Michele StuevenDavid Combes and Grant Smillie’s three-year journey of transforming the historic Grandmaster Recorders studio in Hollywood has ended with a new beginning on Thursday, December 9.
The Aussie team behind E.P. & L.P. and the Strings of Life cafe alongside husband and wife chef team Monty and Jaci Koludrovic have turned the famous recording studio into a rock & roll inspired 15,000-square-foot multi-level venue in the heart of Hollywood.
On the ground level, in what used to be the studio where Gwen Stefani recorded The Sweet Escape and Weezer put the final touches on Make Believe, Studio 71 is a cocktail bar, lounge and live music venue. A massive functioning disco ball, salvaged from Dancing With The Stars, looms above. If those walls could talk.
Grandmaster Recorders dining room (Michele Stueven)
Up On The Roof (Michele Stueven)
Down a corridor highlighted with recording memorabilia that includes plenty of vinyl and 8-track nostalgia, you’ll find yourself in the elegant and warm dining room with an open kitchen and another bar.
Koludrovic weaves some of his native Aussie flavors playfully with Italian and California influences in his menu. For starters, his insalata di pesce is a stunning mosaic of Baja tuna, pickled persimmons, radish, caviar and crunchy schmalz sourdough croutons. The burrata with truffle and burnt honey is highlighted by a version of the glorious crunchy chili sauce you’ll find for purchase at S.O.L. – which I have yet to conquer my obsession with.
Chef Monty Koludrovic serves up grilled scampi in a basil radish hand roll (Michele Stueven)
The sourdough cavatelli comes with a slow-cooked Margra ragu, capers and anchovy. The fragrant stew of Maine lobster, fish, mussels and vegetables alongside lobster knuckle grits is comforting. Another unique menu standout is the braised greens marcona almond pie in a sourdough crust with parmesan cheese. Passionate master sommelier and Claremont native Devon D’Arcangelo has curated a thoughtful blend of Australian, French, Italian and California wines.
Top it off with a nod to the studio and crack open the Weiss Ebene chocolate tiramisu single, or head up to the stunning wraparound rooftop bar for a nightcap and panoramic views of the Hollywood hills and the burgeoning vinyl district.
Tiramisu turntable (Michele Stueven)
Feast on a broken record (Michele Stueven)
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