Kimpton Everly Hollywood Debuts Written Hand for a Fresh Mediterranean Dining Experience at Ever Bar

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Kimpton Everly Hollywood welcomes a fresh culinary experience with Written Hand, the newest pop-up at Ever Bar that transforms this beloved Hollywood lounge into a Mediterranean-inspired haven. Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, Written Hand captures the spirit of communal dining and celebrates seasonal flavors in an atmosphere that’s both relaxed and vibrant. Spearheaded by Executive Chef Ashley Thompson, the menu reflects Southern California’s unique take on Mediterranean cuisine, emphasizing sustainable and locally sourced ingredients through partnerships with nearby farmers and fishermen. This exciting pop-up invites guests to connect over inventive dishes and crafted drinks, offering a refreshing taste of the Mediterranean in the heart of the city.

“At Kimpton Everly Hollywood, we strive to create experiences that feel both unique and immersive,” says Benjamin Palmer, General Manager of Kimpton Everly Hollywood. “The Written Hand pop-up brings that vision to life by transforming Ever Bar into a vibrant gathering space where great food, drinks, and conversations come together. From our talented Executive Chef Ashley Thompson’s dishes to acclaimed mixologist Naomi Schimek’s cocktails, this is a truly special experience we are excited to share with our community and guests.”

“I truly believe that cooking for people and enjoying a meal together is the best way to express love, and the act of sharing these dishes with friends and family is such an intimate, personal experience. I hope our guests feel that way then dine with us.”

Written Hand transforms Ever Bar at Kimpton Everly Hollywood into an edgy yet welcoming Mediterranean-inspired destination. Inspired by the creative spirit of nearby Los Feliz, Written Hand integrates effortlessly into the bar’s vibrant, living-room-style ambiance, inviting guests to linger from day to night in a lively, social setting. With bold design elements and décor capturing Los Angeles’ cultural pulse, this pop-up offers a dynamic expression of the city’s artistic energy right in the heart of Hollywood.

At the helm, Chef Ashley Thompson crafts a menu built around the essence of shared dining. Each dish is thoughtfully designed to spark interaction and exploration, blending Mediterranean flavors with the freshness of Southern California ingredients. Guests are treated to a playful mix of shared plates, imaginative aperitifs, and even tableside sherry and vermouth service, enhancing the communal experience.

Notable menu highlights include the Ono Winter Crudo, with zesty tangerine, Meyer lemon, and cold-pressed lemon oil; Head-on Prawns drizzled with smoky orange chermoula and paired with torn bread; a curated Tinned Fish Selection served with charred sourdough, heirloom pickles, and whipped sea moss butter; Compressed Weiser Farms Melon accompanied by duck prosciutto, charred figs, and whipped feta; and Braised Lamb Neck on toasted fregola with root vegetables and mint gremolata. The Grilled Bluefin Tuna Collar, a large-format showstopper marinated in harissa and paired with candysnap lemon, is both a feast for the eyes and the palate, perfect for sharing and Instagram-worthy moments.

“The ultimate goal in creating this menu was to combine local ingredients that are at their peak and present them to guests in a unique form, but also in a way that encourages stepping out of one’s comfort zone,” says Ashley Thompson, Executive Chef at Kimpton Everly Hollywood. “I truly believe that cooking for people and enjoying a meal together is the best way to express love, and the act of sharing these dishes with friends and family is such an intimate, personal experience. I hope our guests feel that way then dine with us.”

Guiding the beverage program at Written Hand is acclaimed mixologist Naomi Schimek, a seasoned industry leader known for her innovation in cocktail design. With over 30 years in the field, including her celebrated tenure as Beverage Director at The Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt, Schimek has built a reputation for creating uniquely inventive and precisely crafted cocktails, earning multiple Spirited Awards nominations. At Written Hand, she introduces a beverage menu that perfectly complements Chef Thompson’s Mediterranean-inspired dishes, employing experimental techniques like evaporative infusion limoncello with suspended Meyer lemons, alongside vibrant aperitifs crafted to maintain a light, playful ambiance.

Guests can dive into a selection of Mediterranean-inspired aperitifs, including the refreshing Tinto de Verano—a mix of red wine and Sicilian lemonade—and the Moletto Tomato Gin with Mediterranean tonic, basil, capers, and lemon. An interactive tableside sherry and vermouth cart adds a hands-on element to the experience, while non-alcoholic wines, cocktails, and beers ensure inclusive options for all guests.

Written Hand welcomes diners Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m., inviting everyone to experience the unique blend of flavors and creativity at the heart of Hollywood.