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A Smörgåsbord of Food Updates: 18 Bites of Restaurant and Bar News

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at 08:24AM

Eric Richardson / blogdowntown

Coly's Stromboli opens Wednesday at 5th and Hill

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Downtown's residential development may have slowed, but food and nightlife continues to explode. We've fallen behind on coverage, but here are 18 bites of catch-up news.

Restaurants

Maison Grande

Vincent Terzian of Crocker Club is behind this Southern French bistro that will seat 300 on the southwest corner of 7th and Grand. Construction and permitting are underway now, and Terzian is asking for a full line of liquor on-site and the ability to sell beer and wine for takeout. Limited entertainment could include jazz and string instruments.

Urbano Pizza Bar

There were denials back in October when we broke the news that Michael Leko and Peter Gedde were taking over the Wolfgang Puck Bistro at 6th and Hope to open a pizza place next to Library Bar. Construction and a soft-opening should come shortly.

Clifton's Cafeteria

Andrew Meieran of The Edison announced back in September that Clifton's Cafeteria would be going 24-hours and adding bar space under his ownership. His application for a conditional use permit was approved last month, allowing the alcohol service and seating for 987 patrons. A full line of liquor is allowed on-site, and the restaurant is now permitted to carry imported and craft beers for off-site sale (but no domestics with a production over 60,000 barrels). Renovations are ongoing.

LA Reflection

The restaurant under construction at the northwest corner of 2nd and Main goes in for a hearing on their conditional use permit on June 2nd. is a part of the Police Administration Building project, and should offer a wide-ranging menu that includes offerings from Los Angeles' sister cities.

Hooters

The tight orange shorts that are coming to South Park should arrive in June, according to hiring notices on Craigslist. The restaurant is opening across from Staples Center at 1248 S. Figueroa.

Eateries

Coly's Stromboli

Coly Den Haan of The Must puts her name to a new eatery opening Wednesday in the space at 5th and Hill that was briefly Pie Boy Pizzeria. "Imagine a calzone, a slice of pizza and a burrito had a threesome and somehow made a baby named Strombol," says a press release sent out on Monday. Den Haan and Rachel Thomas are also hard at work on opening Perch and The Must in the same building.

Night Toast

, which advertises itself as the "Home of the Jerusalem Bagel," opened up this Spring at 653 S. Spring. Gad Petel's eatery replaced Raspado Xpress.

Schnitzly

opened its second location this Spring at 119 E. 7th, just east of Main Street. The eatery is open 10am to 6pm, Monday through Friday.

Garage Pizza

Silver Lake's is opening a second location in SB Main at 7th and Main. Eater , though it remains to be seen whether permits will be in place to make that happen.

Green Hut Cafe

opened for business on April 26 in the ground floor of 818 W. 7th, between Figueroa and Flower. Sandwiches run $6 - $8.

Eco Asian

brought healthy Asian food (by way of South Africa) to 7th between Grand and Olive this Spring, taking over a small space two doors down from Seven Grand.

Freshii

Construction is well-along on upcoming location at 600 W. 7th, between Grand and Hope. The health-focused chain operates more than 60 locations in North America.

Coffee

Spring for Coffee

Pint-sized Spring for Coffee opened for business in March 2009. A second location is now up and running at 8th and Los Angeles, .

Bars

Silo Bar

Opening is near for the vodka-focused , which will be coming to that Haas Building at 221 W. 7th on June 1. We first mentioned the construction back in November.

Pattern Bar

Construction is pushing forward at , located at 100 W. 9th. With a 1,500-square-foot ground floor and 2,500 square feet in the basement that will open as phase two, the venue will focus on community and tapas on the edge of the Fashion District.

La Cantina

Senor Fish is renaming its bar at 1st and Alameda as tequila and botanas bar La Cantina. The focus is on tequila and mezcal, mexican beers, and includes a new food menu.

Salvage Bar

The backers of are prepping a venue that they say will be heavy on recycled materials. While they've been pitching a June opening, don't be surprised if construction and permitting on the 2,000-square-foot ground floor space at the Roosevelt Lofts takes just a bit longer.

Club

ICON LA

Located at 1248 S. Figueroa, across the street from Staples Center, has started hosting events and will have its official grand opening on June 1. Entrance is via a ground-floor stairway off of Figueroa, and the venue occupies the building's second floor and rooftop.

Conversation

D-Town on May 25, 2011, at 09:57AM – #1

Any updates re: LA Brewing Company on Broadway?

Dixon on May 25, 2011, at 10:21AM – #2

You left off Onyx Lounge. It opened last week in the old Must space. It's a fine-dining restaurant and a bar.

eggnogstick on May 25, 2011, at 11:27AM – #3

it appears that something is opening across the street from BottleRock and Hygge (SE corner 11th and Hope). does anyone know what is going in there?

Mario Teran on May 25, 2011, at 01:39PM – #4

What's the deal with the small brick building next to the Banquet cafe on Main. There's been boards in front of it for as long as I can remember and from time to time it appears there's work being done on it.

Rich on May 25, 2011, at 01:42PM – #5

Clifton's has a sign up saying something about being open till 10pm during the holidays. Can't wait till they remove the metal facade out front! There's a little bit peeking out now.

aldo on May 25, 2011, at 03:29PM – #6

Does anyone know how much sidewalk a business can take up? The Silo Bar has built these metal fences for a patio at least five feet, maybe six, onto the sidewalk. This has taken up nearly half the sidewalk space and I'm wondering if they can even do that.

DawnC on May 25, 2011, at 03:35PM – #7

So glad to have the updates. I've been missing your bar and restaurant coverage BDT!

You left out The Spice Table in Little Tokyo, I went there with some out of town friends recently and every single dish was super delicious. The exposed brick and aged wood interior is gorgeous and cozy. We can't stop thinking about it and may have to go back tonight if they have any reservations open.

Raymond3000 on May 25, 2011, at 04:43PM – #8

Also dont forget Industriel (6th & Grand), P.S. 612, Le'Ka its sooo cool to see all these restaurants coming Downtown. You definitely know that the Downtown restaurant scene has arrived when you have quite a few opening or planned under the radar. Now bring on the retail!

P.S. Mario (#4) are you referring to that old brick building that use to be Burgers n S***? I heard they were trying to turn it into a french restaurant but dont know how far its come since then.

Chris Loos on May 25, 2011, at 05:25PM – #9

@aldo

I noticed that too. CoffeeBar on Spring also has a fenced in patio that extends surprisingly far into the street. I know in other cities you absolutely cannot do this. Its one thing to have a seating area that extends into the public right-of-way, but it must be temporary so that it can be pulled in at the end of the day.

Either Los Angeles doesn't have this ordinance (wouldn't surprise me) or its just not enforced (again, wouldn't surprise me.) This city seems amazingly hands-off when it comes to protecting pedestrians.

Chris Loos on May 25, 2011, at 05:27PM – #10

Er...by 'street' I meant 'sidewalk'.

Jamie DeFrisco on May 25, 2011, at 05:33PM – #11

Raymond3000, glad someone remembers that it used to be Burgers and S***. I wondered if they'd put something there.

There's also these in Little Tokyo: -Cafe Dulce in the village. -There's some tea and/or coffee place coming to the corner spot that used to be Piccomolo -Shinsengumi is apparently moving into the spot or taking over the spot that is currently Izayoi -The Flying Pig is opening in Hikari.

I'm kind of excited about the Clifton's. I just hope it doesn't lose its charm.

Eric Richardson () on May 25, 2011, at 06:01PM – #12

In theory, any restaurant or bar with sidewalk dining must have a revocable permit granting them the use of the space. That permit will specify the space that must remain clear and how much can be taken.

It would be interesting to do some research into how those are really being given out.

kaysep on May 25, 2011, at 08:19PM – #13

i would like to know how far in "umamicatessen" and "two boots pizza" are on broadway and 9th?

Accessory Loft on May 25, 2011, at 09:43PM – #14

Please do the research b/c Silo takes up MORE THAN HALF of the sidewalk - it's like a one-way sidewalk in front of one of the busiest bus stops. I literally have to walk into the street every day to get around the crowd up people. It is so annoying and the bar isn't even open yet! I can't wait until people chain up their aggressive dogs there, or until people decide to hang out on the outside of the little fence (like everyone does at Spring Street - love that place, but don't chain up your agressive dog on one of the busiest pedestrian sidewalks). I am thinking of moving to South Park where the sidewalks are a little wider just for this reason. Not kidding!

Simon Hartigan on May 25, 2011, at 11:22PM – #15

Guys, please don't point the finger at the eateries for using the sidewalk. Using the sidewalk is a great way to extend the stores into the public space and helps great a neighborhood feeling and will make DTLA feel very inviting.

Now, I do agree that sidewalk space is an issue, but reconsider asking for the space back that the seating has taken up. DTLA would greatly improve if car lanes were removed and the sidewalk would then be extended into what is now the street. This is the most ideal situation and will benefit all in DTLA. The more pedestrian activity in DTLA and the fewer cars, the better. This isn't the suburbs, it's a city. In the suburbs, roads are as wide as one can make them, and restaurants are kept away from the street and sidewalk entirely, which is very unwelcoming.

Eric Richardson () on May 26, 2011, at 12:19AM – #16

kaysep: They're both still a ways out. Both are doing interior demo right now, before getting started on their own buildouts. Two Boots should come a good bit faster just since the space is so much smaller.

Umami has actually already expanded -- they took over a third retail bay from a cell phone store that closed. It's quite the impressive space all joined together.

Robert A on May 26, 2011, at 05:39AM – #17

Don't forget Buzz Wine and Beer which will have wine tastings as well as retail. I believe they are opening very soon in the Rowan retail spot at 5th and Spring. It look pretty impressive inside.

PogueMahone on May 26, 2011, at 12:00PM – #18

Also Baco in the old Banquette space. And What's going in at P.E. Lofts on the Main St. side?

on May 28, 2011, at 08:12AM – #19

and Chipotle on Grand & 7th! YUM and FAST

on May 28, 2011, at 08:48AM – #20

Before accusing a particular restaurant of encroaching too far into the public sidewalk, make sure you know the property line location. Some outdoor dining areas are completely within private property.

PogueMahone on May 28, 2011, at 09:06AM – #21

Went to Garage Pizza last night! It was awesome and they're open til 4am!

William Crandell on May 28, 2011, at 10:39AM – #22

Went to Tomaine Tony's last night.

What a weekend this is gonna be. I shoulda-coulda updated my la98st 7wi9ll and testamundt before going. But NOOOO......

TBerry on May 28, 2011, at 07:40PM – #23

@baddicus

Excellent point. I don't know the specifics of the SILO issue, but in MANY cases downtown you can actually see a brass line embedded in the side walk that runs all the way around a building marking private property from public sidewalk property. It's surprising that this line is often half-way or more out into the sidewalks. I think it would be a good idea to reduce the size of the street in favor of wider sidewalks rather than penalize the businesses.

Ethan Kirschner on May 28, 2011, at 08:46PM – #24

blogdowntown seems to be deemphasizing its timely and newsworthy coverage of downtown on this blog.

Is that true?

Why is this?

Dixon on May 30, 2011, at 10:56AM – #25

Ethan, I agree. This blog used to be timely and had a bevy of writers contributing to it. Now almost every article is written by Eric, who does a good job but maybe is spread out too thin.

......and by the way, what happened to Ed Fuentes? I miss his contributions.

Perhaps the blog is headed the same way of the print edition. It seems to be on life support now.

on May 30, 2011, at 12:44PM – #26

Come on now - I think everyone is being a little extreme about the sidewalk situations. You'd have to be 400lbs to have a problem walking by these places & if you were that big you wouldn't be able to walk anyway. I have furniture all the time in front of my store & not 1 complaint in 2 years. Can't you be happy about how DTLA is transforming instead? Spend your energy on something that really matters like homelessness.

Downtowncommuter on June 01, 2011, at 12:11PM – #27

@ Ethan,

I've noticed that too. I can only imagine Eric & Co's lives are getting too busy...or perhaps they are still stinging over the demise of the print edition, which would only be natural?

J-M on June 01, 2011, at 01:43PM – #28

So happy there are others here who remember Burgers and S***. I managed to snap a photo a couple of days before they painted over it. They should left it, at the rate they've been going with construction, it could have waited...

Dion on June 01, 2011, at 02:34PM – #29

Iv'e noticed too. What was the story on the print edition?

on June 04, 2011, at 05:17PM – #30

i have also noticed the lack of articles, especially in the food + nightlife section. i used to come to blogdowntown all the time to get ideas of what new restaurants to look out for, perhaps even to review for my own blog but now i am relying on other sites such as eaterla and tastingtable to give me updates. perhaps they have had to scale down staff as well considering the hard times?

regardless, thank you eric for giving us quite an extensive list. it is encouraging that so many establishments continue to open.

() on July 05, 2011, at 01:39PM – #31

I just saw recently in Eater LA that UMAMIcatessen may open in November..

Baco is working on its building out.. or tear down I should say.. the wall that separated Banquette from the former Last Bookstore space is gone.. the walls of Banquette are gone and a new kitchen will be built from scratch (as the old kitchen in Banquette is gone) I peaked in there and there is so much space now & the light coming in from the upper windows really makes a difference! They have the lower windows papered up now so you can't see from the street anymore..

Regarding that space that used to be Burgers & Sh*t that is owned by and is a personal project of Ray (from Old Bank Market & Deli) He's been working on it for well over a year now.. It's coming along but when it does open I think it's going to be a table service restaurant with wine... Honestly don't know too much.

Zyr on September 11, 2011, at 03:12PM – #32

Nobody forgot to mention Onyx. there is just no need to mention it.

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