Laurel Hardware Opens to Large Crowds, Good Reviews

The long anticipated to large crowds and good reviews Thursday night.

Serving new American cuisine, the restaurant at 7984 Santa Monica Boulevard saw a nearly full house by 8 p.m., just a few hours after officially opening its doors to the public, almost exactly a year after it .

The restaurant, which kept the outside sign from the hardware store which occupied the location for decades, features a vintage hardware store décor. 

The 3,500 square foot space is divided into two areas. The front café portion with about 20 smaller tables will be open starting at 9 a.m. The larger back portion featuring a large bar, a half dozen booths and many smaller tables will be open starting at 5 p.m.

An outside garden lounge area in the back has chairs and tables for cocktails under the stars.  

With entrees ranging from $14 to $24, smaller dishes running $12 to $16, pizzas $14 to $17 and cocktails at $12, the restaurant likely will attract a more upscale crowd than the other restaurants in the area.

Thursday night’s patrons seemed fairly equally divided between gay and straight. Owners say the restaurant is “for everyone.”

Several patrons reported the food was “delicious,” “amazing” and “a wonderful combination of flavors and textures.” Another patron said the restaurant is “just what this area needed.”