Lazy Ox Canteen Opens in Little Tokyo
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Chef Josef Centeno made his return to the kitchen this week with yesterday's opening of the Lazy Ox Canteen in Little Tokyo. Located beneath San Pedro and 2nd's Sakura Crossing Lofts, it's the type of high-profile opening that has recently eluded Little Tokyo in favor of other downtown neighborhoods. Owner Michael Cardenas wouldn't have it any other way.
"Born and raised in Japan, I've got a sentimental side for Little Tokyo," Cardenas said, adding that the neighborhood already "has been really receptive" to the restaurant.
While you won't see any of Centeno's signature bäcos just yet, the ever-changing menu does feature an eclectic mix of global cuisines. While the variety might seem like it's literally all over the map (delicious kennebec frites to spicy brick-roasted mussels), the menu and the casual but impressive decor are designed to encourage diners to share with their company. Smaller courses are all under $15 while all entrees like the highly recommended seared branzino or braised beef paleron range from $19 to $25.
For libations, 12 craft beers are on tap and a comparable amount of bottled choices are available. This being in Little Tokyo, there are also eight sake and shochu selections. However, most impressive is the wine list, which is not only expansive, but almost exclusively features imports from around the word for under $40.
Much of the produce is locally grown, brought in from Temecula farms, and a server's father actually grows many of the vegetables used. Despite boasting 60 seats, the casual arrangements make for a more familial experience. Cardenas loves the area so much that he let slip that he has plans to open up a Japanese restaurant next door.
The Lazy Ox Canteen will only be open for dinner hours as of now, but a 5 - 7pm happy hour will soon go live and breakfast and lunch hours will be rolled out as early as January. The ultimate goal, however, is to stay open until 3 a.m. Street parking after 6 p.m. is free.
Lazy Ox Canteen / 241 S. San Pedro St. / 213-626-5299 / 5pm - 12am
Dave Bullock (@eecue) on December 18, 2009, at 10:57AM – #1
Penelope and I ate there last night, it was great. Looking forward to our return trip.
tornadoes28 on December 18, 2009, at 01:52PM – #2
Another overpriced establishment. Go to Tokyo or New York and you find cheap AND good hole-in-the-wall canteens, bars, izakayas, etc. Yet DT seems to keep adding these overpriced places. Not sayin the food or place is bad. I'm just sayin.
Rob Kinneman on December 18, 2009, at 02:57PM – #3
Can't wait to try this place out, it's got a solid beer selection and the food sounds good. I don't know about you but I'm willing to pay the extra money for locally-sourced ingredients and a good ambience in the dtLA area.
Alex Brideau III on December 18, 2009, at 04:25PM – #4
tornadoes28: Well, I don't think this is supposed to be a hole-in-the-wall establishment. I'm sure New York and Tokyo are nice, but there are already many hole-in-the-wall places around Downtown as well, although one probably won't see them often online.
Purple Haze on December 19, 2009, at 02:39PM – #5
There once was this place in the wall in an old building, south side of 2nd, west of Pedro. Was nice to see artists hang out there. But the building got torn down and the joint moved up to First Street.
Further west there was a small parking lot across from the New Otani roofgarden. It sat back behind a large brick loft/warehouse once located at L.A. and 2nd. In winter months, that parking lot was often a scene out of Dante's Inferno. Center attraction was a wizened, long-haired legless veteran sitting in his wheelchair. And he didn't mind letting the world see his stumps.
More of them to come, one supposses. Yessiree - folks, we gotta go get all them 'terrorists' - otherwise known to be citizens of Afghanistan.
chrom on December 23, 2009, at 04:37AM – #6
The Lazy Ox Canteen may sound like just another bar/pub a la The Village Idiot. Not so – their mission is to bring simple, fresh, and perfectly executed cuisine to Little Tokyo. Chef Josef Centeno has been cooking for New Yorkers and Angelenos for years now in establishments like Daniel and La Cote Basque in New York and at Meson G and Opus here in LA, while his partner, owner Michael Cardenas shifted from General Manager at Matsuhisa to owner of Sushi Roku. Needless to say, they’ll take good care of you.
Dave Bullock (@eecue) on February 16, 2010, at 07:59PM – #7
I just want to note that I've now eaten here about six times and I love it. Can't wait until they start doing breakfast!