Echo Park’s New Dinner Spot Does California Staples Just Right

Here comes Adamae, just like clockwork. The second half (at least downstairs) of the former Lost Knight space is set to open up on Friday evening in Echo Park, launching a new kind of casual dinner option for the busy Sunset Boulevard stretch. And all right next door to already-busy bar Lowboy, too.

Whereas Lowboy is a place for stiff drinks, craft beer, and bar burgers, Adamae’s focus is on casual California staples like salads, roasted vegetables, and char-grilled octopus with chorizo. Chef Matt Cheek, who hails from Portland by way of the Pok Pok empire, is also doing an al pastor riff using mushrooms, a ginger-braised lamb shank, and a harissa-rubbed roast half chicken for $26. The opening menu is below.

Inside, the restaurant — named after the creator of the Lady of the Lake sculpture that stands above Echo Park Lake — is a blend of light neutral tones and blonde wood, with lots of hanging lights, touches of colorful print, and some ubiquitous house plants. There’s a tiny two-table patio up front, larger booths for groups, and a bar in the back for cocktail drinkers and satisfied solo diners. Barling Construction built the space while Paul Pruitt, Duncan Smith, and Jeff Manno of New School will be operating partners of the restaurant.

Adamae opens on Friday, keeping hours from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, with an extension to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Adamae. 1534 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA.

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