Hollywood's Newest Restaurant Hides a Speakeasy Out Back
Fried chicken, martinis, and a little mystery from the group behind Social Room and Bae Korean Grill
Downtown Hollywood isn’t exactly known for its upscale dining scene, or even its contemporary one, but things are finally starting to take a turn. The latest newcomer is Common Room on Harrison Street, a modern American restaurant bringing a moodier, sexier vibe to the neighborhood.
Common Room comes from BOL Hospitality Group, the Eric Douglas and Hai Nguyen operation behind Social Roomtwo blocks down at 1916 Harrison, plus Bae Korean Grill and The BŌL at the Seminole Hard Rock. It opened in mid-July in a 2,000-square-foot room designed by Jewel Toned Interiors that seats about 65, with executive chef Tanya Evans, who cooked at Barton G and with Major Food Group, running the kitchen. The Brooklyn Room, an invite-only speakeasy out back, opens in early August.
The Space: Green velvet banquettes, brass-framed mirrors lining the walls, floral wallpaper, all of it under an industrial ceiling. The lighting is doing intentional work, and the whole thing lands somewhere between neighborhood restaurant and date-night room. For a stretch of Harrison Street better known for casual, it’s a swing.
What to Eat & Drink: We started with the short rib tacos and the cavatappi mac and cheese, which is an interesting opening pair, and the mac won in a walkover. It arrives huge, easily enough for two or three people, with a tangy edge to the three-cheese sauce and a prosciutto crumble on top that I’d buy by the jar. Our server told us it’s a family recipe from chef Evans, passed down for years. The tacos were smaller than I’d envisioned, served in crispy wonton-style shells, and while the gochujang short rib had good flavor, the meat ran a touch dry.
The Southern fried chicken is the order. The collard greens are some of the best I’ve ever had, the half bird was moist with a proper crust, and the cornbread is nice and sweet, which is how I like it (I’m aware sweet cornbread has enemies, you know who you are). The prime rib French dip landed at good, not great. The au jus had solid flavor and the horseradish aioli added a nice kick, but the meat felt a bit one note and could have used some more seasoning.
For dessert, the carrot cake and the chocolate cake both have the flavors down, though each ran a touch dry the night we went.
The bar comes from Unfiltered Hospitality, whose partners include Ben Potts of the dearly departed Beaker & Gray, and the punny cocktail names made the trip with him (Tropic Like It's Hot, Cocoa Chanel). The martini service, billed on the menu as the Common Room Ritual, comes six ways, from a classic 2:1 to a savory build with ramp tincture and basil oil, and my martini was cold and correct. One stickler note that only a bar nerd will care about: it’s billed as martini service, but there’s no service to it, no sidecar with the extra pour, no olive tray, no accoutrements, etc. The martini is good, but it can’t claim “service” yet.
Then there’s the back bar. We got a tour of soon-to-open The Brooklyn Room, and it’s dark and moody with red brick walls, a big red-lit bar, portraits of famous Brooklynites hanging around the room. It opens in early August, entry comes through the alley behind the restaurant, and apparently is going to function mainly as invite only.
Perfect For: Date night. Broward friends you’d otherwise have to drag to Miami. Anyone playing the long game for a Brooklyn Room invite.
Pro Tip: We’re told being a regular at any BOL spot improve your odds of being invited back to the Brooklyn Room.
Expect to Pay: Around $75 to $100 per person with cocktails, more if the caviar dishes or the $55 short rib make an appearance.
How’s the parking? Common Room has its own free lot for guests, tucked behind the restaurant near S. 21st Avenue and Van Buren Street. If it fills up, there’s metered street parking on Harrison and a city garage a block east on S. 20th Avenue.
@commonroomhollywood // 2032 Harrison St., Downtown Hollywood