Today we’d like to introduce you to Paloma Rabinov and Eric Tucker.
Paloma and Eric, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The initial idea of owning and operating a restaurant dates back to the late ’80s when I was in college and serving at Alice’s Restaurant on the Malibu Pier. Wine and fine dining suddenly appeared on my radar after 18 years of a suburban-strip mall-processed food diet.
Fast forward 20 years later, finding myself living between Los Angeles and New York City as a successful commercial photographer, designing my own sets for images I created for publications such as The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, GQ, Newsweek and Time to name a few. The dream was now a possibility: invest, design and own my own restaurant in New York first, then LA.
Within six years, I opened Louie and Chan in the lower east side of Manhattan. L&C was a dark and sexy Neopolitan pizza, and pasta restaurant on the ground floor with a Chinese inspired subterranean speakeasy and club below; a true manifestation of all my loves: solid simple food, quality cocktail and wine program, a music program boasting NYC’s finest deejays (and beyond) nightly all within the walls of a space that was personal, decadent, dark and dreamy.
My personal stamp was prevalent. Paloma (my wife, business partner and Melody’s GM) met me at Louie and Chan. Upon her graduating NYU, we decided to come back home to Los Angeles where we would begin work on our second place, that is now Melody.
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?
The process of starting any business is seemingly overwhelming and requires a bit of insanity, blind faith, strong (yet adaptable) vision, commitment, and money. Sadly money seems to be that one element that is greater than all as it buys opportunity. For those of us with limited pockets, the process then demands more diligence and focus on creativity and budget.
When it became clear that outside funding was doubtful, Paloma and I sold our home in Venice to finance the crazy dream of Melody making this project a true “mom & pop shop” and labor of love that continues each moment of every day. Owning a restaurant is your life, not a job.
Melody – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Melody is a natural wine bar committed to a “complete” experience where food, beverage, design, music, service, and energy are prioritized equally. Our wine focus continues to be small producers both local and abroad. We seek out unusual and encourage customers to be adventurous.
Our list is concise, approachable and affordable, never overwhelming and constantly changing to reflect our appreciation for relatively unknown varietals, producers and regions. With regard to food, we are fortunate to host and work with two very special kitchen teams, FOG and Restaurant Adia, who pop-up in our kitchen weekly serving seasonal market-driven fare.
When it comes to music, all our friends are deejays! The soundtrack for a given service is never predictable and frequently transmitted live by a deejay or playback of a recorded mix from a previous session. The energy of Melody is a direct reflection of it’s comfortable, warm, bright design. Many refer to the bungalow as if they were dining in our home!
Paloma and I run the floor, so the personal touch of service is there each evening giving customers insight into all we are providing. With a large patio and open interior, the lines between outside and in are blurred allowing for an easy breezy experience. It’s not uncommon for guests to linger over food, wine, and conversation for hours. This for us is success!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Adapting to keep the doors open in a neighborhood set off most people’s radar. Change is frightening for most and will always garner criticism from some, and can be confusing for others. But confidence and trust in a vision usually requires adjustments. That said, the integrity of Melody remains unchanged.
Pricing:
- Happy Hour WEDS-SAT 5-7pm, SUN 2-7pm, MON 5pm-close
Contact Info:
- Address: 751 N. Virgil Ave. LA 90029
- Website: www.melodyla.com
- Phone: 323-922-6037
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodywinebar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melodylosangeles/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/melody-los-angeles-2
Image Credit:
Main photo: Amanda Proudfit
Location shots: Eric Tucker
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
