Peripatetic chef Laurent Quenioux, best known for Downtown's erstwhile 7th Street Bistro, is due to return with Bistro LQ in the space currently occupied by Jean Pierre Bosc's Mimosa (Bosc will continue with his Café des Artistes in Hollywood). After a fresh coat of paint and a redesign, expect an opening in mid-July (8009 Beverly Blvd.).
With La Cachette Bistro due to open in Santa Monica by August 1, chef Jean Francois Meteigner is opting to close (except for private parties) his Century City–adjacent original at the end of July. He's also talking about launching a new La Cachette in Century City proper, once his LC Bistro is up and running.
Restaurants have come and gone in the space adjacent to the Pasadena Playhouse over the years; the latest to arrive is the New American Elements Kitchen, due to open this summer (39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena).
Quinn and Karen Hatfield have opted to move their minuscule (and much loved) Hatfield's
to move into the Red Pearl space. In the meantime, there's talk
that the Hatfield's space will be occupied by chef Mark Gold, formerly
of Leatherby's Café Rouge in Costa Mesa – watch this space for further details.
Finally, rumors are flying that chef-restaurateur Philippe Chow (of Philippe in NYC, Mexico City, Miami Beach, East Hampton – and soon in Las Vegas) is on the hunt for an LA location, possibly Dolce on Melrose if they move…or possibly not. Wherever he winds up, in the tradition of Wolfgang versus Wolfgang, we'll now have Chow versus Chow, an interesting development since Philippe used to cook at Mr. Chow. Let the won ton wars begin!