Larchmont Village in LA
TOP NEWS: ILLEGAL RESTAURANT LARCHMONT BUNGALOW LOSES CASE AGAINST CITY. Criminal arraignment on February 10th. 
Cafe Gratitude and Ampersand Boutique opened in March. Goorin Hat Shop opened in April. Lette Macarons opened September 20th.

Larchmont Bungalow Violates LAMC

According to the Los Angeles Municipal Code, a sit-down restaurant with a gross floor area of 2,579 square feet should provide 25 parking spaces. Larchmont Bungalow only has seven (7) parking spaces, even as it serves patrons who dine on full meals on the premises.

What's even more brazen is that Larchmont Bungalow does NOT have a permit to operate a restaurant – any kind of restaurant. In 2009, it applied to convert the office building at 107 North Larchmont into a takeout and retail space. The property owner signed a legal affidavit promising the city that there would be no seating for dining. Technically called a "covenant," the notarized affidavit is an instrument used by the Department of Building and Safety in many other instances to guarantee compliance.

When Bungalow opened in October 2009, they did have seating for dining, and so their permit was REVOKED. They appealed, and their APPEAL was DENIED. Instead of working with city agencies to bring the establishment into compliance with the law (i.e., follow the terms of the legal affidavit that was signed), Bungalow decided it could preclude criminal charges by suing the city, saying that the permit was improperly revoked.

Even to this day, Bungalow has NOT received ANY permit from the city that would allow it to operate legally. That is why the city attorney's office has filed criminal charges for its blatant disregard of business requirements that every other restaurant painstakingly fulfills. The criminal arraignment is scheduled for February 10, 2012.


Address: 107 N Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone number: 323 461-1528   

Bungalow insists on referring to itself as an "award-winning tea importer" despite not having won any award. It also continues its unauthorized use of the Dine Green logo despite being asked by the Green Restaurant Association to desist.

Furthermore, in a meeting with the community, the owners categorically stated that they are a furniture store and that as such, are operating within the conditions of a takeout/retail permit. Their lawyers have also stated in the March 2011 reply brief in the civil suit that they are NOT a sit-down restaurant -- despite serving full meals with proper cutlery to patrons who leisurely consume their food on the premises.




BARGAIN HUNTERS FORM LINES OUT THE DOOR

Groupon: 4,417 deals purchased on February 8, 2011

1,863 Living Social coupons purchased on December 10, 2010

1,556 Living Social coupons purchased on July 27, 2010
 

341 Living Social coupons purchased on February 25, 2010

Total: 8,177 coupons since February 25, 2010 – all with the Larchmont Bungalow's stipulation that the coupons can only be used for dine in, and not take out.



LINKS TO RELATED ARTICLES:

City's Criminal Case Against Larchmont Bungalow
Application for a Mini-Mall in Larchmont Village?
Health Department's Official Inspection Report
Larchmont Bungalow: Furniture Store
Bungalow Calls LAPD to Arrest Reporter


Larchmont Bungalow Cafe and Bakery


   

Larchmont Bungalow: Furniture Store

In a meeting with the neighborhood, Ken Bernard and Jonathan Ahron, representing the Larchmont Bungalow, said they are operating as a take-out business.

When asked why they have tables and chairs in the restaurant, Mr. Bernard said they have furniture, including beds, to sell to their customers. There are signs posted saying all food is served “to go.”

When asked if the business is now a furniture store, Mr. Bernard said yes, that’s what their customers wanted, so that’s what they’re providing.

Asked if they’re really a furniture store, or just selling the furniture because it was there, Mr. Bernard said that in addition to food sales, the business has a bakery and lots of other retail sales.  

Mr. Ahron said it’s a “concept store,” and there are similar businesses in New York, San Francisco and other cities.  They also noted that Mr. Bernard and Mr. Ahron are tenants in the building, and not the building’s co-owners (with Albert Mizrahi), as has been reported.

When asked what percentage of the business the furniture sales represent, Mr. Ahron said he doesn’t know yet.  Mr. Bernard said furniture sales wasn’t in their original business plan, and they just started, but there has been an overwhelming response from customers.  He said they are constantly adapting to the demands of their customers.

When asked about the original purpose of the furniture that’s now for sale, Mr. Bernard said the original intent was to operate a take-out restaurant.  But the landlord signed an agreement promising no tables or chairs, so they had to change their business plan.

When asked if the furniture sales aren’t really a “clever conceit,” and whether patrons sit on the furniture while they’re eating, Mr. Bernard said customers do try out the furniture.

When asked how many pieces of furniture have been sold and what prices they’re asking for various items, Mr. Bernard said they have sold some pieces, and have the receipts to prove it.  He also said that if customers request specific pieces or brands of furniture, they will procure them.

When asked if he knew when he leased the space that this would be a sit-down restaurant, Mr. Bernard stated again that the Bungalow is a take-out restaurant, and not a sit-down restaurant.

When asked if he was aware that he was not allowed to have tables and chairs, Mr. Bernard said the landlord signed off on their original business plan.  Mr. Ahron said the City asked the owner to sign the affidavit promising no tables and chairs, but that he and Mr. Bernard were not aware of it.

When asked which of them was present in 2009 when the agreement to not have a sit-down restaurant was reached, Mr. Bernard said he and Mr. Ahron were at the meeting.  

When it was noted there is a sign at the restaurant advertising breakfast, lunch and dinner, Mr. Bernard said the sign has always been there.


The City Attorney's office has since filed criminal charges against Larchmont Bungalow; the criminal arraignment is scheduled for February 10, 2012.


LINKS TO RELATED ARTICLES:

City's Criminal Case Against Larchmont Bungalow
Application for a Mini-Mall in Larchmont Village?
Health Department's Official Inspection Report
Bungalow Calls LAPD to Arrest Reporter
Larchmont Bungalow: 8,177 Coupons for Dine-In


   

'Lette Macarons Opens on Larchmont

September 20, 2011 -- Tuesday


Lette Macarons Shop in Larchmont Village LA


'Lette Macarons of Beverly Hills has opened a retail outlet in Larchmont Village,
right next to the LF clothing store, where the Spirituali boutique once was.




Paulette Koumetz, Lette Macarons Owner


'Lette is short for the first name of the owner
Paulette Koumetz, seen here at the shop on opening day.




Lette Macarons Shop in Larchmont Village LA


Nope, they're not hiding a kitchen back there, and they appear to have all
the proper permits and fulfilled all the requirements for operating legally.


PRICES 
Individual Macaron       $ 1.70 
Gift Box of Six          $10.50
Gift Box of Twelve       $19.00
Gift Box of Twenty-Four  $38.00
Mini Box of Two          $ 4.00
'Lette Water $1.85

Lette Macarons Flavors


CURRENT POPULAR FLAVORS: Earl Grey, Sicilian Pistachio,
Madagascar Vanilla (classic), Lychee (seasonal), and more!


 For more photos, see the Larchmont LA Facebook album http://j.mp/lettelv

Also visit Lette BH's FB page, where they posted their pics! http://j.mp/lettefb

Lette Macarons is a "collaboration between Paulette Koumetz, owner and macaron enthusiast, and Christophe Michalak, French pastry chef extraordinaire and winner of the 2005 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie..."




Address: 122 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Location: north of 1st Street, south of Beverly Boulevard
East side of Larchmont Blvd. Next to LF Stores.

Phone number: (323) 469-3620

Hours open: 10 am to 6 pm, Monday to Sunday

Parking: street                 

The macarons contain nuts. None of the flavors are vegan because they all come with a filling of white chocolate ganache.  Most are gluten-free.
   

Opening Day of Café Gratitude on Larchmont

San Francisco's famous raw/vegan eatery opened on Larchmont at the the Rios Clementi Hale building on Wednesday, March 2nd, at 11:00 am. To grace the momentous occasion, founder Matthew and Terces Engelhart were on hand to greet excited first-day diners!

Matthew & Terces Engelhart of Cafe Gratitude

Photo of Matthew and Terces Engelhart by Vegas&Food


Everything on Cafe Gratitude's menu is organic, and there are raw, live, and cooked options -- salads, sandwiches, veggie burgers, sushi, pizza, roasted potatoes, tortillas, polenta, wine, tea, coffee, juices and smoothies...

 

Salad and Sandwich at Cafe Gratitude LA


The vibe in the place is so positive, with each menu item associated with an affirmation! The Caesar salad comes with the affirmation I AM DAZZLING -- it has romaine lettuce, avocado, and capers, and instead of dairy cheese, the "parmesan" is made of ground Brazil nuts.

For more photos taken on opening day, click here.

Address: 639 N Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone number: (323) 580-6383

Hours of Operation: 11am - 10pm, Monday to Sunday



Thanks to the lovely Avasa for patiently guiding us through the menu. Deep thanks to Ryland Engelhart and his parents Matthew and Terces for bringing honesty and great-tasting, guilt-free food to Larchmont. Pure love all around :)

   

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