Sonny's Hideaway - Highland Park



Just a few minutes Northeast of Downtown Los Angeles is the historic Eagle Rock neighborhood, home to Occidental College, where President Barack Obama, Academy Award winning actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck, and actor Luke Wilson attended.


Just South of Occidental College, there's a hidden neighborhood off the beaten path on York Blvd in Highland Park.  Notables on this street are (just to name a few):  Cafe de Leche (iced horchata), Scoops (brown bread ice cream), Donut Friend (create your own donut), Galcos Old World Grocery (hard to find, old time soda pop & candy), and Maximiliano (Italian).  Another reason to come to Highland Park is Sonny's Hideaway.
From the outside, this nondescript green colored building with a small sign "Sonny's Hideaway" as you walk up to the red door, you'd never guess this was waiting inside.


I was invited to this hideaway to taste their Summer Menu

But first, let's head over to the bar
and see what bartender Kelly O'Hare
suggests for pre-dinner cocktails

Whenever I see a Tiki menu,
I know I have to order a specialty cocktail.


Especially if it has a flame on top of it!

See Kristie Hang's video
of bartender Kelly working on
The Castoff
HERE 


The Castoff
(Tiki Drinks)
$13

Navy Strength Gin, Guyana Rum, Acqua Di Cedro,
Herbsaint, Lime, Passion Fruit, and Coconut. 

Bartender Kelly created a wonderful cocktail
menu for Tiki Tuesday.

This was a great cocktail and looking forward
to trying more cocktails this summer.


Dinner is Served!

The New Summer Menu
begins on June 24, 2014

Prepared by Executive Chef Alexander Abdel-Monem,
this menu is broken down in categories,
Smaller (starters), Larger (entree) , 
Sides (accompaniments), and Sweeter (dessert).


 See What Jay Eats...

Braised Meatballs
(Smaller)
$11

Beef, Pork, Sweet Arrabiata Sauce, 
Parmesan Fondue, and Cipollini Onion.

I really liked the Cipollini onions
with the meatballs.


Falafel Fries
(Smaller)
$8

Lemon Pepper Aioli and Cilantro 

I've never had falafel fries,
but really enjoyed it with the lemon pepper aioli.


 Grilled Octopus
(Smaller)
$14

I love it when restaurants serve seafood
other than shrimp and scallops.


Fried Chicken Terrine
(Smaller)
$12 

Buffalo Romesco, Celery Salad, 
Almonds, and Gorgonzola.

Loved the celery salad with 
this dish.  Only thing missing
were the bones (buffalo wings).


 Mussels
(Larger)
$17

Housemade Merguez Sausage, Smoked Leeks, and Fine Herbs.

When you get great shellfish, just serve it with the seasoned
cooking liquid and you'd be a genius!
Chef Alexander just left it alone and served with bread
to get every bit of the sauce.
They must know how good this is, cause they brought out
extra bread...

This was my favorite dish of the evening!
One more thing...

 S'Mores
(Sweeter)
$7

Marshmallow Brûlée, Chocolate Crema, and
Graham Cracker Crumble.

A nice way to end a good meal!
This New American menu has a lot of
classic dishes that really don't need a lot of
explaining, they're just elevated.

We were here on a Wednesday night and every table was filled.  
After tasting the summer menu,
this is going to be a good summer in Highland Park.

 We heard a story from owner Derek Lyons, growing up he would pass by a place always wondering what was inside.  He never when inside, but the mystery had him intrigued to create a place that you could pass by all the time and never know what was going on inside.
Now you know the background story...  
If you've passed by this place on York Blvd, 
I have to tell you that you're missing a true hidden gem.
Good food, imaginative cocktail menu,
and service to match, I'll be back!

5137 York Blvd.
Highland Park, CA 90042
(323) 255-2000
www.sonnyshideaway.com



Thank You!
Alexander Abdel-Monem
Jenni Hwang
J. Kelly O'Hare
Derek Lyons
Sonny's Hideaway



NOTE:  I was a guest of Sonny's Hideaway and thank them for their
invitation and hospitality.
All comments and opinions are strictly my own.





Photos by Jay Terauchi
Video Courtesy of Kristie Hang
Jay Eats Worldwide
©Jay Terauchi

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