Update: Horn owner Adam Klesh, who hasn’t responded to a WEHOville request for comment on the closing, apparently is planning to reopen the restaurant in April with a cheaper menu.
The Horn, a restaurant and bar featuring fresh game that opened on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood’s gay entertainment district only last October, is now closed.
Co-owners Daniel Cammarata and Adam Klesh, both former New Yorkers, had said their goal was to “bring a little bit of New York to WeHo” with a New York-style steakhouse featuring fresh game such as duck, venison and ostrich. The restaurant occupied a space at at 8933 Santa Monica Blvd. just east of Robertson, at the former Marvin’s Pharmacy space.
It opened to much acclaim because of its menu and the design of its interior, which featured some of Klesh’s collection of rhino-themed objects from 37 countries. While not styled as a gay place, because of its location in Boystown it attracted a large gay clientele. But from the beginning it had financial difficulties, with one contractor and the restaurant’s public relations executive quitting because they weren’t paid.
As of publication, WEHOville has been unable to reach Klesh for a comment about the closing and whether he has further plans for the space.
I agree with Tom Smart. Just a nice, no frills restaurant.
I’m skeptical, but they deserve another chance. I heard rumors that the chef at The Horn was too difficult and stubborn to make any changes. We’ll see what the new restaurant considers lower prices.
If they repeat what “Toast” does on 3rd Street they would have a gold mine.
It’s not necessarily closing – just revamping. It’s like they heard you all! http://la.eater.com/2015/3/3/8142975/the-horn-in-west-hollywood-goes-silent-after-just-four-months
I always wanted to try a big venison steak there, but every time I went in it wasn’t available.
Going there once was enough. I actually felt ripped off after a bad $200 dinner for two. Afterwards I would feel sorry for the diners in there when walking by. Poor things didn’t know any better.
Something like Baxics in that location would be great.
Never got around to dining at The Horn during the short time it was open, but after reading some the comments from those who did, I’m glad I held on to my money instead of spending it for a mediocre experience. Seems to me a little market research could have prevented this train wreck from ever leaving the station. Cammarata and Klesh obviously poured a lot of money and effort into a restaurant that was simply not the right restaurant for this location. Of course, if they can’t get the quality of the food and service up to a level… Read more »
I knew this was going to happen as soon as I saw the menu prices and heard about the small portion sizes right after the place opened. Big mistake from the start. As others have said, upscale does not work in that area. People aren’t learning from past neighborhood mistakes. Remember the wine bar that fizzled quickly in the location which is now St. Felix? They too had the wrong attitude. You have to keep it fun and festive and reasonably priced and above all remember that you are located in a bustling bar area. When I heard about The… Read more »
Wild game and steak on a very limited menu? That’s fine if you want to fill a niche but in West Hollywood on that block it was arrogant to think that such fare could support that space. Had they built a menu around that with more moderately priced alternatives that included vegetables, pasta and a burger (it would be fine to make it a Kobe burger if you want to charge $20) they might have made it. The space was lovely and I like a scene but I am not a foodie and there was only about 2 things on… Read more »
^^^ Here, here JJ, this ain’t rocket science people!!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but The Horn was the priciest restaurant on Santa Monica Blvd between Robertson and Crescent Heights. until you hit Laurel Tavern/Connie and Ted’s. Pump is significantly cheaper.
That just goes to show we don’t want that in this neighborhood. Cafe D is about $12-20 for sandwiches and salads and $20-30 for entrees. It’s totally different.
If a place has the right vibe, offers good food at a fair price with good service – it will do well.