Perch Debuts Far Above Pershing Square
Eric Richardson / blogdowntown
Perch is lit up during a soft-opening event on July 14.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Nearly 13 months after the sudden closure of their wine bar The Must, Rachel Thomas and Coly Den Haan this week return to the Downtown nightlife scene with the opening of Perch atop of the Pershing Square Building.
It's got to be a good sign when your lounge's one-night soft-opening generates a buzz, and there were certainly folks wondering just how to make their way up to Perch's July 14th pre-debut.
Given the scenery, that's hardly surprising. The two rooftop levels have sweeping views that wrap 360 degrees.
Food-wise, the duo have worked with chef Benjamin Udave to create a menu that offers a spin on French cuisine. "What we want to do up there is take French food and bastardize it the same way we did with taking white trash food for The Must and making it nice," Thomas explained to blogdowntown back in March.
After a Thursday grand opening, Perch takes up a six-day-a-week schedule, open 4pm to midnight Monday through Wednesday, 4pm to 2am Thursday and Friday, and 6pm to 2am on Saturday. A Sunday brunch is planned.
Perch / 213-802-1770 / perchla.com / opentable.com/perch-la
Dion on July 28, 2011, at 02:38PM – #1
Looks great and cant wait to go there. my only issue is that that stretch of 5th still has a significant drug peddling issue. i hope that with the opening of Perch, more can be done to eradicate the problem.
downtown vibe on July 29, 2011, at 10:39AM – #2
Congratulations! We will be visiting soon!
As for the street crime... I agree the area needs better Council leadership.
Unfortunaley right now it is under the jurisdiction of Jose Huizar, Councilman for the 14th district. We need some changes here.
LAofAnaheim on July 29, 2011, at 01:40PM – #3
Do you remember what the neighborhood was like BEFORE Huizar? He's really behind the streetcar and getting the movie theaters back...unlike his prior opponent, Rudy. Huizar has been good for the neighborhood...but he's not a magician.
Robert A on July 29, 2011, at 02:10PM – #4
Councilman Huizar does not have the Pershing Square area...he has one main street....Broadway and some areas of Skid Row. Most of Central and Historic Downtown is under Jan Perry. Downtown Vibe...you really need to check your facts before posting. Regarding crime, I believe you need to contact Capt. Chamberlain at the LAPD.
Regarding Perch...can't wait to visit this weekend!
Christopher Eaton on July 31, 2011, at 03:08AM – #5
I'm so excited about all 3 establishments opening in the building. Regarding the drug peddling issue, I'm sooooooo sick of the open drug dealing that occurs on 5th Street during the daytime and early evening hours. How many times do I have to walk past these criminals dealing Oxycontin openly with impunity? Why do we all walk past them without saying anything? Because we're afraid that one of them is going to lunge at us with a knife like that idiot did 2 months ago when he chose the wrong victim in the undercover cop? I love my neighborhood, I know that the dealing pre-dated my arrival here, but now I'm saying that we're all here to stay and the situation is ridiculous. None of us has to put up with this. If this stuff were going on in Santa Clarita, where a ton of these cops live, it wouldn't be tolerated for a New York minute. Call Capt. Chamberlain, Jan Perry, anyone who will listen. The days of open drug-dealing in our neighborhood are numbered.
downtown vibe on August 03, 2011, at 11:19AM – #6
Robert A,
I think you need to get a close-up map of the Council Districts. Ask Eric, he is an expert map maker!
Council District 14 runs down the middle of Spring Street from the middle of 2nd St going south. CD14 covers everything west to the middle of Hill Street. CD14 is responsible for "dealing" with the drug dealers on 5th Street between Spring and Hill. That means the mess at the Pershing Square Subway portal is his too. In fact, virtually all of the historic core west of the centerline of Spring Street is Huizar's district. If you need help visualizing, just think back to where all the food trucks park during Art Walk.....
And Robert, it would be nice if you checked YOUR OWN facts before trying to discredit somebody here.... you never know who you are talking to.
Robert A on August 03, 2011, at 12:39PM – #7
I see the drug dealing in Pershing Square and on 5th St at Main and Spring...which are in Jan Perry's district. So, both really are responsible for the area but Jan Perry district is where I see the drug transactions. BTW, Councilman Huizar has been the most active and accessible Council member I have ever dealt with.
The fact of the matter is the LAPD needs to take a very active role here in ridding the area of drugs. The most important person however is YOU and ME...who can dial 911 or call the BID when we see a crime. Most residents turn the other way and don't do anything about it. We need to make ourselves heard and not put up with this criminal activity.
downtown vibe on August 03, 2011, at 03:22PM – #8
Robert A,
Jose Huzair has been under investigation by the Feds almost continuously since they caught him "allegedly" (don't want to be accused of slander)taking donations at the LA Unified Schoolboard. His friends got him that gig, and they got him the Council position to escape the scandal at the LAUSD. Before that, he was put on the City Planning Commission. You will find a lot of discussion online about where and when he even lived in his district.
If you would like to see hundreds of blogs dedicated to Mr. Huizar, check out mayorsamssistercity.org. They have been keeping track of his actions since 2005. try searching "Huizar corruption" or "740 club liquor license" to get started.
And of Course you are right about calling the LAPD. Even if they don't show, you can get the complaint documented with the City. Creating a papertrail helps to justify moving more services into an area.
Again, I want to wish the girls at Perch the very best. They are helping to transform that intersection!
bill on August 14, 2011, at 11:49AM – #9
Was at The Perch last night. GREAT spot, great views, great vibe. The management of it, however, is still very rough around the edges. Third time there and service is still unorganized, intermittent and unresponsive. The menu also needs some work. But I'm a supporter and a fan! Check it out!
Veronica Harrington-Myers on August 14, 2011, at 10:23PM – #10
Round the corner line last night? Wow!