Los Angeles - January 20, 2006

Eat Your Heart Out

Eat on Sunset

Prepping for a night out in Hollywood with a handful of popcorn and a chug from that bottle of pinot you opened two (or was it three?) weeks ago may not be the best idea.

In fact, it could lead to quite the headache.

So start your night right at Eat on Sunset. The newly opened restaurant and lounge is the perfect pre-partying spot. Chef Gary Menes, formerly of French Laundry, whips up haute American comfort snacks — fried olives, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, rock shrimp fritters — while whole sections of the drinks menu are devoted to Red Bull-based libations and variations on the frat-tastic Long Island iced tea.

Arrive at the lounge before 8 p.m. and ask for the staff meal (an $8 light fix) or come later and linger in the main room over the full menu of the best seasonal and locally grown fare around.

So go ahead: Eat. Drink. Be merry.

And throw that old bottle of vino away.

Eat on Sunset, 1448 North Gower Street, at Sunset, Hollywood (323-461-8800).