Joe Miller To Open Paella Restaurant in Santa Monica

After close to 20 years of business Joe Miller, chef and owner of Joe's on Abbot Kinney, has seen it all. Two years ago the restaurant celebrated its 17th anniversary with gratis Champagne, and also that year (January) Miller opened his second restaurant in nearby Santa Monica, Bar Pintxo. This small, narrow, and colorful eatery was/is a departure from the muted color scheme and California-French cuisine at Joe's, also most notably because Bar Pintxo serves Spanish tapas and Spanish vino. Anyway, Joe is on the move again. Have you ever noticed that restaurant next door to Bar Pintxo called Thai Dishes? Yeah, we hadn't either but last night Joe revealed plans to take over that space. Thai Dishes' lease is up at the end of the year so Joe plans to move in early 2011 to open a paella restaurant. More Spanish in LA? Yes please. [EaterWire]