The Stork in Hollywood spreads its wings

After being open for nearly a month the Stork supper club, adjacent to the Hollywood & Highland mega-mall, is ready for its close-up. Wednesday night more than 500 party people surged into the venue for its official grand opening fete.

The skirts were small and the drinks were stiff as the crowd got down to the music of DJ Marshall Barnes. The club looks like a concrete warehouse with modernist lines and a stark lack of decoration. A large outdoor smoking lounge and bar has uber-close views of the Kodak Theatre sign and also of the restaurant patio in a lush courtyard below.

The restaurant's menu was created by prolific restaurateur Steven Arroyo and the kitchen is helmed by former 750 ml chef Greg Bernhardt (who will move on to oversee Church & State, which Arroyo says will open after Labor Day). Arroyo describes the food at the Stork as "modern French American," adding that it's "not fine dining, just fun dining." Think burgers, BLTs, fish and chips and salads. Arroyo says the restaurant, which is open Tuesday through Saturday, is filling up on most nights so reservations are recommended.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo credit: Jessica Gelt