downtown restaurant & lounge roundup
This blog has moved to Twitter! Check out my twitter feed for the latest restaurant, retail, and cultural news in the neighborhood.
Downtown LA’s dining scene is on the grow, and the two of us at angelenic have a difficult time trying to keep track of them all. To help, we decided to compile a working list of restaurants and lounges coming to Downtown (not including L.A. Live’s roster).
Our information is based on the most recent reports available, although we’re counting on any of you who may be in the know to keep us (and this list) abreast.
There may be some planned, but undisclosed restaurants that have not been considered.
1212 S. Flower (unnamed) - 12th and Flower (ground-level of Kor Group’s headquarters)
No description available.
Bottle Rock - 11th and Flower/Hope (ground-level of Met Lofts)
Combination wine bar and cafe offering gourmet small plates. This South Park location will be the second after Culver City. Opening will be around March 2008.
Bridge Tavern - Santa Fe & Palmetto (near Barker Block)
A Medieval-themed pub with a “Jimi Hendrix-meets-Masonic lodge” vibe. The centerpiece will be a real stone castle fireplace. Should be opening anytime now.
Cafe Primo - Wilshire and Flower (inside the Pegasus Lofts)
An upscale eatery that offers paninis, pizzettas, coffee and gelato in addition to exotic dishes such as spaghetti with crab sauce, sweet potato waffles and chopped mint salad.
Chaya Brasserie - 5th/6th and Flower (inside City National Plaza)
A trendy French-Japanese eatery with a clean and “cool” ambiance. Two locations currently exist in Beverly Hills and Venice. Opening is unknown, but we’ve contacted the restaurant for information.
Church & State - Industrial and Mateo (inside the Biscuit Company Lofts)
A French brasserie transforming the structure’s former loading docks, which will include the original brick floors and copper doors. Opening early 2008.
Crocker Club - 4th/5th and Spring (basement of the Crocker Bank Building)
An speakeasy upscale bar and lounge for private members in an old bank vault in the building’s basement. Opening 2008.
Dietrich’s - 4th and Main (inside the Hellman Building)
A 1920s, speakeasy-themed joint to feature a cigar bar and live bands. Opening unknown.
Empire - 8th and Flower (next to the Ritz Milner Hotel)
A 3-level surf and turf palace in development by the owner of Mode. “It will be very European, everything white, clean and glam.” Opening early 2008.
Harlem - 4th and Main (in the San Fernando Building)
Elizabeth Peterson’s next venture after Bridge Tavern. All details and status unknown.
Johnny Rockets Express - 2nd and Central (inside Hikari)
An airport version of the popular 50s-themed diner. Opening 2008.
La Puerta - 4th and Spring (in the Continental Building)
Spanish tapas in a lounge setting. Opening 2008.
Louie Restaurant & Market - 7th and Grand (in the Brockman)
A mid-priced gourmet grocer and restaurant combo. Opening early 2008.
The Nickel - 5th and Main
A new cafe on the Main Street strip planned by the owner of Banquette. Opening is unknown.
Oh! Restaurant - 8th and Flower (inside the lobby of Orchid Hotel)
A boutique restaurant lounge with a SoHo look and feel. Brick walls, leather seats and Charlie Chaplin-projections to complete the scene. Opening January 2008.
Seven Restaurant & Bar - 7th and Grand (Quinby Building)
Description unavailable at this time.
Spitz - 2nd and Central (Hikari Apartments)
Home of the “D�ner Kebab,” will offer their famous kebab sandwiches and gourmet coffees and gelato. Opening spring 2008.
Sushi on Spring - 4th and Spring (inside the Hellman Annex)
A sushi bar! Space is currently occupied by an artist studio. Opening early to mid 2009.
Tranquility Base - 8th and Grand (inside Sky Lofts)
American tapas in a lunar-themed establishment. The decor, menu and drink selections will be seasonal. Opens Dec 2007/Jan 2008.
Wokcano - 7th and Flower (corner unit in Barker Brothers Building)
Modern Asian-fusion cuisine in a casual setting. This location will become one of four in the Los Angeles region. Opening should be late December or January 2008.
15 comments
i suspect there might be an error regarding #7. isn’t HARLEM going to be in the hellman building underneath lost souls cafe?
There was a place called Dietrichs that was supposed to open on the ground floor of the Hellman, but by all accounts that I’ve found, “Harlem” is supposed to be in the San Fernando’s ground floor space. I have no idea what happened to Dietrichs. It would make sense to have Harlem in the Hellman because Harlem Place is right there, though…
but friday placed Dietrichs already to open up in the san fernando. #5 on the list.
All right, you got us =)
Good looking out, man! Switched…
Brewer’s Gallery is off the table. One of the main guys, Jake Tringali, told me they couldn’t get the money together. He’s now the manager at Casey’s.
http://la.eater.com/archives/2007/11/20/eaterwire_cedd_moses_changes_at_caseys.php
Too bad, too. It sounded very cool.
I was looking forward to that beer-infused menu
Thanks for the update Lesley. I took it out.
You forgot to mention Wokcano opening soon at 7th & Flower. They’re doing their build-out. I don’t know when the opening is set for, but I don’t imagine much further than January 2008
Thank you!
How about Bottle Rock at the Met Lofts, and Chaya at City National.
Good reminder on BottleRock, DrBoris. They’re still a few months out on the buildout, from what the manager at Culver City told me. We’ll add that.
stupid bottlerock hasn’t even started building out it’s space at met lofts. same with rivera 26, that other restaurant that has leased space at met lofts.
easy ksep…good things come to those who wait…build outs beginning. all goes well BottleRock by March, Rivera 26 by June…2 nice concepts for downtowners..believe me, will be 2 nice spots to hit before/after your entertainment at LA Live/Staples Center!
Can you please add us to your list?
COLORI KITCHEN
429 w 8th street
L.A. CA 90014
tel 213-622-5950
fax 213-623-1530
LUNCH
monday to friday 11am to 3pm
DINNER
Thrusday 6pm to 9pm
Friday 6pm to 10pm
Saturday 6pm to 10pm
Ciao,
Paola
I might be opening a casual Mexican Grill with beer and wine, loungy but modern industrial atmospere. Not Table service…more like order at the counter so it will be fast for the lunch crowd… but comfortable enought to want to linger at night and maybe have a few drinks. Near 5th and Spring. Does downtown need this place?
Last week’s launch of a new restaurant search engine http://www.metaflavor.com makes discovering great new restaurants and food finds - engaging, fun, fast and personal. Today there are over four million searchable dishes, 2.5 million images. If you like the concept and the experience we’d ask your help in getting the word out and adding your favorite dining spots.