August 29, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

The PUMP is primed — Lisa Vanderpump’s new West Hollywood restaurant corners the market

It’s important to remember that before Lisa Vanderpump became a reality show icon (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules) her original fame came as an impresario of restaurants in L.A. —  26 of them in all, most notably Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills and SUR in West Hollywood.

The lounge at PUMP in West Hollywood.
The lounge at PUMP in West Hollywood.

Her latest, PUMP Restaurant & Bar, proves once again Vanderpump knows how to woo an audience.

The location is by all accounts a no-brainer for business, but the same spot on the corner of Robertson Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood is known in real estate circles as the Vortex, one of those mysterious coordinates on the map where every entity that tries to survive there quickly dies and shrivels, despite the seemingly perfect confluence of WeHo nightlight within a stone’s throw, including the revered WeHo institution, the Abbey.

For once, the quagmire site may not swallow up an establishment, as it has at least half a dozen times in the past decade.

PUMP is going as strong and bold as its name.

The outdoor patio.
The outdoor patio.

If its recently launched Huge Gay Brunch on Sundays is any indication, this new see-and-be-seen eatery is set to keep growing.

It may be sacrilege to say it, but side-by-side with PUMP’s neighbor, the Abbey feels washed up, partly owing to it needing a washing up.  In comparison, the dark, almost Goth look of the hottest WeHo bar for over a decade seems dingy and old.  PUMP is bright, cheery, classy and full of light and energy.

Inside, the shabby chic baby pink velvet padded wooden chairs and distressed bleached birch tables create a feeling of a princess’s lair.  In an amazing transformation of the space, Vanderpump craned in nine old-growth olive trees into a former adjacent parking lot to create an enchanting patio garden.

Heirloom tomatoes and burrata.
Heirloom tomatoes and burrata.

While the eatery and bar is in the heart of West Hollywood, attracting the expected continent of neighborhood denizens (read mostly gay men), the Vanderpump name and the menu bring in an eclectic crowd from everywhere and every walk in LA.

As for the brunch menu, curated by Food Network Star Chef Penny Davidi, it features Contemporary Mediterranean style cuisine that keeps with the French inspired garden feeling of the restaurant.  Standouts included the crispy calmari served with a spicy tomato sauce; and heirloom tomatoes with creamy burrito drizzled with olive oil, balsamic reduction and ribbons of basil.

The skirt steak with eggs.
The skirt steak with eggs.

For Entrees, a favorite is the chicken Milanese, consisting of a pounded and lightly breaded breast pan fried with lemon and served with an arugula salad with pine nuts and tomatoes; the Spring Vegetable Omelet with bell peppers, asparagus, shallots, heirloom tomatoes, arugula and mozzarella; the Hamptons Seafood Roll, consisting of shrimp and crab, tossed in a homemade aioli with paprika and diced tomatoes, served on a toasted Brioche bun, served with thick cut fries; and the Grilled Skirt Steak and Eggs, a delicious standard of a hearty brunch.

Other menu items include The Pinky Pump Burger and a delicious Pound Cake with Greek Yogurt and Fresh Fruit among others. Refreshing brunch drinks like the LVP Sangria, Mimosa and Mojito are offered by the pitcher or by the glass.

PUMP serves brunch every Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. For reservations and more information visit www.pumprestaurant.com.

Related Posts

California Pizza Kitchen Debuts Heart-Shaped Pizza Celebrating Swift–Kelce

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

13 Days of Engagement Pizzas, and Return of Hot Honey Flavors California Pizza Kitchen is rolling out a series of...

Culver Hotel Celebrates 101 Years With 101 Anniversary Menu and Live Music

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Guests Can Enjoy a Four-Course Meal, Nightly Performances, Trivia Contest The historic Culver Hotel is celebrating its 101st anniversary this...

Westside Chefs Shine at the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival in September

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

South Bay’s Culinary Festival Returns With Two Nights of Food, Wine, and Music Santa Monica, Westchester, Los Angeles, and West...

Little C by Crustacean Pop-Up Brings Back Mama An’s Street Food in Beverly Hills

August 21, 2025

August 21, 2025

Fan-Favorite Dishes Return Through Aug. 24, With the Debut of Bánh Xèo Little C by Crustacean has returned this month...

Kids Eat Free at Tender Greens Century City During Back-to-School Nights in August

August 20, 2025

August 20, 2025

Weeknight Promotion Offers Free Kids’ Meals With the Purchase of an Entrée. Families dining at Tender Greens in the Westfield...

Stoa Wine Bar & Market Debuts in Marina del Rey With Old-World Charm and California Ease

August 20, 2025

August 20, 2025

New Westside Spot Blends European Traditions, Seasonal Fare, Philosophy of Slowing Down Blending European tradition with California ease, Stoa Wine...

Two LA Culinary Icons and Friends Reunite for One-Night-Only Dinner at Marelle

August 20, 2025

August 20, 2025

Chefs Team Up With Five-Course Tasting Celebrating California Flavors  Two of Los Angeles’ most celebrated chefs will share the kitchen...

Dan Tana, Founder of Hollywood’s Iconic Celebrity Eatery, Dies at 90

August 18, 2025

August 18, 2025

West Hollywood’s Iconic Red-Sauce Spot Loses Its Former Owner Dan Tana, the actor-turned-restaurateur who created one of Hollywood’s most enduring...

“Off/The Clock” Returns: A Bold Four-Course Dining Experience by Chef Diego Argoti

August 18, 2025

August 18, 2025

An Audacious Four-Course Menu Only at Neuehouse Hollywood. NeueHouse Hollywood will host a one-night culinary showcase on Wednesday, August 20...

Tesla Diner Slashes Menu Weeks After Grand Opening in Hollywood

August 16, 2025

August 16, 2025

Diner Narrows Offerings, Faces Protests and Lawsuit Amid Early Hype Tesla’s new retro-style diner and drive-in has already deep sixed...

Fire at Beverly Hills’ Funke Prompts Evacuation, No Injuries Reported

August 15, 2025

August 15, 2025

Blaze in Exhaust System Forces Temporary Closure Flames erupted in the exhaust system at Funke Restaurant on Tuesday night, prompting...

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Debuts  All-Black Ice Cream in Collaboration With Artist Cj Hendry

August 14, 2025

August 14, 2025

Limited-Edition Flavor Opaque and All Black Cones Launch on Aug. 14 Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is stripping away the usual...

Sweet Wheat Bakery & Bistro Opens in Downtown Culver City August 18

August 14, 2025

August 14, 2025

French Brothers Open Bakery with Authentic Parisian Pasteries A new bakery and bistro from two French-born brothers is set to...

Sidecar & Van Leeuwen Unite for One-Night-Only Doughnuts à la Mode

August 14, 2025

August 14, 2025

Limited-Time Collab Pairs Iconic Doughnuts With Artisanal Scoops Sidecar Doughnuts, the purveyors of some of Los Angeles’ best doughnuts, is...

Mr. Charlie’s Brings Plant-Based Fast Food to 26th Street With Grand Opening Giveaway

August 13, 2025

August 13, 2025

Plant-Based Favorite Opens Brentwood Adjacent Spot With Opening Day Perks Mr. Charlie’s, the fast-growing plant-based fast-food chain known for its...