checking in with lime cafe after grand opening
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UPDATE: Lime Cafe is now closed indefinitely. Sometimes getting a new restaurant off the ground and running can be a sour experience — just ask Michael Franz, owner of Lime Cafe, the health-sensible Mexican cafe/bar/art gallery concept that excited Historic Core residents when introduced on angelenic in February.
Following a relatively smooth build-out process, the restaurant debuted June 3, only to close its doors shortly thereafter for an operational overhaul spurred by poor execution.
Last week, things were looking greener for Franz when a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Jan Perry and community supporters welcomed back the refreshed Lime Cafe to its Security Building space at 5th and Spring.
We were about to write this one off as a job well done, until news from Eater LA worried us that workable recipes and preparation schedules may be the least of the cafe’s concerns — a conclusion easily made from a Craigslist ad recently posted by Franz hoping to secure a financial backer for Lime, or consider a business buy out.
“It will take a couple months before Lime Cafe becomes profitable, but sales are on the rise… I have no doubt we’ll be successful,” clarifies Franz in a phone conversation this morning.
He continues by explaining a new partner with operating capital is strictly a business decision to lighten the out-of-pocket carrying costs, but is in no way necessary for Lime to survive. Like everyone else these days, he’s looking to save money.
“I’m spread between several other investments and personal obligations at the moment, so bringing aboard an investor or chef with a stake in the restaurant makes sense… this should be no indication Lime Cafe is going to tank.”
A new art exhibit opener scheduled on Saturday 23 adds to the expanded menu and table service now available since the grand (re)opening.
If you’ve been back to sample the garlic shrimp, cheesecake dessert, enchiladas or any of Lime’s new dishes — give us your report in the comments!
Lime Cafe
118 W 5th St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-627-1133
UPDATE: Lime Cafe is now closed indefinitely.
-On the Market (Sort Of) (Eater LA)
6 comments
i liked lime when i ate there before the closure and am excited to try the revamped menu during the art walk this coming thursday…especially after seeing meeko’s pics from her dinner there recently.
I was really looking forward to eating at Lime, but I’ve tried three times, and each it’s been closed for something. The first time, I simply discovered that it’s closed on Tuesdays, which I wasn’t aware of; the second time, it was closed for kitchen remodeling (two weeks after opening?) and the third they were closed putting new art up. I know that it’s avoidable; I didn’t check their website or call ahead, and I work in a restaurant and understand that you have to close sometimes, but still, three consecutive tries thwarted? It was frustrating.
Toph: Yeah, that’s an issue with a few restaurants in the neighborhood. Always have a backup plan just in case. It’s happened to me and Lime a few times as well. Do call ahead!
Sorry about all the closures. Since we reopened our new hours are 11:30 am to 10 pm Mon - Fri and 6pm to 10pm on Saturday (closed Sunday). We will stay open until Midnight (if we have a crowd) but we pretty much start shutting the kitchen down by 9:30. We have a happy hour daily 4-7pm with 1/2 price beers and $4 margaritas that gets a pretty fun crowd! Hope to see you soon!
Michael - one suggestion I would make is for you to improve some of the signage of your restaurant on that 5th street side. Obviously this is not taking into account any restrictions that you may be encountering but if it wasn’t for angelenic, it is very hard to know that a restaurant exists there. The signage while very classy doesn’t grab enough attention.
In addition, many lofts and restaurants are coming and that will probably jumpstart all of spring street. I know for a fact that two more restaurants are coming on spring between 5th and 6th.
Ate there twice since the re-opening. I’ve ordered the portebello dishes. I love it. Being vegetarian, it’s hard to find good selections. Loved the Mojito and the Soju margarita. I asked the owner to change the quality of the chips, and sure enough, next visit, there were better chips. He promised homemade ones in the future. Hope that pans out..I cannot get enough chips and margaritas. Since the re-opening, I have always found the place open. We’ll keep coming back. I wish the place wasn’t so empty though. If there are 20,000 downtown residents, where are they eating? The Westside? Wish more people in the Historic/Bank districts would support their local restaurants, or they will die out and not get replaced…Hellloo people!….
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