, martini and romaine leaf at a time. The Lounge, Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills 300 S Doheny Dr, Los Angeles Beloved by publicists and producers alike, The Lounge at the Four Seasons is equal parts patio oasis and old-school power den, where every table could be a development meeting. Start with a classic martini — Belvedere, stirred to glacial perfection — and pair it with caviar fries and the anchovy vinaigrette tossed Little Gem salad for a Beverly Hills take on the trinity. The Maybourne Bar, Maybourne Beverly Hills 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills Nothing screams quiet luxury like the sensibly British yet thoroughly Beverly Hills Maybourne Bar. Belly up to the Turkish silver onyx bar, slide into a Yves Klein blue chair and pick from the five martinis on the menu, which range from the Grey Goose and Botanist Gin Skyfall to the Parmesan Espresso Martini. Pair with the N25 Schrenckii Caviar steak fries and beg your server to import over the Caesar with avocado from the Maybourne’s adjacent Whisky bar. Bar & Lounge, Hotel Bel-Air 701 Stone Canyon Rd, Los Angeles You never forget your first or last time at Hotel Bel-Air, which for 79 years has been Hollywood’s most exclusive sanctuary. Dark, golden, and cinematic, the walls are lined with photographs of uber-famous faces. Order the deluxe martini with gin or vodka, extra-dry vermouth, and olives or a twist; pair with truffle fries and the hearts of romaine Caesar, available on special request from the restaurant, all as classic as the setting itself. Tower Bar, Sunset Tower Hotel 8358 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood If that fireplace could talk. Once Bugsy Siegel’s apartment, now the industry’s clubhouse, the Tower Bar never disappoints. Chic, welcoming and private, it’s a place to come and feel safe, close deals, tuck into a walnut-paneled cocoon and be hypnotically carried away by the jazz piano. There is no guessing what to get here — the Caesar, fries, and martini — but they taste just a little bit more important based on who is at the next table.
