New Vietnamese-Inspired Cocktails at New Crustacean

 

The new award-winning Crustacean Restaurant beverage team welcomes in summer with a show-stopped lineup of Vietnamese-inspired seasonal cocktails, matched by a new Red Hour bar bites menu (the An version of “Happy Hour) to celebrate their newly remodeled space.

Innovative Beverage director Peter Barriga heads up the revamped bar program.  The cocktails are a reflection of pairing Asian spice and flavors that possess wellness traits but also make well-balanced cocktails, going back to Chef Helene An’s yin and yang cooking philosophy.  The array of garnishes tells the story below.

 

Chef Tony and Chef An had a surprise in store and they could hardly contain themselves.  They even had a little card printed up for guests to take with them.

To celebrate the season and also to commemorate a good friend, Anthony Bourdain (who would have been happy on a Vietname cuisine) Chefs An and Nguyen surprised guests with the popular street food dish,  Bún châ, the dish that he shared with President Ohama in Viet Nam.  “You can smell it before you can see it,” laughed Chef An.

The aroma from an array of ingredients for the DIY dish wafted through the air, particularly the charcoal grill smoke.  Grilled pork (châ) served over noodles (châ) star in this dish, which is thought to have originated in Hanoi.  “Herbs are most important,” sang out Chef An, “it is the nothing without a lot of herbs.”  She then whisked herself back to the restaurant kitchen to bring an abundant supply back.  Chicken rolls and dipping sauce complete each bowl.

The outer eating area is right on the sidewalk which lends the best feeling of being both inside and outside at the same time.  And then back to the show at the bar!

 First up on the bar drink list is the refreshing, Beverly Hills Smash (Flora de Cana Rum, Azunia Tequila, Pamplemousse, Lemon Juice, Orange Agave, Blackberries, Thai Basil and soda water.

 

The 9 Lives features Absolute Elyx, Aperol, Brandy Apricot (Gifford), Fresh Lime Juice & a pinch of salt.  Passing Time features Wheatly vodka, Amaro Montenegro, Luxardo Cherry Juice, Peach Bitters, Lime Juice, Soda Water and a half.  It is like a milkshake for adults.

Classics include the Artichoke Old Fashioned with Cynar Amaro, Whitford Reserve Bourbon, Martel Cognac, Demerara five-spice syrup, and bitters; and the High Tea Penicillin which is a black tea-infused Chivas scotch blend, ginger and honey syrup, honey juice, and a black tea and lavender cloud.  Turmeric Mule with turmeric-infused gin, turmeric syrup, ginger syrup, citrus, and soda water.

 

The Yuzu Fizz adds Coconut Cream, Lemon Juice, and Yuzu Sparkling soda to enhance the Asian fruit flavor with Boodles gin, Egg White, and Simple Syrup.

Master Chef An’s signature Euro-Vietnamese fusion cuisine will remain the inspiration at both restaurants, directed by Chef Tony Nguyen.  The buoyant Chef Nguyen has already proven himself in the kitchens of the House of AN Orange County restaurant, AnQi since 2014.  He will work closely with Master Chef Helene An, “to pay homage to the LA restaurant institution’s rich culinary history while bringing his fun and inventive approach to Modern Vietnamese cuisine.’

Chef Tony’s Red Hour menu is truly red-letter wonderful.  Of course, Crustacean offers its acclaimed  Secret Kitchen™  Garlic Noodles, the signature dish of Chef An. 

Other Crustacean standout bar menu offerings started out with big, fat, crunchy, delicious Tuna Cigars with “instant smoke,” brick de Feuille, macadamia nut, Vidalia onion, and tobiko caviar.  They are still cleverly served in a “cigar box.”

The Chicken Meatball with Soaken Tofu, Gochujang, and Sesame Tempura was so good we didn’t even stop to photograph it.  Seared Tuna Crisp, portrait pretty, stars Green Papaya, Citrus Agrodulce, and a Taro Chip.

 

 

Crustacean Beverly Hills, the award-winning restaurant from House of AN hospitality group, eight-month-long, $10 million dollars redesign The restaurant known for its corner waterfall door now opens into two places still under the direction of Executive Chef Helene An and House of AN plus the new  Da Lat Rose at Crustacean.

Each floor of the current two-floors house a different restaurant with separate entrances.  On the first-floor, Crustacean restaurant features a completely new menu composed of revamped Crustacean classics; and seamless indoor-outdoor seating on both S. Santa Monica Boulevard and Bedford Drive.  (June Her from Jh2 Architects in Newport Beach, CA/Elizabeth An was the lead conceptual interior designer) at 468 N. Bedford Drive.

Adjustable walls of the new Crustacean allow for a fluid floorplan of Crustacean. An extravagant U-shaped bar spilling onto the outdoor patio, visible to Bedford Drive. Replaces the former dining room.  Booth seating, communal tables, indoor and outdoor dining, a chef’s table with an open glass performance kitchen are new features, where happily the waterway path, where fish are visible under your feet, has doubled in size.

Second story restaurant, Da Lat Rose is named after the graceful, rare Da Lat Rose, as well as the beautiful, cherished city in Southern Vietnam’s Central Highlands, where Helene An grew up.

About House of An
House of An (www.houseofan.com) founded and operated by the An family women, remains a close-knit unit of passionate chefs and food service professionals in the restaurant and foodservice industry. The family portfolio includes their original location, Thanh Long in San Francisco, CA (1971), and the original Crustacean (1991) and the splashy Beverly Hills (1997), where Executive Chef Helene An earned a reputation for her award-winning Euro-Vietnamese fusion cuisine. A Catering opened in 2007, and House of An expanded in 2010 with new gourmet bistro, AnQi, at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA. In June 2010, market garden café Tiato opened in Santa Monica, CA.

The Smithsonian Museum in 2007 recognized the An family for introducing a new genre of Asian-fusion cuisine to America over 45 years ago.

Crustacean Restaurant, 468 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA  90210.  (310) 205.8990.