New Food Choices Improving the Feel of Downtown Streets

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, October 12, 2005, at 12:49PM

Eric Richardson [Flickr]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Frequent commenter David Kennedy emailed me the other day commenting on how glad he was to see some of the infill development going on Downtown in ground floor spaces that have long been vacant. In particular he noticed the Roy’s Restaurant going in at 8th & Figueroa and the cafe-type eateries going in around the 7th/Metro Red Line station. You may (or may not) remember that I’ve previously mentioned Roy’s. They presented their plans to DLANC one year ago today. Pictured is the Camille’s at 7th and Hope; next door a Qdoba Mexican Grill is under construction.

This kind of development is so important for creating a sense of life Downtown. Roy’s has big windows that readily let you see the dining room from the street. Daily Grill has that same transparency. Camille’s has some fun outdoor seating raised off the sidewalk. This is a hugely positive shift from the older tradition of inward-facing buildings Downtown, where retail has been tucked away and hidden from the street.

Comments

Peter Johnson writes:

This is great news. Anyone know the latest status of the Tiara Cafe, the Fred Eric project on 9th?

# on Oct.12.2005 AT 01:49 PM

Shawn writes:

Too many of the restaurants downtown are closed on the weekend. Camille’s originally planned to be open weekends and they were for a while after they opened. Too bad business was dead and I think they are now closed weekends.

# on Oct.12.2005 AT 06:33 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

I think it’s tougher on that side of Downtown than it is in the Historic Core. You miss the Broadway crowd, most of the resident crowd, etc. Hopefully that will pick up, though, as more retail (not just food) opens up.

Interestingly, I noticed that the Great Steak and Potatoe just west of there on 7th now has Saturday hours. Lunch time, I think 11 - 2:30 or so. -e;

# on Oct.12.2005 AT 06:56 PM

David Kennedy writes:

Yeah, the Financial District can be a dead zone on the weekends. However, I think it is significant that the landlords of these properties are seeking to engage the street. The fortress mentality of having these kinds of urban ammenities underground or in enclosed spaces is finished. Those in easy proximity to Staples Center are taking advantage of the prospect of thousands of hungry fans with time to kill and money to burn. Hopefully, these places can develop some useful marketing to attract these customers (can you say Pre-Game Special?).

# on Oct.17.2005 AT 02:43 PM

Alexis Roworth writes:

Well Peter at long last Tiara Cafe is just a week or so from opening. Come down and enjoy!

# on Apr.24.2006 AT 09:11 PM