Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Tucker.
Eric, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After opening a restaurant/club in the lower east side of Manhattan in 2013, I decided to return back home to Los Angeles to make a mark in the blossoming culinary movement. Fast forward to late summer of 2016 when I walked into our current Virgil village bungalow hearing the music of Serge Gainsbourg, feeling the spirit of Jane Birkin (aka Melody) and envisioning a European meets Montauk 80’s beach house, where the lines between interior and exterior blurred. Our menu and overall concept of “lazy French” was born! Over the past year I handpicked every light fixture, chair, plate, etc. from local flea markets and second-hand stores. Along the way, my partner David and I met a fabulous chef in Hunter Pritchett who brilliantly translated “lazy French” into a fresh, new LA style of eating & drinking. Our wine list is based in small local and European producers while all music is transmitted from vinyl records and compact discs. Melody in a word is unconventional; nothing matches, seating areas are diverse, cups and plates are various sizes, two owners (myself & wife Paloma) work on the floor and the warmth of the 20’s bungalow speaks to a dinner party in one’s funky old home. Melody is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday – Sunday and for brunch Saturday and Sunday.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Is anything smooth when it’s a labor of love? The struggle makes us better, and right now our biggest challenge is a location with very little happening around it after 4pm. That said, our team and product are absolutely phenomenal… As is the energy emanating from our little bungalow at Virgil & Marathon.
Melody– what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Melody is a full service, casual indoor-outdoor restaurant with an elevated menu and natural-biodynamic-organic wine list. We specialize in “lazy French”, relaxing the classics and continuing a Los Angeles tradition of leisure and lounging. We are proud of our four main aspects of the business: concept, menu, service and integrity. As mentioned before, upon entering Melody, one immediately feels they’ve arrived not at a restaurant; but a dinner party of neighborhood friends where anything is possible in its many unique corners.
Contact Info:
- Address: 751 n virgil ave LA 90029
- Website: melodyla.com
- Phone: 323.922.6037
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: melodyonvirgil
- Facebook: melody-los angeles
Image Credit:
Eric Tucker
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