For the curious, you first need to decide: E.P., or L.P.?
Along LA’s famous Melrose Street right across La Cienega, right before the Alice & Olivia boutique, is a doorway into one of LA’s must-go places: E.P. & L.P.
Upon entry, the receptionist hits you with that question: E.P., or L.P.?
The former is an Asian fusion restaurant located at the second floor of the three-story building. The latter is the rooftop bar, part of which is also known as the Melrose Rooftop Theatre.
I first learned about E.P. & L.P. through someone I randomly met online on a dating app, He started raving about it so much in mid-conversation that I got intrigued enough to message one of my friends and say that I wanted to check it out.
The first time I went, it had a line outside—and after about a 30-minute wait, that was when I learned that if you wanted a spot at one of LA’s must visit locales, you had to be there by 10pm and not 11pm or 12am like you normally would on a night out in Asia.
The second time I went, though, it was a true success. I started my night with dinner at the E.P., and then I made my way up to the L.P., which I later found out served one of the best chicken sandwiches in LA (with fries, of course) and some of LA’s best cocktails.
They change their menu every season, just like most bars in LA. One thing that does stay on their menu no matter what time of year is their alcoholic boba, which is made with vodka, lychee, coconut water, lime, and mango boba pearls. I personally always stick to the gin-based cocktails they have on their menu—if I’m in an adventurous mood, though, I ask their mixologists to whip up something for me, which they’re always happy to do.
There’s no reason to stress if it gets too cold for rooftop season, because during the fall and winter months the establishment is weatherproofed by an acrylic makeshift ceiling that helps keep the place at a controlled temperature. If you’re still feeling a bit chilly, they gladly offer blankets while you chat and chill (pun unintended) with friends.
Before moving back to Manila, E.P. & L.P. was my personal number-one go-to for a fun night in LA. I recently went back a few months ago and it was still the same: same type of crowd, same atmosphere, and consistently great drinks.
