Miami restaurateur and event coordinator Barton G. Weiss has brought his theatrical culinary experience to West Hollywood with the opening last week of his second Barton G. restaurant.
Diners can expect unconventional meal presentations for menu items such as Samurai Tuna, a $32 rice cracker-crusted Hawaiian Ahi tuna served with a samurai sword protruding out of its tray. Signature drinks such as the Sabrinatini, $18, is a nitrogen cocktail featuring a chocolate monkey dangling from the glass.
Weiss said when he opened Barton G. 11 years ago in Miami he was approached by a developer who said he should come to Los Angeles, but he wasn’t interested. But when the same man notified him of a vacant space in West Hollywood about two years ago, he knew it was time.
“It wasn’t something that I had on the calendar,” he said, “but the opportunity was too good to pass.”
Weiss said he plans to open five more locations in major cities across the country by the end of 2016.
The dinner-only restaurant has main courses ranging from $18 for its Mouse Trap Mac N Cheese to $65 for the Bone in Filet Mignon.
He said guests can expect a more sophisticated menu compared to the Miami restaurant.
“It’s light and varied,” he said. “Los Angeles is a haven for vegetables and greens, so that’s one of the differences. It’s still quirky. It’s still got all the bells and whistles.”
Dog Haus
The grill is heating up for gourmet hot dog concept Dog Haus of Pasadena.
It opened its first franchise location last week in Canoga Park and will be opening more than 50 locations across the country.
Dog Haus co-founder André Vener said the company decided to begin franchising 18 months ago despite some initial apprehension.
“Franchising was a scary word for us,” he said. “Because once you do that then all the quality and the culture could go away. But we worked hard to try to keep it the same, and it worked.”
Vener said deals have been struck with 11 franchisees and that restaurants will be opening at a rate of about three a month.
“We were surprised it went that quick,” he said. “We probably sold 50 locations in four months. We sort of had to put the brakes on it.”
Franchisees pay an initial fee of $35,000, with construction costs ranging from $250,000 to $400,000, depending on size. Dog Haus takes a 6 percent royalty on revenue.
The company was co-founded in 2010 by Vener and partners Hagop Giragossian and Quasim Riaz. They own three locations in Pasadena, and Vener said they have no immediate plans to open more themselves. Their focus is on the franchise business.
“Who would’ve known that we would start franchising, and a year later we’ll have 20 stores?” he said.
Revolving Doors
Pasadena-based build-your-own pizza chain Blaze Pizza next month will open its 25th restaurant, in Mission Viejo. … Marriott International Inc. of Bethesda, Md., will open the 174-room Courtyard, and 219 studio and one-bedroom suites Residence Inn at L.A. Live next week. … La La Land, a retailer of clothing and accessories as well as food, will open a 29,400-square-foot space at 7001 Hollywood Blvd. this fall. Boston discount retail chain Marshalls Inc. will open a 32,000-square-foot space upstairs in the same Hollywood building. … Lassen’s Natural Foods & Vitamins, a Camarillo organic food chain, has started construction on a 13,400-square-foot space in Echo Park and plans to open another location on Miracle Mile. The opening dates have yet to be announced. … Del Mar gourmet food bar Beaming will open its first two L.A. locations, in Brentwood and Santa Monica, in August and November, respectively. … Ford’s Filling Station in Culver City will open in the JW Marriott at L.A. Live this fall. … Artistix in downtown Los Angeles launched its first unisex clothing line, Stars & Stripes, two weeks ago. … Wine and cheese store Wheel House Cheese Shop opened this month in Culver City. … ToC Café & Bakery, a French-style bakery in Beverly Hills, was opened this month by Food Network star Penny Davidi, who is also executive chef at Pump in West Hollywood. … French swimwear brand Vilebrequin opened a store in Malibu last month. … Wisconsin furniture manufacturer Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. opened a 50,000-square-foot retail space near the Fashion District this month.
Staff reporter Subrina Hudson can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 549-5225, ext. 251.
