Breaking: Evan Funke Takes Over Former Joe's on Abbot Kinney

Massive Westside news today, as it’s just been confirmed that Evan Funke will take over the now defunct Joe’s on Abbot Kinney. The Venice fine dining stalwart, which only just shuttered on Valentine’s Day following a 24 year run, isn’t going to be dormant for long — Funke says that if all goes well he’ll be cooking inside by summer.

Of course the place won’t stay as Joe’s, but instead transform into a new concept called Felix. The plan for now is to basically offer an expanded version of what Funke was up to with Bucato in Culver City: handmade pastas, market-driven ingredients, but with the addition of wood-fired pizzas. To learn up on the skill, Funke is planning a trip to Naples to apprentice under some master pizzaiolos while the restaurant is being gutted.

The move is a joint collaboration between Funke and Gusto 54, a global restaurant company with a number of varying concepts under their belt. The website for the group even teases their new relationship with Funke in this post, which acts as a pseudo-interview with the chef as he talks about passion and all things pasta. Wendy Haworth, who also designed Winsome and Gracias Madre, will handle the buildout.

Though there’s no official timetable for opening, a summer arrival is expected. That should be great news for longtime fans of the since-faded Joe’s and anyone who has missed Funke’s personal brand of Italian cooking. Soon enough, one of the LA's most celebrated chefs will be making pasta once again.

Felix
1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA