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Provecho Eviction Case Moves Forward

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 02:59PM
Provecho Eric Richardson []

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The revitalized Downtown appears set to suffer one of its first high-profile restaurant casualties, as landlord 800 Wilshire today was given the go-ahead for eviction proceedings against chef Gabriel Morales' .

The corporation that controls the Mexican restaurant and martini lounge Remedy, both of which opened in late 2008, filed for bankruptcy protection on February 8, claiming nearly $2 million in debts.

Today, Judge Alan Ahart gave the restaurant's landlord permission to continue eviction proceedings. On January 27, 800 Wilshire gave the restaurant a five day notice to surrender the premises or pay $39,743 in back rent. When the restaurant did neither, the building filed an unlawful detainer case on February 8. That same day, the restaurant's 800 Wilshire Group, LLC filed for bankruptcy protection.

Court filings show a long list of creditors. The restaurant says that it owes the state nearly $144,000 in sales taxes, and a laundry list of vendors show up among those with claims.

A drawn-out opening couldn't have helped the company's books. Morales and wife Jill Bigelow first signed a lease on the nearly 8,000 square foot space in July of 2007. Delays and permit issues kept the doors from opening until December of 2008.

Building manager Anthony Khuns said today that he was sorry to see the restaurant fall on financial hard times. "They're a great restaurant and they've had a tough time," he said. "They've been good for the building."

Today's ruling allows the building's eviction case to move forward, but provides no immediate resolution.

For now, the restaurant remains open. A flyer sent out today advertises its St. Patrick's Day specials, including $3 green beer and $1 corned beef tacos.

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Conversation

Alex Brideau III on March 17, 2010, at 03:57PM – #1

To me, the illegally operating dance club in the Provecho space (not the Remedy side) is a clue they have fallen upon hard times. :-S


User_32

Alonso on March 17, 2010, at 04:40PM – #2

Crap...

I liked this place. Great happy hour. Not the best service, unfortunately. Tacos de papa were damn tasty. Margaritas were solid. Premium tequilas were too expensive. But sad to see it go. I wanted to try more tequilas. Bummer.


User_32

on March 18, 2010, at 11:21AM – #3

That still leaves Casa, Ciudad and Rivera. One of 'em had to go in the Nouveau Latino food scene in DTLA. Not surprised Provecho was the first tho, with its mediocre overpriced Mexican food.


Guest 1

Guest on March 18, 2010, at 12:52PM – #4

You also forgot Rosa Mexicano at LA Live...another highly priced "Nouveau Latino" restaurant. I went to Provecho once and had a bad experience. The service was atrocious. Food was OK, but not for the price. I'm hoping a different restaurant goes in there.


Simon Ha on March 19, 2010, at 08:46AM – #5

I'm sad to see another friend close down. Gabe and staff were fun to be around. I've had great times at Provecho and made many local friends from there. It's unfortunate that another restaurant space will be vacant. It took a while for Tranquility Base to be replaced...


User_32

Ken Hall on March 19, 2010, at 03:36PM – #6

On a related note, Pastagina on Grand Ave has closed and vacated their space. The news is not really surprising since (I believe )all of the other Pastagina locations have closed as well.


Guest 2

Guest on March 20, 2010, at 12:06PM – #7

Sadly even at the opening there was a lot of confusion and many people did not get drinks or food. One needs capitalization for at least a full year + for a restaurant.

They also had a beautiful "green" focused interior, but they still overspent seriously. According to some the food quality continued to fall until there were $1 tacos just like a cheap Mexican joint.

Gabriel had a great vision, a wonderful staff and also an amazing wife who is a dear.

Re: Pasatgina, their sauces were pretty awful. People voted with their feet, they just did not go in. Glop on a plate. On Grand Avenue their place stood more than half empty dring the noon rush hour, one could see many half eaten plates of food waiting to be bussed off the tables.

Having good food/menu is only part of what you need for a restaurant business to make it. Capitalization, Staff, effective Management Planning & Marketing.

H.


Alex Brideau III on March 21, 2010, at 12:46AM – #8

Well, as of tonight, they still appear to be operating in illegal club mode ... with unfortunately loud patrons. :-(


User_32

Ken Hall on March 22, 2010, at 12:27AM – #9

It might be off the topic...but...a place called "Simply Salads" is taking over the 9th and Hope Street (Market Lofts) location of Pastagina.


Guest 3

Guest on March 22, 2010, at 08:20AM – #10

I knew this place wouldn't last, with its snooty managers, overpriced drinks fingernail sized entres and surf & turf prices. Mexican Americans are real people who like to eat real food, not this pasteurized, homoginized, microscopic imitation of our culture. Some things just don't need re-inventing!


User_32

on March 24, 2010, at 09:55PM – #11

Alex

Let me know if they are operating a dance/night club. I will pass it on to Vice.


Alex Brideau III on April 02, 2010, at 10:37PM – #12

Thanks, Cmdr. Chow. Unfortunately, as of 10:30 tonight, they are operating as a dance club with flashing lights, bouncers, the whole nine yards.

Please contact me at alika [at] brideau [dot] net for more specifics.


User_32

Sandie Richards on April 03, 2010, at 04:02PM – #13

As to more Mexican fare, South Park may expect the next El Cholo restaurant at the old Liberty Grill site sometime in the late spring or early summer, I believe.



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