Diners looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles can escape to a Mediterranean garden at the top of the Hoxton Downtown hotel when they check out the newly opened Inanna Bar, which mixes a party vibe with a more laid back dining room.
‘We have the best of both worlds. We have the bar and lounge side with DJs, so you definitely have that party atmosphere on one side, and then we have the main dining room where you can come in for a date night or with family,” said Darryl Jenkins, director of food and beverage for the Hoxton hotel.
Named after the Mesopotamian goddess of love and war, Inanna features a patio and indoor poolside dining space on the 1920s Beaux-Arts building’s 11th floor rooftop. The decor includes high tables and couches in the open air lounge with olive trees and other plants, and the more formal enclosed dining room decorated with marble-top tables.
“We just really wanted to play with that Mediterranean feel and atmosphere,” he said. “It feels like the Mediterranean with the backdrop of beautiful downtown L.A.”
The menu meanwhile is made up of modern Mediterranean fare with a lineup of mezze, flatbreads, and grill-fired plates designed to be shared. with dishes that include the classic Baba Ghanoush, made with smoked olive oil, tahina, and mint served with a za’atar pita.
“It has all those nice flavors and chunks of eggplant mixed through,” Jenkins said.
Also on the menu are dishes like the Sumac Buttermilk Fried Wings, served with a za’atar crust, Aleppo honey and herbs.
“That has turned out to be our top seller especially in the lounge when people get off work,” Jenkins said. “It’s just great, it’s a crispy wing with Mediterranean flavors that just burst in your mouth,” he said.
Other items include the King Fish Crudo with lemon, pickles and spiced vinaigrette, and Darra Labneh, topped with fire-roasted corn ribs, lime zest, urfa biber peppers and cheese. The menu offers Mediterranean-inspired desserts too such as the Cardamom Basbousa, a moist semolina cake soaked with lemon syrup served with whipped rose cream.
Diners with a big appetite will want to try the Chicken Kebab. It’s made of spiced chicken thighs, garlic yogurt, sumac onions served with rice pilaf.
“It’s cooked over our wood-burning grill, so you’re going to have that char flavor,” Jenkins said. “It’s also super light so you have that opportunity to be full but not feel like we need to roll you out of here,” he joked.
Inanna Bar is at the Hoxton Downtown, 1060 S. Broadway, Los Angeles. For more information go to https://thehoxton.com/downtown-la/inanna/