The space at 362 Camden has seen a few restaurants come and go, most recently Madeo and Domo before that. Now a new contender is giving the tricky location a try. An ABC application recently went up on the front that doesn’t list a business name. The applicant is listed as CIP Camden BH Manager LLC. Could the CIP be a reference to famous Italian brand Cipriani, which was reported to be coming to this address a year and half ago? Hmmm….
An eagle-eyed reader (Thanks Deryck!) wrote to tell me about a new ABC application on the cavernous build-out at 433 N Camden in Beverly Hills (corner of S Santa Monica). While the plywood prevents us from seeing what is going on inside, the application lists the name of the new eatery as Gravitas. I don’t have any more information than that, but I’m sensing a big story here. Let me know if you have any answers…
A while ago, I wondered at the papered-over windows of frozen-in-amber java joint Brighton Coffee Shop, that has stood on the corner of Brighton and Camden for over 90 years. Thankfully, I had a chance to talk with spokesperson who assured me that they will reopen the beloved coffee spot. It’s simply getting a modern upgrade with a fresh new look: Think French woven cafe chairs and bright cheery colors. The menu, I’m told, will stay pretty much the same. It looks like they’re close to reopening…
Normally sleepy Camden Dr., in The Golden Triangle, has recently become a hive of restaurant activity. Work is progressing on Beverly Bar. The earstwhile H.O.M.E. space appears to be leased. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on at the fossilized Brighton Coffee Shop (the windows are papered over). And now a new ABC application has appeared on the front of 420 N. Camden naming the business as Gion Beverly Hills. And what is that? I’ll leave the description to them… This from their Yelp page:
“Named after the famous geisha district, Gion in Kyoto, Japan. Gion Beverly Hills is the first and only traditional Japanese tea house that features actual geisha from Japan. We offer the rare opportunity to view a live geisha performance and have interactions with the artists. Along with the geisha show we also serve a delicious tasting menu inspired by Kyoto’s four seasons accompanied by a tea ceremony featuring wagashi (traditional tea ceremony dessert) that will serve as your dessert course.”
I recently noticed an ABC application taped to the front of what had been formerly understated sandwich shop Everyday Cafe Seletto in a quieter part of The Golden Triangle at 434 N Camden. The application lists the new business as Beverly Bar. According to this article, the owner Matthew Raanan is working in partnership with Chef Felix Garcia owner of Toca Madera and Tocaya Organica. Otherwise, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of info out there quite yet.
The Golden Triangle in general, and S. Santa Monica Blvd. in particular, have long been tricky locations for restaurants, but the current COVID crisis appears to be accelerating the departures. Panini Kabob Grill stood like a sentinel on the corner of Camden and S. Santa Monica, and was a popular lunch destination. But sadly, a large for lease sign now indicates that they have indeed permanently thrown in the towel at this location.
Toddrickallen 