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Rejoice, West Hollywood's Historic Formosa Cafe Plans To Reopen
(Photo by Danny Casillas via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
Is West Hollywood's iconic Formosa Cafe coming back to life? Sure seems that way. In an interview with Los Angeles Magazine, Bobby Green, Dimitri Komarov, and Dima Liberman of 1933 Group (who restored the Highland Park Bowl and The Idle Hour, among other establishments) revealed that they have signed a long-term lease with the property's owners and will restore the Formosa to its former glory.
“We’re gonna put it all back,” Green told LA Mag. “Vince [Jung, the previous, long-time owner/operator] has everything in storage: All the autographed photos, all the Elvis decanters, the lucky Buddha. He’s got everything."
The Formosa went through a few remodels before shuttering almost overnight in December. A 2015 remodel seemed to be the final nail in the coffin of the restaurant that was already facing dwindling appeal.
The 1933 team notes that they'll be restoring the cafe to how it looked in its prime years from the 1930s through the 60s. "They kept adding and adding to it," Green says of the various remodels. "I probably don’t need a photo of Johnny Depp on the wall.”
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As for the food, Green adds, "We’d love to do dim sum. We’ll probably do some modern takes on lo mein. It won’t be your grandmother’s lo mein.”
LAist reached out to the 1933 Group for comment on the reopening, but has yet to hear back.
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Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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