The Year In Restaurants: 2011 Openings and Closures

Shauna L. Der

Artisan House

Los Angeles has seen its share of successes and failures. There are some restaurants that we hope will survive: the run-down burger joint down the street and the special place you took your date on Veteran's Day (who can afford Valentine's Day prix fixe menus, really?). Then there are the places you read about in Jonathan Gold's reviews, L.A. Times Food, Urban Daddy and Thrillist. And let's not forget about the San Gabriel Valley, where more than 300 restaurants opened and closed this year. Some of these spots become our new favorites and others a distant memory. As the new year approaches, we reflect on the comings and goings of 2011.

On the forecast for 2012 is 800 Degrees (from Adam Flesichman, Anthony Carron and his Umami partner Allen Ravert), BierBeisl (from former Patina chef Bernhard Mairinger), Golden Road Brewpub, Post & Beam (delayed opening is set for January 3rd due to building issues), Skylight Gardens (restaurant has not replied to our many emails), and UMAMIcatessen, to name a few.

Read on for this year's list of the most notable openings and closures:

Anne Fishbein

Sotto's house-made bread with lardo pestato

Openings:
A Ri Rang Tofu House: 529 E. Valley Blvd., Suite 128, San Gabriel; (626) 288-6069.
Aburiya Toranoko: 243 S. San Pedro St., downtown L.A.
Agency: 6021 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.
Artisan House: 600 S. Main St., L.A.

Bäco Mercat: 408 S Main St., L.A.; (213) 687-8808.
Bao Dim Sum House: 8256 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 655-6556.
Bar Comida: (inside Chez Melange) 1611 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach.
Batch: 8631 Washington Blvd., Culver City; (310) 202-8631.
Beer Bar: 2835 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake.
Berlin Currywurst: 3827 W Sunset Blvd., L.A; (323) 663-1989.
Boho: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd; (323) 465-8500.
Boulevard Tavern: 6683 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.
Beachwood BBQ and Brewing: 210 E. 3rd St., Long Beach.
Black Market Liquor Bar: 11915 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; (818) 446-2533.
Boiling Crab: 3377 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 115, LA.; (213) 389-2722.
Bugatta: 7174 Melrose Ave., L.A.; (323) 964-9494.
Bia Hoi Lounge at Gingergrass: 2396 Glendale Blvd., L.A.
BRÜ Haus: 11831 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; (310) 473-2337.

C. Soudry

Westwood's newest Mexican resturant: Casa Azul

Cafe Entourage: 1600 Vine St., Hlywd; (323) 467-4200.
Cafe Livre et Le Marche: 9626 Venice Blvd., L.A.
Cafe Sorrento: 16616 Ventura Blvd., Encino.
California Monster Salads: 411 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 587-2523.
Carmela Ice Cream: 2495 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena.
Carmela Ice Cream Truck
Casa Azul Cantina: 10853 Lindbrook Drive, L.A.; (310) 209-0666.
Caulfield's at the Thompson: 9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 388-6860.
Congregation Ale House: 201 E. Broadway, Long Beach; (626) 441-2337.
Craig's: 8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; (310) 276-1900.
Chimú: 324 S. Hill St., L.A.
The Churchill: 8384 W. 3rd St., L.A.
Coly's Stromboli: 456 S. Hill St., LA.; (213) 627-9990.
Chipotle: 11690 San Vicente Blvd., L.A.; (424) 652-4336.
Currywurst: 109 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A.
85°C Bakery-Café: 17170 Colima Road #A, Hacienda Heights; (626) 839-7885.
Chick-Fil-A: 6750 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A.
Currywurst: 109 N Fairfax Ave., L.A.; (323) 413-2627.
The Counter: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.; (310) 282-8888.
Chi Dynasty (at The Americana at Brand): 889 Americana Way, Glendale; (818) 500-9888.
The Churchill: 8384 W. 3rd St., L.A.
Coco Ichibanya: 1380 S. Fullerton Rd. #106 Rowland Heights. 626-581-1999.
Cooks County: 8009 Beverly Blvd., L.A.; (323) 653-8009.
Coolhaus: 8555 Washington Blvd., Culver City.

Deck 33 at Custom Hotel: 8639 Lincoln Blvd., L.A.; (310) 645-0400.
Dog Haus Biergarten: 93 E. Green Street, Old Pasadena.
District 13: 1556 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A.
Daily Dose: 1820 Industrial St., Los Angeles.

Erbe Matte: 340 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 273-6500.
Escuela: 308 N. Stanley Ave., L.A.; (323) 939-8226.

Fat Spoon: 329 E 1st St., Los Angeles; (213) 621-7890.
Fukuburger LA: 1634 Cahuenga; Hollywood; (323) 464-3858.
Freebirds World Burrito: 3335 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles; (213) 746-1212.
Freshii: 110 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles.
Go Burger: 6290 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood.
Fig & Olive: 8490 Melrose Pl, West Hollywood; (310) 360-9100.
Five Guys: 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Ste 1301, Culver City; (310) 391-0603.
Freebirds World Burrito: The Shoppes at Marina Del Rey, 4025 Del Rey Ave., Marina del Rey; (310) 306-9600.
Fundamental LA: 1303 Westwood Blvd., Westwood; (310) 444-7581.
Flying Pig Cafe: 141 South Central Ave., L.A., (213) 621-0300.
Fonuts: 8104 West 3rd St., L.A.

Grindhaus Sausage Shop: 5634 Hollywood Blvd., LA.
Grindhaus Sausage Truck
Grom: 3886 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu.
Garage Pizza: 100 1/2 W. 7th St., L.A.; (213) 662-3390.
Golden Road Brewing: 5410 W. San Fernando Road, L.A.
Goodie Girls: 415 East Broadway #100, Glendale.

Hooters (downtown LA): 1248 S. Figueroa St., L.A.
Happy Eating Restaurants: 140 W. Valley Blvd. # 211, San Gabriel.
Harvard & Stone: 5221 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 466-6063.
Heirloom LA Food Truck
Homeboy Diner: 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles.
Hollywood Magic Bar: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.

ink.sack: 8360 Melrose Ave., #107, West Hollywood.

Joe's Pizza: 6504 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.; (323) 467-9500.
Jamie's Kitchen: 1038 Westwood Blvd., Westwood.
Jersey Grub Truck

Katsuya: 858 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach; (949) 793-4030.
Kachi: 1055 Willshire Blvd., L.A.
Komodo: 8809 W. Pico Blvd., L.A.

Larry's: 24 Windward Ave., Venice; (310) 399-2700.
Lindy & Grundy: 801 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 951-0804.
Lukshon: 3238 Helms Ave. Culver City; (310) 287-2770.
Lette Macarons: 122 N Larchmont Blvd., L.A.; (323) 469-3620.
Le Cellier Wine Bar: 417 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey; (424) 228-5491.
Local 1205: 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice.
Local Express: 317 S. Broadway, L.A.

Mas Malo: 515 W. 7th St., downtown L.A.; (323) 664-1011.
Maui and Sons: 6708 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles.
Mezze: 401 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles.
The Market at Santa Monica Place: 395 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica.
Mr. C: 1224 Beverwil Drive, L.A.; (310) 226-6245.
MexiKosher: 8832 W Pico Blvd., LA.; (310) 271-0900.
Maximiliano's: 5930 York Blvd., Highland Park.
Mendocino Farms: 7100 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 512-2700.
Mercado di Vetro: 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (310) 859-8369.
Meshuga 4 Sushi: 526 N. La Brea Ave., West Hollywood; (323) 964-9985.

Naan Hut: 11551 Santa Monica Blvd. L.A.; (310) 481-9820.
Nibble Bit Tabby Brewery: 2001 South Santa Fe Ave., L.A.
101 Noodle Express: 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City.
Naya: 3705 Sunset; Silver Lake; (323) 663-8268.
No Tomatoes!: 8516 W 3rd St., l.A.; (310)289-1133.

Oak Fire Pizzeria & Pub: 13359 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.
The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.: 262 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 786-7400.
Olive & Thyme: 4012 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake.
Osaka: 6327 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 785-0360.
Oldfield's Liquor Room: 10899 Venice Blvd., L.A.

Papilles: 6221 Franklin Ave., L.A.
The Pie Hole: 714 Traction Ave., L.A.; (213) 537-0115.
Le Pour Haus: 1850 Industrial St., L.A.
Playa: 7360 Beverly Blvd., L.A.
Pressed Juicery: 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.
Public School 612: 612 S Flower St., Los Angeles; (213) 623-1172.
Papaya King: 1645 Wilcox Ave., L.A.
Picca: 9575 W. Pico. Blvd. L.A.; (310) 277-0133.
Palmilla Cocina y Tequila: 39 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach; (310) 374-4440.

Ramen Yamadaya: 1248 Westwood Blvd., L.A.; (310) 474-1600.
Ray and Stark Bar: (at LACMA): 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; (323) 857-6180.
Red Hill: 1325 Echo Park Ave. L.A.
Rosewood Tavern: 448 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A.
Red Rooster Bakery: 1013 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 399-1033.
Rosé: 861 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A.
Rascal Gastropub: 801 S. La Brea Ave., LA. (323) 933-3229.
Rosa Mexicano: 8570 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.
Rocket Fizz: 1067 Broxton Ave., L.A.; (310) 208-4509.

Saba Sushi: 7160 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; (323) 936-7222.
Sen Asian Kitchen: 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City; (310) 277-7708
Son of a Gun: 8370 W. 3rd St., L.A.; (323) 782-9033
Sotto: 9575 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Wood & Vine: 6280 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 334-3360.
Spare Room: Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; (323) 769-7296.
SugarFish: 1345 2nd St., Santa Monica; (310) 393-3338.
The Spice Table: 114 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles; (213) 620-1840.
Spring For Coffee: 817 S. Los Angeles St., LA.
Stacked: Del Amo Fashion Center, 3525 W. Carson St., Torrance.
Seed Bistro: 11917 Wilshire Blvd., Brentwood.
Seventy 7 Lounge: 3843 Main St., Culver City.
SmithHouse: 10351 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.
Short Order: 6333 W. Third St., Ste. 110, L.A.; (323) 761-7970.
Short Cake: 6333 W Third St., Stall #316, L.A.; (323) 761-7976.
Sqirl: 720 N Virgil Ave., L.A.

Tender Greens: 621 East Colorado Ave., Pasadena; (626) 405-1511.
Ten Pound at The Montage: 225 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 860-7800.
3Twenty Wine Lounge: 320 S. La Brea Ave., LA. (323) 932-9500.
Trovino: 7166 Melrose Avenue, L.A.
Two Bits Market: 210 W. Fifth St., downtown L.A.
Taste of Chong Qing: 172 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 288-1357.
Tasty Village: 140 W. Valley Blvd., Suite 209, San Gabriel, (626) 571-1178.
Tender Greens: 201 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 587-2777.
Take a Bao: 11838 Ventura Blvd., Studio City.

Urban Masala: 6554 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.; (323) 957-9999.

Venga: 460 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills.
Vodvil: 333 N. Fairfax Avenue, L.A.
Vive la Crepe: 368 N. Camden Dr., Beverly Hills; (310) 278-8377.
The Vol. 94: 239 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; (626) 356-9494.

Waffle Chix: 1059 Broxton Ave., L.A.
Wirtshaus: 345 N. La Brea Ave., LA. (323) 931-9291; wirtshausla.com.
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel Air: 701 Stone Canyon Road, L.A.; (310) 909-1644.
Wolf in Sheep's Clothing at Capri Restaurant, 1616 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice.

Yu Pin: 535 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 281-0788.

Read on for 2011's restaurant closures