A 112-Year-Old Arts District Building Will Soon Boast a Rooftop Restaurant

More changes Downtown

A 112-year-old building in Downtown’s Arts District is being given a massive new facelift, and should emerge on the other side with loads of new restaurant space. According to Urbanize LA, the 1905-era building at 3rd and Traction has been bought by real estate firm RYDA and is currently being rehabbed to the tune of 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. That means open alleyways for indoor-outdoor dining, and a second-floor rooftop restaurant, as well as a possible basement bar. Expect completion by the end of 2018.

Melody for brunch

Virgil Village newcomer Melody is already doing a brisk brunch business, according to Food & Wine. The reformatted house is open, airy, and doing the kind of AM service that folks in the adjoining neighborhoods of East Hollywood and Silver Lake both want to eat.

Wagyu service

Check out the stunning wagyu steaks at Cut in Beverly Hills, as shot by the team at Food Steez.

Bye bye Basanti

Looks like Beverly Hills is down one tea shop, as Toddrickallen reports that Basanti Tea Bar has given up their location. Last week, American Tea Room also shuttered its Beverly Hills retail location.

The Cambodian connection

OC Weekly has details on Long Beach’s enduring Cambodian food tradition, including the new crew of names helping to bring the Asian country’s unique flavors into the mainstream. The new collective of young cooks is called Chefs Off the Boat, and they’re aiming to remake the scene in Southern California.

Drinking for a cause

Next Monday, December 18, Blacksmiths in Downtown is hosting a fundraised to help those affected by the recent California wildfires. Tickets for entry cost $10 (includes food), and the team there will be collecting unwrapped toys in exchange for raffle tickets to win prizes at the end of the night. 100% of proceeds will go to those affected.

An express version

Looks like Rodeo Mexican Grill is getting into the fast(er) casual game in Echo Park, as a recently finished restaurant space on Sunset Boulevard is showing signage for Rodeo Express, a takeaway option abutting the main restaurant next door.

Farley Elliott