NICOLE ALBERTSON
Life Editor
The Malibu Inn finally has a late-night competition in the Santa Monica Viceroy Hotel. Pepperdine students are taking notice of the sleek and stylish Whist restaurant and Cameo lounge and bar that opened in 2002.
Situated in the right side of the Viceroy lobby, this delicious combination is an inviting and relaxing combination of sophistication and comfort for those willing to leave the Malibu city limits.
Outfitted with smooth leather booths, green light accents and delicate china plates lining the walls, Whist restaurant and Cameo lounge and bar is an evening experience for a late- night dinner or friendly rendezvous. The combination creates an atmosphere that all ages can take part in and enjoy.
The main draw and best attribute is Whist restaurant. Named for an English card game, Whist is a complex combination between old-world taste with several different game meats and new-world style with dim lights, cool colors and simple decor. The contradiction between old and new world creates a dining experience that surprises guests with each course.
Crafted by executive chef Warren Schwartz, the dinner menu offers game meats such as cote de boeuf and jumbo shrimp for two; roasted elk tenderloin with polenta, mushrooms, fava beans and a red currant sauce; and a pan-roasted duck breast served with vanilla clove poached peach, sugar snap peas and popcorn shoots. But for those less adventurous eaters.
The menu also offers a delicious herb roasted jidori chicken served with potatoes, spinach, onions, lemon and parsley.
The delicate portions are displayed as works of art and are the perfect size for all appetites. But this exquisite food does not come without a hefty price tag. A full three-course meal, including an appetizer, entrée and dessert, will set a diner back between $40 and $60, depending on the selection.
No matter the order, each meal comes cooked to perfection and worth every penny.
Designed by Kelly Wearstler Interior Design, Whist and Cameo bar and lounge is an interpretation of an old English parlor transformed into the 21st century. From green- tinted mirrors to glass chandeliers redesigned into Escher-esque sculptures, guests are comforted in ultimate luxury with the knowledgeable staff and talented cooking. Guests are offered several different seating options, including the dining room booths and tables to, and cozy luxurious outdoor cabanas on warmer days.
But for those not interested in the Whist dining experience, the Cameo bar and lounge is another option at the Viceroy hotel. The parrot green leather couches, glass tables and funky-patterned carpets create a modern and sleek environment for a night out on the town. The bar also offers a cheaper bar menu of snacks and appetizers to munch on while lounging.
When the warmer weather returns to Santa Monica, the outdoor poolside cabanas are the most luxurious options. Draped in sailcloth decorated in candles and cushioned banquettes, the cabanas are available for dinning, meetings or casual evenings.
Although the Viceroy Hotel is not new to the neighborhood, students are finally indulging in the exotic experience that the Viceroy has to offer.
Whether a person’s desire be a gourmet meal of lavish game meats from the Whist restaurant or a relaxing night at the Cameo bar and lounge and cabanas, the Viceroy is a great destination to mix into the late-night hot spot rotation.
01-24-2008
