Latin Out, Mexican In As Border Grill Takes Over Ciudad
Peter Barrett for Border Grill
The Border Grill brand made its first permanent Downtown stop this summer with the launch of the Border Grill Stop kiosk at Figueroa and Wilshire.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Ciudad, the Latin outpost of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger's restaurant empire, will close October 2nd and reopen later in October as the Border Grill.
The chefs, known as The Food Network’s “Too Hot Tamales,” are rebranding the restaurant at Figueroa and 5th to focus on the Border Grill brand. Last year the duo took Border Grill to the streets with the launch of their first food truck followed two months ago by a Border Grill Stop kiosk at the corner of Figueroa and Wilshire.
“It’s a natural evolution,” says Leah Ross, PR & Marketing Manager. Ross says that Mexican food tends to be more accessible to the masses than the Latin fusion cuisine on the menu at Cuidad. “It will be a casual fun place to gather with friends and have margaritas or to dine before going to the theater.” The restaurant will continue to operate a shuttle to the Music Center on show nights.
Ross says that some regulars of Ciudad have voiced that they are sad to see the concept changed, but they’ve been assured the Border Grill menu will incorporate the most popular dishes from Ciudad. Those include the Peruvian Ceviche, Gaucho Steak and Argentine Empanadas.
“The Border Grill will still be unique and stand apart from other Mexican restaurants,” adds Ross. The "hot tamales" have traveled extensively throughout Mexico--the Yucatan, Baja, Mexico City--to hone their take on Mexican cuisine. “It’s not the typical Mexican restaurant entrée with rice and beans on the side.”
Menu items at the Border Grill include entrées such as a Grilled Skirt Steak with a side of charred corn relish, shaved asparagus, sweet pepper salad and a tortilla or a traditional Chile Relleno with roasted poblano chiles, manchego, panela, cotija cheeses, salsa roja and tomatillo salsa.
The restaurant plans a soft opening in mid-October with a grand opening to follow.
Dave Bullock (@eecue) on September 13, 2010, at 07:00PM – #1
We ate at Ciudad last night... we're really going to miss Sunday night tapas.
Tina Lin on September 13, 2010, at 09:45PM – #2
Cuidad was always hit or miss with the food, but hands down, it was the worst service in all of downtown LA. Never enough staff in there to handle the crowds.
John Apodaca on September 14, 2010, at 06:57AM – #3
This is so rediculous. Another corporate chain take over. I've eaten at Boarder Grill, the food is mediocre and kind of bland. Ciudad, is so good at creating great food. Why change to something that I can get at a mall?
John Apodaca www.daddyosmartinis.com
Guest on September 14, 2010, at 08:37AM – #4
John, they're owned by the same people.
Guest on September 14, 2010, at 09:38AM – #5
Wasn't the space a Sonora Cafe before? So, essentially Mexican? I guess all things do come full circle.
Guest on September 14, 2010, at 07:01PM – #6
That is truly sad - if I wanted to eat at the Border Grill I would go to Pasadena.
Guest on September 22, 2010, at 11:35AM – #7
I'm all for upping the quality and variety of Mexican food options, especially in downtown, since most of the Mexican food is alarmingly lame, considering how many Mexican-born Mexicans are in Los Angeles.
You'd think we were living in North Dakota with how limited our Mexican food is.
Guest on September 22, 2010, at 11:35AM – #8
I'm all for upping the quality and variety of Mexican food options, especially in downtown, since most of the Mexican food is alarmingly lame, considering how many Mexican-born Mexicans are in Los Angeles.
You'd think we were living in North Dakota with how limited our Mexican food is.