New African-American Owned Beverly Hills Jazz Club Is An Anomaly

By Tom Meek Thu., Jan. 24 2013 at 3:15 AM

Categories: Jazz

Dailey Pike

Executive Chef Shawn Davis and Owner Dennis "D.Anthony" Robertson

Dennis "D.Anthony" Robertson has moved back and forth between the business and music worlds for years now.

An aspiring drummer, he first began promoting acts at B.B. King's at Universal Studios, working his way into management and eventually ownership of the club. When that venture ended a few years ago, Robertson began planning what he hoped would become Los Angeles' premier venue for jazz. H.O.M.E. (House Of Music & Entertainment) opened in November, and since then Robertson has been quickly learning the ins and outs of running a full-time jazz supper club on a nightly basis.

Home is located in the former Camden House restaurant on North Camden Drive, a block west of Rodeo Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills. Robertson spent a considerable sum remodeling the restaurant with an upscale clientèle in mind: Padded seating, white linen and crystal. It boasts over 250 seats with a small bar area towards the back, putting it on a par with Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, and around 100 seats larger than Herb and Eden Alpert's Vibrato in Bel Air, the two long-time L.A. jazz venues Robertson sees himself in closest competition with.

Robertson describes his approach as "combination of an intimate concert setting and true fine dining," which he believes L.A. lacks. They've recruited former Perch and Geoffrey's of Malibu Executive Chef Shawn Davis to design a menu with entrees ranging from sea bass and caviar-chive salmon to rack of lamb.

They've also taken on experienced, full-time, sound engineers, a rarity at area jazz venues. The club recently acquired a Yamaha Concert series piano, which is more than seven feet long and rivals any found around here, short of the twin Steinways at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.

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femaleblogger

Unfortunately they opened the restaurant without funds. And after the first month they had to lay-off 50 percent of the staff which I heard through a server that still works there. How sad. I decided to go with 3 other friends that own a law-firm across the street. Tasted the food, and honestly there was nothing exciting about it. The drinks were o-k-a-y. I will admit, the musicians were really good( loud) but good. After we received our bill, there was a cover charge of 20$ per person. Wow, I asked the server and she mentioned they charge everybody a cover. Wondering how the city of Beverly Hills going to feel about that one? It was about 8:00pm on a saturday when we went and there was only 2 other tables. I guess now I know why this place is slow, cover charge+no valet parking+food mediocre+expensive food and drinks= no customers! Well I wish them best-luck

Luvfood21

Wow that's interesting you mentioned that. My neighbors friends just bought out the previous owner, I guess they couldn't survive anymore. That's good because I heard the chef,Shawn Davis was not that good and was having problems with the ownership. Sometimes you just have to clean the house. But the music is really good ill give them that.