Now that we are in full swing of summer, why not check out the cocktails at Taste on Melrose (8454 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069) on their gorgeous, hidden back patio? When I first arrived to be seated, the hostess kept walking further and further into the restaurant. I had no idea it was so large and it would open up onto a gorgeous patio away that was from the noisy street and oozed California vibes. If you haven’t been to Taste on Melrose, they just launched its new summertime cocktail menu featuring a selection of refreshing, seasonal concoctions from newly appointed mixologist Mark Fantasia who is creating simple, well-balanced creations with elegant touches. Offerings include the Kentucky Garden with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, Kentucky shrub, and fennel bitters; Effen Wake Up Call with Effen 80 Vodka, Kahlua, espresso, house made pipette walnut bitters, and lemon oil spritz; and Don’t Drink the Kool Aid with Grey Goose Vodka, house made Kool Aid syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters, and rose water spritz.
My personal favorite cocktails were the Fashionably Late, a creative take on the Old Fashion, made with Wolf Pecan Bourbon, house-made Prohibition bitters, and an orange peel; the Cucumber Thyme, a refreshingly light cocktail made with Hendrick’s Gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, fresh cucumbers, fresh thyme and a pinch of salt; and if you like a little spicy in your sip, order up the Spicy-Rita, made with El Silencio mezcal, Grand Marnier, muddled jalapeño, fresh cilantro, and fresh agave lime sweet.
In addition to these new cocktails, you can enjoy an extended happy hour Tuesday-Friday from 3-7 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 4-7 pm. With $6 margaritas, sangria, and house drinks, alongside $6 Chicken Slider Sandwiches, Wild Mushroom and Chicken Pot Stickers, Apple & Caramelized Onion Pizzetta, Kobe Meatballs, what more could you ask for?
Whether you visit Taste of Melrose during happy hour, dinner, or to grab a cocktail with friends, the restaurant is the perfect spot to enjoy Los Angeles summer, sip some delicious cocktails, and take a break from the city.
