"We weren’t at Jones Hollywood when it opened in 1994, but we imagine it felt how The Benjamin feels now: sexy, nostalgic, and bubbling with potential. Like Jones, this dark cavern of a restaurant on Melrose is a clear homage to Old Hollywood. There’s a wrap-around bar with Art Deco fixtures, plush green booths, and platters of New York strip parading from the kitchen. The American bistro menu leans retro, but feels fresh. Count us as fans of the shrimp cocktail with tangy aioli, decadent crab beignets with dill vinegar, and a bar burger we’d put against any in the city. And they’ve crucially mastered the ice-cold martini (nine variations are available). Tables are hard to come by, so just walk in at the bar—you’ll be closer to those martinis anyway." - Brant Cox
