The Georgian Room: A Historical Gem in Los Angeles
In the city of Los Angeles, known for its perpetual youth, places with genuine history are worth clinging to, especially in light of the recent wildfires. The Georgian Room, an intimate and sophisticated steakhouse tucked beneath the iconic Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, is one such rare gem.
If it feels like a discreet speakeasy, that’s because it once was one, first opening its doors in 1933 right at the tail end of the Prohibition era and becoming a favored beachside hangout for mobster Bugsy Siegel and movie stars like Clark Gable and ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle. Today, thanks to a gorgeous renovation completed in 2023, it serves up both Hollywood Golden Age nostalgia and contemporary elegance.
Inside The Georgian Room
It’s hard to miss The Georgian. The towering turquoise Art Deco hotel, a favorite of Wallpaper*, has been known as Santa Monica’s first lady since it was built nearly a century ago, becoming one of the very first skyscrapers on Ocean Boulevard.
Slip around to the right and down a flight of stairs, and you’ll find The Georgian Room hidden behind a set of doors with distinctive mermaid-shaped handles.
Inside, the space has been meticulously restored by hotel owners Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi of BLVD Hospitality, who enlisted Tom Parker of design firm Fettle and worked off dozens of vintage photographs to bring the room back to its former glory. On the right, a 1918 Steinway & Sons piano is built into the beautiful Italian-Quartzite-topped bar.
To the left as you enter, rich red walls and vibrant art, including framed prints of The Georgian Room’s original menus, provide an eye-catching backdrop to the row of racing green leather booths. The sound of twinkling jazz fills the air. The place is picture-perfect, although a no photography policy preserves the discreet ambiance.
Drinks and Food
The drinks are playful twists on familiar classics, like the Writers Room version of an Old Fashioned made with Zacapa XO rum, Cognac, and Pedro Ximenez, served in a plump Cognac glass. The food is Italian and universally excellent, making the ‘Leave It To The Chef’ option perfect for the indecisive and adventurous alike.
Ask the chef to serve up a bespoke family-style meal, and four courses will arrive in turn. The classics—Caesar salad, caprese, agnolotti, dry-aged New York strip steak with peppercorn sauce—are done very well. The rest—Crudo Hamachi, grilled blue prawns with Calabrian chili, and sea bass with romesco sauce—is even better.
A Romantic Atmosphere
The Georgian Room is the sort of setting that makes for those magical, romantic Los Angeles nights you wish might never end. Little wonder Dick Van Dyke has been known to join the jazz musicians for an impromptu performance. It’s exclusive—only 65 people are allowed in at any one time—without ever feeling pretentious. A place to soak in the history and then create a little of your own.
(Image credit: Robert Campbell)
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🖋️ Author: An expert in architectural innovation and design trends.
