Downtown LA Food Halls Aren’t a Guaranteed Hit for Some Vendors

South City moves over to its home base

Joshua Kopel and Samuel Monsour’s multi-city fried chicken sandwich shop South City is moving from its nest at Corporation Food Hall to a lunchtime-only affair at their pair’s restaurant Preux & Proper. South City fried chicken first opened at the modest Corporation Food Hall as one of the court’s initial attractions. But its supposedly prime Downtown LA location didn’t work, with only a short one-and-a-half year stint before closing on July 28.

Here’s what Kopel said about the Corporation Food Hall space: “We decided to close South City Fried Chicken as we realized early on that we were unable to execute the food we wanted, the way we wanted it, in this particular space.” With sandwiches that span the flavor of such cities as New Orleans, Chapel Hill, Nashville, and Austin, South City Fried Chicken’s new lunch menu at Preux & Porper should appeal to a different Downtown LA block with more frontage than a food hall. It seems that despite the demographics, and the popularity of places like Grand Central Market and Smorgasburg, building a food hall (or something like one) in Downtown isn’t a guaranteed hit.

NoMad schism

Eater reported yesterday that Daniel Humm and Will Guidara of New York City’s famed Eleven Madison Park, would be ending their partnership. The duo also opened NoMad hotel and restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles last year to a mild initial reception, though the hotel’s rooftop seems to have been a hit. NoMad LA’s restaurant went through some changes over the past year, with opening chef Chris Flint departing the kitchen (he eventually landed at Maude) and the main dining room moving to the ground floor from the mezzanine. At the moment is seems Humm will buy out Guidara’s share in the company, and the transaction will not result in any immediate closures. NoMad also operates a hotel, bar, and restaurant in Las Vegas.

Last call effect in Downtown

The Downtown News talks to some stakeholders in the upcoming push to extend last call to 4 a.m., which would have a major impact on Downtown LA and other parts of Los Angeles. Pouring with Heart CEO Cedd Moses, who runs numerous bars in the Downtown area, thinks having a later last call would allow imbibers to drink more steadily and for bars to handle the midnight crush easier. In addition, Moses thinks it allows LA to compete with other world-class cities. However, some others such as LA city councilmember Paul Koretz, is concerned over the public safety ramifications of a 4 a.m. last call.

Where to find Tiki bars in Southern California

LA and its environs are one of the Tiki cocktail culture’s founding areas, with history going back to the 1950s. LAist goes into some of that history and also uncovers 12 places to drink Tiki-style in Southern California, from Long Beach’s brand new Bamboo Club all the way up to North Hollywood’s classic Tonga Hut.

The day of the pork in Boyle Heights

Dia de Los Puercos, a popular Inland Empire restaurant and Chicano restaurant with locations in Riverside, Pomona and eventually Claremont, is popping up in Boyle Heights at music venue and craft beer bar Xelas, reports LA Taco. A few weeks ago, Xelas announced it would no longer feature Chicano-style East LA B.B.Q., though now Dia de Los Puercos will serve a tight 10-item menu such as nachos with chicharron de queso.

Kamayan on the Westside

Popular Sawtelle restaurant Big Boi is doing a big Kamayan dinner with resident chef Barb Batiste, Alvin Cailan (Eggslut, The Usual in NYC), and Royce Burke (Yarrow) during LA Food & Wine. Pick up tickets quick as this is one of the annual food festival’s most popular events.