‘rowdy red burger & wine bar’ brings upscale concept to the masses
You’ve got to admit, opening up a new restaurant in these trying times is a tough prospect, especially in a city with a byline reading “We Don’t Want Your Business!”
From a sky-high initial investment to hand-writing delays from City departments, many restaurateurs must think long and hard before opening a business here.
Still, with four million residents and counting, Angelenos reward concepts featuring good food at a good price.
Here in Downtown, Rowdy Red Burger & Wine Bar is the latest venture from MCC Hospitality Group, of Market City Caffe in Burbank and behind the now-closed Sixth Street Bar & Grill in the Industrial District.
Located in the underground 505 Flower food court, which sits below the hulking black-granite City National Plaza, the burger bar concept is now open for lunch, with 7:30am breakfast service within a week. Rowdy Red sits at the base of the 5th and Flower entrance.
Chipper Pastron, partner in the venture, expects dinner to begin once an alcohol permit is secured, hopefully within the next 60 days.
At only 1,800 square feet, the space had been vacant for years. “I think it was a pharmacy at some point down the line,” said Pastron.
Built to Perfection
Now a “garage door” system of retractable walls opens Rowdy Red out to the interior common areas of 505 Flower, a rarity in the admittedly corporate mall.
Inside, warm wood finishes and a granite bar counter contrast with sleek, ultra-glossy booths in a split-level configuration, with pot lights illuminating a single bottle of Heinz ketchup on each table.
Anyway, it’s the wide selection of burgers featured here that will draw your attention. Better still, prices range from $5.75 to around $8.00.
Entrees, shakes and fries round out the menu, and once that alcohol permit is secured, half-bottles of wine will be offered from a sizable wine list (a full listing and menu will be made available to angelenic soon).
With a steady stream of Financial District suits from which to draw, Rowdy Red is the newest evolution in a maturing neighborhood.
Rowdy Red Burger & Wine Bar
505 S Flower Street
B-Level (Underground – Entrance at 5th and Flower)
Open January 21, 2009 for lunch
11 comments
Was wondering what that was…the exterior reminds me of that Cuban restaurant Fried Bananas in WeHo many moons ago. Has anyone tried it?
Is this going to be a strictly “lunch only” or will they be opening for dinner hours as well?
James: Dinner hours once they receive their alcohol permit, hopefully within the next 60 days.
Any body have a link to a menu? Maybe ill just have to walk by and take a look today.
Sounds like a joint I could frequent if only I were able to tolerate the Flower Underground. Just can’t do it. Feels like an asylum.
mostly lunch probably as during dinner the place is deserted. saffron’s the only thing open (and weiland)
We need more under $12 meal choices downtown. We have lots of low-end, and high-end, time for some moderately priced options. I love a good burger!
If anyone wants to follow their lead I have a great 2,500 sq ft space for lease at 6th and Central in Triangle Plaza… A great location for a “cheap and cheerful” lunch spot. Dine in/take out Asian food would be a nice addition.
I just went here for lunch and this place is great! The prices were great and the burger was one of these roll-your-eyes-to-the-back-of-your-head good. Juicy, flavorful and fresh. The key components of a good burger. To add icing to the cake, I got my food in under 10 minutes! I will definitely return for lunch and dinner when it becomes available.
Note: They did not have milkshakes as advertised on the menu and they charged 75 cents extra for lemonade instead of soda but it was supposedly fresh, tasted like Minute Maid to me…
Here is a link to the menu from thrillist.com
http://www.thrillist.com/pics/39388popup.jpg
Hopefully it lasts longer than 6th street and has better food than Morel’s at the grove. Can’t see diner being very busy with the business people gone from the building.