Top Chef’s Brooke Williamson Walks Away From 12-Year-Old Hudson House Restaurant

Top Chef star Brooke Williamson said goodbye to her longtime Redondo Beach restaurant Hudson House last night, leaving a long farewell note on her Instagram page. The post says, in part: “It is with a great deal of sadness that we have made the difficult decision to cut our losses after what has been the most difficult year that restaurants have ever seen.” Williamson and longtime partner Nick Roberts also closed their restaurant the Tripel earlier this year, meaning the only LA restaurant for the pair at the moment is Playa Provisions.

South Bay fans of Hudson House should know that the restaurant itself isn’t going away entirely, though it is retaining new ownership. Eater spoke with the yet-to-be-named new owners yesterday, who say they have every intention of keeping the Hudson House spirit alive from the food to the ambiance, once it is safe to do so again.

In other news:

• Hollywood restaurant Fingers Crossed won’t be transitioning to takeout after all. The new Evan Funke Italian restaurant, inspired by the flavors of Rome (and complete with very crispy pizzas) has decided to remain dormant “until outdoor dining is once again permitted,” reps for the restaurant say.
• Westside Japanese restaurant n/naka is staying busy during the pandemic, mostly by supporting a variety of causes near and dear to their heart. For one, n/naka has partnered with in-house chef Susan Yoon (Wolfdown, Orsa & Winston) for a speciality bento box that benefits No Us Without You. Elsewhere, the Michelin-rated restaurant restaurant has teamed up with arts non-profit Active Cultures and artist Glenn Kaino and DJ Liza Richardson for a take-home meal experience that pairs art, music, and food together. That collaboration is available on an ongoing basis through January 15.

• Pandemic-timed Glendale pop-up Grillers, with its menu of kabobs and sides, is officially opening the doors to its restaurant at 425 N. Brand Boulevard today. Down in the Koreatown/Mid-City area, Oaxacan star Gish Bac is also back open after taking a couple of weeks off.
• Meanwhile, Ospi in Venice has added Alimentari to its name (for now), and is turning out take-home goods like wine, cocktails, and sauces as well as to-go hot food.
• There’s a new Chick-fil-A in town. Well, in Woodland Hills specifically, opening on Thursday, December 3. Hours run daily from 6:30 a.m. to midnight at 20101 Ventura Boulevard.
• The historic La Paloma Cafe has reopened in Santa Barbara. The nearly 40-year-old restaurant has been overhauled by new owners Acme Hospitality, the group behind spots like The Lark, Loquita, Santa Barbara Wine Collective, and more. Chef Jeremy Tummel (Rosewood Miramar Beach, the Bear and Star) is on as executive chef.