River Rock Lounge’s (12833 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; 800.821.8511) is a lounge that is more like an upscale ski lodge with rock walls, mounted, all-white buffalo heads and antler chandeliers.
The menu is filled with classics on a twist like Kurobuta pork chop with spiced apples & sweet potato puree; pan-roasted, shiitake-and-shrimp-sided black cod prepped in a butter broth with soy; and red wine-braised short ribs wrapped in “puff pastry”. Lunch includes BBQ pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast with melted gouda; a salad with seared scallop, watermelon, and mango; and a burger with Vermont cheddar & Maui onions that’s topped with “2k” dressing.
The bar is filled with craft beer (Fireman’s Brunette, Dogfish Midas Touch) and specialty cocktails like the Bonaventure (Rittenhouse rye, Root liqueur, sweet vermouth, bitters). The bartenders serve them up in bowls, so grab a few friends to help take ’em down.
