Los Angeles - October 07, 2005

Non-Sugar Magnolia

Magnolia Opens

You wouldn’t say you’ve been eating out so much lately as striking out.

Between flavorless duck confit on the west side and overcooked spaghetti out east, your only sure bet for a delicious meal is the mom-and-pop noodle shop on the corner — where your happy stomach comes with a side of migraine, thanks to the fluorescents.

Drop the Advil and head over to Magnolia, the new lunch/dinner/drinks spot from the team who brought us our Hollywood hang, The Bar. Divided into a few elegantly modern yet totally laid-back rooms (including an intimate patio out back), you can get situated for a meal or just come in for a cocktail (or a few).

Open until 3 a.m., the spot serves Americana (hearty burgers, seasoned fries, Brussels sprouts) with a little Italian influence (heirloom tomato mozzarella salad with white balsamic, rigatoni Bolognese) and a couple of Asian options, too (seared ahi, wasabi mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables with sesame tofu). And if you’re not in the mood for a whole meal, the mint chocolate chip ice cream cookie sandwich alone is worth a trip.

From the look of things, these guys have hit one right out of the park.

Magnolia, 6266 1/2 Sunset Boulevard, between Vine Street and Argyle Avenue, Hollywood (323-467-0660 or magnoliahollywood.com).