Sam Nazarian/SBE In Talks To Take Over Fraiche in SM

It's been a pretty bumpy battle for 312 Wilshire Blvd, the space in which previous Fraiche partners, Thierry Perez (L'Epicerie) and Jason Travi, launched Riva about two years ago. Despite all the foot traffic in the area, the Italian eatery didn't thrive as expected, and a year later Riva shuttered and reopened as a second branch of Fraiche, trying to capitalize on the restaurant's Culver City success. Now, another year later, Perez and Travi are no longer involved with either restaurant, and Eater hears that current owners are in talks with Sam Nazarian to potentially open a top chef or Top Chef-helmed steakhouse by May 2011. Nazarian actually dined at Fraiche in Culver City just last Wednesday. A manager at Fraiche in Santa Monica reports "[we] are switching owners which will bring some possible changes to the menu" but that's about it. However, our sources say it's not a done deal and could still fall through.
·Riva Shutters, New Branch of Fraiche Moves In [~ELA~]