The Gilded Bellini at The Hudson LA
Some weekends, brunching is all about staying low-key, just heading to a place where you can hang with your friends and be surrounded by a full house of people that love to do the same. Fortunately, at The Hudson in West Hollywood, guests can get the best of both worlds.
The Hudson is WeHo's favorite neighborhood bar and eatery with a fun, casual and classically cool atmosphere that's guaranteed to have a good crowd all weekend long. As a relatively new Angeleno (a year this past September!), I know this is one of the top hang out spots in the area, and I couldn't wait to try out The Hudson's brunch that I had heard so much buzz about!
From the moment you step into The Hudson, you're immediately greeted by (and are in awe of) the restaurant's fifty-foot trees located in the main dining room which are dramatically lit from the ground up, which provide some magical vibes throughout the restaurant. I particularly love how the venue has open-air dining, so the entire space is filled with natural lighting.
The Hudson's interior design resembles a pre-Prohibition Chicago banker bar with dark wood all around complimented by rich burgundy fabric.
The bar area is really impressive as well. It's got beautiful exposed brick and really plays into the Prohibition-era vibe.
I wanted to bring a few of my close friends to experience The Hudson's brunch with me! Kyle, Candice, Mitch, and Morgan joined me, and they were super excited to just sit down, relax and drink lots of mimosas.
By the way, The Hudson has totally got you covered with that - mimosa carafes on deck! Needless to say we got a couple of those to kick off our afternoon!
It was so good to catch up with everyone, and what better way than over mimosas? We definitely all agree on that one.
One thing I really like about The Hudson is that no matter how full the restaurant is, you'll be able to talk normally with everyone at your table, rather than have to shout over the table next to you. This is one thing that's super important to me whenever I'm out, because it truly does make all the difference in the overall dining experience! The Hudson, you had me at the mimosas, here's another check plus for you!
On to the yummy dishes...
We all got a mix of breakfast and lunch items from the menu - I got The Powerhouse, a protein-rich meal which is something I so needed after starting to feel those mimosas! It came with fresh grilled chicken, tomato, spinach and egg whites.
Candice got the Crab Benedict - okay, this looked absolutely amazing! It came with Red Rock crab, poached eggs, bernaise and focaccia. I loved how The Hudson did their own take on a traditional dish and made it crispy, savory and Angeleno-approved.
Mitch ordered a drool-worthy Breakfast Sandwich complete with an over-medium egg, creamy slices of avocado, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon and home fries. Talk about the perfect combination of brunch cravings all in one.
What's a brunch that hits the spot without an order of French Toast? The Hudson's take on the classic dish boasts a delicious warm brioche french toast paired with vanilla syrup and chantilly whipped cream. It's the perfect choice to satisfy that mid-morning sweet tooth!
Of course, lots of photos and Snapchats were going on during our brunch! I was actually doing an Instagram takeover for the SweetyHigh.com Instagram story showing everyone what a day in the life of a brunch with The Gilded Bellini was like. I was really excited to show everyone The Hudson in the snaps as well because it's a place that has an incredibly fun atmosphere that would appeal to so many people. The Hudson was a great place to showcase to represent a "day in the life!"
Kyle was feeling more lunch-y than breakfast-y, so he went with the Chicken Sandwich. It was a super savory, satisfying dish consisting of buffalo mozzarella, roasted tomato, wild arugula, balsamic reduction, and basil pesto. Mmmmm. I'm a complete sucker for pesto! The Hudson nailed this dish.
I highly recommend The Hudson to anyone, either local or visiting for a brunch that is guaranteed to be a good time. Between the quality food, the friendly and inviting atmosphere, and the promise that it will always be "happening", it's the perfect spot to get the true Angeleno experience. Whether you're choosing to come for brunch or are just in the mood to get together with friends for some cocktails, The Hudson simply won't disappoint!
Photography by: Patrick Muniz
