Rooftop Lemon Grove in Los Angeles

Lemon Grove: dinner facing the Hollywood Hills

A garden perched above Vine Street

The Aster is a private club geared toward Hollywood's creative community, with workspaces, a spa and suites for members. Yet its roof, on the 6th floor, is home to a spot that's open to the public: Lemon Grove. The low-key entrance is on Vine Street; from there, the club's front desk points you to the elevator. Upstairs, a dining room opens onto a large terrace: plush banquettes, fire pits, cacti and a kitchen garden that supplies some of the herbs and vegetables used in the kitchen. The view takes in the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood sign and the Capitol Records tower.

Seasonal California cuisine and cocktails

The menu changes with the seasons and always includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options: burrata from Puglia, salmon crudo with coconut milk, house-made meatballs, mussels, lemon-shiso pasta, cacio e pepe, salmon or steak frites. On weekends, brunch brings chilaquiles, lemon-ricotta pancakes or pastrami eggs Benedict. Signature cocktails cost $19 to $21, and nonalcoholic cocktails $16.

Tuesday through Friday from 4pm to 7pm, “Golden Hour” serves $12 cocktails and small plates to go with the sunset. Thursday through Saturday from 7pm to 11pm, live music and DJs liven up the outdoor bar. Five spaces can be booked for private events.

Practical information

Dinner is served Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 5pm to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday until 11pm (closed Monday); brunch is Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. The outdoor bar and lounge opens Tuesday through Saturday at 4pm (until 1am on Friday and Saturday) and Sunday from 2pm to 10pm. Online reservations are recommended. Valet parking in The Aster's garage. The Hollywood/Vine station on the Metro B Line is about 200 meters away.