When Harlowe opened in 2014 as a vintage-inspired cocktail bar, it soon became one of the most sophisticated neighborhood hot spots in West Hollywood. The beautifully decorated interior captures the feel of an invigorating social club from Hollywood’s Golden Era.

The kitchen had been hibernating due to COVID-19, but it was reignited in July when lauded culinary star T. Nicholas Peter, formerly at the Little Door for 25 years, was invited to create a new Harlowe menu.

Dimitri Komarov from 1933 Group, which owns Harlowe, said after the Little Door closed, Peter was pursuing new opportunities.

“We have been huge fans of the Little Door and chef Peter’s food since the beginning and truly can’t think of a better chef who has that ‘je ne sais quoi’ we’ve been envisioning for Harlowe’s return as a serious player in West Hollywood’s dining scene,” Komarov said.

Peter said he also had his eye on what the 1933 Group has been building over the years.

“I’ve been received with open arms to collaborate with people that are genuine, and they’ve invited me to do what I do best,” Peter said. “My food is who I am, and I have been wanting to find a way to keep doing that.”

As with his menu at the Little Door, Peter transports people to another place in time at Harlowe.

They creatively designed an al fresco dining area on the newly refurbished semi-covered patio, plus added a new outdoor seating area that expands into an easement facing Santa Monica Boulevard. There is an eye-catching black and white mural painted on one wall, a vine-lined trellis and festive bistro lights hanging above to illuminate the area in the evening.

The Harlowe team wears masks, and all guests must be masked on arrival. Tables are more than 6 feet away and there are hand-sanitizing stations.

“We’ve seen a very successful uptick in patio reservations. Lots of couples on a much-needed date night, and we’re so glad to be welcoming back locals and regulars in the neighborhood who used to hang out with our team weekly,” Komarov said.

Peter creates an appealing full-service French-Mediterranean dinner menu with so many tempting dishes. They are also providing take-out. Guests can place an order online and pick it up at a table near the valet stand in front of the restaurant.

Harlowe creates an environment of a French countryside bistro. To start, share a Mediterranean plate of romesco, hummus and tzatziki dips with olives, ribbons of red onion, sliced cucumber and grilled chickpea flatbread.

A French-Moroccan marinated octopus salad with al dente green beans, sliced tender fingerling potatoes and whole-roasted sweet cherry tomatoes combines a perfect balance of salty and sweet with the essence of the sea flavors. For an entrée, try the garlic, oregano and lemon roasted chicken breast paired with crispy polenta diamonds and green beans.

Baked almond-crusted whitefish was perfectly cooked and covered with finely chopped almonds. It was tender, flaky and enhanced with a coarse mustard tarragon sauce and smashed fingerling potatoes.

Other entrées include the Harlowe burger with Kennebec home fries. The burger is topped with caramelized onions, roasted porcini mushrooms and melted brie cheese. Peter and his team also grill a marinated skirt steak and make a Moroccan lamb stew and fresh pappardelle pasta.

For the piece de la resistance, we shared a strawberry rhubarb lattice tart with creme anglaise for dessert. Beautiful micro-flowers on top made this dessert visually appealing. The menu also offers a gingered peaches coconut cheesecake.

Enjoy a drink from Harlowe’s robust selection of classic and original, old-meets-new cocktails, and stay for Peter’s exquisite Mediterranean fare. For those living close by, delivery service is new for Harlowe and it’s been going well with a few platforms up and running. Make a reservation for dining at Harlowe starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday or order online at harlowebar.com for a scheduled pickup or delivery. $$ 7321 Santa Monica Blvd., (323)876-5839.

This review is featured in the Beverly Press .