A Sip of Old Hollywood with Nikaido Shochu at The Beacon Hotel
Nestled across from Santa Monica Beach, The Beacon Hotel is a charming relic of 1928, transporting guests back to the glitz and glamour of Old Hollywood. With its art deco architecture, and breathtaking Pacific sunsets, The Beacon promises relaxation and sophistication.
Recently, The Beacon hosted TBDE to explore the world of shochu with Nikaido, a renowned producer from Japan's Oita prefecture. Nikaido, a pioneer in shochu making, traces its legacy back to the origins of barley shochu, boasting the first-ever 100% barley shochu crafted with barley koji. This 'new style' shochu has captivated Japan with its balanced, crisp, and clean taste, enriched by a fruity barley heart that sings with clarity and depth.
During our visit, we got to preview their newly opened bars: Layla on the first floor and the rooftop Coco Club. Each offers a unique ambiance and an array of elevated cocktails that reflect the hotel's historical charm and modern sensibilities.
Layla: A Tribute to Tradition
Layla Restaurant is more than just a dining spot; it's a celebration of family traditions and culinary heritage. Inspired by the cherished recipes of Chris Sayegh's Jordanian grandmother, Layla blends timeless Middle Eastern flavors with modern French culinary techniques.
From the moment you step into Layla, you're enveloped in an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and homey. The restaurant's decor, featuring clean lines, custom-cut stone tables, and lush indoor plants, adds a touch of Old World charm. Large windows offer stunning ocean views, making it an ideal setting for a memorable dining experience.
Elevated Cocktails at Layla
Layla's cocktail menu is a reflection of its culinary ethos – a blend of tradition and innovation. Here are a few must-try drinks that the talented Dee Ann Quinones served up for us:
Layla’s Old Fashioned: Nikaido shochu, Pistachio, Noyau de Poissy, mole bitters, and Angostura.
White Lotus: Lychee-infused gin, Nikaido shochu, pink peppercorn syrup, clarified lime juice, and plum bitters.
Honeydew Bellini: Nikaido shochu, Midori, house-made honeydew puree, and Beau Joie champagne
Note, these drinks pair beautifully with Layla's menu of shareable mezze and delectable entrees, such as grilled seabass with blood orange chermoula and lamb tagine with preserved lemon.
The Coco Club: Rooftop Glamour
On the rooftop of The Beacon, the Coco Club offers a different kind of allure. This bar honors the legacy of iconic L.A. nightlife spots like the Cocoanut Grove and the Coconut Club. With birds-of-paradise wallpaper, saffron-colored chandeliers, and Art Deco accents, the Coco Club exudes Old Hollywood glamour with the absolute best sunset views in town.
Signature Cocktails at the Coco Club
The Coco Club's cocktail menu is designed to captivate and delight. A few highlights include:
SEASIDE RIZZ Gray Whale Gin, St Germain, cucumber, velvet falernum, cantaloupe, basil.
PENDEJADAS Patron Silver Poblano infused tequila + La Luna mezcal, prickly pear, mole bitters, sangrita citrus, black salt
DESPERADO El Tesoro blanco, Cihuatan rum infused pineapple, vanilla honey, spiced sangria tinta, orange bitters
The Beacon Hotel offers an unparalleled cocktail experience.
Whether you're savoring the traditional flavors at Layla or enjoying the rooftop views at the Coco Club, Each bar brings its own unique touch, ensuring that every guest finds their perfect drink. So next time you're in Santa Monica, make sure to visit The Beacon. Cheers!
About Nikaido
The Nikaido family has been brewing and distilling in Oita for 8 generations, since 1866. Independence and family ownership has enabled the Nikaido company to consistently follow a singular vision and pursue a chosen ideal without compromise. Honkaku shochu was revolutionized by the invention of 100% Barley shochu, an innovation pioneered by Akira Nikaido, producing a new lighter, cleaner taste, which immediately gained popularity throughout Japan.
This new type of cleaner, smoother shochu hit a sweetspot, easy-drinking but still rich in flavor. It completely transformed what shochu meant to Japan from a regional speciality in the 70s and 80s to today being Japan’s favorite drink, putting Oita Mugi Shochu on the map. Despite being a company of only 50 people, Nikaido is the 5th biggest shochu producer, and one of very few independently owned companies of scale.
About Layla Restaurant Santa MONICA, CA
At Layla Restaurant, we believe in the power of shared meals and the warmth of family gatherings. Our culinary journey is a tribute to the cherished traditions passed down through generations, celebrating the flavors and aromas that evoke memories of home-cooked meals and shared moments around the table.
ABOUT THE COCO CLUB Santa MONICA, CA
The Coco Club's name honors two iconic L.A. nightlife spots of the 20th century: the Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel and the Coconut Club at the Beverly Hilton. Its interior features birds-of-paradise wallpaper, saffron-colored feathery chandeliers, and Art Deco accents, evoking Old Hollywood glamour. Despite its low ceilings and limited natural light, the bar's breezy design elements create a captivating ambiance.
About Dee Ann Quiñones
Dee Ann Quiñones describes herself as “All things Beverage". As a Beverage Specialist, she's been in the biz for nearly 20 years. From cocktail bars, restaurants and brands, her consultancy DWD designs has seen her travel across the globe learning techniques, training, building bars, crafting cocktails and teaching classes from London, to New York, LA and beyond.