Photos By Jon Viscott
June is LGBT Pride Month and we can’t think of a better way to “Pump Up Your Pride” than Happy Hour at Lisa Vanderpump’s celestial PUMP Restaurant located in the heart of West Hollywood’s Boystown on the corner of Robertson and Santa Monica Boulevard.
Lisa Vanderpump, star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is a well-known and passionate ally for the LGBT community and longtime WeHo business owner. (Lisa and husband Ken Todd are co-owners of SUR Restaurant on Robertson.)
Opened just three years ago, PUMP has become a destination for glamorous, glitzy dining, drinking and people watching and may just be the Sexiest Restaurant in Los Angeles.
As you enter through PUMP’s palace-like iron gates, flanked by imposing gas lanterns with flames dancing in their iron cages, you are transported to an enchanted garden fantasy.
The vibe is a romantic and intoxicating feast for all of your senses. At twilight, the sun peeks in between the branches of majestic old growth olive trees and the air is delicately scented from fragrant sprays of fresh wild flowers that abound. At night, the flicker of candles twinkle in glass lanterns throughout this regal lair and the trees are illuminated by glass bulbs filled with luminous strands that create the effect of fireflies dancing in the moonlight.
The exquisite garden bar is adorned with panels from a 19th-century Parisian bridge and is softly lit by a canopy of a dozen glistening crystal chandeliers. PUMP’s opulent front bar overlooks the Boulevard and is an ornate rococo masterpiece resplendent with imposing overhead baroque lanterns.
Lisa Vanderpump’s signature pink and violet flowers punctuate crisp white linens on elegantly set dining tables. For a more intimate setting, there are alcoves and hidden nooks with plush banquette seating of supple velvets and damasks to sink into for an evening with friends or a romantic interlude.
From the fare to the ambiance, everything about PUMP is Sexy and Seductive. The menu is an eclectic selection of familiar comfort food and dishes from around the world.
The Happy Hour Menu is extensive and the portions are ample enough for sharing with prices from $5 to $8.
We Sampled & Loved:
The Rock Shrimp Tempura- $8, delivers a large mound of lightly fried baby shrimp morsels, succulent and tender on the inside and coated with a sweet and spicy chili-citrus aioli, served with Mango Chutney and a garnish of fresh nasturtiums.
Ahi Tuna Tartare Wontons – $8, offered four perfectly crisp wontons topped with a mélange of slightly spicy sushi-grade Ahi seasoned with red chili and tossed with a perfectly balanced and playful salsa of sesame oil, avocado, mango and pomegranate pearls.
Fish and Chips -$7, treats you to a delectable sample of Lisa’s Signature entrée – the warm flaky crust enfolds a savory, steaming tender filet of white sole, served with thick cut fries accompanied by the obligatory tartare sauce and malt vinegar for dipping. (Long live the Queen!)
The Happy Hour Dink List offers an impressive selection of hand crafted signature cocktails with premium spirits and exotics liqueurs for just $8, well cocktails for $7, and Beer and Wine from $5 – $6.
We Recommend the Following to “Pump Up Your Pride”: (All $8.)
Pump and Glory – Said to be the “most popular cocktail” at PUMP, it’s an explosion of sweet and savory flavors with Saint Germain liqueur, made from elderflower, (a small, white starry flower) adding warm, bright and fragrant flavor to the citrus-vodka cocktail.
(Vodka, St. Germain, fresh lime, lemon, simple syrup, muddled cucumber and mint, topped off with fresh cracked black pepper. )
The Famous “Pump-Tini” – The Pavan Liqueur, made from hand-harvested Muscat grapes and orange blossoms in the South of France makes this a memorably dry martini with hints of citrus.
(Vodka, Pavan liqueur, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime and muddled raspberries, served with a sugar rim)
LVP Sangria Royale – LVP’s luscious, refreshing sangria made from Spanish rosé and red wines is blended with blackberries and Champagne
(LVP Tempranillo Sangria, muddled blackberries, splash of St. Germain and topped off with champagne)
So Pump Up Your Pride @ PUMP this June and all year round with Food, Drinks and Ambience that are fit for a King or a Queen.
Happy Hour at PUMP: Monday-Thursday 5pm-7pm & Friday-Saturday 4pm-6pm
8948 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 657-7867
pumprestaurant.com
