Anti-Hipster's Guide to LA: Ketchup
Yep, I said it. Ketchup. Now, you, like LAist's editor, might be asking, what does Ketchup have to do with hipsters, doesn't it attract the trendy set? It is owned by the Dolce Group right? Well you would think the place would be packed with that little subgroup of hipsters called trendsters - you know, actors, musicians, those prettier, a lot cleaner and label conscious hipsters out there.
Say what you will (and I know you will) but having gone in for a couple hours (about 2 hours longer than I planned) and enjoying myself, I have to put Ketchup on my list of places.
Now I have to admit, I saw at least one guy with a keffiyeh on and two or three chicks who looked like they should have been at Beauty Bar instead. About 9 o'clock I got in and waited for my two fellow Louisianians to arrive, so I waited at the bar. The original plan was to grab a table, but as the night went on and the bar/lounge area got busier, we decided to stay and enjoy the company.
We never had a problem with the service at the bar, the bartenders and management were always friendly and attentive (which, for me is a rarity on Sunset - believe me, I used to bartend down the street from Ketchup). We started off with a few drinks, including the Fruit Punch Kool Aid. Could be the Southerner in me, but I liked it.
A pair of the regulars there, whom we sat and talked with most of the night, were a sassy female/male duo from the store below Ketchup. Friendly, talkative, lending of easy camaraderie - all anti-hipster (and trendster) traits. Try getting that at Villa or Jimmy's Lounge next time you're out.
So, the atmosphere, yes, decidedly, in my opinion, anti-hipster. The decor, of course, is a Wall Street trader's dream and gives the place a cool vibe and all the white with the red accents could be off putting to some. As for the music, I honestly don't remember what it was like because we were talking so much to the other people at the bar.
As far as the food, it's not AOC, but not bad, not bad at all. We split:
The Threesome: Ketchup fries, Fire fries and Sweet Potato fries with five different types of ketchup. Clear winner, the sweet potato fries with the mango ketchup. Like dessert. We all thought maybe they were trying to do cajun fries with the fire fries but didn't quite come close enough. Good none the less.
The Scandalous Lobster Wraps: Not really sure why they're called scandalous but an interesting take on the wrap as an appetizer. The lobster could've been a bit more flavorful but still good.
The Kobe Beef Sliders: I personally did not have them but one of my friends sucked them down like an addict sucking up that last hit. He said it was the second time he'd had them and raved about them when I suggested we go there.
So there. Ketchup, a definite yes and I will be back. As an anti-hipster.
Ketchup
8590 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
(310) 289-8590