A dinner and movie is the classic date, and going to the ArcLight theatre in Hollywood is the place to catch a flick. Now the two can be enjoyed in one spot as the American Bistro, Charcoal has just opened its doors right next to the popular theatre.
Owners Adolfo Suaya and Michael Sutton bring their vision to the two week old Charcoal to offer patrons classic American fair in a posh, yet casual setting. With black walnut accents, deer antler chandeliers and cozy curved booths, Charcoal is a small, comfortable restaurant where you can go for an intimate date or to celebrate with a group of all your friends.
Co-owners Suaya and Sutton set out to capitalize on the success of sister restaurant, The Lodge in Beverly Hills by showcasing their latest venture at the prime location of Sunset and Ivar. Bringing in head chef Yuri Samano, formerly of Arnie Morton’s Steakhouse and their very own, The Lodge, Charcoal seems to be getting off on the right foot.
Combining their impressive histories as restaurateurs, real estate developers and club promoters, Suaya and Sutton seem to have formed an unbeatable business partnership.
A native Argentinean, Adolfo Suaya came to America in 1982 and opened his first restaurant, the Gaucho Grill in ’86. By 1996, Suaya turned his single dining spot into a chain of 14 stores.? From there the entrepreneur has been involved in L.A hotspots Dolce, the Zen Grill, the Sake Lounge and many others.
Suaya’s partner, Michael Sutton started out his career as an actor portraying the popular character Stone Cates on daytime sudser General Hospital. Using his connections in the entertainment world, Sutton turned his attentions to promoting clubs and restaurants, a skill which has earned him the reputation as the go to guy for what’s new and happening on the L.A scene. While he still acts and does some promoting, Sutton is now creating his very own trendy places to visit. 
As for the business partners’ latest eatery, Charcoal’s menu offers a variety of options from seafood and steaks to salads and burgers. To start off the dining experience, one can enjoy a half dozen (or dozen) Oysters, traditional Spinach Dip, Jumbo Shrimp, Tamales or Japanese Kobe skewers. These tempting appetizers range in price from $6 to $20.
Starter salads are offered as well, priced from $8-$16 and include, among others, a Double Wedge (which can most definitely be spilt as it is in fact two very large wedges of lettuce), an Arugula salad, an Asian Steak salad and of course the classic Caesar.
Then there are the main dishes, which include Lemon Caper Chicken, the Lodge Cajun Ribeye, a 6 or 10oz Filet Mignon, Seared Ahi Tuna, Sea Bass, BBQ Ribs and Free Range New Zealand Lamb Chops. All of these entrees come with different sides, one of which is the red skin mashed potatoes, which are very creamy and quite tasty. The entrees range from $15 to $26.
While Charcoal offers steaks and seafood, guests can also enjoy a good ole’ fashioned Cheeseburger, Club Sandwich or Crab Burger. The sandwiches can be found for $14, $15 or $16.
The dessert menu isn’t extensive, but if something sweet is in order, one can indulge in an assortment of cookies and ice cream, or funnel cake accompanied with berry or chocolate sauce, both coming in at $7. Of course there’s always the full bar to enjoy for a tasty after dinner drink as well!
Charcoal provides its clientele with a quality experience in comfortable surroundings whether you’re going to the movies or not. However, if a viewing is planned for after dinner, movie goers might want to get to the restaurant with plenty of time to play around with. As is often expected with new restaurants, kinks still need to be worked out as the food took some time to come out and the staff seemed to still be getting their bearings?
If the ArcLight is the final destination, seeing Fox Searchlight’s Once is recommended. Tagged as "A modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin," Once tells the story of two lonely musicians who find a connection through their music. As the movie is heavy on the appealing folksy soundtrack, actual musicians Glen Hansard of the Irish rock group The Frames and multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Marketa Irglova play the main characters.
There’s not a lot of action, as the movie reflects the true nature and tone of indie films, but Once is a funny, sweet story that encompasses one week in these two characters lives. Estranged from their significant others, the main characters come together and form a bond while recording a demo in a Dublin studio.
Charcoal is located at 6360 W Sunset Blvd.
This is the worse restaurant I’ve eaten in, sorry. Come on you call this food! Yes I hear it was designed by some well know person which I think they were off this time around. The food sucks, what was that, Cajun fries is that what you guys call it, it was warm almost looked reheated and had NO TASTE. I rather eat a raw potato, which has better taste and the crab cakes, just as bad. Their so called Caper sauce, its mayo and dried parsley flakes on top of the mayo. Let me tell you about the crab cake sauce, I saw maybe 1 half a millimeter of something brownish in the mayo, I think that was a caper but I swear it was just mayo and I asked the waitress where is the caper sauce, she went to the kitchen and came back with the same mayo. The crab cake was mixed with some kind of breading or something wasn’t sure, I couldn’t taste the crab. Don’t waste your hard earned money.
Hail!
What do you think about Apple Iogo? >:)
You have to try the Cheeseburger and the cream red skin mashed potatoes. The are probably the best I have ever tasted–sorry Mother, no offense. The owners of this joint made this old, finicky college professor very very happy last month. Also, try Lucky Devils. It was exceptional as well. Even Mom liked these two places, and she likes nothing but her own cooking, usually.