Arista Hospitality

Based on the address, I think 'Arista Hospitality' must be both the ballroom upstairs and the restaurant downstairs, both called ""Arista."" The Arista Restaurant & Patio (downstairs) has enough atmosphere alone to give reason to check it out - it's bright red crystal chandeliers and modern art give it a funky Hawthorne vibe, not to mention it's patio full of flowers and old lanterns that makes it hard to remember you're on bustling Hawthorne. And then the food is in a whole other league of its own: The chef has created an incredible grouping of dishes like Pesto Encrusted Grilled Chicken in a Tomato Vodka Cream Sauce with Crushed Root Vegetables, Penn Cove Mussels in Coconut Broth with Ouzo and Lemongrass, and Wild Coho Chowder with Sherry Cream. The Cippino is definitely a signature dish at Arista, perfectly merging fresh tiger prawns, mussels, clams, crab and swordfish with a smoky tomato clam broth. The Arista has great small plates, too, and they're definitely NOT ""small!"" Creations like the Lamb Burger (a gyros turned into a burger!), Monte Cristo (insane is the only word to describe it) and the Grilled Pork and Apple Sandwich are familiar foods with a culinary flair. And I've never found a price that's so low for such an enjoyable meal ($5 for small plates!!!). The staff is very knowledgeable and will happily tell you how signature dishes like the Muffuletta Sandwich were invented by a Sicilian immigrant in the French Quarter of New Orleans back in 1906. There are usually food and drink specials and the menu changes often - I always look forward to what I will discover the next time I go. Definitely try this place out, I will be back again and again and again! Pros: interesting menu, great design, very knowledgeable staff more

We loved the Arista! I threw an upscale bridal shower for my best friend last spring, and the Arista made it a perfect event - all our friends are still talking about how it was the best shower they've ever been to! The building is beautiful, both inside and out. The ballroom floor was so great for all our needs - it featured a beautiful art gallery foyer and buffet room, and then the ballroom itself was gorgeous, with columns, dark wood floor, elegant floor-ceiling windows and an amazing hand-painted sky ceiling. The upstairs loft area also provided a great place for us to hang out and relax before the event (and the bride's room was the perfect ""getting ready"" area). The event manager was very helpful and accommodating, making sure that everything was just how I wanted it. During the event, he and the rest of the staff were great about making sure we had everything we needed. And the food! We had a wonderful brunch buffet that was interesting and elegant and not your average generic breakfast buffet. That was the icing on the cake! My girlfriend said afterward that she wished she was having her wedding there instead of the place she chose, although several of our girlfriends said that the Arista would be their top choice for THEIR weddings someday! Pros: gorgeous! great service! more