The Dresden Room

If you've seen the movie Swingers you've heard about The Dresden Room.  I actually saw the movie after I went to The Dresden (even though I've owned it for years.)  The Dresden is one of the hot spots that Jon Faverau and Vince Vaughn frequent. It has been a Holloywood landmark for over 60 years. They have a restaurant and a bar. We only went to the bar area to see Marty and Elayne perform. The duo became inexorably associated with the Dresden Restaurant in 1982 after they were discovered at the former Michael's around the block. With a sometimes staccato-Sinatra voice, Marty drives his drum kit and/or upright bass while Elayne swings it with piano, and flute if not scatting in a falsetto.

We arrived at around 8 on a Thursday night.  It wasn't crowded so we got a seat right at the bar which was a good decision.  Our bartender, the infamous Johnny, who is a classic Italian bartender, was insanely charming and entertaining.  Marty and Elayne didn't start until 9 (they were later than that that night) and Johnny made the time fly by with his stories and his singing.  He made us the famous Dresden Room drink of Blood and Sand and we sipped our drinks while waiting for our mozzarella marinara to show up.

 

 

The food was amazing.  On top of the mozz we ordered french onion soup later in the evening.  All of it had intense bold flavors that reminded me of good home cooked Italian food.  The duo showed up a bit after 9 and they wowed the room with their tunes.  It was a great atmosphere, not too crowded, which made for a perfect night.  This is another place that must be visited before your leave LA.  It reminds me of old LA while still having a hip flare.  When you go, get some food and make sure you see Johnny at the bar :)