Brooklyn Cafe Import Five Leaves Ends Run in East Hollywood After Just Nine Months

Vaunted Brooklyn cafe Five Leaves has thrown in the towel in East Hollywood, ending a truncated run that lasted only nine months. Reps for the restaurant confirmed the shutter following Monday night service.

Five Leaves opened with big hopes in April of 2019 along East Hollywood’s Fountain stretch, an area that is rapidly changing but still has not seen a massive increase in customer density. The stunning corner Art Deco space was filled with light and glass and muted color tones, and worked an all-day menu from the outset, before paring back to just dinner and cocktails several months in. Even with that belt-tightening it seems the place was not able to draw the crowds needed to remain viable, and the addition of other restaurants nearby, like the recently-reviewed Found Oyster and a taco takeaway from the Square One folks, only added more pressure.

The nine-month closure is certainly shocking for a space that had been under construction in one way or another since 2016. The Five Leaves name also carries with it a fair bit of brand recognition, at least back in New York City. Reached for comment, ownership noted the following:

All involved have made the incredibly difficult decision to close. We are certain something great will go into the beautiful space and building.

The closure of Five Leaves is just the latest in a growing string of setbacks for the Los Angeles restaurant market. Arts District hotel and restaurant the Firehouse similarly closed for a branding overhaul earlier this year after less than ten months, and others like Maximiliano in Highland Park, Pollen in Echo Park, and Mr. Chow in Malibu have gone away since the start of 2020.