Hyatt's new Andaz hotel in WeHo reveals new restaurant/lounge

Despite winter’s rapid advance, the Sunset Strip may offer some warmth this season with the addition of 82/Sunny, the forthcoming restaurant inside Hyatt’s new take on the boutique hotel, Andaz.  The growing chain has tapped Texas-born, France-raised chef Sebastien Archambault to oversee the open kitchen inside the former "Riot House," famed for its debaucherous rock 'n' roll exploits of yore.

However, the only riot Archambault plans to start at the former Hyatt West Hollywood is one for his French-infused take on California cuisine.  "Living in Corsica, the freshest ingredients were constantly part of our table," he said in a news release regarding his time as a chef at Le Pirate on the island (Archambault has also cooked at Le Bourdonnais, Pur Grill and Bistro Les Bouquinistes in France).  The 33-year-old intends to employ a similar "farm-to-table" strategy for 82/Sunny’s menu, which is still being worked out in advance of a January debut. 

And while the still-under-construction restaurant itself is small (under 120 capacity, including the bar pictured above in a rendering, with sexy ghosts!), Andaz West Hollywood manager Michel Morauw said Monday that Hyatt is committed to making the new Sunset Boulevard restaurant a destination all its own. 

"It will have a separate entrance," he said. "To us, the climate is so important," Morauw continued when pressed about the restaurant's name, which bears a remarkable similarity to other trendy restaurant names that employ a noun-plus-number moniker (see Blvd 16, NYC's 15 East etc...).  "It’s more than just a superficial lifestyle.  It’s about the soil ... the weather here produces some of the best produce in the country."

“We are serving all sunny Californian wines,” the Belgian-born Morauw shouted Monday over buzzsaws while gesturing to a wall that will eventually hold "around 40" varieties of reds and whites behind a glass partition.  Adjacent to the wall of wine lies the kitchen, which will be completely exposed, allowing patrons to watch the action inside the ground-floor restaurant. Communal tables will be in front and private tables in the back.

January’s debut of the Andaz West Hollywood will mark the first North American opening of Hyatt's Andaz concept. The Andaz London opened in late 2007, and two new Andaz hotels are set to open in Manhattan next year.

Look for a banner to unfurl next week that covers the entire front of the old Hyatt West Hollywood in an attempt to build up interest in the property.

Sunny/82 at the Andaz, 8401 Sunset Blvd. (323) 656-1234

-- Charlie Amter

Rendering: Andaz West Hollywood

UPDATE: An earlier version of this post included a hyperlink not linking directly to the London Andaz. We have since re-inserted a direct link to the London hotel. Thanks to all who flagged it.

Comments

[hotel web design]

Glad I stumbled into this article! Finally, got what I was looking for!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it smile I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

[New England Lodgings]

This is one of very few blogs that was worth the read, a great insight. My friend will be so exciting to check out that. I’m really grateful for this great read, thank you for sharing this out.

[Mick Smith]

Hey, i notice they have www.andazdining.com as well. Cool site

[travelboy]

Hey Charlie,

Nice piece. You've badly linked to the Andaz in Liverpool Street UK..the homepage is here: http://london.liverpoolstreet.andaz.com/hyatt/hotels/andaz/index.jsp

I'm looking forward to visiting the states Q2 next year.. if it's anything like their London venue count me in. I'm all for price transparency!

[Maximus1901]

For Andaz Liverpool Street London you've linked incorrectly. I found it here in the end:

http://london.liverpoolstreet.andaz.com/hyatt/hotels/andaz/index.jsp