What is the overall restaurant concept?
The Tuck Room Tavern, led by James Beard Award winning chef Sherry Yard and Sommelier and Executive Bartender Adam Seger is a jovial neighborhood dining + drinking den serving craveable American fare and a touch of whimsy within a lively atmosphere. Paying homage to old Hollywood, the design and bar menu specifically pay tribute to the golden era of film, with cocktails referencing personalities.
“I wanted to create a space that is whimsical and serious at the same time. People don’t have enough fun.”
Can you provide a 1 paragraph bio for Sherry Yard?
Brooklyn-born Sherry Yard is an accomplished chef who has spent her extensive career making a mark on the culinary world. Her innovative approach has garnered her three James Beard Awards and an induction into their Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America, a prestigious culinary lifetime achievement award. Yard has garnered numerous accolades, receiving recognition from renowned publications such as Bon Appetit Magazine, Food Arts Magazine, and more, along with authoring two successful cookbooks and securing an esteemed appointment as Senior Vice President of Culinary and Brand Development for iPic Entertainment Group. At iPic Entertainment, Yard has been credited with redefining what guests eat at the movies, crafting a unique “Dining in the Dark” menu that has revolutionized the typical moviegoing outing with a focus on the sensory experience of a meal. She is responsible for overseeing the iPic Express concession concept for the brand’s luxury movie theaters as well as independent restaurants and bars, including The Tuck Room Tavern in Westwood; The Tuck Room gastrolounge with locations in North Miami Beach and Houston, Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale and Boca Raton; and City Perch Kitchen + Bar in Bethesda and Fort Lee.
Describe the cuisine? What is the inspiration?
Tuck Room Tavern’s culinary offerings deliver mouthwatering renditions of what Yard herself calls “craveable American Fare.” “This is the stuff I want to eat,” said Yard.
The menu highlights include homemade breads, Santa Monica Farmers market nightly specials, Brioche-Crusted Maryland Crab Cakes, Reuben Croquettes, Spring Bean Salad, Grilled Rib Eye and not to be missed Chef Sherry’s desserts. Engaging bartenders serve up a liquid love letter to Los Angeles with cocktails inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood, social punch bowls, fresh locally brewed beers and a Sommelier-curated list of over 20 wines and Champagnes by the glass and half bottle.
What is the inspiration for the design of the restaurant? Who is the interior designer?
The dining room takes unexpected turns, encircling an energetic bar, with checkered floors, tall leather and emerald velvet banquettes, striking crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling painted bookshelves. Inside, a “parlor” awaits guests with shadow box tables and small family knickknacks. A cozy “den” invites guests into a more intimate nook, while the bar offers a playfully crafty ambience. Outside, a patio dubbed the “conservatory” welcomes hours of outdoor fun. Take a further look around and you’ll find stunning works by Kalisher Studio, an art curating agency specializing in private collections and hospitality art. Collaborating with interior designers Studio K, Kalisher created thought-provoking pieces combining colonial American nuances with humorous elements. Historical art references are made using portraiture as a starting point and fun, bold animal figures. Kalisher Studio’s team also crafted a collection of different moldings for the pieces, baroque-inspired, chunky, thick frames adding character to the art. Among the space, a riddle is hidden for kids to find; if they do, they’ll receive one complimentary dessert.
Can you provide a 1 paragraph bio for the interior designer?
Los Angeles native Mike Stilkey has always been attracted to painting and drawing not only on vintage paper, record covers and book pages, but on the books themselves. Using a mix of ink, colored pencil, paint and lacquer, Stilkey depicts a melancholic and at times a whimsical cast of characters inhabiting ambiguous spaces and narratives of fantasy and fairy tales. A lingering sense of loss and longing hints at emotional depth and draws the viewer into their introspective thrall with a mixture of capricious poetry, wit, and mystery. His work is reminiscent of Weimar-era German expressionism and his style has been described by some as capturing features of artists ranging from Edward Gorey to Egon Schiele.
His work has been exhibited throughout the United States as well as internationally, at galleries and museums such as the Bristol City Museum in the UK, Bakersfield Museum Of Art in Bakersfield, CA, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, Mesa, AZ, Andrea Schwartz Gallery in San Francisco, CA, Kinsey/DesForges Gallery in Culver City, CA, David B. Smith Gallery in Denver, CO, Gilman Contemporary Gallery, Ketchum, ID, and Rice University Gallery, Houston, TX. He has also created numerous large-scale installations internationally, in Turin, Italy; Bern, Switzerland; Manila, Philippines; and Hong Kong and Beijing, China.
Who made the chandeliers?
The Tuck Room Tavern collaborated with interior designers, Studio K to decorate the space
What is the most popular dish on the menu?
Brioche Crusted Crab Cakes – old bay remoulade, frisee + Polito Farms citrus salad, yuzu vinaigrette
Ahi Tuna Poke – soy, sweet onion, ginger, sesame, edamame, macadamia nut crunch
Mango & Habanero BBQ Baby Back Ribs (Snake River Farms) – spicy tangy coleslaw, honey-glazed cornbread topped with whipped goat cheese
Red Velvet Pavlova – crispy vanilla meringue, red velvet raspberry chunk ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce
What are the most popular cocktails?
Adam Seger’s ‘Ice DJs’ elevate the art of personalized mixology by shaking up nostalgic libations and hand-cut ice, and it all begins in a charmingly imaginative space. The Tuck Room Tavern is also home to LA’s only ‘Ice DJ Booth’ where Seger’s premium bar masters elevate the art of the cocktail by hand-carving ice from a 45-pound block for guests to enjoy with their Old Fashioned and Punch Bowls.
Additional popular cocktails include the Norma Jean – vodka spiked California strawberry lemonade; the Booth 50 – Evan Williams bourbon, hand squeezed California grapefruit, wildflower honey, yuzu; the LookBetterNaked Margarita – Azunia organic tequila, organic agave, citrus, sweet herb of Paraguay; and the Farmer’s Market Sangria – California chardonnay, St Germain, Pisco, ginger, passion fruit, chef’s cooler produce and herbs from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market.
Describe the wine list.
Tuck’s wine list celebrates California’s bounty along with Chef Sherry and Adam’s favorite food wines such as Sancerre, Champagne, dry Rose and Barbaresco.
With wine categories sounding like a personal training progression – supple, robust and ripped – they are also listed from lightest to fullest body to facilitate great food pairings.
How would you describe the clientele?
The Tuck Room Tavern has something for everyone. Earlier in the night, families come in to dine or people come for a post-work drink or casual dinner. Later in the evening, The Tuck Room Tavern is filled with many couples, as it’s the perfect spot for a date night, especially for those wanting to do dinner and a movie. After about 9pm, the music gets a little louder and a younger crowd starts to fill the restaurant and gather around the bar. Additionally, due to its Westwood location, The Tuck Room Tavern has become more crowded with students from UCLA.
What makes the Tuck Room different from other restaurants?
With Tuck’s thoughtfully-curated mix of sophisticated communal lounge areas, bar area and seating vignettes, guests will always find their own intimate space conducive to social dining, drinking, gathering and conversation.
Which celebrities have been to the Tuck Room?
Celebrities that have experienced The Tuck Room Tavern include John Legend and Chrissy Tiegen; Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.
Have any special brands hosted parties at the Tuck Room?
The Tuck Room Tavern/iPic Theaters has hosted numerous events including the premiere of “The Late Bloomer” and Kickboxer: Vengeance, the first film in the rebooted Kickboxer franchise.