Tom George Brings Dapper Italian Flair to Downtown Los Angeles

Upscale casual Italian fare beats yet another path to Downtown LA this week, as Hungarian newcomer Tom George arrives at the corner of 7th and Grand. The gorgeous evening option is officially open for dinner business, but should also be adding lunch this week.

The arrival of Tom George came rather swiftly, following some early news on the place that landed back in October. Back then it was learned that the restaurant is a loose offshoot of a collection of restaurants in Budapest, Hungary, each of which is rather popular in its own right. But while several of those restaurants, including another Tom George, hew close to the traditional Italian flavors, this location in Downtown is a more Cal-Ital iteration, with a menu that offers pastas, pizza, and larger mains like braised lamb shank or a 12-ounce ribeye.

The real eyebrow-raising part of this whole opening has been the 185-seat space itself, which seems completely transformed from its former Coco Laurent days. Once a haven for bright marble and bare walls, the new Tom George is now a dark, wood-lined favorite with some brass flair. Those same tall ceilings are as present as ever, but the wraparound windows and private dining spaces make for one seriously elegant new player in Downtown.

For now, evening hours at Tom George run nightly from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. (though food cuts off before then). Startling this week, lunch will commence as well, with a start time of 11 a.m. You can see the full opening menu on their website, and if you want to make a reservation you’ll have to call the restaurant directly at 424-362-6263.

Tom George Restaurant
707 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

Wonho Frank Lee