A new crop of restaurants and bars boast overseas influence, from L.A. outposts of Parisian favorites Mr. T and Caviar Kaspia to Spanish-themed Arts District eatery Flor y Solera.
Not Your Momma’s Grilled Cheese at Caviar Kaspia PHOTO BY PABLO ENRIQUEZ
Caviar Kaspia
Before moving from New York to Los Angeles during the pandemic, former Iro executive Rahav Zuta and fashion entrepreneur Sam Ben-Avraham had frequented Caviar Kaspia in Paris over the years during Fashion Week. “The energy of the place is always palpable with the best guests and the most unexpected surprises,” says Zuta of the French establishment founded in 1927, which helped establish caviar as a delicacy and garnered a fast following among the fashion crowd. “Los Angeles is having an amazing fashion renaissance moment, and when we found the space on Melrose Place, we knew it was the perfect location to bring Kaspia to the West Coast.” Coowners Zuta and Ben-Avraham’s L.A. outpost—located in the former Mansur Gavriel space—honors the Parisian original while recalling old Hollywood with design elements by Tiffany Howell of Night Palm. Former Maude chef Corey Burgan created an L.A.-inspired menu of decadent dishes that can be enjoyed daily, such as the caviar-studded Not Your Momma’s Grilled Cheese, as well as famed Caviar Kaspia items like the signature baked potato. In addition to a new retail store and a “Kaspia at Home” experience for patrons to have their own private dinners, Caviar Kaspia will be expanding its brunch offering. “Lastly, part of our space is home to MAOR, a new luxury fine jewelry brand,” Zuta says, “and the combination of diamonds and caviar was a brilliant ‘aha’ moment.” caviarkaspiala.com
Tiffany Howell of Night Palm used old Hollywood design elements PHOTO BY PABLO ENRIQUEZ
The intimate jardin filled with greenery. PHOTO BY PABLO ENRIQUEZ
The Chap
After launching Hollywood Vinyl District hot spots Mother Wolf, KA’TEEN and Western-themed bar Desert 5 Spot, Ten Five Hospitality co-founder and CEO Dan Daley saw the need in the area for “a more laid-back option for people to come as they are and grab a drink with friends,” he explains. “Our director of programming, Wade Crescent, a Brit himself, has been eager to bring a British-inspired pub to the area and we loved the idea!” Named after Londonborn Hollywood entertainer Charlie Chaplin, The Chap pays homage to the centuryold public houses and bars from London and the English countryside through British Racing Green wood paneling, tartan drapery carpets and The Chap Wall of Fame—featuring local artist Jimmy Thompson’s caricatures of British and Hollywood icons from Elton John to Amy Winehouse. Take a seat at the rich wooden main bar accessorized with Crescent’s vintage market finds, from old wooden tennis rackets to bowler hats. Guests can also settle into a saddlecolored leather banquette in the main dining room or sit outside on Victorian furniture amid flowers and ivy on the English garden-inspired patio. Sip beers from London breweries or British cocktails with a twist, like a shareable Pimm’s Cup served in a teapot, while savoring British cult-classic dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and a classic Sunday roast on weekends. thechappub.com
The English garden-inspired patio at new Hollywood Vinyl District pub The Chap PHOTO BY RICHARD STOWE
L.A. artist Jimmy Thompson created custom caricatures of British and Hollywood icons PHOTO BY RICHARD STOWE
Crustacean Beverly Hills’ Anna May Bar
During the pandemic, Crustacean Beverly Hills—House of An’s bustling institution for Euro-Vietnamese fusion food opened in 1997—wasn’t able to host customers at its bar. “Now that we are open and buzzing, we wanted to reintroduce our bar in a memorable way,” says House of An CEO Elizabeth An of Crustacean’s new Anna May Bar, named after the iconic actress who was the first Asian American woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “She was pivotal for Asian Americans in the film and fashion industry,” An says. “We wanted to pay homage to her courage and overall essence through a beautifully curated space.” The bar menu features brand-new dishes like crab legs and crab toast, vegan calamari and ponzu salmon sashimi alongside Crustacean staples such as An’s Famous Garlic Noodles and tuna cigars. Cocktails reference Anna May’s films and have an Asian twist—like The Anna May, a mezcal concoction topped with yuzu foam. New programming and brunch offerings will be coming soon. “We wanted to curate a fun, more approachable experience within Crustacean,” says An. “So now, our guests can just pop in and out for a quick bite and drink.” crustaceanbh.com
The crab cake. PHOTO BY RICHARD STOWE
The Anna May cocktail at Crustacean Beverly Hills PHOTO: COURTESY OF CRUSTACEAN BEVERLY HILLS
Flor y Solera
Factory Place Hospitality Group is already behind two restaurants in the Arts District, BRERA Ristorante and The Factory Kitchen. “But Flor is much different than what we did in the past, and less conventional,” says CEO and co-founder Matteo Ferdinandi of the group’s new Spanish tapas bar, Flor y Solera. “It’s a wonderfully informal bar, with amazingly handcrafted cocktails and a unique sherry program that our partner and beverage director Francine Diamond-Ferdinandi adapted around chef Mònica Angelats’ Spanish cooking.” By highlighting traditional cuisine from Spain’s 17 regions, Catalan chef Angelats wants Flor to broaden diners’ perception of the country. “Lesser known, but delicious, regional dishes will rotate in the menu to celebrate Spain in all its different traditions and flavors,” Angelats says. Pair her favorites like fideus rossejats—short, thin pasta cooked with fresh clams and calamari—or iberico pork with drinks from the Sherry Bar, which offers a selection of Andalusian fortified wine by the glass, flight and tapas pairing. The design also nods to Spain, with an oxblood-red banquette, an exposed brick and “Barcelona” blue wall, and Spanish tilework. Says Angelats, “A long marble table bar helps recreate the vibe of Spanish bars where people linger and chat while enjoying tapas and drinks.” florysolera.com
The beloved Euro-Vietnamese eatery reintroduced its bar as the Anna May Bar, with a new design and menu PHOTO: BY CATHERINE DZILENSKI
Pisto con boquerones at new DTLA Spanish tapas bar Flor y Solera. PHOTO: BY CARLOS CHAVEZ
Mr. T Los Angeles
“When we concepted the Los Angeles location, it was essential to keep the same energy as Mr. T in Paris,” says restaurateur Guillaume Guedj, who created the original Mr. T with chef Tsuyoshi Miyazaki and formerly owned Paris’ two-Michelin-starred Passage 53. “We provide a casual atmosphere where diners can come to experience a fusion of fine dining and global street food.” The fresh produce attracted Guedj to Los Angeles, where he saw the potential of the burgeoning Sycamore District. “I realized the area is now just like Paris’ Marais where the original Mr. T is located,” notes Guedj, who sourced tables for the L.A. outpost from Mexico City and lined the walls with records. Like the original, an open kitchen layout puts the cooks center stage; the warm industrial design features raw materials and natural elements; and the menu of global dishes prepared with modern French technique includes Mr. T signatures such as mac ’n’ cheese and lamb kebab. Helming the kitchen is République alum chef Alisa Vannah, who’s created new dishes for L.A.—like Thai tuna crudo—that pair nicely with the extensive French wines and cocktails, including the Mr. T with mezcal. Newly opened, the Burgundy Lounge is a hip outdoor area filled with olive trees and string lights, serving bites and a special wine list heavy on Burgundies personally curated by Guedj. mrtrestaurants.com
Chip N Dip at Mr. T Los Angeles PHOTO BY INNIS CASEY
The L.A. outpost of the Parisian favorite features a warm, industrial design. PHOTO BY INNIS CASEY
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