The Glendon Bar and Kitchen is a new restaurant in Westwood that caters to two distinct, seemingly incompatible crowds – young people looking for solid happy hour values and diners with a discerning palette looking for a quality eating experience. Tough feat to pull off for sure, but The Glendon has managed to create a situation where these two tastes can sit back and taste good together.
It all starts with the segmentation of hours that the Glendon provides. The restaurant offers two Happy Hour sessions; the first one lasts from 4pm to 7pm and the second session runs from 10pm to 12am. College kids can mingle with after-work drinkers and enjoy half-price appetizers, $6 wines, $5 well drinks and $4 beers. The second Happy Hour provides an opportunity for late-night heads to eat and drink on the cheap in a chill, spacious (high ceilings), well-furnished, well-located spot. The Glendon is open till 2am and they serve food until the place closes, which is another bonus for lovers of late-night fun. There’s also a lounge located upstairs for people who want more of a lamping atmosphere.
Lunch is served from 11am to 3pm and dinner runs from 5:30pm to 10pm. The lunch crowd is mixed, but you’ll find a bit of an older crowd during dinner (and some pretty amazing food as well).
Master Chef Nick Jacobs has crafted a simple menu with creative apps and can’t-miss entrees. I had a chance to try a few things on the menu, and the results were decidedly pleasant. Here’s a quick rundown of the few dishes that I sampled:
Garlic Fries – $8
The Glendon Garlic Fries were mellow, but still sharp. Not overbearing like the G-Fries you get at Gordon Biersch. The biggest perk with these is the Aioli dipping sauce action. The spicy red pepper Aioli was cash-money tangy and the Garlic Aioli, while it might sound like garlic overkill, was a creamy complement to the well-crafted fries.
Tijuana Grilled Corn on the Cob -$7
Oh man, this is a can’t miss app. For seven bucks you get two cobs covered in Quesco Fresco cheese, Turkish Paprika and lime. This is a rich and refreshing (the lime was a really nice touch) treat for any time of the day. But plan your meal accordingly. These indulgent, somewhat-filling cobs will put a dent in the available real estate of your grumbling stomach.
Manhattan – $11
I got a thing for Manhattans, man. They may not look like the manliest beverage, but when made correctly, Manhattans are the perfect drink. The Glendon makes their Manhattans with Woodford Reserve Bourbon. They don’t throw too much bitters in there, and the whole concoction is really balanced and efficient.
Sliders with Salad – $11
You know a place is firing on all cylinders when they serve you sliders with a salad and the salad is so good that you almost forget about the mini beef treats that share the same plate. This small salad was hearty with just the right amount of dressing, and the sliders were simple, chunky and served in a moist bun with just the right amount of grilled onions. It makes for an uncomplicated combo that’s impossible not to devour.
Mac and Cheese – $11 (Add Bacon for $2 or Crab $4)
Forget your Kraft crap and Velveeta funk, this Mac and Cheese is downright classy! I got the mac with crab combination and it was ridiculous. You got a crunchy top, spicy/salty inside and a sweet and creamy finish. With jalapenos, a three cheese Bechamel Base and a Pankou Parmesan crust, this is just a good app to share or pound all by yourself.
Filet Mignon – $34
After sampling all these fine apps, I had a feeling that the Filet Mignon was going to be pretty damn good. It was. This tiny little hockey puck of flavor is shielded by a crisp outer shell and a juicy, no-teeth-required-to-chew interior. There’s a little bit of Mushroom Bearnaise sauce on top. It wasn’t dry and it wasn’t drenched. Just the right amount of sauce to top off the meat. The plate also comes with smashed red potatoes and sautéed spinach with caramelized onions.
So long story short, this place is good. Smart concept, great location, amazing food (seriously), comfortable atmosphere, it’s got all that. You want to eat and grub on the cheap during Happy Hour? Go for it, dude. $4 beers and half-off apps. You want a place where you can take a girl and order from a wine menu that lists out options by first date, second date, third date and fourth date? Done. Whether you’re a college kid, a working stiff, a West LA adult or someone who just appreciates tasty food, The Glendon delivers on all fronts. It caters to many and alienates none. Go check the place out.
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