Hollywood’s Power Brokers Are Coming Back to Restaurants in Droves

With more and more LA residents gaining fully vaccinated status, restaurants and public establishments have been swelling with patrons, including Hollywood’s vaunted power dining scene, according to this article in the Hollywood Reporter. Erstwhile dining critic and senior writer Gary Baum (and co-byline/senior staff writer Chris Gardner) talk to industry power players, and find that many are aching to get back to restaurant tables to make deals in LA’s entertainment industry. With over a year of virtual meetings, it looks like popular industry restaurants like Spago, Craig’s, A.O.C., and Polo Lounge are back in action with notable producers, actors, entertainers, and personalities nabbing coveted reservations.

Still, despite an overall sense of safety, some power brokers aren’t totally comfortable going out just yet, as most meetings still seem to be happening over Zoom. Eventually though, LA’s power dining restaurants will come back to full glory as many industry veterans affirm that breaking bread seems to be the best way to develop long-term relationships.

In other news:

• Sun Noodle and Momofuku have a new spicy Korean ramen collaboration. Momofuku Noodle bar was slated to open in West Hollywood over a year ago before the pandemic and other complications made that project fall off. Until then, fans can order the David Chang instant ramen online or at select Whole Foods locations in the LA area.
• Anyone over the age of 16 can now make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine in Los Angeles County. [LA Times]
• California restaurants can apply for a $3,500 grant starting today.
• Indonesian pick-up only restaurant Bungkus Bagus has new pre-orders beginning today, with pick up this coming Saturday:

• The Guardian has a story on LA’s gay bars, many of which have had to remain closed over the past year. The article discusses the sad closures of LA’s LBGTQ nightlife scene like Gold Coast and Rage, while others like Precinct and Akbar hold out hope for full reopenings with support from the community.
• Toddrickallen has the scoop on the upcoming Free Market, a sort of pop-up market with various food places coming to Playa Vista. The roster includes taco spot Loqui and Jeni’s ice cream.
• L.A. Taco has a story on the first taquero in town to serve birria de lengua, a Tijuana-style specialty.