It’s Art Walk night in Downtown, and with it, as always, comes new businesses hoping to turn the occasion into their own housewarming celebrations.

This time around, it wasn’t the restaurant everyone expected — Blu LA Cafe at Pacific Electric Lofts came back to us last minute, pointing fingers at city inspectors for their missed opening.

No surprise there, but their delay only puts a bigger spotlight on Little Tokyo’s Spitz, who held a “soft, soft opening” tonight, as put by co-owner Bryce Rademan, in their new location on 2nd Street next to boutique clothing store Kimski Makes.

Actually, it was more of a sneak peek opportunity for area residents to take a look around the finished space. Besides some pretty impressive metal sculptures hanging from the ceiling, free drinks at the bar lured people through the doors.

A real grand opening for business will follow in the next two weeks.

Kitchen space at the Little Tokyo restaurant is at least tripled compared to the Eagle Rock joint. Equipped with the latest high-end, high-tech appliances, Spitz is ready to serve in volume and handle catering orders, something that has been touch-and-go at the original location.

Initial hours of operation planned are 11:00am to midnight seven days a week.

For anyone familiar with the original Spitz in Eagle Rock, the look of the new address is several steps up in style and class from the bright, basic interior of the other — very fitting to the restaurant-by-day, lounge-by-night concept the owners are going for.

Partner Robert Wicklund hands all the praise to Celeste Korthase Studio who utilized reclaimed materials and furniture to create the industrial experimental look, including the centerpiece sculpture above the back counter which could have been swiped off the set of Waterworld. A tip of the hat to Little Tokyo’s Japanese heritage is seen in the tastefully conspicuous red wall lanterns.

Of course, subtle Mediterranean touches are sprinkled throughout as a nod to the original, but overall, the new Spitz will dazzle those who expected a fast-casual carbon copy. Rademan and Wickland wanted to amp things up to reflect artistic and cosmopolitan elements they feel are at the heart of Downtown.

Hats off, gentlemen — a big score for Little Tokyo nightlife.