A little bit of Europe is making its way to Beverly Hills. On June 16, Velverie Café and Teahouse brings Angelenos the opportunity to indulge in the opulence and intellect of across-the-pond cafes with a definitive SoCal twist. The new Little Santa Monica Boulevard establishment is a self-described “inclusive cultural hub and casually chic gathering space” that invites you in to order your day-to-day lunch or full afternoon tea service for a special occasion. Ahead of its opening, owner Chloe Strumpf gave Angeleno the exclusive inside scoop about the new Beverly Hills hotspot.
Velverie Café and Teahouse presents a new dining experience for Beverly Hills. What inspired you to launch this concept?
I saw an opportunity to build something inspired by the classic, grand design and cuisine of Beverly Hills, but more modern, approachable and eccentric. European cafés as a concept are timeless and have always been inspiring to me, but here in L.A. they often fall into somewhat of a cookie cutter format that leaves something to be desired. I love everything to be a bit over the top, so I tried to incorporate that into Velverie wherever possible. It’s all in the details!
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Velverie is inspired by Sketch in London and Ladurée in Paris, but what makes it a decidedly Los Angeles establishment?
Similarly to L.A., arts and popular culture are at the heart of Velverie's foundation. I wanted to especially celebrate Los Angeles’ iconic Art Deco architecture, so there are distinct nods to that particular era and old Hollywood throughout our interior design. From the crafted cocktails we serve to the music we play, there are threads of iconic Hollywood culture throughout the entire experience.
From the crème brûlée French toast to the jambon-beurre croquettes, the food sounds delectable. What was it like collaborating with executive chef Junior Perez on menus that nod to both European cafés and California agriculture?
It’s been an amazing experience collaborating with chef Junior to create Velverie’s unique culinary point of view. He has a particular skill set that lines up perfectly with Velverie’s vision, as he has worked in a variety of kitchens, including under Joël Robuchon in France and alongside the Drago family in Beverly Hills. He understands quintessential European cuisines, but he’s also spent most of his life in California just like me. Our menu consists of traditional European dishes with a distinctive California freshness that showcases the best of the market.
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Do you have a favorite craft cocktail?
Ninth Husband is my favorite by far. It’s a twist on a gin martini, but it’s made with Empress gin, which is naturally indigo from butterfly pea blossoms. The name is an homage to Zsa Zsa Gabor, who is one of my personal favorite Hollywood icons.
What makes Velverie’s afternoon tea service special?
Our afternoon tea service is the perfect representation of Velverie. We celebrate tradition through our Regency Tea, which has all the classic elements of high tea, but our Beverly Hills Afternoon Tea embraces luxury through a modern take. The set includes mini avocado toast, crab rolls with gold leaf (naturally), and bite-sized liége waffles served with balsamic and olive oil caviar, which is a play on the bread service you would find at many Beverly Hills restaurants. It’s about taking what we love about tradition and putting a fun twist on it without sacrificing quality. So often afternoon tea is held to staid constraints, but we hope to push the boundaries and modernize the experience to be more accessible and exciting.
See also: Transport Yourself To Greece At Soho Warehouse's New Mandolin Taverna
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What experience do you hope Velverie guests have?
Everyone deserves to have a special moment at Velverie. Whether someone stops in for a cup of coffee or they come to celebrate one of their most important moments with us, I hope either person feels like they experienced something unique and exciting they couldn’t have gotten elsewhere.
What sort of legacy do you hope to build with Velverie Café and Teahouse?
Velverie is a collection of all my greatest inspirations, so I hope we inspire others to also express what they love in the grandest sense. My goal is to normalize the idea that luxury does not equal exclusivity. So often we save that “special item” or wait to make time for that “special occasion” when we should be able to seize the moment and enjoy something special as often as possible, big or small. I hope Velverie provides several opportunities to live by that philosophy and encourages others to build something of their own that’s based on their passions and point of view.
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This interview has been edited. Velverie Café and Teahouse is located at 9737 S Santa Monica Blvd 90210.
Photography by: Courtesy Velverie Café and Teahouse
