Hive & Honey Rooftop Bar looks out onto panoramic city and mountain views from the 15th floor of the Marriott Irvine Spectrum. The logo is a bee, and honey figures into many dishes and cocktails. Hotel general manager Che Sutton talks about the venue’s new brunch.
Which brunch dish is the star of the show?
Hand-battered Korean fried chicken, bourbon-infused honey, Belgian waffles … the chicken & waffle slider! The magic behind the dish is the spicy bourbon honey and engaging presentation. The honey arrives in a little tube so you can inject it into the waffles. The dish is no longer brunch only – people order it through the evening.
Hive & Honey is known for its craft cocktails. Does it stick with mimosas at brunch?
We don’t. The Siren – with Ketel One peach and orange blossom, poblano liqueur and berry syrup – is a fantastic complement to our morning offerings. And our classic H&H Bee’s Knees, with gin, honey and lemon, is immensely popular also.
The bee logo has gone beyond silverware and ice cubes. How has it evolved?
It’s been enhanced in a number of ways. The menu is a storytelling adventure, “The Journey of the Hungry Bee.” Instead of appetizers, mains and dessert, the categories are Forager, Pollen and Royal Honey. Apparel is new – you can purchase a Hive & Honey T-shirt, hoodie, hats and tote bags near the lobby-floor front desk.
So Hive & Honey is not just rooftop anymore?
The Marriott house car is a black GMC Yukon SUV. On one side is the Marriott’s red M logo. On the other, the bee – the bee’s buzzing around town! Hive & Honey is becoming a bigger part of the community.
What else is on the horizon at Hive & Honey?
We completed an amazing heating project featuring natural gas and electric heaters throughout the rooftop. When the wind kicks up, it’s a bit more comfortable. We’ve also begun steps toward a redesign – even while the design now is still very cool.
