Bouchon’s Closure Sends Shockwaves Through LA’s Restaurant Scene

A blow to the industry

Bouchon’s announcement that they would shutter by the end of the year is worrying some restaurant owners around town, according the LA Business Journal (paywall). Salar Sheik, who runs a consultancy called Savory Hospitality, says a mix of difficult business conditions and the growing influence of fast-casual restaurants might’ve contributed to the shutter. In addition with other costs like increasing minimum wage, insurance, and prices of ingredients, it’s increasingly difficult to run a restaurant in LA.

Nothing wrong with semi-homemade

LA Weekly does a piece asking chefs around town how they would prepare ravioli at home if they were to buy the pasta premade from Trader Joe’s. Stephen Kalt of Spartina would add in bacon, radicchio, cream, and parmigiano while Margarita Kallas-Lee of Scratch Bar makes a bechamel-based mac and cheese with cherry tomatoes.

When will Potbelly reach Los Angeles?

Despite slowing growth in the Midwest, popular sandwich shop Potbelly is still slated to hit the Los Angeles area within the next year. Though the company operates 426 stores, it only runs 56 franchises. The chain has signed a deal to bring Potbelly locations to Southern California through a franchisee.

Guerrilla recipes, up for grabs

Ever wondered how to make Guerrilla Tacos’ signature sweet potato tacos? KCRW’s Good Food blog has the recipe, and it doesn’t look too difficult. Just don’t forget to add corn nuts.

Some great SoCal steakhouses

Thrillist has a listicle of the 31 best steakhouses in the country, and they’ve included Casmalia favorite The Hitching Post, an essential Central Coast stop. They’ve also throw in some love for LA classic Taylor’s, “an Old Hollywood hang that you could literally drive by 1,000 times without ever stopping in.”

Where David Chang goes, others will follow

Now that David Chang seems to have moved to Los Angeles, ahead of his restaurant Momofuku’s opening, he’s hitting various restaurants around town, especially Koretown. His recent slate of dining adventures takes him back to Sun Nong Dan, a longtime favorite, where he ate the beef neck stew. He also has words of praise for LA classic Philippe the Original.