Tal Ronnen, Chef of Plant-Based Crossroads on Melrose

Grid View

Guess what?! Lauded vegan chef Tal Ronnen is opening a restaurant in Los Angeles after all. And no, it's not LYFE Kitchen. Into the past Philippe space, slated to debut in March, comes Crossroads, a plant-based restaurant and bar cheffed by Ronnen, run by Parnell Delcham (United Culinary Artists), and designed by the Studio Collective crew (The Spare Room, Public, RivaBella). Steve Bing, who was an original investor in the Ellen DeGeneres/Portia de Rossi vegan project that fell through, is on board here as well, in addition to several other nameless partners.

Crossroads will manifest as an upscale, white tablecloth-type eatery serving Ronnen's Mediterranean small plate vegan menu. Philippe and Dolce, both pricey establishments, failed here in the past, and with restaurants like Red O and ink. nearby, Crossroads hopes to fill a neighborhood void with affordable prices ($8 to $14 per plate) and a plant-based menu to satisfy carnivores. So, don't think of this place as granola at all. Chef Scot Jones, also formerly attached to that prior Ellen DeGeneres/Portia de Rossi concept, will work under Ronnen. Desserts are to be helmed by Serafina Magnussen (Palate Food + Wine).

Management is also bringing in a stellar bar program. In addition to biodynamic wine and organic beer, Gaston Martinez, proponent of "bar chefs" and the guy who trained Matt Biancaniello (formerly of Library Bar), is creating the farm-to-glass cocktail list, which will be executed by Jeremy Lake (bar director of Rivera and Playa). Think seasonal cocktails to pair with Ronnen's plates.

As for the restaurant's layout, upon entrance, a smaller wine room with a retractable roof sits off to the right. If you're looking for a meal plus wine pairings, this is where you'll want to sit. Management is also considering some form of retail wine/cheese (vegan) here as well.

To the left sits the restaurant's long bar in the same location from Philippe days. Bar stools and a few lounge tables will fill the area around the bar, with dinner tables just behind, hugging the restaurant's circumference in an L-shape.

Expect Crossroads to serve dinner until midnight during the week and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. [EaterWire]