There Are Big New Restaurant Plans for One of Chinatown’s Oldest Buildings

Adaptive reuse works

One of Chinatown’s longest-standing buildings is getting new life. The Capitol Milling Company building literally dates back to the early 1880’s, says Urbanize LA, but is being put through a $20 million adaptive reuse ringer, with hopes that the end result not only saves the property but gives it new life for a future generation.

Among the projected plans for the building, which sits just off the Gold Line tracks and next door to the $100 million Blossom Plaza project, are creative offices, retail spaces, and several restaurants and a possible marketplace. There are some nifty renderings on the Workshop Design Collective site showing off a glassier exterior filled with greenery, and more hopeful plans for what could come sometime in 2018.

Image via Workshop Design Collective

Dinner with the fam

Angelina Jolie was spotted at Tao in Hollywood over Mother’s Day, apparently enjoying a solo dinner with her son Pax, instead of the entire six-kid clan. Apparently even celebrity families think Tao is cool right now, says Page Six.

Adolf Dulan has died

Longtime local restaurateur Adolf Dulan has died. The man was behind Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch and Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen passed away on May 1 at the age of 83, reports LA Weekly.

Cava Grill grows another

Looks like a May 23 opening for Cava Grill in Santa Monica. The upstart fast casual chain lands at 1318 Second St., marking their sixth outlet in and around Los Angeles.

Beans for good

City Bean Roasters is hosting another charity opportunity, this one running at Chinatown’s Coffee Hall on Thursday and Friday. It’s a pay what you can model for drinks, with proceeds benefitting the Garden School Foundation.

A year’s worth

Rice Bar is doing a different adobo every week for a year, says the LA Times, showing off not only the range of Filipino flavors but also the cooking prowess of chef Charles Olalia. It’s a nice way to switch things up for the long line of daily lunchtime regulars, too.

World’s largest couscous

As if yesterday’s news of an upcoming world’s longest pizza attempt weren’t enough, today comes word that Revolutionario chef Farid Zadi is hoping to make the world’s largest batch of couscous right here in LA. He’ll need some $28,000 to do it though, so he’s asking for your help.

Hot Hot Food hits Saturday

Silver Lake’s latest creation Hot Hot Food hits officially this weekend. The fusion fried rice space does their grand opening starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, then will be closed Sunday and open again on Monday at 10 a.m. for usual hours.

StarChefs Rising Stars winners

Some nice new hardware is getting doled out today, with the latest StarChefs announcement of their local Rising Stars Award winners. This year’s 2017 class includes: Vartan Abgaryan of 71Above, Tristan Aitchison of Providence, Gareth Evans of Gwen, Holly Jivin of The Bazaar, Joe Johnson of Charcoal Venice, Sarah Hymanson/Sara Kramer of Kismet, Alison Trent of Ysabel, and Johnny Zone of Howlin’ Ray’s.

Pastry chefs Greg Baumgartner of 71Above and Jessie Liu of Providence also won, along with bartenders Yael Vengroff of the Spare Room and Chris Amirault of Otium. Carlos Salgado’s Taco Maria took a Community Chef award, Javier Ramos of Sqirl got a nod for sustainability, and Armando de la Torre Jr. of Guisados won for Restaurateur. You can find the full list of winners and details on their June 13 tasting awards gala at Vibana if you check in with StarChefs directly.

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