Guest on November 12, 2010, at 11:07AM – #1

That place is never going to open again

Guest on November 12, 2010, at 12:14PM – #2

Lessons...don't ever do unlicensed or unpermitted construction! If your contractor says he or she is a licensed contractor, check with the State first... https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx

If your contractor says he or she got a permit, ask to see it, or better yet, check with the city (or whatever agency)!

Guest on November 12, 2010, at 04:27PM – #5

Oh boy here we go....downtowners who don't know the whole story dogging on downtown businesses again... shades of mode? Maybe its another example as to the difficulties in getting going down here. Soon we'll be a wasteland again once LA Live goes under and Fallas Paredes becomes its biggest tenant and everyone will have to go back to the neighborhoods where theyre seen as losers instead of the big fish in this small pond. Geez, allow the poor guys to get it right w/ their permits and re-open for goodness sakes...

Guest on November 12, 2010, at 05:45PM – #6

@ Guest #3 whats wrong with Fallas Paredes?

Guest on November 12, 2010, at 08:46PM – #7

Its blight.

Guest on November 13, 2010, at 03:30PM – #8

With the emphasis on the city requiring large grease traps for new restaurants, I wonder if the problems are related to that. Assuming the prior restaurant (Ciao Trat.) did not have such a grease trap because it predated such requirements, Dublin's likely would have had to install one to have a deep fryer in the kitchen. Installing one of the grease traps is very expensive. I wonder if it was allowed to open without installing such a grease trap based on a representation that there would be no deep fryer. Lots to speculate about, I know.

Guest on November 14, 2010, at 01:07AM – #9

Well, actually, you can get by initially based on inter-departmental confusion. The health department is supposed to enforce it but has no real means to. If you tell them you were given a waiver they will go with that. Building and Safety is a bit tougher, but they are intended to permit work, not require you to do it. You could even tell your plan checker that you're getting a waiver. If your inspector doesn't care, you're fine, but there is a very specific sign-off for the Industrial Waste department, which is actually a planning office not located in the same building (its not even downtown). If you go there, theres a Russian lady who will tell you that EVERYONE needs a grease interceptor if they have food. She brags about requiring Subway to get it (which isn't always true). There is a variance process, but she makes the decision. You have to prove you cant do it, not that you don't have to. So I'm betting that Dublins did what 90 percent of restaurants do: Got a plan check for a restaurant re-model from building and safety, since McDs was there its permitted for a restaurant, has power and gas. They approved the plan, health department approved the plan and said make sure you get all your approvals from BnS. They literally say "if they say you're ok, then you're ok". Then they got BnS to inspect and approve individual plumbing and electrical jobs. If the health department sees a finaled health permit and a finaled electrical permit they will do their health inspection and give you a permit of you pass and write the check. Its the main inspector who issues the occupancy permit who will ask to see the stamp for Industrial Waste, however, no one ever asks for your occupancy certificate (even if they're supposed tp). So, with a business license, approved plumbing n electric, liquor license, and health permit, you are ready to open. If it stays like this and there are no issues within your first year, you're fine. If you decide to add a fryer and someone gets wind of it (There is a team whose sole job is to enforce this stuff) thats where things get sticky. I'm guessing they hired someone to add the fryer and gas line, they went to get a permit, the inspector was surprised to find its open since he never issued a certificate, simultaneously noticed that they need the industrial waste stamp, then called health. The health inspector will drop everything she's doing (EVERYTHING), run to the location, strip the permit, and schedule a hearing. The waste process will take a good 3-9 months, depending on whether you get a variance. My guess? location is a problem for what im sure is a requirement for a 2,000 gallon trap which is mega-huge. If this scenario is true, you need permits for the trap. Most importantly, if the inspectors at BnS (esp the occupancy guy) feels you opened dishonestly, they will quietly decide that you will never open and put you through the wringer til it breaks you. This doesn't mean its a scam, just that its a cold game that can break a entrepreneur thats not a major firm or company. Doesn't mean it will happen to them, but thats what happen to Mode.

Guest on November 14, 2010, at 09:15AM – #10

i appreciate these type of stories. sunlight is always helpful to banish any corruption or malficience.

perhaps there is no corruption at all--just very poorly designed process Downtown for small businesses to open.

either way, these type of stories are a fascinating insight into the internal politicing of this area and i hope to read more.

Guest on November 15, 2010, at 11:44AM – #12

In a small city folks from the different departments can get in the same room and hash things out. Can't happen in LA, but there should be some kind of link-up meeting where the dept staff can look at digitized plans and photos at the same time and come to a resolution. Why not?

Guest on November 15, 2010, at 05:03PM – #13

This place needed to close. When we were there I found the following issues at the place:

1. They water down there beer A. beer there noway they can server 12oz of dogfish head for $3 a poor B. I tried multiple beers and they all tasted water down.
2. The onion rings made my stomach turn sour
3. The bathrooms were all flooding

Over all a horrible place, I and my my other downtown friends will never go back.

Guest on November 18, 2010, at 04:39PM – #16

Please will someone just think of the children? I walked by this place and was like I want a beer but my small child was with me and he is not old enough to drink, when they reopen can they install a play-place so responsible adults and can have a drink and not worry about their children.