May 9, 2025 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

“Forte dei Marmi Fridays” Brings Italian Elegance and Fresh Seafood to Brentwood

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

New Lunch and Dinner Series Features Traditional Italian Dishes from Tuscany There is a new weekly dining experience bringing the...

Meet the Man Behind the Burritos: Severiano Gonzalez Marks Four Decades at Tito’s Tacos

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

One Man’s Dedication, Four Decades of Flavor: Tito’s Senior Cook Speaks By Dolores Quintana Severiano Gonzalez is the senior cook...

Tyla Teams Up with Erewhon for Limited-Edition “Bliss” Smoothie Benefiting Girls’ Education

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Tyla’s Smoothie Is Here. Blissfully Bright, Nutrient-Packed, and for a Good Cause Erewhon has teamed up with Grammy-winning musician Tyla...

Here’s Looking At You to Close Permanently on June 13 After Nearly 10 Years of Culinary Impact in L.A.

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Beloved restaurant bids farewell with heartfelt message from co-founder Lien Ta After nearly ten years of culinary creativity and community,...

Cinco de Mayo Heats Up West Los Angeles With Food, Art, Music, and Mezcal Tastings

May 1, 2025

May 1, 2025

Mezcal Tastings, DJ Sets, Live Mural Installations, and Tlayudas Await It’s almost time for the holiday that isn’t celebrated in...

Make Your Own Pizza and Sip Craft Beer at Santa Monica’s Gourmandise School May 4

May 1, 2025

May 1, 2025

DIY Pizza and Craft Beer Collab Coming to Santa Monica Place Food lovers are invited to roll up their sleeves...

Celebrate the Kentucky Derby Day with Two Stylish Parties in L.A. on May 3

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

Two Ways to Celebrate Derby Day: From Rooftop Revelry to Classic Cocktails Hatchet Hall is inviting guests to don their...

Free Spanish Wine Happy Hour Coming to The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

Gratis Happy Hour Includes Cheeses, Hand-Cut Jamón, and Exclusive Pairings Wine lovers are invited to a complimentary happy hour at...

Westside Restaurant Owner Alleges Excessive Force by LAPD in New Civil Rights Lawsuit

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

Arrest Occurred After Business Owner Attempted to Make a Misconduct Complaint The co-owner of a well-known café in South Los...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Go Go Bird Teams Up with Chef Chris Oh for Korean-Inspired Fried Chicken Sandwich

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Crispy, Saucy, Spicy: Chris Oh’s Fried Chicken Sandwich Lands in Culver City Go Go Bird, located in Culver City’s Citizen...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...

The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Pours on the Charm with New Afternoon Tea

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Organic Teas, Sweet Treats, Artisan Touches to Relax in Style  A block south of Sunset Boulevard, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood...

Global Ramen Restaurant Expands in LA with New Culver City and Vegan West Hollywood Outposts

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

From Tonkotsu to Tofu: Restaurant’s Dual Openings Cater to Every Ramen Craving International ramen powerhouse Ippudo has opened its newest...