Los Angeles Spotlight: Perch

🥂 Perch in Los Angeles: A French-Inspired Rooftop Oasis

Perch LA is a French-inspired rooftop bistro and bar located atop the historic Pershing Square Building in Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA).¹

✨ What Makes it Unique

Perch’s main appeal is the unobstructed, breathtaking views of the Downtown LA skyline, which create the feeling of “floating along the skyline.”² Its uniqueness is defined by:

• Atmosphere: The interior on the 15th floor is designed with a French bistro-feel, featuring antique-inspired furniture, plush couches, rich woodwork, and lush plants.³ The spaces offer a blend of intimate indoor bohemian ambiance and beautiful outdoor patios with ornate fireplaces and cozy fire pits.⁴

   

• Two-Level Experience: It covers two floors:⁵

   

  • 15th Floor: The main restaurant, bar & lounge with indoor and outdoor dining.⁶

     

  • 16th Floor: An open-air rooftop lounge (21+ only) focused on cocktails, music, and an unparalleled 360-degree view of DTLA.⁷

     

• Entertainment: The venue often features live entertainment, including live DJs or jazz bands, adding to the relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.⁸

   

🏛️ History

Perch is housed in the Pershing Square Building, a 16-story high-rise built in 1924 by architects Claud Beelman and Aleck Curlett in the Italian Renaissance Revival style.⁹

• Building History: The building originally had thirteen floors, and three additional floors were later added to accommodate the vision for Perch.¹⁰

   

• Opening: The vision for Perch was realized and opened to the public in July of 2011, described as a “whimsical urban oasis” and a “garden in the sky.”¹¹

   

• Sister Restaurant: Perch’s sister restaurant, Mrs.¹² Fish, a Japanese Contemporary Art-themed restaurant and bar, is located 15 floors below ground in the same building.¹³

   

🍽️ Highlight Menu Items

Executive Chef Gerardo Benitez creates a menu inspired by French culinary classics utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients.¹⁴ The menu offers items meant to be shared as well as meals that stand alone.¹⁵

• Appetizers (Hors D’Oeuvre):
  • French Onion Soup: Served with brioche crostini and Gruyère cheese.¹⁶

     

  • Ahi Tuna Tartare: With avocado, ponzu, chili oil, and gyoza chips.¹⁷

     

  • MOULES: P.E.I. mussels with saffron and cherry tomatoes.
• Main Courses (Plat Principal):¹⁸

   

  • FILET MIGNON AU POIVRE: Served with golden potatoes, goat cheese puree, and asparagus.¹⁹

     

  • CHICKEN SUPREME: With creamy truffle polenta and broccolini.
  • BOUILLABAISSE: Fruits de mer with linguisa sausage and a saffron shellfish broth.²⁰

     

  • STEAK FRITES: Flat iron steak with maître d’ butter and truffle cheese fries.²¹

     

🗣️ Customer Feedback

Customer reviews frequently praise the magical views and the ambiance, which strikes a balance between elegant and relaxed.²²

• 5-Star Open Table Reviews highlight the “great experience, great employees and great customer service” and describe it as a “Lovely spot, excellent cuisine!”²³

   

• The interior design, noted for its “beautiful renovated but still classic old DTLA feeling,” is also often commended.²⁴

   

• The establishment is noted as being one of the Top 10 most Instagrammed restaurants in the U.S., suggesting a high visual appeal to guests.²⁵

   

🗓️ Significant Events

Perch is a popular venue for private events, including anniversary parties and large celebrations.²⁶ While specific annual events are not detailed, the venue’s design and history have made it a setting for:

• Private Events: The venue can be transformed for events, with the ability to utilize all three levels (15th, 16th, and another event space called Bar 13) to take guests through multiple experiences.²⁷

   

• Cocktails in Historic Places: The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles has chosen Perch for its “Cocktails in Historic Places” gathering, leveraging the location in the historic 1924 Pershing Square Building.²⁸

   

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