This is bad news… for my wallet.
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Why should the new concept work - I think one of the problems was the affordability of some of the dishes at Leopardo and with the current economic situation (and how it might develop in 2026) such a place might only work if it the prices of all dishes are within a certain “cheaper” range. If there are again a number of high priced items with unusual/expensive ingredients the new place will again become a special occasion places and not sure if that will be sustainable. I think chef has to make a decision which direction he want to drive a new place and adapt a bit more to the (economic) reality (or go high(er) end from the start)
and my waistline
Agree. Also think he needs a restauranteur partner or a POV change. Leopardo (and from this board Happies) was very focused on the food but not so much the customer.
I’m not saying it will, just that Leopardo was a huge space and Skenes even said they had to expand the menu beyond original intention.
eight bar seats and seating for thirty seemed ideal
The new place will be the same huge space
According to Max, Lynx is taking over Happies, not Leopardo. Two different spots and Happies is much smaller. A few booths, some wall counter seating and a few tables.
I know the restaurant industry is hard. Is it this hard?
what you think is difficult is just the tip of the iceberg
How do they already have 10.6k followers?
Why do you think do many restaurants are closing within a few years - it’s not only because some owners are inexperienced but the whole restaurant system isn’t really working in the US
they renamed the leopardo account
I was following Leopardo but was not a follower of Lynx. Weird.
So the Leopardo space will not be turned into anything else from Skenes? Sad, as it’s so much easier for me, logistically, than Happies. ![]()
leopardo will turn into something else
Okay good… I sincerely hope both of these spots stick around.
The plan is a steakhouse. But still tbd honestly
Interested to see what skenes does as he has interesting ideas I loved angler but a steakhouse seems uninspired I guess that might be meeting the customer where they are type move maybe?
There’s no doubt that Skenes is a uniquely talented chef, but he’s clearly an inept businessman. He has burned money, customers and most importantly, employees. Of course I would love a new great stalwart restaurant in LA, but I have seen nothing to suggest that’s what we’re getting.
Max’s post just makes it sound like he’s reopening a modified Leopardo but now in the Arts District. That stretch of La Brea is challenging, but Arts District seems to be equally or even more challenging. What is being done differently this time? It just seems destined to fail. I hope I am proven wrong.