Jim Harris of North End Caffé in Manhattan Beach has partnered with chef John Atkinson and wife Laura to open Louie's, an old school Americana restaurant in Mar Vista. As the story goes, the above pictured Grand View Boulevard space served as a butcher shop named Louie's back in the 50s. In fact, it took the partners about five years to acquire the necessary permits to open a restaurant here. Paying tribute to its past, the present day Louie's will focus on mid-century classics with a modern twist. Steak will definitely be on chef Atkinson's menu. That along with a full bar centered around classic cocktails, plus craft beer and boutique wine from near and far.
Management is planning to house beehives on the restaurant's roof and include the honey harvested into different dishes. A series of farmers market dinners are also in the works for Sunday nights. With finishing touches going in soon, the plan is to soft open shortly with a full debut on July 5. [EaterWire]