A New South Asian Specialist Brings the Heat in Downtown Los Angeles

A new South Asian restaurant contender is coming to Los Angeles next week. The restaurant, called Jungli, traces a winding path through the South Asian dining diaspora with a rotating menu from owner Rupal Patel and chef Ali Haji that moves from curry puffs and meatball masala to Bombay-style hot chicken, a pork rib vindaloo, and more. The restaurant is currently operating as a ghost kitchen, with hours from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, on Postmates to start. The plan, reps for Jungli tell Eater, is to expand those hours and ultimately to open a standalone restaurant in the Downtown LA area, but more details on that are still to come.

In other news:

• Manhattan Village continues to find new restaurants tenants. The South Bay development has secured leases with BOA Steakhouse, Sushi Roku, and more.
• The Front Yard in Studio City is reopening for outdoor dining on its large patio today. So too is Nick + Stef’s in Downtown LA.
• Theia on West Third Street is now doing half-off wine bottles during Monday dinner service. They’re also making it industry night for restaurant and hospitality workers, offering 15 percent off on the dinner and drinks menu.
• Restaurants at the Row DTLA are partnering up to give meals to healthcare workers at Keck Hospital nearby. Diners who buy a meal from spots like Rappahannock, Pikunico, Go Get Em Tiger, and Cafe Dulce will have one donated to healthcare workers in their honor, and there’s even a special kick-off announcement on site with Phil Rosenthal to promote the effort on March 20.
• The Heavy Handed burger folks have scored a new food truck. Check out the reveal video here.
• Long Beach Restaurant Week launches April 1, with support from over 60 different businesses. A portion of some sales will go to Restaurants Care to offer financial assistance to out of work industry employees.
• App and event company Off the Menu is launching in Orange County on March 28. The paid program allows users to score an off-menu dish from different restaurants each week.

• A Major Slice of Mexico City Life Comes to This Lush New Arts District Rooftop [ELA]