This New Moroccan Lounge Is the Hip Party Space the Arts District Deserves

Downtown’s next party palace

The next place to catch a show in Downtown is officially here, as the folks behind the popular Teragram Ballroom have unveiled The Moroccan Lounge on 1st Street. The space is at once a dimly lit bar space with bit booths and a sleek bar, and a nightlife venue for small touring and local acts.

Variety caught first glimpse of the finished former Osso space (which before that was The One-Eyed Gypsy, before some tax trouble caused the place to close). There’s still lots of exposed brick to go around, but now the room comes adorned with a variety of big, unique lighting fixtures, tapestries, and stage lighting as well. There will still be some food available, just mostly small bites with Moroccan flavors that come from a service window in the back.

A new kind of Thai

Ventura Blvd. Magazine offers a peek at a new kind of Thai restaurant thriving up in the Valley, on the site of the former Inthanon Thai space. The new Chiang Mai Urban Thai Kitchen acts as a sort of second act for the address, by keeping many of the old menu items and adding a ton of little-seen specialities as well.

The Howlin’ Ray’s care package

Soon fans of Howlin’ Ray’s will be able to package up their favorite menu items and ship them just about anywhere. That’s thanks to special delivery team Goldbely, who will be teaming up with the Chinatown hit soon. It’s good news for far-away fans, and might even help to tamp down those notoriously long lines.

Art Deco glam

There’s a lot to love about the recent influx of great-looking restaurants around Los Angeles. Architectural Digest tackles the subject beautifully, talking all things Art Deco and highlighting places like Gwen who really lean into the style.

It’s karaoke night

Culver City Korean BBQ option Hanjip is switching things up, adding karaoke on Monday nights. The all-you-can-eat spot kicks off the new angle tonight, with reservations required for tables across a two-hour time limit.

The allure of Michael’s

After all these years, Santa Monica restaurant Michael’s is just as important to Los Angeles as ever. That fact as on display at a big recent LA Food & Wine event that took place there, says LA Weekly, when all the former chefs from the place (many of whom have gone on to unbelievable success in kitchens and the media) showed up to work in one kitchen. The place still has plenty of staying power.

Hello, Now Serving

The next opening to happen at Far East Plaza is Now Serving, a sort of chef’s toolbox that will offer everything from kitchen advice to cookbooks to actual kitchen products. The plan is to ultimately open a luncheonette-style service counter as well down the line, but for now it’s all about Now Serving, the store.