Hollywood: All Your Tiki Dreams Come True at Lono

 

From the group that runs Melrose Umbrella Company, comes Lono, a lush new tiki bar in the heart of Hollywood. I’ve now been a couple of times and it’s a huge lovely space. I can’t believe it sat empty for seven years on Hollywood Boulevard. Lono may be sparkling new now but give it a few months to acquire some regulars and that “lost in time” feeling.

One of my favorite tiki drinks is the Mai Tai. I usually get this as my first drink any time I’m in a new tiki bar. Lono’s is great.

Mai Tai – Jamaican and Guyanese rums, macadamia, lime, orgeat, vanilla demerrara lime

 

I loved that there was something cool to look at in every nook and cranny. Some spots look like Old Hollywood while others remind me of a beautiful den to relax in.

If you like pina coladas (song interlude).. try a Painkiller. It is just as good, if not a little bit better with the added orange.

Painkiller – Pusser’s rum, over proof dark Jamaican rum, Cara Cara orange, pineapple, coconut cream

 

Every bite I tried at Lono was very good. Standouts include pork belly, noodles, tater tots with creme fraiche and caviar. I’d love to come back for dinner which is served tasting menu style at $100 a person. There will be one seating a night at their tables in the back patio. This dinner service should be starting soon.

 

 

Did you know there are tiki drinks that don’t have rum in them? Try the Royal Hawaiian if you like gin.

Royal Hawaiian – Bombay Sapphire East, lemon, pineapple, orgeat, Lono bitters

 

One of my favorite drinks is the Pearl Diver. Lono makes a great one though I would have loved to have this in the traditional Pearl Diver glass. It’s still wonderful though.

Pearl Diver – Over proof dark Jamaican rum, aged Puerto Rican rum, lime, Cara Cara orange, Donn’s gardenia mix

 

I probably should have added strawberry to my pina colada which is known as a Miami Vice. But it’s quite delicious either way.

Pina Colada – light rums, aged Venezuelan rums, rhum agricole, Angostura amaro, pineapple, coconut cream

 

There were two of us but we decided to go with a party-sized drink. We got the Queen of Corona which came in a delightful little teapot. Do be careful when sipping from this as you might accidentally swallow a tiny flower blossom. We loved it though. I enjoyed the fact it wasn’t too sweet despite some of the sweet stuff in it; St. Germain and honey but it’s so well balanced.

Queen of Corona – gen mai cha-infused vodka, St. Germain, Suze, lemon, pineapple, honey, orange blossoms

I can’t wait to come back to try more drinks.. and maybe get something in the coveted octopus punch bowl!

Lono

6611 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028  —  (323) 848-4475

 

© The Minty  2017