March 19, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

The PUMP is primed — Lisa Vanderpump’s new West Hollywood restaurant corners the market

It’s important to remember that before Lisa Vanderpump became a reality show icon (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules) her original fame came as an impresario of restaurants in L.A. —  26 of them in all, most notably Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills and SUR in West Hollywood.

The lounge at PUMP in West Hollywood.
The lounge at PUMP in West Hollywood.

Her latest, PUMP Restaurant & Bar, proves once again Vanderpump knows how to woo an audience.

The location is by all accounts a no-brainer for business, but the same spot on the corner of Robertson Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood is known in real estate circles as the Vortex, one of those mysterious coordinates on the map where every entity that tries to survive there quickly dies and shrivels, despite the seemingly perfect confluence of WeHo nightlight within a stone’s throw, including the revered WeHo institution, the Abbey.

For once, the quagmire site may not swallow up an establishment, as it has at least half a dozen times in the past decade.

PUMP is going as strong and bold as its name.

The outdoor patio.
The outdoor patio.

If its recently launched Huge Gay Brunch on Sundays is any indication, this new see-and-be-seen eatery is set to keep growing.

It may be sacrilege to say it, but side-by-side with PUMP’s neighbor, the Abbey feels washed up, partly owing to it needing a washing up.  In comparison, the dark, almost Goth look of the hottest WeHo bar for over a decade seems dingy and old.  PUMP is bright, cheery, classy and full of light and energy.

Inside, the shabby chic baby pink velvet padded wooden chairs and distressed bleached birch tables create a feeling of a princess’s lair.  In an amazing transformation of the space, Vanderpump craned in nine old-growth olive trees into a former adjacent parking lot to create an enchanting patio garden.

Heirloom tomatoes and burrata.
Heirloom tomatoes and burrata.

While the eatery and bar is in the heart of West Hollywood, attracting the expected continent of neighborhood denizens (read mostly gay men), the Vanderpump name and the menu bring in an eclectic crowd from everywhere and every walk in LA.

As for the brunch menu, curated by Food Network Star Chef Penny Davidi, it features Contemporary Mediterranean style cuisine that keeps with the French inspired garden feeling of the restaurant.  Standouts included the crispy calmari served with a spicy tomato sauce; and heirloom tomatoes with creamy burrito drizzled with olive oil, balsamic reduction and ribbons of basil.

The skirt steak with eggs.
The skirt steak with eggs.

For Entrees, a favorite is the chicken Milanese, consisting of a pounded and lightly breaded breast pan fried with lemon and served with an arugula salad with pine nuts and tomatoes; the Spring Vegetable Omelet with bell peppers, asparagus, shallots, heirloom tomatoes, arugula and mozzarella; the Hamptons Seafood Roll, consisting of shrimp and crab, tossed in a homemade aioli with paprika and diced tomatoes, served on a toasted Brioche bun, served with thick cut fries; and the Grilled Skirt Steak and Eggs, a delicious standard of a hearty brunch.

Other menu items include The Pinky Pump Burger and a delicious Pound Cake with Greek Yogurt and Fresh Fruit among others. Refreshing brunch drinks like the LVP Sangria, Mimosa and Mojito are offered by the pitcher or by the glass.

PUMP serves brunch every Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. For reservations and more information visit www.pumprestaurant.com.

Related Posts

The Auld Fella: Brentwood and Culver City’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Destination

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Join the Craic at The Auld Fella’s Celebrations: Dining, Drinking, Shenanigans If you are looking for an epic St. Patrick’s...

MICHELIN Guide Unveils 10 New Culinary Stars in California, Anticipating 2024 Selections

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

9 Los Angeles Area and Beverly Hills Restaurants Featured as New Additions The prestigious MICHELIN Guide has announced the addition...

Chef Roy Choi Brings Tacos Por Vida to LA With Soft Opening in Palms

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Lines Are Already Growing at This Newest Roy Choi Taco Stand Celebrated chef Roy Choi is celebrating the debut...

Sweet Lady Jane’s Santa Monica Flagship Faces Temporary Closure: New Owners Offer Solution for Cake Lovers

March 8, 2024

March 8, 2024

Montana Avenue’s Sweet Lady Jane Bakery Temporarily Shut, Julie Ngu Working to Reopen and Get Cake to Fans By Dolores...

Predict the Runtime, Win Delicious Rewards! Shake Shack’s Star-Studded Game for Tinseltown’s Biggest Night

March 7, 2024

March 7, 2024

Shake Shack’s Ultimate Award Show Guessing Game, and You Get the Prizes Get ready for a star-studded evening of predictions...

Wolfgang Puck to Wow Celebs at 30th Annual Oscars Governor’s Ball with Luxurious Feast

March 6, 2024

March 6, 2024

Chef Discusses His Three-Decade Legacy and Teases Decadent Desserts at the Oscars Chef and restauranteur Wolfgang Puck will serve a...

Sweet Lady Jane Bakery Returns with Surprise Soft Opening in Santa Monica on Monday

March 4, 2024

March 4, 2024

Exclusive: Four Other Locations Will Start to Reopen This Week  Things are moving fast with the reopening of the beloved...

CJ Foods Manufacturing Recalls Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings Over Plastic Contamination

March 4, 2024

March 4, 2024

62,000 pounds of dumplings recalled after reports of hard plastic in the product CJ Foods Manufacturing Beaumont Corporation is initiating...

Regarding Her Dinner at Hatchet Hall is Part of Planned Women’s History Month Celebration

February 28, 2024

February 28, 2024

Events Showcase Women-Led Farms, Vineyards, and Chefs, Supporting ‘Regarding Her’ Nonprofit Hatchet Hall, the renowned Culver City restaurant, invited patrons...

Leap Day Brings Once-in-Four-Year Deals at Popular Restaurants All Day Long

February 28, 2024

February 28, 2024

Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’, and More Roll Out Special Offers to Mark the Occasion Leap Day, that rare additional day occurring...

Sweet Lady Jane’s Social Media Tease Continues As Locations Sport Hiring Notices

February 28, 2024

February 28, 2024

Mysterious Posts Leave Fans Eager for the Return, But Questions Linger By Dolores Quintana After resurfacing on social media, the...

Sweet Lady Jane Sparks Hope of Return – Popular Bakery Hints at Reopening Across LA

February 27, 2024

February 27, 2024

After Abrupt Closures, Beloved Bakery Hints at a Comeback, Leaving Fans Intrigued  Sweet Lady Jane, a Los Angeles cake bakery...

Los Angeles County Takes Grubhub to Court Alleging Deceptive Practices

February 22, 2024

February 22, 2024

Legal Action Initiated Against Grubhub for Alleged False Advertising Los Angeles County has initiated legal proceedings against food delivery giant...

Culinary Bliss Awaits: Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival Debuts in Santa Monica

February 21, 2024

February 21, 2024

Santa Monica Pier Welcomes the Inaugural Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival Santa Monica is set to become the birthplace...

Beloved Los Angeles Restaurant Manzke to Close Alongside Bicyclette on March 2

February 21, 2024

February 21, 2024

Culinary power couple Walter and Margarita Manzke Continue on with République  By Dolores Quintana Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke are...