LAReview
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Bar Moruno
This spot is Permanently Closed.
Included In
This might be a tough pill for some to swallow, but when it comes to food, Sunset Junction has gotten a bit sleepy lately. Silver Lake’s neighborhood-within-a-neighborhood certainly retains charm, but for every witchy kaftan store, there’s now a national salad chain and an overpriced drip coffee laboratory on either side. It’s why the arrival of Bar Moruno feels like such a breath of fresh air.
The upscale Spanish spot on Sunset Blvd. has given the neighborhood a jolt of energy, while also delivering a polished hangout spot with excellent drinks and tapas.
Bar Moruno’s festive atmosphere hits you the second you step in off Sunset—you’ll spot friends and coworkers huddled around round wooden tables eating canned fish, sipping dirty martinis, and swapping the day’s best drama. There’s a walk-in only bar area that starts popping by 6:30pm every night. If you prefer to be closer to the action in the kitchen, there’s a counter in the back with prime views of the crackling wood-fired oven. The whole place crackles with a just-got-back-from-Barcelona electricity that, combined with a colorful design scheme best described as “all the cutest stuff from World Market” (a compliment!), reminds us that Silver Lake has still got it.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
When it comes to ordering, we recommend sticking to Bar Moruno’s small dishes. We love the oven-roasted marinated feta, creamy hen of the woods mushrooms served in a sizzling skillet, and a spicy chorizo-filled Scotch egg that’s among our favorite bites of the year. There are also seven different conserva boards on the menu ranging from sardines in olive oil to razor clams in brine. Getting one (they all come with house-brined pickles, butter, and thick, chewy Jyan Isaac bread) is the only way to properly start your meal here. The bigger dishes aren’t misses, but there are too many other highlights on the menu to fill up on a half rotisserie chicken.
As the name suggests, we’d also come to Bar Moruno simply to drink. For starters, there’s an entire gin martini section. The “salmon” (yes, it’s made with actual salmon-infused gin) will certainly be the talk of the table, but the best one is the “tuxedo,” which has hints of maraschino, absinthe, and orange bitters. There are also five different kinds of G&T’s, six vermouths, an Old Fashioned made with jamón ibérico-washed bourbon, and a roaming sherry specialist who maybe, just maybe will get you hooked on Fino. If nothing else, you and anyone else who frequents Sunset Junction will appreciate having some genuine buzz back in the neighborhood.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Minerva Spiced Mackerel Fillets
Egg Salad
Over-Roasted Hummus
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Chorizo Scotch Egg
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Setas Con Huevos
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Beef Morunos
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Basque Cheesecake
photo credit: Jakob Layman