Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. The cafe is a popular brunch destination serving delicious crepes, all kinds of breakfast foods, salads and sandwiches. Very good food - Vietnamese inspired. If there was a Dave & Busters in the 1930s, this would be it. Get the latest from KCRW in your inbox 3x a week. Enter through an obscure passage at the rear of the building. Clifton's Republic - The Neverlands We freaked out on rice wraps served with peanut sauce. All photographs by Gideon Brower. You can also get some grab-and-go items from the Old Mill Caf, right by the front entrance. Meieran purchased the establishment in 2010 and dedicated his time to preserving its unique atmosphere and menu. Those whove been dying to eat at the new Cliftons waited in line until its doors opened at 11 a.m., and the first 25 were rewarded with a postcard voucher that was good for a free lunch. My boyfriend had a different dish, but unfortunately I cannot remember what it was. LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. Let me know in the comments below. Clifton's Cafeteria still serving -- and has no plans to stop Reservations We invite you to explore the lands of the Republic and discover our many hidden coves, romantic venues and astonishing sights! All I know is we both thought the food was excellent. In fact, you might not have heard of this area at all. Made in L.A. Streaming music, news & culture from KCRW Santa Monica, Live streaming music, news & culture from KCRW Santa Monica. Since Clifton's had just started serving a few minutes prior, we might have earned the distinction of having the first big spill in the reopened food emporium. Frankly, too expensive but all with it because Clifton's is nostalgic! Inquire at Reservations@TheNeverlands.com for all your needs and be sure to specify guest count, location preference, date and time in your request. It's cafeteria food!!! Clifton's Cafeteria - Los Angeles, California - Atlas Obscura Clifton's opened in 1935 and has been operational at the same location on . The new season of LAist Studios' WILD podcast is a fictional rom-com set in Southeast L.A. Diners play a big role in fostering conversation between the shows' two hosts this season. It's cafeteria food!!! The perfect way to extend a great date is to grab dessert at one of these spots! Frankly, too expensive but all with it because Clifton's is nostalgic! Then, when the pandemic began, the restaurant decided to close down completely to focus on a multi-million dollar renovation of the entire building. 36 PHO CO, Weimar - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor Good Food braves the Great Outdoors, Axe throwing hits the target at this Koreatown bar, With confidence and a sleeping bag, Ivy Le doles out camping advice, Ashley Jones loves finding and refurbishing cast iron cookware, Screenwriter Rodney Barnes on Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Get vulnerable with soul-pop songwriter Emily King: Live from KCRW HQ, Weekend film reviews: Joy Ride, Amanda, WHAM!. Basement Tavern is a secret underground bar hidden below The Victorian. Heres How To Start Your Search, Emmery Muoz, 14, Was Killed In LA 17 Years Ago. "When people think of a cafeteria, they think institution. "West Adams" refers to the area of central Los Angeles around West Adams Boulevard Hollywood, CA is known for many things - its nightlife, the entertainment industry, and sometimes as a tourist trap. Meieran and his dedicated team spent four years restoring and reimagining the beloved eatery. Brian. Regular customers asked where theyd go without Cliftons, he said. Today, put a dollar value on the trustworthy reporting you rely on all year long. All rights reserved. The food more than made up for it. A post shared by La Descarga (@ladescargala) on May 29, 2018 at 7:19pm PDT, What are your favorite vintage bars in LA? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Emilija smiled when she had the food. Its still worth checking out! This location, which opened back in 1935, closed down after the purchase until its official reopening in 2015. Drop us a Note: We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. We cant reply to every query we receive but we will try to help. How could they not? Not the Same but still Cool - Clifton's Republic - Tripadvisor If you're looking for a way to extend a dinner date that is going really well, consider checking out Sawtelle Japantown, just east of the 10 Freeway near the 405. Eis-Cafe Dolomiti. This includes the Pacific Seas tiki bar on the fourth floor and the Monarch Bar on the second floor. In 2010, after seventy-five years in the family of founder Clifford Clinton, Clifton's sold to entrepreneur and former Conservancy Board Member Andrew Meieran. It created a weird dilemma for us from day one. A version of this storyfirst appeared on KCRWs Design & Architecture blog. And this is just another step in the evolution.. There were six Clifton Cafeteria's and the Broadway and Olive street locations were listed in the Green Book. Originally opening in 1935, Clifton's underwent a $10 million renovation and re-opened in 2015. But be warned, it can get super crowded during peak periods. Mary MacVean is the former Mind & Body editor at the Los Angeles Times. $44.35. Clifton's Cafeteria, one of Los Angeles' oldest and largest restaurants, is a legacy of a very different era -- a place where Jell-O desserts are still king, and lunch specials come with a big . Well, answers to both have finally arrived. This was, of course, the height of the great Depression-not exactly the best time to be opening a new business. take on authentic Vietnamese, and those Bao burgers were just mouth watering! These are my favorite restaurants, along with some other great activities to do there with a date, day or night! It's cafeteria food!!! Clifton's Brookdale, as it was once known, was part of the Clinton family's cafeteria empire, which had a 79-year run that ended with the sale of a long-term lease to Meieran in 2010. You can listen to his report from Cliftons, below. I had the Pho Co breakfast with thedumplings and the mango & coconut sticky rice and it was absolutely delicious (provided you like dumplings for breakfast of course, which I do). I hope you find it useful! Busy with what appeared to be many locals. This place can get insanely crowded on the weekends, but come here on a weeknight for a quiet time with someone special, or to check out their whiskey collection. So he instituted a "Pay What You Wish" policy. from. One lucky, FAMILY AFFAIR: INSIDE SNOOP DOGG AND HIS BOSS LADY, By continuing to use our site, you agree to our, Does Threads Not Allow You To Delete Your Profile? The Coolest Vintage Bars in Los Angeles That Are Sure to Amaze Burger extravaganza, Very good and friendly place for vietnam food. Save. People also searched for these in Lakewood: What are people saying about cliftons cafe in Lakewood, CA? It's exotic decor is ideal if you are in the mood for an eccentric outing. These are some cliftons cafe with a large number of reviews in Lakewood, CA. klein aber fein! Update as of January 2020: Clifton's no longer serves food. Very happy customers and a must visit while in Weimar. Their patients dont know where they went, How second-generation owners of 99 Ranch are turning the Asian supermarket into a national powerhouse. in 3 reviews [Franklin Avenue] Eater LA More From Eater LA Best Dishes Eater Editors Ate This Week Eater Staff Welton Becket and then-partner Walter Wurdeman designed the forest-themed wonderland of dining, which became a destination for generations of Angelenos. Now, we know what's going to become of it. The restaurant had suffered from changing times and demographics, and from years of deferred maintenance. Cliftons is set to reopen after having to close down since the pandemic. It is" read more. Owner Andrew Meieran has used the time to restructure several aspects of the restaurant, first reported by the Los Angeles Times. Clifton's Cafeteria: For the Hungry and the Creative Why A Key Program Is Falling Short, An Agonizing Battle With Schizophrenia Ends On A California Freeway. Conservancy. This was a tall order: how do you make a century-old building economically viable without compromising the integrity of a place that was extremely important to generations of people? But Clifford Clinton wasn't in business solely to make money; he also hated to see people go hungry. dumplings and the mango & coconut sticky rice and it was absolutely delicious (provided you like dumplings for breakfast of course, which I do). In 1931 he opened Clifton's Cafeteria at Olive and 6th in downtown L.A. The Victorian is a charming vintage mansion on Santa Monicas Main Street. The restaurant, now called Clifton's Republic, will partially open mid-October at its original location at 648 S. Broadway. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. Thus innovative, sophisticated and cultured attire is highly encouraged. The news that the downtown building housing Cliftons Cafeteria is for sale worried its customers and employees, says Robert Clinton, president of Cliftons Cafeteria Inc. And that's kind of a no-win situation," he says. Items will still be priced "within reason," according to Meiran, and focused on local, organic ingredients. Now, its a hipster hangout featuring board games and brews nestled in the always interesting Downtown LA Arts District. Good Foods Evan Kleiman delivers local-first missives from our vibrant food community. A place where you could grab a tray and eat 'gourmet' food from a huge diverse buffet. Send it our way. If you're enjoying this article, you'll love my daily morning newsletter, How To LA. One of our Ambassadors will get back to you within 24 hours to confirm your itinerary. Clifton's Cafeteria, once part of a chain of eight Clifton's restaurants, is the oldest surviving cafeteria style eatery in Los Angeles. Clifton's Republic, also known as Clifton's Brookdale, Clifton's Cafeteria or just plain Clifton's, originally opened during. . This swanky bar and bowling alley(!) For updates from the restaurant, clickhere. 36 Pho Co is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers: Marktstrasse 1 Kaufstrasse 5, 99423 Weimar, Thuringia Germany. Perfect to satisfy all of your Steampunk needs, it also has live music and entertainment on some nights.Although there is a dress code, this place is not pretentious; its enforced to preserve the vintage ambiance! Wonderful little bakery. We have a commitment to our associates [employees] and our customers.. Zeppi's Cafe-bistro. Sometimes its rented out for special events, but other times, its open as a bar or even as a Salsa club. Was there 2 days in a row to enjoy the food. We were too expensive and potentially going off the mark for some people. This was a surprise for us as we stumbled on it while roaming around the Market. Purveyor of the worlds most extraordinary and innovative hospitality experiences. Learn More >. 2 reviews Closed Now. Try it if your touring and tiring of German food. Something opening or closing in your hood? Originally named Clifton's Brookdale, the restaurant was designed to emulate the Brookdale Lodge in the Santa Cruz mountains, which sported a lake stream running through the restaurant, stocked with real trout. 10 things you need to know about the new Clifton's cafeteria If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Proprietor Andrew Meiran, who also oversees the Edison, confirmed that the cafeteria at Clifton's has been closed since mid-September, but he hopes to re-reopen it in the first few months of 2019 after he transforms it into a high-end food hall. Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Clifton's cafeteria is finally reopening, crammed with curiosities on We cant wait to see what the final level and the new tiki bar which is scheduled to open around Halloween will be like. Note there is a dress code. I could have made up with more light though. The first floor of Clifton's Cafeteria I've already raved about Clifton's in my Top 20 Downtown LA Date Ideas article; it's one of my favorite Downtown LA hangouts. CLIFTON'S RESTAURANTS - 22 Photos & 34 Reviews - 648 S Broadway, Los It's cafeteria food!!! Not really happy campers at this place. Clifton's BBQ 62 Southern Soul Food Barbeque $ "This BBQ spot is wonderful. Now, we know what's going to become of it. Learn how your comment data is processed. The pho was fantastic after some delicious nems as starter. On weekends, there is DJd music on the second floor and live Swing band on the third floor in the Brookdale Ballroom. It encompasses the most happening stretches of the Sunset Strip, Santa Monica Boulevard, and Melrose Avenue. Surrounded by dark wood and leather, youll find respite here from the tourists roaming outside. The family wants a buyer who will then rent the space back to them and who has a fondness for historical properties. The Clintons bought the building in 2006.Cliftons is the last of eight cafeterias the company once operated in Southern California. The restaurant itself is a very nice representation of the culture. We have seating indoors and outdoors on our patios and . If you have a favorite location, special occasion or specific desires, we encourage you to reserve seating to optimize your Adventure! A unique Vietnamese experience. It is especially fun for kids!". Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Afterwards, take a walk down to the pier. The first customer in line, L.A. native Betty Martinez, got a vintage Cliftons food tray signed by Meieran as well. Specialties: The Clifton Cafe is located in the historic town of Clifton. CLIFTON'S REPUBLIC - 3662 Photos & 2123 Reviews - 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, California - Bars - Phone Number - Yelp Write a Review Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Clifton's Republic 3.2 (2,123 reviews) Claimed $$ Bars, Venues & Event Spaces, Dance Clubs Edit Closed See hours See all 3.8k photos Write a review Add photo Share Save Menu If you really want to impress a date, you should document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The downtown icon changed hands in 2010 but reopened, restored and reimagined, in 2015. Reminiscent of eras long past, Clifton's still serves bowls of Jell-O, candied prunes, and a damn good banana cream pie. Once we paid for our food (lunch for two came to a little over $50, but we got a lot for it, including carved turkey and mashed potatoes, a chicken sandwich, French fries, mac and cheese, three desserts and two drinks) the fun part began: deciding where to sit within Cliftons eye-catching tree- and animal-adorned bars and dining areas. We can't hold those in power accountable and uplift voices from the community without your partnership. Ultimately, the building will house two restaurants and five bars, including a tiki-themed bar (a nod to Cliftons Pacific Seas) featuring items from the now-closed Bahooka restaurant in Rosemead. Clifton's Cafeteria - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia The Wolves is a Parisian-style bar at the Alexandria hotel in Downtown LA, meticulously restored and decorated to its early 20th century glory days. The Monarch Bar on the second floor, the Gothic Bar on the third floor and the the Pacific Seas on the fourth floor are open Wednesday through Saturday, while the Ballroom Bar on the third floor and the Treetops on the fourth floor are open Friday and Saturday. (The original image is no longer available, please contact, Road trip! Issue Overview In 2010, after seventy-five years in the family of founder Clifford Clinton, Clifton's sold to entrepreneur and former Conservancy Board Member Andrew Meieran. Relax in their velvet couches or have a crpe out back next to the vintage LA trolley car. Each station in the marketplace will function like a mini-market or a deli with pre-packaged items and/or foods that you can buy for takeaway or eat on the premises. See About archive blog posts. Clifton's Cafeteria is a historic eatery on Grand Ave that has been a staple of Los Angeles for almost a century. Copyright 2020 Los Angeles Conservancy. Clifton's reopened to the public in the fall of 2015. Clifton's Cafeteria, once part of a chain of eight Clifton's restaurants, was the oldest surviving cafeteria-style eatery in Los Angeles[1] and the largest public cafeteria in the world[2] when it closed in 2018. We were not disappointed in choosing this restaurant, only disappointment was it was only our 2nd day of our trip wherewed usually eat this type food 5 or more days in, but there werent any of this type in a future travels. This site is all about the best places in Los Angeles and Orange County to go to on a date.