Neighborhood Hot Spots…Berri’s Café, in Playa Del Rey

When you can’t drive, it’s a great time to walk around, scope out what you might have missed by being in a car, and check out the spots in your neighborhood and then walk your drunk self soundly home.  And that’s precisely what I did. 

Being prescribed rest and time of work, and some pretty decent pain killers isn’t so bad after all; and once the pain killers wore off and I was once again able to communicate with the better part of society, I decided to treat myself to a car free, mellow night out in my neighborhood.

In Playa Del Rey there are two things that stand out: Firstly, the fact that only people who reside in or have friends or family that reside in the city are actually out there to eat and drink- for the most part. Secondly, there are a number of really excellent restaurants with surprisingly great menus and drinks, found in a relatively condensed area, and within walking distance from one another and where ever your starting point may be (this time it’s obviously my house).

After a great meeting with my bass and guitar players, I took a ride a few blocks down the hill from my bass player to a great local place called Berri’s.  Be advised, Berri’s also has a location in West Hollywood, however I’ve never been to that location and this review is about the Playa Del Rey location.  Reuben left, and I went in.

Upon entering the restaurant, there is a nice bar lounge to the right, with rattan chairs and couched and low laying tables made from oversized, antique looking, tablecloth draped chests, from which to eat and drink at your leisure.  The bar itself is concrete and square, half in the lounge and half in the restaurant dining area.  The dining area is large but does not feel stuffed with tables.

I took a seat at bar, in the dining area, facing the lounge. There was a nice bartender working who helped me select wines to pair with my dinner, which consisted of Coconut Shrimp appetizer and a Goat Cheese and Portobello Mushroom pizza.  With the shrimp, I had a glass of Pinot Grigio and with the pizza, a glass of Pinot Noir. I wasn’t thrilled with the Pinot Noir selection. Perhaps the better pairing would have been a Chianti, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay?  I’ll just have to try it again, which won’t be hard as this was by far the best gourmet pizza I’ve had in LA! The dough was perfect. The goat cheese, garlic and giant slices of Portobello were a bangin’ combo.  However hard I tried to eat the whole thing, it just wasn't possible and I took the last third of it home with me.

Just a few blocks walk up the hill, working off that pizza, and I was home.  Next time I’m trying the French “Bistro du Soliel.”  

EB