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The Bellwether in Studio City is where all your pork dreams come true

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Name of restaurant: The Bellwether in Studio City.

Chef/Owner: Co-owners chef Ted Hopson (formerly Lukshon and Father’s Office) and beverage director Ann-Marie Verdi (also from Father’s Office).

Concept: The Bellwether is an upscale, neighborhood spot in the former Olé Tapas Bar space on Ventura Boulevard. Hopson is focusing on a seasonal, shareable menu that includes a daily R&D (research and development) “works in progress” section.

Verdi is working closely with Chef Hopson to create cocktails using the same seasonal produce as the kitchen. The bar displays a large drink monitor listing on-tap selections, including wine, beer and cocktails.

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The 3,200-square-foot, open dining room (seating 70) features butcher-block tabletops and crimson leather banquettes along the main wall. Designer Ana Henton (Love & Salt, Lukshon) is in the process of finishing the décor. There’s a patio in the works, as well, that will seat an additional 30.

The dish you need to try: The crispy pork rillettes sit on a potato rosti with creamy ham-hock gravy. It’s topped with a sunny-side egg and crispy pig ears. It’s all your wildest pork dreams realized, on one plate.

Runners-up: Swine not your game? The menu is actually quite vegetable-heavy. The tempura cauliflower (a large bowl for $8) is made with a Thai twist, including Thai chile, mint, Thai basil, lime and nam pla (fish sauce). It just may turn out to be the perfect bar companion.

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There’s plenty of fish on the menu, too, including a beautiful hamachi crudo gussied up with avocado, pickled baby vegetables and lightly puffed quinoa.

Don’t skip dessert: The white chocolate mousse cake comes with brown butter pistachios and cherry ice cream.

Whose at the next table?: Families. A lot of them.

Problematic: The noise. Hopefully the finished décor will help with the sound. It was so loud the server asked us to repeat each order.

Service: Very knowledgeable and friendly.

What are you drinking? “Headstart For Happiness” cocktail made with house-infused Tito’s blackberry vodka, Julian’s hard cider, simple syrup and lime.

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Info: 13251 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 285-8184, www.thebellwetherla.com.

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