Le Clafoutis Turns Into Monaco-Backed Cali-Med Restaurant Avenue 31

There’s some new signage up on the former Le Clafoutis space along the glitzier part of the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The longtime celeb-spotting haunt went down last fall, but an ABC license for the location resurfaced in March, pointing to a name, Sunset Kitchen, and a Miami-linked restaurateur named Stefano Frittella.

Well, the new signage doesn’t mention the Sunset Kitchen moniker (which is still on the ABC, by the way). Instead, it labels the Sunset Plaza property as one Avenue 31, which makes it an outpost of a popular Monaco-based hotspot of the same name. The seaside Monaco location is a luxe destination for getaway Europeans looking to dine on Mediterranean fare, but word comes that this location will be more of its own thing, while keeping the name.

Inside, there are plans for a big bar and a strong cocktail program, while food will be more California focused, though with plenty of Spanish and Mediterranean influences — just don't mistake this for another Italian joint.

As for that restaurateur, Stefano Frittella? Turns out, he’s part of Monaco Restaurant Group, which owns the Avenue 31 brand in addition to a number of other restaurants in Monte Carlo, Moscow, Berlin, Dublin, and beyond. That group as paired up with folks who own Cafe Med nearby, as well as the Bice Restaurant Group people. It's one big family!

The shiny new Avenue 31, with its London townhouse feel and balcony in the back, comes by way of new restaurant designers Berchtold Harris (they normally work with upscale private homes). Avenue 31 is looking for a July debut, but with the ABC license still pending and no chef attached yet, that could be a touch ambitious.