Look up into the night time sky beloveds. Can you see stars sparkling like diamonds in the cold winter air? It’s cold enough to be another place. You walk and talk, watching your breath as you exhale. You can see your laughter hanging in the cold night air, like magic. You round the corner and suddenly; stop dead in your tracks. You exhale one little puff of magic. In front of you stands a wizened figure covered in a cloak beckoning to you with a boney hand. Now normally beloveds you might run screaming from such a sight, and who would blame you really, but today for some strange reason you are brave (who knew?). The figure, hard to say if it is man or woman, begins to tell you a tale…
Once upon a time, sweet petite, there lived a little girl who became a woman. The land where this girl was from was VERY far away and hilly and green. And the people who lived in this land were known to be merry lovers of good food, good drink and good company. Now this good girl, Ni hea, Woman, took it upon herself to travel far and wide and work to great renown. But in so doing, she also took great care to hang onto her merry habits as they brought a wealth which walls could not contain. Eventually she travelled to a city on the shores of a great ocean. A city reclaimed from a desert and made temperate. Now the desert was cranky it had been reclaimed and tried almost every day to turn itself back. And this made the citizens of the city very thirsty. Thus sweet petite, they found themselves in need of a wide variety of libations.
What did they do you ask? Well many things, one of which was to visit a rare wooded and hilly glen east of the land of Downtown. There in a place known as Highland Park dwell many excellent establishments for quenching your thirst or hunger for that matter. And in this place be ye a stork or a dork, all are welcome. All are welcome in the gastro pub known as The York.
The York is located approximately 7 miles from downtown Los Angeles at 5018 York Blvd, near the corner of York and Ave 51 in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Inside the vibe is lively yet laid back, comfortably edgy. The walls are exposed brick; the lighting is dim featuring old fashioned Edison bulbs suspended from the ceiling. The Bar sits smack in the center of the room. One side has booths for straight up dining. The other side is the bar proper and has tables for those who are lucky enough to chow down. Chalkboards hang along the wall that list both food and drink; you make your decision and then place your order with the friendly staff.
For drink try any of the micro-draft beers offered at the time of your visit. Or, imbibe one of the interesting and reliable imports such as Stella Artois. If you’d like something in a bottle, choose from either large or small. Large bottles offerings include Chimay and Telegraph Porter among others. Small bottle offerings include Red Stripe, Heineken, Kronenbourg and the like. There is also a great selection of port, red, white and sparkling wines at The York. Selection varies, but if they have it when you go try the Meritage by Les Ramieres. It’s super fantastic my sweet petites. The York’s bar also carries a great selection of liquors, cordials and the like. The York serves up a mean Pim’s cup.
Whatever you do, don’t forget the food. The York’s not called a gastro pub for nothin’. Their cheddar burger is renowned. The truffle grilled cheese sandwich is so good, some quirky type Whoa-man may be forced to fill her bath tub with them and eat her way out. Gruyere cheese and truffle oil on sourdough grilled and served with a side of arugula and tomato salad. Just sayin’, get that bath tub ready. Fried chickpeas, check. Cobbler, any cobbler, check.
And the crowd, sweet petites, the crowd. The crowd at The York is a great mix of friendly people from late 20’s – 50’s. All are welcome, with little to no attitude. If you are the family type, the pub seems fairly kid friendly before 7pm. After that though, the music and crowd get too rambunctious for the wee ones.
So, here we go – yay!
Who: Oh come on…
What: The York
Where: 5018 York Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90042. 323-255-9675
When: Mon-Sun 3:00pm – 2:00am, Sunday brunch, 10:30am- 2:30pm or happy hour, Mon- Fri 3:00-7:00pm.
Why: Because it’s magic