Category Archives: food

The Counter Signs Now Up, Opening Soon on 7th Street in Downtown LA

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | 10 Comments

The Counter installed new signs over the weekend as the popular burger chain plans to open by the end of April 2012

It’s been almost a year since I first reported that The Counter was going to replace most of the Roosevelt leasing office on 7th Street (a smaller leasing office is being built out next to Counter). About 9 months later, I am eager to see this place open so we can add another eatery to our growing restaurant row along 7th Street. With another restaurant open, another section of our once empty sidewalks will be activated.

Continue reading →

→ 10 Comments

Posted in downtown los angeles, financial district, food, restaurants

Tagged , , , , ,

Smart & Final (Extra?) Close to Signing Lease at 845 S Figueroa in Downtown LA

Posted on March 27, 2012 by | 18 Comments

Smart & Final (Extra) is rumored to be in close talks with L&R at taking the ground floor space at a newly renovated 845 S Fig office building in the Financial District (Photo: L&R)

Although we all really do love our one true Downtown LA grocery store Ralphs Fresh Fare–so much so that all the business from downtown residents have catapulted the location to one of the highest performing stores in Southern California–downtown residents have been yearning for more grocery options. Variety is the spice of life right? And although we’re not getting a Trader Joe’s anytime soon (much to the chagrin of downtown residents), good news may still be on the horizon as several sources are informing me that LA-based grocery chain, Smart & Final, is close to signing a long-term lease at 845 S Fig in the Financial District.

Continue reading →

→ 18 Comments

Posted in downtown los angeles, financial district, food, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , ,

Sixth Downtown LA Famima Convenience Store to Open on Broadway in April 2012

Posted on March 26, 2012 by | 15 Comments

The sixth Famima to open in Downtown LA will be on Broadway at the Spring Arcade Building

Back in 2005 when I worked at the DCBID, I had read about Famima in a trade paper (staying on top of trends) and contacted the still-unknown Japanese convenience store chain in an effort to recruit them to open downtown. At the time, I called their corporate office in Tokyo (Family Mart) and spent a good 10 minutes on the line as someone on the other end tried to find an English speaker. Eventually, someone who did speak English came on the line and told me to call their US corporate number in Torrance here in LA.

Continue reading →

→ 15 Comments

Posted in downtown los angeles, economic development, food, historic core, pedestrian oriented, retail

Tagged , , , ,

First Round of “Dining Anchors” Announced for FIGat7th in Downtown LA

Posted on March 20, 2012 by | 12 Comments

A construction crane lifted the metal canopy into place over the past weekend as FIGat7th marches toward a fall 2012 grand opening

One of the most anticipated developments in Downtown LA this year has been the renovations going on at FIGat7th in the Financial District. Remaking a tired old mall into an exciting new destination. All those who live, work, and/or play in Downtown LA have been waiting eagerly to find out what new businesses are coming into this new shopping center that will be anchored by a City Target. Today, there is definitely some exciting news as six new gourmet restaurant concepts have been announced and here they are:

Continue reading →

→ 12 Comments

Posted in downtown los angeles, financial district, food, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , , ,

New Commercial Tenants Flock to Newly Renovated Huntington Apartments in Downtown LA

Posted on March 19, 2012 by | 13 Comments

The Huntington went through a $3 million renovation recently that has transformed this intersection at 8th and Main from seedy to one that is relevant again

The Downtown News called the former Huntington Hotel (built in 1910) “a notorious crime magnet” where “rats ran rampant” before it was successfully renovated last year from a low-income hotel to a cleaned-up 204-unit apartment building with “Euro-style singles.” According to the Huntington Apartment’s website, “Rooms include a free Mini Refrigerator and Microwave. All utilites included. Discount memberships to Gym also available.” The $3 million renovation transformed an intersection at 8th and Main that you would stay away from to one that has attracted a new influx of businesses that will make this intersection relevant again and given back to the Downtown LA community.

Continue reading →

→ 13 Comments

Posted in downtown los angeles, economic development, food, pedestrian oriented, real estate, restaurants, retail

Tagged , , , ,

Soleto Trattoria and Pizza Bar Coming Soon to Downtown LA’s Financial District

Posted on March 19, 2012 by | 9 Comments

Soleto replaces shuttered Zucca in Downtown LA's Financial District with a planned opening sometime in the spring or summer of this year

Signs announcing Soleto’s arrival into Downtown LA went up last week. First reported by Grub Street back in January 2012, IDG (Innovation Dining Group) took over the shuttered Zucca Ristorante (that closed in summer 2011) and announced that it was replacing it with Soleto Trattoria and Pizza Bar. Innovation Dining Group, according to Grub Street, is known for “blurring the borders between lounge and restaurant at well-tailored restaurants like Sushi Roku, Boa, Katana, and Delphine.” And Soleto is their newest dining development to arrive in Downtown LA, which has become LA’s hottest dining scene with countless culinary concepts opening up in the last several years.

Continue reading →

→ 9 Comments

Posted in downtown los angeles, food, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , ,

Update: “New Restaurant Concept” Brewing in Fine Arts Building in Downtown LA

Posted on March 13, 2012 by | 9 Comments

Instead of Adoro Mexican Grille, a "new concept" is coming to the Fine Arts Building along a growing Restaurant Row in Downtown LA

[Update 3/15/12] – Some new information has surfaced about the Fine Arts Building’s last remaining retail space that was reported this week as an Adoro Mexican Grille taking over the space. The source who I had spoken to, as it turns out, only gave me the partial picture of what’s going on in the space. The new details revealed today seem to indicate that there is more to it than meets the eye. Apparently, a “new concept” is brewing in the space that will NOT become an Adoro but seems to have the owners from Adoro behind it (with possible new partnerships involved). More details to come.

Continue reading →

→ 9 Comments

Posted in downtown los angeles, food, restaurants

Tagged , , ,

Healthy Eatery, Tossed LA, Now Open in Downtown LA Financial District

Posted on March 13, 2012 by | 3 Comments

Tossed LA is now open in the Financial District at Wilshire and Hope

First reported in July 2011, and now 8 months later, Tossed has finally crossed the finish line with an official grand opening tomorrow on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. The new healthy eatery serving up fresh varieties of salads, crepe wraps and sandwiches is located in the heart of the Financial District directly across the street from the soaring Aon Tower.

Continue reading →

→ 3 Comments

Posted in downtown los angeles, food, restaurants

Tagged , , , , ,

Say Good Morning to Drago Centro’s New Breakfast Menu in Downtown LA

Posted on March 5, 2012 by | 3 Comments

Italian Yogurt: Seasonal Fruit, Almond Honey Granola, Basil (Photo: Brigham Yen)

When Drago Centro debuted in late 2008, it signaled Downtown L.A’s resurgence as an exciting place to enjoy fine dining once again. With its white leather chairs and state of the art Enomatic wine system, it has proven a valuable addition to City National Plaza, which has itself seen an influx of new energy due to the arrival of major new tenants including architecture firms Gensler and SAA. Just off the heels of its recent patio renovation, Drago has expanded its menu to include a well thought out breakfast selection, featuring familiar dishes with a distinctly Italian personality.

Continue reading →

→ 3 Comments

Posted in downtown la style, food, guest writer, restaurants

Tagged , , , , ,

Downtown LA’s Umamicatessen Opens with a Bang: The Rebirth of Broadway Begins

Posted on March 4, 2012 by | 7 Comments

Umamicatessen soft opened on Saturday and became an instant hit

Saturday was the first day of business for Umamicatessen’s soft opening in Downtown LA. The new flagship location for Umami Burger’s latest culinary concept opened its doors at approximately 11AM for an early lunch crowd. The pent up demand for more dining options in Downtown LA could not be more apparent than the continuous surge of diners that easily filled Umamicatessen’s cavernous space throughout the entire day. In fact, it just got busier and busier as the day progressed into the night.

Continue reading →

→ 7 Comments

Posted in architecture, downtown los angeles, food, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , ,