At Parlor's Replacement, Bar Is Just a Side Note

The focus of 1519—a Japanese-style steakhouse poised to replace a controversial bar on Wilshire Boulevard—will be on the food, not the drinks, its chef says in planning documents filed with the city.

"Alcohol service is ancillary to the primary food service," the plans say.

The site was formerly home to The Palor, a nighttime hot spot that upset neighbors who said it attracted rowdy crowds. Before it shut down in the fall of 2010 and relocated to West Hollywood, residents reportedly tried to limit its hours and quiet its customers.

The chef behind 1519, Larry Greenwood, is proposing a restaurant with 186 seats on two floors and no separate bar area. Though noise might be a less of a factor with the new business, parking—which is tight in the Mid-City neighborhood—could be a point of contention.

The city's zoning code requires the restaurant provide 32 spots, and because the site doesn't have any, Greenwood is proposing to use a valet and lease the 32 space off-site under a 10-year agreement with the Santa Monica Medical Plaza, about 230 feet away.

The parking component is part of a conditional use permit 1519 is seeking from the city. The Planning Commission will review its application on April 17, according to city planner Grace Page.

Page said the permit would likely require 1519 to advertise the valet on its website.

"The applicant has been in contact with Mid-City and Wil-Mont neighborhood groups to discuss the restaurant proposal," she said.

Greenwood has worked previously in kitchens at Boa Steakhouse, the Standard Hotel and STK Hotel. The menu at 1519 will include sushi and American traditional steakhouse fare "with a Japanese twist" to salads and appetizers. Greenwod did not return a message seeking comment.