Nearly a century ago in Great Britain before
the blurring of class divisions any good Public House would have a "snug.”
This was typically a small,very private room where nobody could look in
and see the drinkers.The snug was for patrons who preferred not to
be seen in the public bar. Ladies would often enjoy a private drink
in the snug in a time when it was frowned upon for women to be in a pub.
The local police officer might nip in for a quiet pint and the parish
priest for his evening whisky.
Franklin & Company Tavern, a restaurant
nestled at the base of the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, set out to
recreate such a room for those of distinction. Set back in the
restaurant a small staircase made of scotch crates and wrought iron lead you to a
private loft where dark leather booths, bare floorboards, brass
fittings, and chevron subway tiles that look taken from a Paris metro line
cover the length of one wall. On the rear wall under the orange glow of
vintage wall sconces and behind the silvering wear in the antique mirror
that cover it you can read the old sign; Franklin & Company Fine
Old Bourbon Distillery. When seated at the long banquet table above you
are the old post & beam frames of the arched barn.
Tucked away in the corner of this barn loft “snug” sit a massive pyramid of
24 barrels each bearing the
Franklin Tavern insignia that once held wine,
whiskey, and ale. Looking down over one side you get an observation view
of the bustling open kitchen and the chefs preparing the dishes.
This richly textured room is an ideal spot for
patrons planning a
memorable event or holiday party and the only
seats in the house that this restaurant takes reservations for. Choose the snug life.
