Feeling a bit Rushed

Is it a restaurant? Or is it a bar?

Defining the properties is only getting harder, especially with the popularity of the restaurant-lounge—a hybrid that only looks to persist as the economy is getting crappier, and owners have a better chance at recouping costs with multi-functioning spaces.

Lounge? Bar? Restaurant? Yes, yes, um…sorta when it comes to Culver City’s new Rush Street. Despite the early hours and Friday traffic, the huge, industrial-esque space was packed for last week’s launch party.

The bar impressively takes up one side of the dining room—it was supposed to be the longest bar in CC until Father’s Office came along. De rigueur horseshoe-shaped booths line the other side for groups who don’t want to perch at the tall communal tables in the center. A stylish lounge is set up in the loft with a not-so-stylish stripper pole (class-ay!).

Two gorgeous ladies, who totally looked like twins,

manned the upstairs bar while servers—all girls—stood by in, it’s got to be said, some of the most unflattering, body-hugging uniforms.

I was getting the picture. It was becoming increasingly apparent that this restaurant editor didn’t belong—especially since I was only able to score some pretty sad-looking sliders as samples.

Then, as I was making my final notes and taking my last pictures, a guy sidled over. After finding out my raison d’etre, he exclaimed, “I know you haven’t been to the best Italian restaurant in the city!” Uh, where would that be? “My kitchen!” Yep, I didn’t belong.

—Jiyeon Yoo