The space that was last Colors on Bedford (and Carroll O'Connor's many years before) is set to become Luau of Beverly Hills. It heralds the return of one of LA's most fabled names – back in the '40s and '50s, The Luau was a leader in the pseudo Polynesian Movement that swept through Southern California – complete with big drinks and little umbrellas, but much better food thanks to chef Makoto Tanaka (Mako). Expect a late February opening (369 N. Bedford Dr.).
It isn't just BH getting a blast from the past. This year Downtown LA will see the return of one of its great dining rooms, the venerable space that was for almost a century Cole's PE Buffet (named for its location in the old Pacific Electric Building). Its revival, known as Cole's, is the first project for clubmeister Cedd Moses (Seven Grand) and master chef Neal Fraser (Grace, bld), who plan to return it to its former glory with food both retro and fresh. Sadly, extensive remodeling may delay its opening till late in the year (118 E. 6th St.).
After more than two decades of creating some of the edgiest Latino cooking in SoCal, Susan Feniger (Border Grill) returns to the cuisine she created back in the '80s at City Restaurant – "international street food" drawn from her travels around the world. Called Street, the Hollywood newcomer is due for a summer opening in the space that was last The Dive (742 N. Highland Ave.).
Contract the names of Suzanne Tracht (Jar, Tracht's) and her chef de cuisine Preech Narkthong and you get Suzpree, their new project in Century City scheduled to open by late summer. Long in the works, it will give the home cooking concept of Jar an Asian twist with lots of noodle dishes and a beverage list that spans the globe (2000 Avenue of the Stars).