The Chalet

They don't serve food here, but when i come across a fine watering hole such as The Chalet (1630 Colorado Blvd.) i have to give props. The interior feels like an Alpine Ski Lodge complete with wood paneling, a 1970's style fireplace and comfy, cushioned booths. They open every night at 7pm. It's fairly tranquil at that hour and perfect for a quiet, after work drink with friends. The place usually picks up with a trendy crowd toward the end of the evening. Note, we are talking Eagle Rock trendy, not Hollywood trendy, so it's not an annoying scene at all. In fact, it's a great hang for the over twenty-one Occidental horde. Years ago, Toppers Tavern was located at this spot. Back then, it was a local hole-in-the-wall that would host the occasional local band. Now, it's been transformed into a gracious, neighborhood bar with some choice single malt scothes and a brilliant jukebox stocked with the creme-de-la-creme of indie-rock (REM, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The Postal Service, Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand). If you are there and someone is playing the Stone Roses album in it's entirety, chances are that's me sitting up at the bar sipping on a Lagavulin on the rocks. I'm also probably waiting for my pizza at Casa Bianca.