Chef Sascha Lyon Decamps From Mid-City’s Commerson for Parts Unknown

Looks like a changing of the guard at Commerson, the new-ish Mid-City evening bistro first helmed by chef Sascha Lyon. The former Balthazar and Daniel vet, who more recently was cooking at Soleto and then the W Hotel in Los Angeles before opening Commerson last November, is moving on from his position as executive chef for untold other projects.

Reached for comment, reps for Commerson send along the following statement:

We sincerely thank chef for the time and talent that he offered to our opening, as well as assisting in establishing Commerson as a successful, highly respected neighborhood gathering place. Per owner Raymond Eng, Commerson will continue to maintain regular business hours (Tuesday - Sunday, 5pm until 1am), with General Manager Wes Zelio and Sous Chef Jose Garcia overseeing day to day operations of the restaurant through this transition. Eng will be announcing key Commerson staffing positions in the coming days.

The seven month old Commerson had become something of a local favorite along the busy La Brea corridor, operating from one corner of a mixed-used building across the street from the soon-to-be-bustling Firestone project and down the way from the new Purple Line subway extension, Republique, and all things beyond.

Its minimalist digs and approachable menu appealed to the younger, hipper ‘hood, so it’s good news that the place will continue on in its current form. Recently the bar also received an upgrade from none other than Dushan Zaric, so it’s clear good things have been going on.

As for Lyon, no word on where he’s headed yet. The Ventura resident always had a long drive in front of him commuting down to Los Angeles, so it’s possible he’s taking a job that is a bit more traffic-friendly. More on this as it comes.

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