Eater LA - Notable LA Restaurant Closures in 2018The Los Angeles Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2018-08-16T11:00:02-07:00http://la.eater.com/rss/stream/175303252018-08-16T11:00:02-07:002018-08-16T11:00:02-07:00Spring, Downtown LA’s Lauded French Restaurant, to Close After Two Years
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<img alt="Spring, Downtown LA" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5RuZyWZHXC2ZDwFItIXBXutgkPY=/51x0:851x600/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60868193/2016-02-11-spring-015.0.0.0.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Spring, Downtown LA | <a class="ql-link" href="http://www.wonhophoto.com" target="_blank">Wonho Frank Lee</a></figcaption>
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<p>The place took four years to develop, but will close by the end of this month</p> <p id="3C1pC1"><strong>Spring</strong>, the highly lauded French fine dining restaurant from <strong>Tony Esnault</strong> and <strong>Yassmin Sarmadi</strong>, will close some time in the next few weeks. The restaurant power couple, who also own <a href="https://la.eater.com/venue/4966/church-state">Church & State</a>, decided not to renew their lease when it expires at the end of August. Instead, Esnault and Sarmadi will work on <a href="https://la.eater.com/2018/5/16/17361648/french-cuisine-opening-south-coast-plaza">opening their South Coast Plaza restaurant</a> called <strong>Knife Pleat</strong>, which should debut by spring 2019. That Costa Mesa establishment will also showcase Esnault’s classically trained French flavors.</p>
<p id="vn60qx">As for Spring, the restaurant was the <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/7/19/12226862/la-weekly-spring-restaurant-review">subject of much praise</a>, from a high placement on <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/10/24/16532790/jonathan-gold-101-list-2017-missing">Jonathan Gold’s 101 Restaurant List</a> and <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/6/10/11906524/jonathan-gold-spring-restaurant-review">solid reviews</a>. The space, <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/2/12/10981320/spring-restaurant-downtown-los-angeles#0">which featured a glorious atrium</a> and tastefully elegant decor, was nestled deep into a Downtown LA building, making it a bit hard to see from the street. In the meantime, Esnault and Yassmin opened Springside, a <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/8/30/16222022/springside-downtown-los-angeles-spring-restaurant">street-facing side restaurant</a> that offered a more casual and approachable menu. There’s no final dates of service for both Spring and Springside, but they should be within the month.</p>
<p id="PiQBmj">Eater <a href="https://la.eater.com/2012/7/10/6566417/yassmin-sarmadi-starts-seasonal-french-concept-spring">first caught wind</a> of Spring back in 2012, and it took nearly four years for the place to finally open. Once it opened in 2016, it had a <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/2/9/10950840/spring-restaurant-downtown-new-open-details">bit of a slow unveiling</a> before positive reviews starting coming in. Sadly, it lasted about two-and-a-half years before calling it quits. </p>
<p id="cHxI5n">Esnault and Yassmin continue to run Church & State in the Arts District, with some new menu and interior updates in the works, plus some anniversary specials to celebrate their 10th year of business. Church & State <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/7/24/16017280/church-state-chapter-11-labor-dispute">recently had to file for bankruptcy protection</a> to reorganize their finances due to a labor lawsuit that resulted in a $150,000 settlement.</p>
<ul><li id="TKMpQp">
<a href="https://la.eater.com/venue/32895/257-s-spring-st">All Spring Coverage</a> [ELA]</li></ul>
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https://la.eater.com/2018/8/16/17697518/spring-downtown-los-angeles-french-restaurant-tony-esnault-yassmin-sarmadi-closureMatthew Kang2018-08-14T12:15:01-07:002018-08-14T12:15:01-07:00Atwater Village’s Most Interesting New Restaurant Closes Just One Year In
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<img alt="Journeymen" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3WyXuw2Fumj9nC6Pxq_crRLGOvw=/130x0:1910x1335/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60833377/journeymen.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Journeymen | <a class="ql-link" href="http://www.journeymenla.com/" target="_blank">Journeymen</a></figcaption>
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<p>Journeymen will run as a pizza-only pop-up for the time being</p> <p id="H7j7Yy">Atwater Village restaurant <strong>Journeymen</strong> has closed, lasting just over a year in one of the neighborhood’s most iconic restaurant spaces. Moving forward, chef <strong>David Wilcox</strong> has a different plan for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmcGiBfBkmA/?taken-by=journeymen_la">the property</a>, to be fully revealed later this week.</p>
<p id="GDAsXS">Journeymen opened in August of last year as a follow-up to the long-tenured restaurant Canele, which survived for a decade under chef/owner Corina Weibel. Canele was in many ways considered to be one of LA’s <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/5/15/15634304/canele-neighborhood-restaurant-closed">most quintessential</a> neighborhood restaurants, but Weibel decided to move on and gave her blessing to Wilcox and partner Guy Tabibian to open Journeymen. They both hail from the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk3pCD8BEit/?taken-by=journeymen_la">Gjelina group</a> in Venice, and wanted to open <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/2/20/14651254/journeymen-canele-atwater-village-coming">their own kind</a> of sustainable neighborhood restaurant, with a focus on quality produce and meats and a service model that would benefit customers as well as employees.</p>
<p id="1s5F5J">The resulting restaurant was a mix of table <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/10/26/16548078/journeymen-atwater-village-review-la-weekly">and counter service</a>, with a tax and tip-inclusive pay scale and lots of early energy. The late Jonathan Gold <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/11/27/16707288/journeymen-jonathan-gold-atwater-village-week-in-reviews">found the place</a> rather fascinating as a new kind of dining experience, and fans of the place were charmed by the laid-back format, especially when the <a href="https://la.eater.com/2018/4/13/17231122/tipless-restaurants-reconsidering-news-update-barcito-journeymen">restaurant transitioned</a> to an almost tapas-style counter service system.</p>
<p id="He3tKZ">In the end <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/8/4/16098022/journeymen-atwater-village-opening-photos-inside">Journeymen</a> was unable to capture all of the same magic that Canele had, and officially ended service as of last night. Wilcox still holds the lease to the place and is planning to reopen on Friday with an even smaller staff and simply sell pizzas and some sides, which had (along with a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkLXE2MBO9z/?taken-by=journeymen_la">rotating burger</a>) become a growing focus of the menu in the past few months. He’s considering it a pop-up inside his own (now former) restaurant, and will be rotating the simplified menu as time allows, so <a href="https://www.instagram.com/journeymen_la/">check Instagram</a> to see what’s next.</p>
<p id="leLfuh">Wilcox himself is unsure how long he’ll run the unnamed pizza nights, but plans to keep them up as simple, rowdy weeknight meals for as long as the <a href="https://la.eater.com/neighborhood/808/atwater-village">Atwater Village</a> neighborhood wants. From there it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen with the Canele space, though Wilcox tells Eater that he plans to stay in Los Angeles (he previously spent a few years up in the Bay Area) working on other projects. Expect pizza hours to start up on Friday night, running 5:30p.m. to 10 p.m., or sellout.</p>
<p id="OUqmCJ"><a href="http://www.journeymenla.com/"><em>Journeymen</em></a><em>. 3219 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. </em></p>
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https://la.eater.com/2018/8/14/17687358/journeymen-atwater-village-closing-news-pizza-pop-upFarley Elliott2018-08-13T09:45:01-07:002018-08-13T09:45:01-07:00Pasadena Loses One of Its Better Seafood Restaurants This Week
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<img alt="Lost at Sea" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NZL1XW8erw4z_OFh_RB_bMUiVNI=/0x26:1080x836/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60820693/lost_at_sea_facebook.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Lost at Sea in Pasadena | <a class="ql-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/lostatseapasadena/" target="_blank">Lost at Sea</a></figcaption>
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<p>The two-year-old restaurant finishes service for good this week</p> <p id="EPKJAT">Pasadena’s <strong>Lost at Sea</strong> restaurant will close at the end of this week. The mid-level casual <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/7/29/12327046/lost-at-sea-pasadena-seafood-santos-uy-tim-carey-opening-photos">seafood restaurant</a> lasted over two years on Holly Street, but Friday looks to be the final night of service.</p>
<p id="qCE4OO">Chef<strong> Tim Carey</strong> opened Lost at Sea back in 2016 with partner<strong> Santos Uy</strong> (Mignon, Papilles), with the pair having previously collaborated at tucked-away strip mall bistro Papilles in Hollywood for years. The focus for the new breakout restaurant was, naturally seafood, done with a refined aesthetic and casual environment, and paired with Uy’s extensive wine knowledge. The restaurant garnered some favorable early press and even got a nod from Besha Rodell via <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/10/25/13410990/la-weekly-lost-at-sea-pasadena-restaurant-review"><em>LA Weekly</em> at the time</a>, who declared that she would rather: “eat here than at half the slickly perfect restaurants in town.”</p>
<p id="VguSWA">Still, Lost at Sea seemed at times to struggle to find a consistent local audience, pushed a couple of blocks to the north off the main Colorado drag of Old Pasadena. It didn’t help that more fast casual competition <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/9/7/16268186/fishwives-pasadena-open-menu-photo-seafood">in Fishwives</a> on Fair Oaks Avenue and Mark Peel’s Prawn further beyond <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/11/9/16629920/prawn-pasadena-mark-peel-seafood-photos-inside">both opened</a> just after Lost at Sea, making the restaurant one of the last year’s most <a href="https://la.eater.com/maps/most-underrated-restaurants-los-angeles-2017">underrated places</a> to eat anywhere in greater Los Angeles.</p>
<p id="JQMpzS"><a href="https://www.lostatseapas.com/"><em>Lost at Sea</em></a><em>. 57 Holly St., Pasadena, CA.</em></p>
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https://la.eater.com/2018/8/13/17683778/pasadena-lost-at-sea-closing-news-tim-carey-seafoodFarley Elliott2018-08-09T10:10:23-07:002018-08-09T10:10:23-07:00The First-Ever Islands Restaurant to Close in West LA After 36 Years
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<img alt="Islands" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TDwd3TshTWs1MmnMTgUWzwpormE=/64x0:1984x1440/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60782157/islands_burgers_facebook.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>A burger and fries at Islands | <a class="ql-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/islandswestla" target="_blank">Islands Restaurant</a></figcaption>
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<p>The company started in 1982 and now spans much of the western U.S.</p> <p id="tI5CYt">The first-ever <strong>Islands Restaurant</strong> in West Los Angeles is <a href="https://www.islandsrestaurants.com/locations/west-los-angeles">set to close soon</a>. Eater has confirmed that the Hawaiian-themed Pico Boulevard burger and drinks spot will shutter sometime this fall.</p>
<p id="yRdCWw">Though unassuming from the outside, this Islands location helped to spawn a multi-million dollar enterprise that now spans multiple states and dozens of locations. The company is still run by founder and CEO Tony DeGrazier, and the <a href="https://www.islandsrestaurants.com/about">original location</a> features prominently on Islands’ own website.</p>
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<p id="rp02zW">Word from management is that the owner of the building has decided to raise the rents, and DeGrazier made the decision in response to simply shutter his first-ever Islands restaurant. A call to the corporate headquarters in Carlsbad confirmed the news, with a rep there calling it a “leasing issue,” and noting a closure sometime in October. They did add that Islands is actively looking to land a new location somewhere nearby.</p>
<p id="CyVMnF">The loss of the first-ever Islands points to the sky-high rents and tough restaurant market that operators <a href="https://la.eater.com/2018/8/7/17660896/valentino-santa-monica-closing-piero-selvaggio-news">still face</a> across all of Southern California, but it also shows just how influential this region has been in creating many of the fast food and sit-down chain restaurants that America has come to know and love. The first-ever Johnny Rockets location shuttered just a few years back along Melrose (and is now <a href="https://la.eater.com/2018/8/6/17656490/johnny-rockets-ronny-jockets-pop-up-burgers-melrose-los-angeles">becoming a tongue-in-cheek</a> pop-up space), while the flagship Marie Callender’s on Wilshire <a href="https://la.eater.com/2018/7/10/17555668/wilshire-marie-callenders-closure-los-angeles">recently closed</a> following 40 years of service. Soon Islands will join them, having been in operation at the same Pico Boulevard location for 36 years.</p>
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https://la.eater.com/2018/8/9/17671176/islands-restaurant-first-west-la-pico-closing-newsFarley Elliott2018-07-30T10:25:01-07:002018-07-30T10:25:01-07:0025-Year La Cienega French Haunt Le Petit Bistro Has Closed
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<img alt="Le Petit Bistro" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JvTc1iz9LB00pxwGRkKl9zC4zis=/0x0:2048x1536/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60664757/le_petit_bistro.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Le Petit Bistro | <a class="ql-link" href="http://instagram.com/overoverunder" target="_blank">Farley Elliott</a></figcaption>
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<p>A long run for a once-storied name</p> <p id="coHwjC">Francophiles eager for a meal will <a href="https://la.eater.com/maps/best-french-restaurants-los-angeles">have to look elsewhere</a> these days, as longstanding La Cienega restaurant <strong>Le Petit Bistro</strong> has closed for good.</p>
<p id="UMPfns">This location <a href="http://www.lepetitbistro.net/">of Le Petit Bistro</a> first opened in 1993 along La Cienega, quickly becoming a neighborhood staple for casual bistro staples like escargot and roasted chicken. At its height, owners Georges and Ronaire Lachkar operated three different Le Petit Bistros around Los Angeles. Together they’ve been operating restaurants since 1971.</p>
<p id="iHuLbj">In a note to diners and fans last week, the Lachkars said of the shutter:</p>
<blockquote><p id="uIYqYA">It is with a heavy, but very grateful heart that we announce to you today that after 25 wonderful years of being in business, Le Petit Bistro has closed it’s doors. We cannot express to all of you, our loyal friends, family, and patrons how very much your support has meant to us, nor can we ever express to you how much we will miss seeing your faces night after night enjoying our food and wine, and the family feel that we are so proud to know that Le Petit Bistro was.</p></blockquote>
<p id="gdsI2H">The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LePetitBistro.LA/posts/10155678123581485">full statement</a> can be found here.</p>
<p id="J6aFMJ">With regards to what’s next, it looks like ownership has transferred to several folks, most notable among them Joel Herzer, a former co-owner of Joe’s in Venice (now <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/1/29/10873962/joes-restaurant-to-close-after-a-24-year-run-in-venice">Evan Funke’s Felix</a>), as well as Wang’s in both San Diego and <a href="https://www.wangsinthedesert.com/">Palm Springs</a>. <s>He’s joined by Tom Eads who used to run The Taste Group (Taste on Melrose, Tortilla Republic, etc.)</s>, and according to some <a href="http://www.abc.ca.gov/datport/lqs.html?rpttype=12&license=595839">ABC paperwork</a> the new restaurant is to be called <strong>Tom’s Place</strong>.</p>
<p id="6VRXyS"><strong>Update</strong>: Owner Joel Herzer writes in to say that Eads will not be a part of this project.</p>
<p id="Ub5g1p"><em>Le Petit Bistro. 631 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood CA.</em></p>
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https://la.eater.com/2018/7/30/17630688/le-petit-bistro-closed-la-cienega-french-toms-placeFarley Elliott2018-07-19T14:40:01-07:002018-07-19T14:40:01-07:00LA’s Most Beloved Spaghetti Restaurant Will Eventually Close in Beverly Grove
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<img alt="Andre’s Italian Restaurant &amp; Pizzeria" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7FgecmUozk4ddGQ57fwdoxSkBTI=/0x4:837x632/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60427043/Screen_Shot_2018_07_19_at_1.21.00_PM.0.png" />
<figcaption>Andre’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria | Facebook</figcaption>
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<p>Andre’s hopes to return once construction is complete</p> <p id="ZQ2cxv">Often referred to as “<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2003/aug/10/magazine/tm-grove32">the other side of the Grove</a>,” the Town and Country Shopping Center is slated for a big new redevelopment starting in 2019. The construction will push out longtime tenants like the 55-year-old <a href="http://www.andresitalian.com/#home"><strong>Andre’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria</strong></a>, which has served generations of Angelenos with heaping plates of spaghetti and other Italian-American classics. </p>
<p id="9BAQgz">At the moment, the business’s lease will end on December 31, 2018, and it hopes to operate month-to-month until construction for the new development commences, which means there’s no specific closing date. The famed restaurant has a desire to move back in when construction is complete, but in the meantime the owners plan to open a new restaurant in the San Fernando Valley called<strong> Grandi Italiani</strong>.</p>
<p id="PEUEUX">In May, developer Ira Smedra <a href="https://www.larchmontbuzz.com/featured-stories-larchmont-village/proposed-town-and-country-shopping-center-development-presented-to-mid-city-west-community-council/">alerted</a> the Mid City West Community Council’s Planning and Land Use Committee about future plans for a 26-story residential tower where Kmart and Andre’s Pizza currently sit. The plans include renovations to Whole Foods, CVS Pharmacy, Citibank, and the and parking lots on the corner of Fairfax and 3rd Street. </p>
<p id="I0l6mW">Smedra sought to develop the property over a decade ago, had to wait until Kmart’s lease expired in 2017. Construction starts in 2019, and Andre’s owners suggest that new lease terms will be costly. Andre’s <a href="https://www.larchmontbuzz.com/featured-stories-larchmont-village/proposed-town-and-country-shopping-center-development-presented-to-mid-city-west-community-council/">will consider</a> returning to the original location if the price is right, but their messaging seems to indicate a comeback is unlikely.</p>
<p id="tqBuFu">Andre’s owners wrote a lengthy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AndresItalian/posts/1823415117772257">Facebook post</a> about the forthcoming Grandi Italiani, which should open by fall. The post says the Grandi Italiani is a six-minute walk from a Metro Orange Line stop, but did not release an actual address.</p>
<p id="OQf0ro">If walls could talk, the 55-year-old restaurant Andre’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria could tell endless tales of Angeleno history. Chef Domenic Andreone <a href="http://www.andresitalian.com/#history">opened the no-frills Andre’s Pizza</a> in 1963. Andre’s management left the following explanation on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AndresItalian/">Facebook page</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="oLl0ee">Dear friends: We recently gave a letter to our team members to update them on our current lease situation at the shopping center. To keep you informed, I’d like to share that letter with you as well.</p>
<p id="YOMc3k">Dear Team Members:</p>
<p id="ZmKfPx">First, the bad news: At the present time, Andre’s lease at the shopping center is still set to expire on December 31, 2018. Our goal is to secure at least a month-to-month lease past that date. This way, we can continue to serve the community until the Landlord receives approval from the city to break ground with their redevelopment plans.</p>
<p id="yGdb4o">While the city, local leaders, teachers and administrators at Hancock Park Elementary School, and we are all pushing back on the scope and scale of the project, eventually the Landlord or his successors will prevail in updating the shopping center in some way. At that time, Andre’s will have to be closed for an indefinite period during the demolition and construction phases of the new development.</p>
<p id="F5aKnz">An Andre’s at the new shopping center might be possible, but the new lease terms would make for a costly proposition: higher rent, taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, etc. Worse than that, our team members would be out of a job for the duration.</p>
<p id="mfSh8e">For Andre’s to stay in business, it’s become clear that we must look elsewhere for a place to open before this location closes.</p>
<p id="ZZ4NBR">Now for the good news: We’ve secured a new location in Canoga Park! While this might not be totally convenient for our team members and customers, economics was a huge factor in choosing our new location. It’s much less costly to lease a space in Canoga Park than it is in the Beverly-Grove area. Additionally, we would be able to keep our prices more affordable for our customers.</p>
<p id="oE2YpX">Since the Metro Orange Line has a stop just a brief six-minute walk from the new restaurant, many of our current team members and customers may decide that it’s worth the extra time it takes to get to and from our new location.</p>
<p id="7zrpbc">Plans have already been submitted with the city for our new restaurant. Our goal is to open by Fall of this year.</p>
<p id="6x6KN3">We’ve decided to name the new sister restaurant, Grandi Italiani. The name was carefully chosen to be easily remembered and to honor the many great Italians that helped to enrich our lives with their culture, scientific achievements, food and strong family values.</p>
<p id="RMIgeN">We know that all our team members are special to the history and success of Andre’s, so we will continue to inform you of any important updates. Please address your questions to Aron for any further clarification or to express your concerns.</p>
<p id="jEHHDB">Thank you,<br>Management</p>
</blockquote>
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https://la.eater.com/2018/7/19/17591854/andres-pizza-beverly-grove-italian-american-restaurant-canoga-park-developmentMona Holmes2018-07-17T17:02:40-07:002018-07-17T17:02:40-07:00Jessica Biel’s Au Fudge Restaurant in West Hollywood Has Closed
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<img alt="Au Fudge" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZutsD3GxP2SvOjLl4nOII9qB3-I=/113x0:1888x1331/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60401477/2016-02-23-au-fudge-007.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Au Fudge, West Hollywood | Wonho Frank Lee</figcaption>
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<p>It lasted about two years in a prime Melrose Avenue space</p> <p id="m4NdJi"><strong>Au Fudge, </strong>the <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/3/2/11148956/au-fudge-jessica-biel-opening-photos">child-friendly restaurant</a> in West Hollywood from <strong>Jessica Biel, Estee Stanley, </strong>and Greenleaf founder <strong>Jon Rollo</strong>, has <a href="https://www.wehoville.com/2018/07/16/oh-fudge-jessica-biels-au-fudge-closes-doors/">closed as of last Sunday</a> according to Wehoville. Biel posted the news publicly on her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlQqzmqFEao/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=10pi1ixkix135">Instagram as well</a>, thanking patrons for the support and saying the space would still be available for private events. According to US Weekly, in early 2017 Biel said on <em>Jimmy Kimmel Live </em>that the restaurant “wasn’t making any money.” </p>
<p id="YDtF0t"><a href="https://la.eater.com/2013/9/20/6367759/au-fudge-a-kid-friendly-organic-place-on-beverly-blvd">The restaurant</a> had a bit of a <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/2/29/11134080/au-fudge-jessica-biel-opening-date">rocky opening</a>, with <a href="https://la.eater.com/2014/12/9/7361183/jessica-biel-au-fudge-organic-kids-restaurant-exclusive-west-hollywood">early reports</a> saying that <a href="https://la.eater.com/2015/2/4/7979121/au-fudge-jessica-biel-west-hollywood-melrose-facts-estee-stanley">the place would have</a> an exclusive, Soho House-like vibe for kids. But the <a href="https://la.eater.com/2015/9/14/9326033/jessica-biel-motherhood-new-perspective-au-fudge">actual eatery ended up </a>being pretty straightforward, except for separate space for children to play. Reviews for the food <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yelp.com%2Fbiz%2Fau-fudge-west-hollywood-2&referrer=eater.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fla.eater.com%2F2018%2F7%2F17%2F17583974%2Fjessica-biel-au-fudge-restaurant-west-hollywood-closed" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">were mixed</a>, with an easygoing comfort food menu that appealed to a wide audience. Desserts were a standout part of the menu. </p>
<p id="bdxsmG">The front of the restaurant offered a marketplace selling retail items. In all, despite an ambitious place that was supposed to cater to West Hollywood locals, Au Fudge never garnered traction outside of families with children. </p>
<p id="FSFqnv">The restaurant also had some lawsuit issues, with former employees <a href="https://la.eater.com/2017/9/14/16308048/au-fudge-jessica-biel-lawsuit">suing the restaurant for $400,000 for wage theft</a>. In June, the group of nine plaintiffs that were suing Au Fudge <a href="https://la.eater.com/2018/6/7/17438616/au-fudge-workers-lawsuit-jessica-biel-weho">dropped the case without explanation</a>.</p>
<ul><li id="OeNB0d">
<a href="https://la.eater.com/search?q=au+fudge">All Au Fudge Coverage </a>[ELA]</li></ul>
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https://la.eater.com/2018/7/17/17583974/jessica-biel-au-fudge-restaurant-west-hollywood-closedMatthew Kang2018-07-12T12:45:02-07:002018-07-12T12:45:02-07:00Geoffrey Zakarian to Close Georgie in Beverly Hills After Two Years
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<img alt="Georgie BH Interior 2" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DIyxH5rgQIvUmJx8c2_stmKS79Y=/110x0:1890x1335/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60351991/2016-06-04-Georgie-002.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Georgie interior, Beverly Hills | <a class="ql-link" href="http://www.wonhophoto.com" target="_blank">Wonho Frank Lee</a></figcaption>
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<p>The Food Network chef is looking for a new location elsewhere in Los Angeles</p> <p id="kDvPRn"><strong>Georgie</strong>, which <em>Food Network</em> personality and New York City chef <strong>Geoffrey Zakarian</strong> <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/6/6/11863872/georgie-beverly-hills">opened inside the ground floor</a> of the ritzy Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, will close for service this Sunday, July 15. </p>
<p id="gKJ2xf">The California-Mediterranean restaurant first debuted just over two years ago in June 2016 in the former <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/1/14/10758082/scott-conant-scarpetta-close-beverly-hills">Scarpetta space</a>. Zakarian gave the <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/6/6/11863872/georgie-beverly-hills">interior a nice touch up</a> that felt very much like an inside version of the patio at Polo Lounge, which wasn’t a bad idea. He also gave <a href="https://la.eater.com/2016/6/7/11877412/georgie-garden-bar-beverly-hills-photos-inside">the Garden Bar</a> area a more casual, easygoing vibe that made it easier for meet ups. That bar area will continue its operations as usual, but will be called The Bar at Montage Beverly Hills.</p>
<p id="qofBUA">Once Georgie closes this weekend, the restaurant will be unavailable for a week to accommodate private events before temporarily reopening for dinner only beginning July 28 as The Restaurant at Montage. Anyone looking to get breakfast or lunch at the hotel can dine at the hotel’s rooftop. Reps say another restaurant will eventually go into the prime space that looks out onto a parklet.</p>
<p id="AjX2NT">In the meantime, Geoffrey Zakarian’s reps tell Eater that he does plan to reopen Georgie in another location somewhere in Los Angeles, and that he still plans to work with Montage Hotels & Resorts group on other projects. </p>
<p id="RtIKwq">Here’s the full, joint statement from Montage and Zakarian’s team regarding the “transition”:</p>
<blockquote><p id="rj10tl">Montage Beverly Hills will be undergoing changes to the current ground floor restaurant space situated along the Beverly Canon Garden, and <em>Georgie</em>, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s restaurant, will be relocating to a new home in Los Angeles. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and Montage Hotels & Resorts have enjoyed a wonderful partnership and both look forward to continuing their working relationship with each other. “Montage is an incredible luxury brand, and it was an honor to partner with their team here in Beverly Hills. Although we cannot announce anything as of yet, together our companies will be bringing exciting projects to diners in the future,” notes Zakarian. During the transition, the restaurant will offer dinner only starting July 28<sup>th </sup>and breakfast and lunch will be served at the Rooftop Grill, with beautiful views overlooking Los Angeles. The ground floor bar / lounge will continue to operate as usual with daytime and evening service.</p></blockquote>
<ul><li id="FqPm9C">
<a href="https://la.eater.com/venue/23811/georgie">All Georgie Coverage</a> [ELA]</li></ul>
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https://la.eater.com/2018/7/12/17562272/geoffrey-zakarian-closes-georgie-beverly-hills-montage-hotelMatthew Kang