Palihotel Melrose
Hotel · Beverly Grove
7950 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Highlights
Trendy boutique hotel with rustic-chic rooms & a buzzy eatery
Trendy boutique hotel with rustic-chic rooms & a buzzy eatery
"When “Pali” falls before a word in this town, it means a few things. First off, turn around and go home because you’re probably not wearing enough black. Secondly, consider just staying at home. The end-high hospitality group’s properties have long thrived off exclusivity, awkward pseudo-nightclub dance floors, and the deep wallets of drunk CAA agents. So needless to say the offer of casual Sunday brunch at one of their establishments sounds unnecessarily stressful, right? Well, hold on. First of all, The Hart and The Hunter is located inside the PaliHotel, a few minutes drive but a world away from the colossal PaliHouse in Weho. The Hart and The Hunter acts as the all-day restaurant for the boutique hotel and aside from a few peak hours on the weekend, it remains largely serene and inoffensive. The interior has a relaxed, cafe-like feel and the side patio is a comfortable spot that looks out over the neighborhood. But more importantly, let’s discuss the prospect of their hangover-curing brunch. The Hart and The Hunter serves very good loosen-your-belt-buckle Southern comfort food. Your vodka-scorched stomach is rebelling? The only remedy is the best biscuits in LA. Sure, housing an order of them is like taking a point-blank butter cannon straight to the aorta, but it’s Sunday: time for calories. The Hart and The Hunter has a separate menu for each meal of the day and while there are some gems to be found on each, this restaurant thrives best in the late morning. So round up the crew and your favorite pair of sweats and go wash away your Saturday night sins with some old-fashioned American cholesterol. ClassPass starts on Monday. Food Rundown Butter Biscuits and Condiments Double check your health insurance plan and then go all-in on these steaming hot butter igloos. Served with pimento cheese, more butter (obviously) and peach jam, we’re not going out on a limb by saying these are far and away the best biscuits in town. Pork Hash All of the yes. Only served on the brunch menu, this hearty helping of peppers, potatoes, and sunny side up eggs is the ideal remedy for any Sunday hangover and a nice starting point for your upcoming food coma. Fried Green Tomatoes Your Southern BBQ dreams have finally come true. With a cornmeal crust and a side of Thousand Island Dressing, this is summer picnic goodness and easily shared amongst the table. Shaved Raw Brussel Sprouts This dish has the look and feel of something your stoner roommate threw together for a 4th of July party, but don’t worry. The crunch of those peanuts and a fist full of cheddar cheese are all that’s needed to make this appetizer a table favorite. Shrimp and Grits It’s hard to beat any version outside of South Carolina but The Hart and The Hunter has given LA a very respectable version. The shrimp is good and those grits are even better. Smoked Trout It’s hard to tell it from the menu but this might be one of the more dynamic versions of avocado toast around. The trout is served in a skillet and comes with a board full of fixings like pickled onions to put on top of your avocado masterpiece. Steamed Venus Clams Not the star of the menu by any means but still pretty good. And for $16 this massive portion is actually a phenomenal deal." - Brant Cox
"The recently opened rooftop at the boutique Palihotel is quaint and cozy. Hotel guests can access the perch, but locals can order the $20 “Sky Cap” at the Saint James French Diner bar, which includes a cocktail du jour and chef’s choice snack downstairs. Once you’re on the top floor, you can order more cocktails from the full bar." - Helen I. Hwang
"If you're not inclined to stay right in the thick of it all on Sunset, this Melrose spot is a nice alternative. The first floor is home to Hart & Hunter, a Southern-inspired, hipster-ish restaurant that serves great brunch in the morning and excellent cocktails in the evenings. As for the rooms, they're spacious and simple, with quirky design flourishes like antique portraits and velvet settees adding personality to an otherwise straightforwardly comfortable design. A nice perk: This part of Melrose is very walkable, so you're in easy striking distance of great shopping and restaurants."
"He first gained acclaim for a series of pop-ups before going legit with the founding of The Hart & The Hunter inside the Palihotel on Melrose." - Farley Elliott
"Set in the heart of the Melrose district, this trendy hipster hideaway offers a scaled-down approach to boutique amidst some of LA's best shopping. There are just 32 rooms, plus some sociable seating spaces and a pretty little internal courtyard; nothing more. But the décor is deliciously vintage and the vibe is super-friendly. Sandwiched between the boutiques of Melrose, the clandestine cocktail bars of Hollywood, the nightclubs of WeHo and the tourist attractions of the Sunset Strip, this wood-clad building was once an old people's home, and now offers a good-value base for exploring LA's urban sprawl. And the next-door restaurant is a handy option for French/Canadian cuisine (including fondues, brunches and cocktails), courtesy of local wine-bar specialists Severance. 30-something travellers on a budget will be in heaven. Highs The artsy environment; a true Los Angeles experience without breaking the bank Stylishly outfitted with characterful knick-knacks, quirky art, and piles of hardcovers when we stayed Custom beds and luxury linens gave us a comfortable night's sleep Delicious breakfasts included butter biscuits with fruit, cheese and spiced honey when we stayed A great, central location Lows Light on trimmings and glamour: no temperature control, kettle, wardrobes or drawers in your room Service, though friendly, was certainly not 24/7 when we visited Thin walls and set right on a busy road, so noise may be an issue for some; bring ear plugs More funky than functional, so better suited to young vacationers rather than older guests travelling with work" - Anna G-Jones
