Photo by John GilhooleyTo say La Cave is cool seems to cheapen it somehow. But after pillaging my mental thesaurus and several cocktails, there really is no other word that describes my watering hole in such a beautifully succinct, unpretentious and effortless way. Stepping out of the elevator, you find yourself far removed from the throes of typical nightlife in Orange County. La Cave doesn't boast the most attractive crowd, it's not hard to get inside, there are always seats, and cover charges are nonexistent. The low brick archways and barely there red lighting aren't lounge cliché, but cool in a Miles Davis way, a cool that can't be taught or learned, but oozes from the soul and smack onto this modern speakeasy. It's perfect each time—and exactly what I need: I've been here while in the middle of a mad love and desperately heartbroken, as well as just to unwind with my gal-pal partners in crime. It's dark, it's romantic, it's sensual, it's comforting—it's really goddamn cool. And order a dirty martini on the rocks—it'll change your life.
Kristina Coffeen is the events manager at OC Weekly.
LA CAVE, 1695 IRVINE AVE., COSTA MESA, (949) 646-7944; WWW.LACAVERESTAURANT.COM. OPEN MON.-SAT., 4:30 P.M.-CLOSE. LIVE JAZZ MON.-THURS. N SAT. AMAZING DINNERS AVAILABLE TOO!
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