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The last time anyone heard from Mike Williams, he was leaving Tipple & Brine to begin work on his very own project. The Sherman Oaks spot quickly cheffed up with the addition of Marc Johnson, but Williams hasn't said much about his next move in the intervening months. As it turns out, he's been working on his very own spot in West Hollywood.
Taking over the former piano bar Don't Tell Mama on Santa Monica Blvd, Williams is planning a Southern-inspired New American restaurant called Norah. There's no better time, too, considering the proliferation of Southern food in Los Angeles of late. To help pay for it all, Norah welcomes to L.A. one Rohan Talwar, a restaurateur with IB Hospitality whose previous work includes, apparently, Ellipsis in Mumbai.
Details are still coming together, but for now the plan is for Norah to offer a mix of dishes indicative of Williams' recent trips through Nashville, Charleston, New Orleans and beyond. There will be a full bar with cocktails from Australian Hamish McShane, and John Snowden from Goldie's is on board as the new general manager.
Look for a summer opening for Norah, which plans to convert the short-lived Don't Tell Mama into something more neighborhood-friendly, complete with backyard patio space.
