One of our biggest permitting challenges came to us through Tintorera, the newly-opened seafood-centered Mexican food restaurant in Silver Lake. When Mexico City restaurateur Walter Meyenberg approached us about helping him open his first restaurant in the U.S., we immediately started researching the property’s background.   The restaurant’s space looked perfect for what Walter envisioned — a small indoor property for the restaurant’s kitchen and speakeasy and a large adjacent outdoor patio that could seat the bulk of Tintorera’s diners. The main problem? The entirety of the outdoor patio had been illegally constructed by the property’s previous owners, meaning that Tintorera could not legally utilize the patio even though the restaurant previously operating at the address had.   Since the … Continued

Recently, on a flight from Rome to New York I met a woman whom I will call Kathleen. Our conversation began awkwardly as she noticed my concern while she swallowed a handful of pills with her Baileys and cream. She laughed and reassured me that what she had was not contagious, but PTSD. Kathleen was in the US Army, and had recently left active duty.  Now she was here, sharing her stories and pretzels with me.   It’s a 10 hour flight; the conversation we shared that evening went deep and made its mark. We discussed our struggles growing up, our life paths, and her feelings about military life. At one point, she asked, “when did you realize that hospitality … Continued

We are excited to receive the City Los Angeles Green Business Certification. This Certification is awarded to businesses that volunteer to operate in a more environmentally responsible or sustainable manner.To become a Certified Green Business, participants must meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste and be in compliance with all environmental laws and regulations. To learn more about Los Angeles Green Business Certification click here.  

  The development of Grand Central Market in Downtown LA is an exciting process that I’m happy to be a part of. Our client Eggslut now has lines around the block on Hill Street where it serves top-notch breakfast bites out of its new counter-style stall. I was first approached by Eggslut co-owner Alvin Cailan when he was running a very successful, breakfast-focused food truck in Downtown LA. I was eager to get involved in the development of Grand Central Market. Eggslut had already been in negotiations with the Market, but there was one hurdle. We needed to help them maintain existing non-conforming rights for open-air dining. The problem was that Eggslut had been closed for more than 90 days, at … Continued

  I first met Bar Ama chef-owner Josef Centeno when he was executive chef at Opus. We got along right away because we have a lot in common. Josef (who we like to call “Brosef”) works quickly. He’s firm but friendly. I feel like, when a business relationship is strong, that reflects in the work. Josef aspired to open a Tex-Mex restaurant, and I knew we could make it happen. He now lords over Bar Ama (and his other two DTLA restaurants Lazy Ox and Orsa & Winston) with the same easy ambition that’s made him a favorite on the LA culinary scene. He also brings killer food over to the office sometimes—his panna cotta makes the FE team very happy. … Continued

Here at FE Design, we face a lot of challenges—that’s our job—but Traction Avenue Brewpub has definitely been one of our more demanding projects. And I’m happy to say we were triumphant in the end. As a resident and longtime lover of the Arts District, I’m honored to be a part of the development of this exciting area. The 213 Group is a nightlife organization I had always aspired to work with as a young bartender, playing music and living in a loft on 2nd and Santa Fe back in the ‘90s. I remember when I first saw the change happen in the Arts District when the Savoy building went in on 1st and Alameda. This kind of change is … Continued