Thursday, October 05, 2006

RIP: More LA Restaurant Changes/Closures


The times, they are a-changin’

As you know, Los Angeles is a fast city. Stores spring up and shut down, people move away and decide they miss the SoCal sun too much and come on back. And traffic, well, maybe that could go a little bit faster. The restaurant scene is no exception. A couple of your favorite places have recently closed, and the people behind Hungry? Los Angeles thought you should know! Of course, there are others that have quickly taken their place.

Banyan Water Garden CafĂ© on 1140 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach has merged with another restaurant to become Chakra Restaurant and Lounge. The food is “Euro Pan Asian fusion,” with dishes including satays, lemongrass ceviche, guava sake mahi mahi, and killer mojitos. No lunch. Dinner Mon-Sat, 6-10pm. Friday and Saturday, resident DJ spins until 1:30 am. Accepts all major credit cards. Parking structure close by. Chakra Restaurant and Lounge: 304 12th St., Manhattan Beach; (310) 545-1881.

Posh on Pico has ended its reign over Latin-American cuisine at 5542 W Pico Blvd., but thankfully, the restaurant is relocating (we imagine somewhere on Pico, unless a name-change is in store). Check online for opening updates, or email for information to mc@poshonpico.com

Atwater Village’s Osteria Nonni (3219 Glendale Blvd.) has closed, and has become Canele. Owners are Corina Weibel and Jane Choi of Corina’s Kitchen Inc. Check it out. Canale: 3219 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village; (323) 666-7133.

Stacks and stacks of waffles with any topping of you like on Sunset are no longer an option, at Wacky Waffles, at least. 8226 W Sunset Blvd. has said goodbye to waffles and hello to, well, nothing at the moment.

And lastly, Madame Matisse is no longer serving dinner, sigh, but they're still open for breakfast and lunch 7:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m; 3536 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake 90026 (323) 662-4862.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we wouldn’t want you making the drive to find a Rite Aid in place of your favorite eatery!

—Your friends at the Hungry City Guides