A First Look Inside Lately, Chinatown’s Luminous New Dining Room

Chinatown’s popular daytime spot Lately unveiled a new dining area yesterday. Since its August debut, the team had been functioning from a take-out window until they were able to restore the adjacent former Mandarin Chateau into a comfy area where diners could eat.

When in Chinatown’s Mandarin Plaza, keep an eye out for the giant picture window outlining the 1,000 square foot space. Richard Tranley and William Hu from MSG Studios devised the neutral woody interior. There’s special touches throughout, including handmade tables and chairs, plus a graphic mural by artist Coral Monday.

Reams’ menu is an all-day savory jaunt, with her breakfast sandwich sporting an organic fried egg, gouda, and oven roasted tomato on an English muffin. She also serves biscuits, a soft scrambled toast, a heaping avocado toast, salads, breakfast bowl, and a country-fried steak sandwich.

There’s some merging going on as well. Partner and former Masterchef finalist Becky Reams helms Lately’s kitchen, while Aldo CoffeeHall’s Aldo Lihiang focused on the coffee situation. Both are longtime collaborators, as Lihiang handled the coffee program at Reams’ brunch pop-up, Bang Bang.

Lately’s new extended hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed Sundays.

Lately. 970 N Broadway #114, Los Angeles, CA

Wonho Frank Lee

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