At a grand reopening on March 19, hundreds packed in to see Hollywood’s newest restaurant, or second oldest, if you don’t count its absence from 1953 to that night. What patrons saw was a restored beamed ceiling and cast walls (designed in 1927 by famed architects Morgan, Walls and Clements who also created the El Capitan Building down the street) with a new restaurant and bar/ counter designed to evoke the glamour of the past.

Though originally more of a café and sandwich restaurant with an extensive line of candy (including their own brand) the new restaurant features full meals and drinks. Owners Chris Breed and Allan Hajjar spent over a year bringing the project together and have invested over $1 million. They also own and operate the highly successful Sunset Room on Cahuenga Blvd.

The building needed extensive code and seismic upgrades. It was completely gutted of its previous incarnation as a pizza parlor, which had extensive fire damage and other forms of insensitive remodeling. Historic elements scattered throughout the building’s interior and exterior were uncovered, repaired in place, or relocated where they could be better seen (such as the Pig ‘n Whistle Malibu Tiles downstairs, now located at the entryway).

Also of note is the beautiful stained glass used at the front of the building. This and many other added elements are new to the space, but lend a definite feeling of Hollywood’s golden era to the diners inside or the passersby outside. At night, the recreated neon signs and restored concrete and metal façade and marquee bring to life an important part of Hollywood’s history.

Hollywood Heritage congratulates Chris Breed, Allan Hajjar, and managers Steve Lipp and Rosalind Barnes for their heroic undertaking in bringing a beloved Hollywood landmark back to life.