LA Magazine’s Patric Kuh Drops Critic Role to Become Manager at The Arthur J

Longtime food writer Patric Kuh has decided to recuse himself from his role at LA Magazine, where he spent years as the dining critic for the print publication. Instead, the formerly anonymous writer is instead stepping into a new role as a front of house manager for upscale South Bay steakhouse The Arthur J.

An email in to the restaurant confirmed that Kuh applied for and accepted a position with the group last week, and that he’s currently training up to be an assistant manager under GM Alex Osorio. Chef/owner David LeFevre offered the following on Kuh’s arrival:

We're excited to welcome aboard Patric to our leadership team at The Arthur J. When Patric approached us we were very impressed with his humility and eagerness to understand our culture and approach to hospitality, and especially his passion for creating and understanding incredible guest experiences.

As for Kuh himself, he tells Eater that LeFevre’s team is “a great group of people” and that he’s always admired the chef’s restaurants. “I’m delighted to become part of the family,” he adds.

While unexpected, the move back into the restaurant world is not totally shocking. Kuh spent years in kitchens before embarking on a career as a writer, and had already given up the formality of being truly anonymous last year after embarking on a public tour for his book Finding the Flavors We Lost. Kuh’s role had also changed over time at LA Magazine to become something more of an overseer to the restaurant world, engaging with chefs and restaurant owners rather than being tucked away as a formal critic. Now he’s jumped all the way over the fence, handling the hospitality side of one of the South Bay’s most upscale restaurants.

The loss of Kuh also means there’s one more hole to the fill in Los Angeles critic circles. A formal replacement has still not been named for departed LA Weekly critic Besha Rodell, and sources say LA Magazine is not likely to hire another critic any time soon.

• What LA Weekly Critic Besha Rodell’s Departure Means for Los Angeles [ELA]