Sometimes there's just too much Plywood in Hollywood right now, and the only way to tackle it is in one fell swoop. Consider these mostly updates of projects we've been tracking over the last year or so. We're barely scratching the surface here, so if you know of something coming, changing, debuting, do let us know. Now on to the Ply:
1) Loteria Grill: The GM for Jimmy Shaw's Farmers Market offshoot says everything is full steam ahead for the Hollywood Boulevard Loteria, that opening should be mid- to late-May. We noted much cleaner Plywood than the last time we swung by, which is always a good sign, and peeking through the cracks you can see a lot of progress inside. Some early details from Shaw: There will be a counter like at the Farmers Market location, plus table seating and servers, an open kitchen, full liquor license for beers and good tequila, and a slightly expanded menu but all the favorites from the original. We noticed Walk of Fame stars for Perry Como and Jimmy Hendrix serve as borders for the storefront. That has to mean something. [PLYWOOD]
2) East: Just a few doors from Loteria is David Judaken's (Mood, Garden of Eden) new Asian-inspired concept. He tells us he basically built a new space from two elongated retail spaces. The chef he's been working with, Kevin Lee from Vegas, "thought out of the box?didn't regurgitate other people's menus." This means Chinese family-style, with Japanese and Thai-influenced dishes. Opening probably late-July to early August. [PLYWOOD]
3) The Kress: Across from Loteria and East is Michael Viscuso's mega-space in the former Frederick's of Hollywood (nee Kress Department Store). As noted a couple months ago, the first floor is complete. We're told construction for the rest of the space---a restaurant and sushi bar, rooftop lounge and patio with firepits---is on target, and they're shooting for a late-May test-run and grand openings after June 1. The chef is one returning Troy Thompson from Jer-Ne at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey and David Burke in Vegas. [PLYWOOD]
4) Café Was: The windows at Ivan Kane's new restaurant and lounge at Sunset and Vine are incredibly covered, so progress is difficult to gauge. A rep says it won't be done for about three more weeks; we assume that means it won't open several more after that. [PLYWOOD]
5) Heir: David Judaken closed Garden of Eden after 10 years, and although he was going to sell it at one point, he decided to take it from the Moroccan sexy vibe to something more contemporary, geometrical, clean lines. Why the name: "The bones of this venue are as regal as it gets. Garden has passed along to the heir." Look for this late summer, early fall. [PLYWOOD]
6) Kitchen 24: The 24-hour mod diner/lounge (owned by Cinespace's Errol Roussel, designed by Spacecraft's Kris Keith) on Cahuenga is one of those ongoing projects: It was supposed to open at the end of March, and then we heard April, and now an insider says May or June, but there have been a few private parties in the space. [POST-PLYWOOD]
7) Façade: According to The Guide, Miami nightlife impresario Robert Vinokur and Giant owner Dave Dean (the man behind the downtown New Year's Eve Giant Maximus bash) the current Façade location (6356 Hollywood Blvd) and the former Ivar (1643 Ivar Ave) into two new clubs, yet to be named. The first portion of the new club will open this fall, the second in early 2009. [PRE-PLYWOOD]
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