Dominique Ansel’s Mega-Project at The Grove Earns a Serendipitous Name

If you haven’t heard by now, Cronut® pastry creator Dominique Ansel is coming to The Grove in a big, big way. He’s rather excited about the project too, which means a trickle of small news has begun leaking out about what’s to come.

Among the details is the new proposed name for the place: 189 by Dominique Ansel. The numerical nod harkens back to when Ansel opened his original pastry shop in Soho at 189 Spring Street. Since then Ansel has obviously taken over much of the pre-and post-Instagram world, opening up famously long-lined locations in London, Tokyo, and beyond.

What’s even more fortuitous is the address for the new multi-story project at The Grove in LA: 189 The Grove Drive. Consider it kismet if you will, but it’s all made Ansel very happy to not only be teaming up with the Caruso group behind the massively popular tourist destination, but to use this new location as a jump-off for future projects down the line as well.

Ansel’s 189 restaurant at The Grove will be more than just a bakery, with a majority of the space actually being used as a full-fledged restaurant with him at the helm. Ansel actually began his career on the savory side, and will be exploring it more inside the former Morel’s space when the restaurant opens later this year. Until then you can always snag a table at next door dining neighbor Ladurée, with its champagne flutes, macarons, and patio seating.

• The Cronut® Is Officially Coming to Los Angeles Thanks to Dominique Ansel [ELA]