The Draycott

By MAGNOLIA LAFLEUR | Reporter

Photography by Rich Schmitt| Staff Photographer

The joyful feeling that arises from an Ella Fitzgerald song or a European vacation, inked in permanency, are the sentiments that arise when dining at The Draycott.  The Draycott gives the feel of a private country club where everyone is invited. The ambiance—along with its meals—grant each guest not only the merriment of a happy belly, but a welcoming environment to create lasting memories.

Owned by Palisadians Matt and Marissa Hermer, The Draycott came about after the couple left London—where they owned and operated award-winning bars and restaurants. They named the restaurant after where they first met, on Draycott Avenue.

Matt and Marissa Hermer’s vision for The Draycott was driven by their desire to offer their guests a luxurious yet cozy experience that mixes the pleasures and ease of California with a “British twist.”

Co-founder of Fettle, an interior architecture and design firm that specializes in hospitality, Tom Parker, discussed the round leather seating inside the restaurant that offers guests an intimate seating that promotes privacy and intimacy.

“The idea of these was to really anchor the space and form a visual center point for the restaurant area,” Parker told the Palisadian-Post. “We wanted to avoid having too much loose seating and tables and avoid it feeling too much like a canteen as this is obviously a restaurant where you could sit for quite a long dinner of multiple courses. Bearing this in mind it was important for us to make all seating types feel rich and luxurious and most importantly protected and cozy.”

Creating a warm environment that combines what the Hermers enjoy most about life in Southern California as well as their fond memories of London, The Draycott, is a family restaurant, a restaurant for a date, or just a place for one to enjoy.

“The basis of everything that we do goes back to our overall ethos of Boujis Group,” Marissa said. “It’s our food, cocktails and wine, our design and vibe or our service standards, it needs to be a thoughtful and soul-enriching experience at the heart of it. It needs to be delivered with intent and fun, inspired by Europe and with a California sensibility.

“While all of our restaurants are unique, they all transport our patrons to moments of shared memories with friends and loved ones. The triumvirate of intentional design, excellent service and premier dining experience has always been paramount.”

With Executive Chef Michael Fiorelli and General Manager Bot Van Altena, The Draycott runs like a well-oiled machine, with everyone—from servers to hostesses—working cohesively together.

Beginning with cocktails, the Smoke on the Guava was a kick of excitement, airy and savory.
Though, Over The Rainbow might be one of the happiest cocktails I have ever tasted. Robust in its orange flavor, it was sweet and romantic as it amplified and pushed all the best memories to the forefront of one’s mind. Round, friendly and giving, who would have thought you could taste the smile of a rainbow in a drink.

Now for the Chilled Jumbo Shrimp—I can’t say I’ve had a better experience with a simple appetizer before. Combined with the cocktail sauce and dijon aioli, it was, hands down, the tastiest shrimp I have had in years. Quiet in its appearance, yet dramatic and juicy in its taste, its tenderness takes you by surprise with the cocktail and aioli sauce adding to a crescendo that does not overwhelm the taste buds. It is well-worth two orders as it’s a tease that leaves you wanting more.

What followed the juicy jumbo shrimp was a delectable Cobb Salad, complete with fresh avocado, crisp bacon, cherry tomatoes, sprinkled with chopped egg and blue cheese. A delectable salad with a potpourri of colors and taste that left the belly satisfied and healthy. Oftentimes a salad can become the meal that one tries to get out of the way to move towards the entree, but this salad did not disappoint and was a meal within itself.

If you’re looking for a Draycott favorite that transports you right to London, try the Fish & Chips: battered cod, peas, tartar sauce and Chef Mason’s triple-cooked chunky chips. It was the best part of a traditional fish and chips meal without the oiliness that tends to come with it. The entree was fresh, warm, light, fluffy—giving way to “mmm” inducing sounds with each dip of the tartar sauce. It was paired with fries the size of one’s thumbs. Born in Birmingham, England, Chef Mason’s perfectly portioned and tasting meal felt like a trip well spent in his home country.

Now, the Grilled Branzino—with frisee, shaved radish cucumber and almonds—was a more serious and mature meal. It was flavorful with a smoky aroma made to order. It hit the tongue with a soft texture that gave way to a slow and succulent chew, demanding one to savor each bite.
One can never go wrong with a burger, but then again, not all burgers are made the same. Especially not the Draycott Burger—this burger was so tasty, it didn’t require ketchup. Filling and flavorful, the patty was made of juicy Wagyu beef, wrapped below aged cheddar cheese, and topped with caramelized onions, house pickles and tomato aioli.

To end the meal, we were treated to a new dessert that will be featured on the menu just in time for Mother’s Day. Paired with a perfect cappuccino, the Strawberry Cheesecake was served with a side of raspberry and strawberry sorbet and two chunky-cut strawberries. It was a palate sensation. Often, with cheesecake, one can get thirsty, which is why the sorbet is a perfect pair as it kicks in to quench one’s thirst. A great dessert for mom, for it was as pointedly sweet as her.

The Draycott did not disappoint and is a perfect place for day or night, for family, friends or that perfect date with its welcoming and joyous ambiance,

“It’s really that moment when a restaurant becomes part of the cultural zeitgeist that really drums up excitement for us,” Marissa said to the Post. “Three years later, we’ve loved being a part of our neighbor’s birthdays, baby showers, weddings, school auction nights, live music gatherings, dinners with friends or spontaneous date nights.

“ After the last couple of years, we’ve all desperately needed a diversion and … creating a restaurant that has become the living room of our patron’s lives truly gives us the most joy and fulfillment and we look forward to celebrating with friends for years to come.”