1.

Well, hopefully you guys can track this thing down. Opus, Hatfields, Joes, Orris, AOC, Jar are the reason I can defend LA dining when it is constantly attacked by bay area snobs (I moved from SF to LA). These places are moderately priced, neighorhood-ish, and inspired, just like SF.

I am still sad becasue Opus had the cocktails, had the awesome decor, was in Ktown, and was near the wiltern. The Mercury, Solair, and Wilshire and Vermont are all going up, and a global cuisine restaurant like Opus was a true gem in LA. Alsmot like NYC after 3 cocktails and a subway ride home back to downtown! DARRRRRRRN!

Whenever someone would trash LA I would take them to Opus for cocktails and a tasting menu and then show them the subway. At least I can still get their blood boiling with sake and tapas via Orris, or caprese, wine and pizza via Mozza!!!

2.

bummer about the chef: not surprised. as a specialty foodservice provider who woefully observed opus make brutal mistakes one after the other (they disappeared 4 chefs in three months in the restaurant’s early days...and the managers decided to write the menu by cannibalizing their favorite menu items form other successful la restaurants), it seemed like they finally hit their stride with centeno's tasting menus...

while jeremy's comment is well taken, there are still too many restaurants that aren't run by chefs…as a person who by necessity is committed to l.a. dining, it is a sad reality that the scene is more important than the food and the people that create it.

3.

Alex. You are right. LA has changed for the better in the last 5 years but the scene still dominates the food. Hopefully in the next 10 years LA can continue to focus more on food. There is enough room in this town for both. I have my 15 favorites, and I hope the city adds 1-2 true foodie restaurants per year. That will keep me happy.