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Eater
7 hours ago
- Business
- Eater
The Saddest Restaurant Closures to Know in Los Angeles, May 2025
Los Angeles's restaurants continue to face difficult headwinds, starting in 2020 with the onset of a global pandemic and exacerbating with the Hollywood labor strikes in 2023 , which led to an industry-wide slowdown that's continued into 2025. From the lingering impacts of the Hollywood strikes to adverse weather and increased costs (labor, rent, ingredients, etc.), many variables continue to batter restaurant owners who operate on razor-thin margins. Los Angeles restaurants also continue to struggle with the impact from the 2025 fires , including slow business and devastating property loss. Here are notable restaurant closures for May. For more closure news, visit our 2024 round-up . Papa Cristo's— After 77 years on the corner of Pico and Normandie, legendary Los Angeles Greek restaurant and market Papa Cristo's closed permanently on May 4. LAist reports that owner Chrys Chrys pointed to rising rent costs as the ultimate reason for the closure. Sam Chrys, Chrys's father, first opened C & K Importing Company in 1948 to bring food and wine over from Greece to offer to the Los Angeles community, which later became Papa Cristo's. Over the years, Papa Cristo's became an essential part of Los Angeles's restaurant scene, feeding generations of those looking for a taste of the Aegean. Gigi's— Upscale Hollywood French restaurant Gigi's closed on May 10 after nearly five years. The restaurant opened in November 2020 in Hollywood's Sycamore Avenue corridor alongside Tartine and Sightglass Coffee. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant was only able to offer outdoor dining at first, but later opened its 60-seat dining room. The menu channeled bistro classics infused with California sensibilities, with dishes like endive salad, steak tartare, escargot, and braised short rib. Guido's— Guido's, a longstanding Sawtelle red sauce Italian restaurant, is closing on May 31 after 46 years. Open since 1979, the restaurant is well known for its old-school charm, tuxedoed servers, and red leather booths. The restaurant specializes in Italian classics, serving sizable portions of Italian classics like eggplant Parmigiana, spaghetti Bolognese, and chicken picatta. Mars— Hollywood cocktail bar Mars, which was located behind Mother Wolf, closed in April 2025. The bar first opened in January 2024 with a $5,000 per year membership that came with a personal spirits locker, priority seating, and invitations to special events. The bar has been replaced with La Ola, a new Roman-inspired cocktail lounge from acclaimed chef Evan Funke and Giancarlo Pagani, the managing partner of Mother Wolf Group. Checo's Seafood 106 Underground— Inglewood seafood restaurant Checo's Seafood 106 Underground closed on May 1 after a year open. Operated by chef Sergio 'Checo' Peñuelas, who is known as the 'Snook Whisperer,' Checo's served camaron tacos, aguachiles, and pescado zarandeado. Peñuelas first rose to prominence when the late Jonathan Gold wrote highly of his cooking in an LA Weekly review of Coni'Seafood in 2011. Sign up for our newsletter.
Eater
7 hours ago
- Business
- Eater
A New Italian Spot Hopes to Comfort Lincoln Park After The End of Tarantino's 30-Year-Run
Another Lincoln Park stalwart fell by the wayside when Tarantino's closed in March, ending three decades along Armitage Avenue. The neighborhood's restaurant scene has seen changes in recent times, and three decades seems to be a magic number. Pizza Capri closed its own 30-year run earlier this year when it moved to Avondale. Goose Island Beer Co. moved on from its original brewpub, relocating to the Salt Shed earlier in 2024 after a 35-year run on Clybourn. As Tarantino's wished farewell to its clientele, word spread that Cornerstone Restaurant Group planned to open a new project in the space. Cornerstone's Chicago-area restaurants include chef and partner Bill Kim's Urbanbelly, The Table at Crate, and Bill Kim's Ramen Bar inside Time Out Market Chicago. Cornerstone is also known for its partnership with Michael Jordan, running MJ's Mag Mile steakhouse, plus locations across the country and South Korea. In Lincoln Park, the company wants to retain Tarantino's customers and lure new ones with Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian, pegged for a summer opening at 1112 W. Armitage Avenue. Executive chef Matt Eckfield worked with Kim, splitting about 13 years at Belly Shack (the chef's shuttered Puerto Rican and Korean restaurant in Bucktown) and Belly Q (the shuttered Korean barbecue-style spot in West Loop). Eckfield left Chicago for New York's Major Food Group, working as one of the conglomerate's executive chefs, spending nearly 12 years with its famous Italian American brands like Carbone, Contessa, and ZZ's Club. Eckfield is hopeful to make use of produce from Green City Market, the farmers market held weekly in the summer, just east of the restaurant and toward the lake. Eckfield wouldn't spill on menu specifics other than saying customers, including Tarantino's regulars, will recognize the food. Expect a mix of pastas made on premises and seasonal veggies. There will be sandwiches. Eckfield is excited to pump out some focaccia, saying that while most anyone can make the flatbread, few folks can bake focaccia that actually tastes good. 'There's not going to be tweezer work,' the chef says. Former Boka Restaurant Group pastry chef Casey Doody is handling dessert recipes with gelato, cakes, and more. So Lincoln Park is experiencing a renaissance. Dimmi Dimmi, which means 'tell me, tell me,' in Italian, should open in late July or early August. Another notable nearby opening comes near the busy Halsted and Clybourn intersection, where a group of experienced restaurant veterans is working on Brick & Mortar inside the former Golden Ox and Burger Bar space. Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian , 1112 W. Armitage Avenue, planned for a late July or early August opening Sign up for our newsletter.
Eater
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Biggest Los Angeles Restaurant Openings in May 2025
Los Angeles is no stranger to restaurant openings , whether splashy openings in iconic buildings helmed by big-name chefs, a humble neighborhood spot, or a pop-up leaping into a permanent space. Consider this monthly rundown a go-to guide for the newest and boldest debuts across the Southland. Badash Bakes - Pasadena When Badash Bakes opened its doors on April 29, sweets enthusiasts started lining up at her new storefront on Colorado Boulevard, just east of Marengo Avenue, right away. Waits might run 60 minutes or more for owner and pastry chef Ashley Cunningham's traditional and beautiful ceremonial grade-matcha cinnamon rolls, coffee, matcha lattes, red velvet cake, banana bread loaf, blueberry muffins, brownies, and banana pudding. She also refreshes the display case with fresh cookies all day long, with s'mores, toffee chocolate chip, matcha, and a slightly salty and sweet cornbread disc. Staff frequently bring freshly baked goods to the display case, but most still sell out. That's mostly due to Cunningham's massive TikTok following and her ample experience at LA restaurants. Badash Bakes started in an industrial kitchen before opening in Pasadena. Though open since late April, Badash Bakes' grand opening is on May 31. Baby Bistro - Chinatown Baby Bistro started as a sold-out string of rotating pop-up dinners by chef Miles Thompson (Allumette, Michael's) and partner Andy Schwartz, and now has a permanent home in Chinatown as of May 8. It's a charming 100-year-old Victorian bungalow that seats 35 in the same Alpine Courtyard complex as Perilla and Baker's Bench. The duo's new restaurant is where Thompson brings a new menu showcasing farmers market ingredients at their peak, accompanied by Schwartz's wine selections. Though the set-up seems somewhat close to a tasting menu format, Thompson insists it is not. Always check the menu to see what Thompson procured and prepared, like the turnip tofu dish that uses Gardena's artisan Meiji Tofu, and bread baked in a hotel pan with Walla Walla onions, butter, and onion seeds; deglazed with mirin; and finished with a light soy sauce. AC Barbecue - Century City Two of Los Angeles's most prominent Black comedians and actors — Anthony Anderson ( Blackish ) and Cedric the Entertainer (real name Cedric Antonio Kyles; The Neighborhood, Barber Shop ) — opened a food court restaurant called AC Barbeque on May 7 inside the Westfield Century City. The restaurant's smoked meats incorporate flavors and styles from their upbringings in Compton and St. Louis. AC Barbecue occupies a prime slot toward the front of the mall's rooftop food court deck. The restaurant is inspired by Anderson and Kyles' A&E show, King of BBQ. The pair brought on pitmaster Burt Bakman (Slab Barbecue, Trudy's Underground Barbecue) to develop a menu of St. Louis ribs, smoked chicken, chopped brisket, chicken wings, and pulled pork. Baekjeong - Koreatown After closing at Chapman Market in January 2024, renowned Korean barbecue chain Baekjeong returned to Los Angeles with a new flagship location in Koreatown, which opened on May 7. Open for more than a decade before its closure and relocation, Baekjeong became wildly popular for its lively dining atmosphere and high-quality meals like thinly sliced brisket and boneless short ribs. The new expansive location, situated on Eighth Street, is a return to form for the restaurant, offering beef and pork combinations for grilling, alongside doenjang jjigae, gyeran-jjim (steamed egg), and kimchi pancakes. At the new location, Baekjeong's senior director of culinary operations, chef Samuel Kim, introduced a dry-aging program, alongside lunch bowls and sets. Baekjeong doesn't accept reservations, so be prepared for waits on busy nights. Miznon - Downtown On May 10, legendary Israeli chef Eyal Shani opened the first West Coast location for Miznon, an international Middle Eastern street food chain where the specialty is pita sandwiches. Miznon (which translates to 'canteen' or 'cafeteria' in Hebrew) debuted in the former Sari Sari Store, and diners can try the folded cheeseburger a la smash burger pita filled with dill pickles and a savory sauce. The menu also features pita packed with roasted cauliflower and tahini, and the steak and egg pita with sour cream, tomato, Lebanese cucumber, salsa, and green onions. As with Miznon's other locations, Shani will create a signature pita that reflects regional flavors after he visits Los Angeles later this year. The Tel Aviv-based restaurant made its U.S. debut in New York's Chelsea Market in 2018 and has since expanded to Singapore, London, Paris, and Las Vegas. Cento Raw Bar - West Adams Cento Raw Bar, a restaurant by the team behind neighboring Cento Pasta Bar, opened on May 12, serving seafood towers, crudos, and caviar sandwiches in an otherworldly space that resembles a sun-washed sea cave. The restaurant comes from chef Avner Levi, director of operations Adrien D'Attellis, and creative director Brandon Miradi; Avner's first restaurant, Cento Pasta Bar, opened in December 2021 after a long-running tenure as a pop-up at Downtown's Mignon Wine Bar. At Cento Raw Bar, Avner serves a seafood-oriented menu that's meant to pair with wine and cocktails. Raw shellfish like oysters, uni, Peruvian scallops, and crab legs are served on a custom-made modular glass tower designed by Miradi, alongside hamachi crudo, cold squid ink noodles, and '90s club-inspired cocktails. Bar Benjamin - Hollywood Melrose hotspot the Benjamin has taken over the upstairs space of its Melrose venue, which used to house disco-infused cocktail bar the Moon Room, and transformed it into Bar Benjamin. Opened on May 13, the new bar comes from a continued partnership between the Benjamin founders Ben Shenassafar, Kate Burr, and Jared Meisler, with cocktails by Jason Lee (n/soto, Baroo) and Chad Austin (the Mulholland, Bootlegger Tiki). The bar is inspired by Shenassafar's travels through cities like Mexico City, Tokyo, London, Chicago, Paris, and New York, and the unique cocktail bars each destination offered. Bar Benjamin serves a menu of inventive and classic cocktails like a miso-infused Manhattan, the tom kha flavored Tommy Boy, and a fesenjoon-inspired brandy and tequila cocktail. Bar bites are available to pair, like beef tartare, strawberries and cream, and deviled eggs. Hasi Bread - Del Rey On May 13, one of Los Angeles's most viral new bakeries, Hasi Bread, opened a retail shop and cafe in the Del Rey/Mar Vista area on the corner of Centinela and Washington Boulevard inside the former Hot Cakes Bakes. It's the first permanent standalone location for the farmers market favorite that sells its popular yellow-and-blue sourdough bread, along with pastries and coffee. Founded by baker Matias Barang in 2018, the signature pea butterfly flower and turmeric-tinted loaves have been a staple at Erewhon and farmers markets in Brentwood, Westwood, and North Hollywood. Mixtape - Westlake Village Musician, producer, and DJ Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson opened a burger spot with a twist in Westlake Village food hall, Neighborly, called Mixtape on May 19. Though Mixtape might appear as an old-school burger joint with soft serve called 'Saturdaes,' they prepare double-stacked patties and chicken tenders without beef, gluten, or seed oils. All the burgers are made with chicken or vegetarian patties and served on gluten-free buns. The Classics Chicken Sandwich comes with gluten-free crispy chicken, mayo, and dill pickles on a toasted and buttered sesame seed brioche bun. For burgers, the OGB Royale offers a choice between a single or double chicken patty, with American cheese, dill pickles, grilled onions, and lettuce. There are gluten-free chicken tenders and a plant-based burger made with shitake mushrooms. Lucia - Fairfax Upscale Afro-Caribbean restaurant Lucia opened on a busy stretch of Fairfax on May 28, from owner Sam Jordan. Jordan tapped Jamaica-born Adrian Forte to be Lucia's executive chef; before joining the restaurant, Forte previously competed on Top Chef Canada ; worked as a private chef for Virgil Abloh, Drake, and Alicia Keys; and authored Afro-Caribbean cookbook Yawd . Lucia features dishes from across the Caribbean and African diaspora, filtered through Jordan's travels, Los Angeles's dining culture, and Forte's experience. A Jamaican patty comes stuffed with spiced wagyu beef, tucked between flaky layers of yellow pastry, while fish is swapped for lychee in a vegan ceviche with a light sorrel sauce and rice paper cracker. The menu also spans dishes like fried saltfish and fig croquettes, Trini Mac Pie, loaded rice and peas, and fried chicken. Bar Avoja - Hollywood Bar Avoja, a new Roman-inspired cocktail lounge from acclaimed chef Evan Funke and Giancarlo Pagani, the managing partner of Mother Wolf Group, opens in the short-lived former Mars cocktail bar space, tucked behind Mother Wolf, on May 30. At the bar, Funke serves a menu influenced by handheld Roman street food, alongside folded and thin-crust pizza and cocktails. Frittatina di carbonara is filled with spaghetti swirled with guanciale, black pepper, and egg, while the puffy, folded Portafoglio is topped with oxtail meatballs and braised greens. Cocktails, wine, and mocktails are available to pair with Funke's cooking at the reservations-only lounge. La Ola - Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills debuted its new rooftop restaurant, La Ola, on May 30. The coastal Mexican restaurant features a menu from executive chef Jesus Medina, comprised of dishes like shrimp aguachile, carne asada platos, and tuna tostada. During the daytime, La Ola serves a more laid-back menu of tacos and paletas, while the evening brings short rib carne asada, octopus chicharron, and a tlacoyo topped with asiento and rib-eye carpaccio. Cocktails, available all day, include margaritas, a clarified strawberry daiquiri, spiked horchata, and a slushy welcome shot. Marathon Burger - Venice After receiving a warm reception for its Melrose shop in March, Samiel 'Blacc Sam' Asghedom (the brother of the late entrepreneur and rapper Nipsey Hussle) will debut Marathon Burger's second LA location on Saturday, May 31, in Venice Beach. His team will sling crispy-edged smash burgers on the Venice Beach Boardwalk next to the pickup basketball courts and Muscle Beach in a space once occupied by another LA burger favorite — the Window. Sign up for our newsletter.
Eater
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Best Dishes Eater San Francisco's Editors Ate in May
There's certainly no shortage of excellent food to be found in San Francisco and the Bay Area — but there's plenty worth skipping, too. Luckily for you, Eater editors dine out several times a week (or more) and we're happy to share the standout dishes we encounter as we go. Broccoli pizza at The Laundromat Unfortunately, it took me more than two years to learn Balboa Street's Laundromat had gluten-free pizza. The times I tried to go upon its maddeningly popular debut, I couldn't get in, giving up over time as I thought, 'Well, what can I eat at a bagels and pizza place anyways?' I'd go by in the mornings, grabbing a cup of Grand Coffee, ever curious as my friends wolfed the bagels. On a sunny evening, I finally ordered my gluten-free pie. Stupendous. Stupid springy and crispy at the same time, crackly bits of cheese on the base with light slices of fennel reigning above all the indulgent lordliness below. After the Brussels sprouts, the goat cheese was nutty and rich enough that I thought there was a base of tahini beneath the dish, and I could barely finish. Fortunately, I have reason to wait in line next time. The Laundromat (3725 Balboa Street) is open for dinner Wednesday and Thursday 5 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 10 p.m., and Sunday 5 to 8 p.m. — Paolo Bicchieri Devilish half chicken at Jules Those who have attended Max Blachman-Gentile's pop-up, Jules, know very well the mastery of his pizzas, as he's toured them around town at various restaurants since 2023. Just this month, Blachman-Gentile opened his new permanent restaurant in the Lower Haight, and yes, the pizzas are amazing as always. But this location is also a chance to see Blachman-Gentile stretch beyond the pies. So I'm here to sing the praises of one of the (non pizza) showstoppers from a recent meal: this devilish half chicken. The nicely-salted, crisp, fried chicken skin is just the eye-popping start of this dish that employees in season vegetables and herbs — here, some snap peas and mint — along with deliciously-cooked chicken underneath. I was also truly impressed by the sauce, which packs a nice heat to it without being overwhelming, and it served as a nice accompaniment to the mushroom-loaded Fun Guy pizza on the table. If I may, while you're at it, don't skip the desserts: my dining companion and I split both options, including an incredible ice cream with chocolate shell and fennel pollen on top. Jules (237 Fillmore Street) is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday. — Dianne de Guzman Squid ink fried rice at Le Soleil Also in the Richmond District (can anyone tell I moved recently?) is the simple, unadorned treasure chest of a restaurant Le Soleil: This could very well be the lead ship in the west side's restaurant armada. The extended naval metaphor is in honor of this squid ink fried rice, crowned with tobiko as garlic and scallion dot the scene and encircle the dish. The chunks of squid are well placed throughout the elegant dome of rice, allowing for chew without texture overload. The pop from the fish egg and the crisp of the fried garlic provides further balance. Ordering the quail, flambéed table side, is a sharp move. Our server said he fires a ton of them every night. When you're a captain of San Francisco dining, that comes with the territory. Le Soleil (133 Clement Street) is open Mondays 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Paolo Bicchieri Joojeh kabob at Lavash As a food editor going out on the town often, when I dine with friends, I'm typically expected to be the one to pick the location. There's nothing wrong with that, as it comes with the territory, but what I'm usually interested in is where my friends love to go for a meal on their own. I have my own lists and (insane) Google map pins, but oftentimes when I force the decision on others, I find places that aren't yet on my radar. Such was the case at Lavash, a charming Persian restaurant on Irving Street, where I had a recent lunch this month. Letting my friend take the lead on ordering, it was a truly refreshing meal, including an herb-filled sabzi paneer platter, ghormeh sabzi, and this lovely joojeh kabob. Composed of chicken breast and thighs, the marinated meat sang against the grains of perfectly cooked basmati saffron rice. This friend, a regular, thankfully knew to ask if the kitchen could add zereshk, or barberries, atop the rice, which gave everything another dimension as we tore into each bite. Pairing with this food is a gorgeous space just bursting with flowers, and it's an all-around great place to drop in for a meal, and one I'll be coming back to in the future. Lavash (511 Irving Street) is open from noon to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. — Dianne de Guzman Sign up for our newsletter.
Eater
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Mensho Ramen in Culver City Could Be LA's Best New Noodle Shop
One of Tokyo's most celebrated ramen restaurants, Mensho Ramen, opened in Culver City on May 16 without much of an announcement beyond a subtle post on Instagram from its chef, Tomoharu Shono. The small space along Culver Boulevard has already drawn modest lines for its toripaitan-based ramen, housemade wheat noodles, and inventive topping combinations. Alongside its LA expansion, Mensho has already opened two outlets in San Francisco and one in Oakland to great fanfare stateside, which means its arrival in Southern California could spark a similar response in an arguably vaster and more passionate ramen scene. Mensho keeps it fairly straightforward with a creamy, chicken-based broth that is as rich as, or even richer than, Hakata-style tonkotsu, offering a subtle sweetness that balances the thick, mochi-like noodles. The shop's signature ramen ($28), topped with tender duck slices, A5 wagyu beef, fermented pork chashu, truffle sauce, mushroom menma, smoked ajitama egg, gobo chips, and hojicha, is a torrential cavalcade of umami-rich ingredients. The toppings blend together with the heady, aromatic, and textural pleasures on par with some of the best ramen bowls in Japan. Even among LA's crowded ramen market, this is one of the most impressive bowls already. Flavor combinations extend to the Garlic Knock Out, laden with various notes of the allium, including grilled garlic, black garlic oil, minced garlic, fried garlic chips, red onion, spicy gobo chips, and a subtle chile sauce. Think of it as a redolent cousin to Mensho's signature, with a lot more crunchy texture. An Old School bowl takes out the luxe duck and A5 wagyu, keeping the toppings more classic. A chicken and lamb-based broth comprises the final meat-based variant, with spicy ground lamb, eggplant, smoked nuts, and shishito peppers offering a truly gonzo permutation. Mensho also prepares three vegan ramen bowls (a take on the Garlic Knock Out, cauliflower tan tan, and yuzu) which employ a shio koji and dashi broth. Unfortunately, the shop doesn't offer gluten-free noodles yet. Appetizers are focused yet well-executed, including corn 'wings' meant to resemble ones made with chicken, karaage fried chicken, fried horse mackerel (aji), and a negi-ikura rice bowl topped with seasoned salmon roe. The restaurant's diminutive space, previously occupied by Sweet Lily Bakery, accommodates about 40 diners at a time, including those seated at a large triangular communal table, four-tops, and counter seating. Mensho's expansion appears to have been thoughtful and slow-paced compared to competitors like Jinya and Kyuramen, which have opened dozens of locations across the country in recent years. In Culver City alone, the ramen scene is heating up with nearby Ippudo opening last month, Afuri down the block, and Moto farther west. Mensho has five stores in Japan, one in Melbourne, and another in Bangkok, and just opened a restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mensho Ramen is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays at 9516 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232. Sign up for our newsletter.
