The USA's first restaurant where guests can openly consume cannabis debuts in Los Angeles this week.
Operating under a new type of license issued by West Hollywood, Lowell Cafe lets you smoke marijuana inside the dining room—there's an air-filtration system, according to the Los Angeles Times—or out on the side patio.
Aptly decorated with abundant greenery, the space employs pot sommeliers, dubbed "flower hosts," who offer tableside explanations of strains, flavors, and effects, dispensing recommendations based on each visitor's experience and preferences.
You can order joints, pipes, bongs, and edibles featuring organic cannabis grown by Lowell Farms, or bring your own and pay a "tokage" fee, the cafe's answer to a corkage fee (if there's a cannabis-related business that can resist a pun, we have yet to find it).
In the kitchen, chef Andrea Drummer forgoes classic pot pairings such as Cheetos and raw cookie dough, preparing instead elevated munchies designed to complement the flavor profiles in different marijuana strains. Ask your flower host for advice on whether to go for the vegan nachos, pulled pork shoulder sandwich, or sticky tamarind chicken wings.
Open as of October 1, Lowell Cafe accepts reservations up to 30 days in advance. This joint is located at 1201 N. La Brea Ave., which is within walking distance of major Hollywood Boulevard attractions such as the Chinese Theatre.
