From the creator of Mr. Chow (in Beverly Hills), comes Philippe Restaurant.  If you’ve driven down Melrose between La Cienega and Crescent Heights in the past few months, then you’ve seen the ugly building that housed Dolce transform in to the long awaited Philippe. The now gorgeous restaurant is open and ready to impress you.

As fantastic as the food is, let’s start with the drinks — they just might be what keeps you going back for more. Phillipe’s signature cocktail, the Philipptini, blends lychee and fresh squeezed pineapple juice with vodka, triple sec, and Chambord… simply amazing.  The drink menu is full of fun and fruity cocktail creations including Pear Fection, Midnight Mojito, and Bangkok Banana (we’ll leave that one to the imagination).

The sexy black and white interior, complete with shiny red leather banquettes, creates the perfect ambiance to sip a dirty martini and people watch.  This works out well, since the restaurant has been welcomed by Hollywood elite and has quickly become a celebrity hot spot, just like its New York and Miami counterparts.

Owner Philippe Chow has become famous for his hand pulled noodles and if you’re lucky you’ll get a show while a live demonstration is performed in the main dining room.  The chicken satays are served covered in Chow’s infamous cream sauce and are so good you might find yourself ordering seconds.

Phillipe, located on the corner of Melrose and Sweetzer, is worth it, but be ready to throw down the AmEx because the $15 cocktails and $40 entrees add up quickly.

View the entire menu and make reservations at www.philippechow.com.