SugarFISH Headed for 7th Street's Restaurant Row
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — 7th street looks to be moving one step closer to earning its "Restaurant Row" moniker.
According to public records, Kazunori Nozawa's SugarFISH is targeting Downtown for its third location, planning to open in the former Robinson Co. department store at 600 W. 7th.
The restaurant is a casual spinoff of Sushi Nozawa, the chef's Studio City establishment. The first SugarFISH was opened in Marina Del Rey in 2008, with a Brentwood offering opened later.
As with all Nozawa's establishments, the emphasis is on "Trust Me" options, where the chef selects the sushi offerings. A license for beer and wine sales is listed as pending by the state.
A conditional use permit application filed with the city shows 55 seats for the Downtown restaurant, which will be across Grand Avenue from 7th's dining hotspot, Bottega Louie.
7th street between the Financial District and the Historic Core has long been envisioned as a restaurant row, but only recently has that plan started to become a reality. Along with Bottega Louie, the street has in recent years seen the openings of Soi 7, Octopus and Wokano. Dublin's Irish Pub is set to replace space recently vacated by Ciao.
The J.W. Robinson company opened the building on September 7, 1915, relocating from Broadway. The store operated into the early 1990s.
Guest on May 18, 2010, at 05:40PM – #1
I love that more restaurants continue to open along 7th fulfilling the "dream" but can the neighborhood support 3 sushi places within a few blocks? I guess we'll find out.
Whitman Lam on May 18, 2010, at 08:55PM – #2
More sushi restaurants ? I usually go to Little Tokyo for Sushi. And I would still rather order sushi in Little Tokyo. Unfortunately that culturally unique slice of L.A. is dying :(
Guest on May 19, 2010, at 08:48AM – #3
we don't need another sushi place we need a nice indian restaurant
Guest on May 19, 2010, at 09:24AM – #4
Gill's has amazing indian food..... they have delivery too.... it is some of the best indian in LA, honest!
Jacob Holloway on May 19, 2010, at 09:30AM – #5
If you're familiar with Sushi Nozawa, you may also know that many consider it to be one of the best sushi joints in Los Angeles. SugarFISH has also been popular in its other locations, and mostly just represents a different type of offering.
My guess... If you're looking for fusion and portions, go to Wokcano. If you're looking for quick and affordable, go to Octopus. If you're looking for something traditional and simplified (read: purity of basic ingredients), plan on going to Sushi Nozawa.
I think residents of Downtown will continue to go to Little Tokyo, but that's okay -- 7th street also serves the Downtown workforce for lunch and, increasingly, dinner.
BTW, if you're looking for good Indian, try Gill's. The space makes some people uncomfortable (it's in the back of the Stillwell Hotel), but they have lunch specials, a good buffet, and the staff has always been quite attentive when I visit.
Neel Sodha on May 19, 2010, at 09:46AM – #6
It's great to see Restaurant Row filing up. The only problem is, I think Eric hit on this earlier, is that the City turns off the street lamps between Hill and Grand at night. It either turns off or is not working. Thus, there's an unlighted unsafe sidewalks in front of probably the busiest pedestrian street at night. This needs to be changed. Once the streets get lighted until 2 am, then more people will feel safe walking the streets.
Guest on May 19, 2010, at 11:05AM – #7
Indian Food!! Indian Food!!
Gills? Nahhh. Head over to Pasadena for Indian food that will knock your socks O F F !!! It would be completely awesome to have Indian Food in Downtown!
There's a SLEW of great Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo. Head on over to 1st and 2nd Streets between Central and Los Angeles Streets!
Regardless - it will be nice to have that space on 7th occupied.
Guest on May 19, 2010, at 01:17PM – #8
I can't eat at a restaurant named Wokano
Guest on May 19, 2010, at 01:25PM – #9
Thank you, guest #7! When I mentioned "nice Indian restaurant" in #3, I meant a finer-dining establishment with a good wine list, similar to Radhika's in Pasadena.
Gill's is more suitable for takeout.
Vero Queero on May 19, 2010, at 10:51PM – #10
Really? More sushi?
Guest on May 19, 2010, at 11:21PM – #11
Let's all resolve to quit using that annoying "Really?" Banned. I promise.
Guest on June 06, 2010, at 03:33PM – #12
Neel you are absolutely right about the street lights, it's amazing the city hasn't realized this needs to be done yet.