New School French Bistro Debuts in the Old Gadarene Swine Space

Ventura Boulevard lands a new French bistro called Montrésor come mid-November. Restauranteur Lisa Long and clothing designer, Ann Booth Luly own the restaurant but bring on Sung Seo to helm the kitchen. Seo worked at SBE, Le Petit Paris and most recently held the title of executive sous chef at Petrossian in West Hollywood.

Long owns the FLATS in Beverly Hills (which recently lost opening chef Kyle Schutte), and partnered with Fabio Vivani at the now shuttered Firenze Osteria. Booth Luly, who will handle the restaurant’s interior design, also owns a clothing boutique in Studio City called Hoity Toity. Montrésor is Long and Booth Luly’s first restaurant venture together.

Chef Seo plans to put a creative twist on French classics in the former Gadarene Swine space, which closed in 2016. “When I got to Montrésor and saw the space, I thought it was perfect,” says Seo. “The owners and everyone involved in this project are all extremely professional and passionate about Montrésor, and it comes from the heart. I feel very lucky to be here, and be part of it.”

When the partners took over Gadarene Swine two months ago, the interior was in good shape. Booth Luly filled it with French antiques and decor to create a bistro vibe. Montrésor means “my treasure” in French, but the restaurant is named after a commune in France’s Indre-et-Loire region.

Monstrésor now joins a small collection of SFV French restaurants on Ventura Boulevard, including Cafe Bizou and Le petit Restaurant.

• Long-Awaited Beverly Hills Restaurant The Flats Loses Chef Just Six Months in [ELA]
• The Flats Finally Sidles Up to Beverly Hills With a Casual Menu and Late Night Hours [ELA]
• One of LA’s Most Vital Vegan Restaurants Closes Forever This Weekend [ELA]
• Fabio Announces Departure from Cafe Firenze [ELA]