Mari Vanna (8475 Melrose Pl., Los Angeles, 90069), the Russian restaurant that has been under construction in the former Bastide home for over a year, but the third outpost is opening June 25th. Think shabby chic, grandma-esque.
This spot that is serving up home-style Russian (with a Cali twist) cuisine has a bar area, a wine/karaoke lounge, a patio, a sunroom, and a dining room with a fireplace. Lot’s of places of the accordionist to play! It’s kind of got a Russian, grandma’s house feel with animals and Russian newspaper decorating the walls.
As for the food, feast on dragon fruit carpaccio with seafood salad and filet mignonette steak with watermelon. So those may be the dishes with the Cali twist. The classics include blinis stuffed cabbage and stroganoff. To drink, house-infused vodka, of course. They infuse it with all sorts of things like, berries and horseradish (not together).
Ok, forget all that because it’s all about the The VIP keys. The restaurant will be closed on Monday nights after 10 pm and only VIP members with keys to the front door will get in. They are sending out keys soon. The keys mean you get “VIP access and special treatment at all of their locations.”
