Norman's is closing - Last chance for Pig Roast/Paella

[CarlieInLA]

Hello,

As a previous poster mentioned in the Conch Fritter's post, Norman's on Sunset is closing November 11th. I called and they are having their final Pig Roast/Paella dinner November 3rd & 10th in case anyone wants to go. We made our reservations, we really liked that restaurant are are sorry to see it go.

Norman's on Sunset
8570 W Sunset Blvd,
West Hollywood, 90069
[phone]

[netmover]

Wow....I was there for the opening and have not been back since...I live in South Beach. Anyhow, I cannot agree more with all your valid points both good and bad...the food is fine, although they had trouble executing from the get-go with that european style line where everything has to pass from the back to the front as opposed to an american line which is horizontal as opposed to verticle. Chefs would have to stop cooking to pass their counterparts plates up to the front?

The name: F
That poster: F
The location: C
I don't know LA all that well, but hell, it is the Sunset Strip! I guess that's not exactly the BH crowd...but isn't Hollywood Hills just up over yonder?
The cuisine: A
The service: B
The ambiance: A
I loved those private rooms they did.
The Sommalier: A
Peter is not only knowledgable, but a good guy too.

The shame of it all is I think the MIA store is the next to fall! I did hear where he's got something in the works down in Key West where it all began for Senor Van Aken, which I beleive would have been a much better name, Van Aken's instead of Norman's. Mel's across the street works because it conjures up in your mind exactly what it is...an old school diner. Norman's sounds like an old school tavern for crying out loud.

Hopefully that awesome taco joint across the street is still pumpin' out their Mexy Magic? The name escapes me...

Chow Norman...there's always NY!

[JAB]

The 3rd and the 10th are blocked out on their on-line reservation system. Sold out?

[calpurnia]

I called the restaurant and was told they are closing because the owner has sold the property.

[nimo]

It's a valid point. Additionally, as Ciao Bob points out, the prices are pretty steep (although certainly no worse than any other excellent joint in town) and those with the fattest wallets are not always the most adventurous eaters.

But I still maintain it's the location. The Strip has too much traffic, limited parking, and an awful crowd. If Normans had been across the road from Mako in BH it would be making a killing.

[cls]

It was doomed when before opening there was a towering billboard of Norman above the restaurant saying "I want to feed you." Of course the location sucks too.

[nimo]

I never saw that. That's terrible.

By the way, another shout out to Peter the sommelier. Hopefully he'll find a new gig in town, cos it would be a shame to lose him.

[carter]

nimo - nice summary of salient points.
Not really a quality restaurant on the entire Strip if you think about it. Whole different crowd that is there for non-quality dining purposes.
Be interesting to see how BLT Steakhouse from NYC does in the former Le Dome space.

[Ciao Bob]

I hate to dampen enthusiasm, but BLT Steakhouse in NYC isn't even very good in the BLT Steakhouse space in NYC!

That "I want to feed you billboard" was totally pathetic.

As for places on the Strip, Carter, Yatai has definately impressed me on one visit. Gonna go back tonight (walking to see the freak show and avoid the traffic). Boo!

[Ciao Bob]

...closing

[Chowpatty]

Certainly the location is a big factor, but I think there could also be some local resistance to the type of food. While in Miami there are enough rich Cubans to make a leap to upscale Caribbean food understandable, in L.A. people tend to equate Latin-inspired food with taco stands and the like. There are certainly exceptions to this, and Norman's is the farthest thing from a taco stand. But I think the Beverly Hills crowd might just hear "pig, beans, etc." and think "no lard for me, thanks."
Am I crazy with this theory?

[nimo]

That's incredibly disappointing news. It really is one of the best restaurants in town. The only rational explanation for its failure is that it was a victim of its admittedly poor location.

[silence9]

In a thread from months back, I opined that in addition to the location, the restaurant's name might also be less than inspiring to this town's prospective patrons, when searching for a bite in Hollywood. It is my understanding that the restaurant is named, aptly, for the owner. But if _I_ owned a restaurant on Sunset blvd. and my name was Bertha, I wouldn't name said restaurant Bertha (apologies to all Berthas). Good luck, Norman!

[NAspy]

I agree with that but how do you explain Morton's?

[silence9]

Good point! Perhaps it's like Musso and Frank's, where both the name and reputation harken back to another era. If they opened for the first time in 2006 with that name, I reckon it would be a harder sell, amidst restaurants with names like Hungry Cat, Cut, and Mozza...

[carter]

The Morton's in West Hollywood on Melrose at Robertson is actually Peter Morton's last name, not a first name, and the national steakhouse chain is also called Morton's, also a last name, and not coincidentally named after Arnie Morton, the father of Peter Morton.

[NAspy]

and they did have the good sense not to call the place Arnie's.

[PommeDeGuerre]

I, too, believe that the name was part of the problem. The names similarity to that of the Coffee shop, Norm's, may have been confusing to Los Angeles natives, and, at least IMO, the name Norman conjures up no association with the level/ethnic type of cuisine served there, which could have been confusing for the casual/transient diner from other locales. I know its his name, and you can't fault that, but then he shouldn't be surprised when the public doesn't understand what is being marketed.

[Ciao Bob]

Mediocre-to-bad service, very high prices, food that either soars or crashes and pig/pealla (the only thing I've had that repeatedly soars) just once a week must all be irrational reasons for

[CHEESCAKES]

took the words right out of my mouth. Talk about too much coin for too little! But I gotta disagree, the location is pretty hot.

Oh well, Hasta Luego Normando!

[Ciao Bob]

LOL

[hrhboo]

I made a reservation for Friday the 10th. Is the roast on Saturday the 11th instead?

[wilafur]

i also made reservations for the 10th. curious whether or not they moved the P&P to saturday due it being their last day......hmmmm.

i called and will provide an update once the host returns my call.

[hrhboo]

I called, it's on Friday the 10th.

*sob*

[wilafur]

so it is a go then on the 10th? woohoo!! the lady i spoke to will call me back when she double-checks the date. =)

[hrhboo]

I just called the restaurant and was assured that it's definitely on for Friday. Please post back with her response, just to be sure!

[CarlieInLA]

Sorry for all the confusion, I meant Friday the 10th! That is the last day for the Pig Roast. The 11th is the last day for the restaurant. I have edited my OP.