There is a reason Cleo (SBE Group) in Hollywood with its Mediterranean fare has lasted 7 years at the Redbury Hotel. Now Cleo Mediterraneo can be found on W. 3rd Street at the Orlando Hotel.

Cleo brought me back to Morocco, Israel, and Greece, thus why this place is considered Mediterranean food. Cleo is the perfect place to share numerous small dishes called Mezzes, like Lebaneh dip with Feta that arrives with a luscious warm well-seasoned bread in a brown bag, Spanakopita with spinach and feta, and chicken, beef, and lamb kebobs.

Brussels Sprouts seem to be on every LA menu, but the waitress indicated this is where the veggies got their start in LA. The once dreaded sprouts are definitely the best Brussels Sprouts we have ever tasted with toasted shaved-like sprout flakes seasoned with capers, parsley, almonds, and vinaigrette.

 

 

The fresh Greek Salad is a must, concocted with jigsaw placed tomatoes, olives, feta, and cucumbers. Numerous tagines are on the menu, like Moroccan Vegetable, Meatball, Lamb, and Chicken. The Lamb Tagine is exceptional with succulently seasoned lamb on a bed of couscous mixed with apricots, grapes, silan (date honey), and sesame seeds. Flatbreads, Branzino, Grilled Shrimp or Octopus, Moroccan Fried Chicken, Lamb Shawarma and Moussaka are also available for dinner.

 

 

Although this place might seem a Hollywood trendy, the food is impressive, and the cocktails exceeded our expectations. At first glance, the drinks may look too fruity, but they are delicious! The Vineberry has a nice spicy kick with Serrano, vodka, elderflower, crushed basil, lemon, and cucumber. The Janapolitan was just as tasty with vodka, lime, crushed strawberries and basil leaves.

 

Cleo is a short walk from the Pantages Theater. The upstairs former bar and outdoor area are being renovated, and we heard may become the Hospital Club, the private members club that originated in London for people in the creative industries.

For more food grams, scour the LaLaScoop. 

CLEO HOLLYWOOD

1717 Vine Street

Hollywood, CA 90028

CLEO MEDITERRANEO

8384 W. 3rd St.

West Hollywood, 90048