Cheers

Woo Woo

Where: La Boheme, 8400 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-2360.

How much: $7.50

A French aristocrat who oozes panache, but -- quelle horreur -- he’s a vampire. If you really did have an interview with Lestat, there would be no better place to take him for a tete-a-tete than the bar at La Boheme. Enter the vine-covered mansion and drink in the walls painted blood red with trompe l’oeil effects, the heavy velvet curtains, glowing candelabra, waitresses in long black dresses and mysterious painting over the fireplace, a portrait of a naked woman looking like a sacrificial virgin with a menacing man standing over her. Lestat’s a show-off and a great conversationalist, but he can be aloof at times. Get him to open up by ordering a drink to suit his tastes, the one with the spooky name, Woo Woo. Lestat doesn’t really drink; still, he’s a sensual creature. He’ll appreciate the rose-colored liquid and the aroma of fresh fruit. It’s a concoction of cranberry juice and a peach-flavored French liqueur, Mathilde, garnished with a fresh orange slice. Take a sip and you’ll appreciate the vodka -- it will take more than an ounce of courage to listen unflinchingly to the tale of terror he’s about to unfold.

-- Anne Valdespino