Artisan House Carves Out A Trifecta of Food and Drink Specialties
DTLA is home to many establishments touting fine dining, drink, and market options, but the 10,000 sq. ft. Artisan House on Main Street is rare in that it aims to excel in all three. Described as the “Dean and Deluca of the West Coast,” according to its General Manager Robert Schwarz, the restaurant/bar/market blend has quickly found its identity since opening in December 2011.
Nestled in on the ground floor of the Pacific Electric Building, the Raphael Javaheri-founded space models a classic interior that matches its storied history: walnut floors spread out underneath enormous arched windows, while the chairs are comprised of reclaimed beechwood material.
Similarly as its environment retains a traditional feel, the revitalized restaurant menu at Artisan House offers a range of dining staples. A California/Mediterranean-inspired lineup overseen by Chef Francesco Velasco, an established name from Malibu’s Tra Di Noi, it has been updated and streamlined for accessibility.
An all-day menu featuring salads, sandwiches, and pizzas is offered, with many of the ingredients made on-site or sourced from partners such as Mary’s Farm. Brunch offerings include a variety of breakfast items including Florentine Benedict, an All-American Breakfast (two eggs, sausage, potatoes, toast), and Green Eggs and Ham (ham, two poached eggs, cilantro hollandaise, english muffin, potatoes).
A happy hour from 3pm to 7pm, of well spirits, wine, and draft beers, complements Artisan House’s bar of mixology concoctions. Schwarz tells me their selections of cocktails ($10 – $14) were each designed exclusively for the restaurant – samples include The Cali (vodka, St. Germain liqueur, muddled cucumber and mint with a dash of pepper) and The Caufield (Ford’s Gin, lavender syrup, lime, grapefruit, all served up). And in keeping with the green-minded template for the restaurant, the bar top originally served as the building’s wooden doors.
Across the room in plain sight from the large dining area, the deli, coffee bar, and market stand as Artisan House’s most exclusive and intriguing features. The smell of Intelligentsia roasts as baristas deal out a full coffee menu, while the deli offers freshly-cut sandwiches like the Confit Albacore Tuna and Grass Fed Prime Roast Beef. Salad, cous cous, and quinoa sides round out the take-away selection.
A few steps away, the market houses specialty beverages – soda drinks from Blue Sky and Fentimans, and healthier types from Mamma Chia and Millennium. A full handcrafted beer and wine list is also available, in which dine-in customers are able to walk over and buy for a small corkage fee. The grocery selection is comprised of cheeses, soups, meats, and vegetables, while Artisan House is currently planning a private line of food items — all of which serve to generate an alternative destination for local and organic fare in DTLA.
Artisan House is also delving into events for the community: in July, they showed work by photographer Harry Abbou in the dining area for Art Walk, and actively encourage local artists to submit artwork for gallery consideration. Screenings of films such as Beetlejuice and Monty Python and the Holy Grail have also brought in interested parties, but with regular service running from 10am to 2am, the facility’s well-rounded approach to food and dining options should have them there already.
600 S Main St. Los Angeles CA 90014, (213) 622-6333, artisanhouse.net. 600 S Main St. Los Angeles CA 90014, (213) 622-6333, artisanhouse.net. Restaurant Hours: Mon – Wed,Sunday: 11:00 am – 12:00 am, Thu – Sat: 11:00 am – 2:00 am. Market/Deli Hours: Mon – Fri 7:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Saturday – Sunday 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
