Hudson
(Eric Rosen)
Taking over from the now defunct Boulevard, The Hudson pretty much has the same bar food menu, but with a new cocktail list and décor that supposedly evokes the '60's cool of "Mad Men." Personally, we're not buying it. The building sits on what used to be a former train station (yes, in Los Angeles!), with a piece of track even sitting right outside. That's why we think the tufted banquettes running the length of the room, flickering candles, and a long wooden deck with trees growing up through it at odd intervals would lend themselves more to Prohibition-era backwoods speakeasy. At least the drinks are strong, and the crowd is refreshingly mixed in an otherwise gay-only area of WeHo.

The $10 cocktails include fun concoctions like the Bullet which is basically a Manhattan with a drop of maple syrup: the Pike with tequila, OJ and Sprite; a Bartender's Choice made with a seasonal mix of fruits and herbs or veggies; and for a messy end to a messy day, the Wash, which is just a Bud and a shot of Jack. Remember how we were saying this place aimed at classy? It's more aimed at a non-WeHo standard.

The food menu has all your standard salads and appetizers like hand-cut onion rings, hot wings, and three-cheese macaroni with jalapenos, as well as burgers like one with mushrooms, roasted garlic and gruyere, and massive Philly cheesesteak and Cuban pulled-pork sandwiches. There are even entrees for your date, like the steak frites, a lemon-roasted chicken with poached potatoes and artichoke, and fish tacos. Nothing to wow, but everything rings up under $20, so we're down.

A few things will keep us coming back: the kitchen is open late night (till about 1:30am) and a daily happy hour till 7:00pm (that's right, even on weekends).

Address: 1114 N. Crescent Heights Blvd.
Cross Street: Santa Monica Blvd.
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Phone: 323-654-6686
Hours: Daily 11:00am-2:00am, Happy Hour 2:00-7:00pm
Type: Burgers, Lounge
Price: $