Silver Lake’s Former Malo Space Returns to Life With New Name and Vision

One of Silver Lake’s bygone stars has gotten a bit of new life, as the former Malo space returns with an updated look and name. It’s now going by the moniker Bar Restaurant, and carries with it all new plans for the future.

Bar Restaurant still has the same ownership as from the Malo days, that being Jeff Ellermeyer from The Echo and El Prado over the years. Everything else, though, is set to change under Ellermeyer’s watch, as Bar Restaurant will move away from Mexican food and into casual, more continental fare with California influences. Reached by phone, Ellermeyer is quick to note that the restaurant won’t be easy to categorize, and certainly isn’t out to chase trends. Instead, think of it as a mellow sit-down dinner place with a full bar that’s aiming squarely for Silver Lake’s more relaxed set, he says.

While full menu details and an opening chef are still being ironed out, Bar Restaurant is actually open now for limited hours. It’s just a quiet drinks and snacks at the bar kind of situation in the evenings, but with more to come. As for the space, look for pastels and greenery and a fresh new paint job on the bricks outside.

Meanwhile, next door dining neighbor Ma’am Sir continues to churn out some of the best modern Filipino food in America, and Tartine is heading one long block down with a bakery and coffee operation later this year. In the meantime Bar Restaurant is doing evening hours only at the bar from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, and will be opening their dining room with a full menu in the coming weeks or months.

Bar Restaurant. 4326 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.

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