Hotel Californian’s Blackbird Is Ready to Fly

Forget fine dining, think clubby casual chic. Au courant cocktails and share plates emphasizing global flavors and local produce. That’s what the recently reopened and reimagined Blackbird at Hotel Californian now offers, both in its inviting red-and-black-tiled dining room and its street-side terrace. Although it’s not easy to remain relevant and COVID-19 safety rules compliant, this edition of Blackbird seems ready to fly.

Start with one of Devon Espinosa’s cocktails. Note, his Twitter feed says, “Some call me a mixologist, some call me a libation therapist” — so if you need care, he’s got your back and your taste buds. “I knew I wanted to create drinks that were as vibrant as the area I was building them for,” he said in an email interview. “Color and texture played a huge role in the way I tackled this menu. Aside from seasonality, I wanted to use distillates that are off the beaten path for the average cocktail drinker.”