LAReview
photo credit: Holly Liss
A-Frame
This spot is Permanently Closed.
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
No longer just a saying under that terrifying motivational poster of a dehydrated marathon runner hanging in your dentist’s office, A-Frame has taken this motto fully to heart.
It’s no secret that the Culver City spot has had some ups and downs from the start. When it opened, the much-hyped Roy Choi restaurant seemed pretty confused, not really knowing what it was or how it was supposed to act. Fine-dining with some casual influences? Picnic food that was also pretty fancy? Just a sh*tty restaurant? We couldn’t quite put our finger on it either.
Well, take a deep breath and throw open the curtains because we are happy to report A-Frame seems to have finally found itself. Eliminating pretty much every vague element of the operation, A-Frame decided to become the full-on Hawaiian luau it was always meant to be. The impressive interior has been redone to reflect a more casual, tiki bar vibe, and the once meandering menu is now comprised entirely of Hawaiian/Polynesian staples that actually fit the intention of the place. Hello, loco moco, we will eat you always.
And on top of an aesthetic and flavor upgrade, the revamp most importantly clarified what the hell you could actually come to A-Frame for. And the answer is pretty much anything. A big group birthday, dinner with your parents, a first date, happy hour with co-workers, or brunch on the patio with the girls. It doesn’t much matter, A-Frame is now ready for you.
It’s not always easy to admit something you created isn’t working. But the A-Frame team took a step back and realized it needed a change. Thank you dentist’s office poster, it actually IS how you finish and not how you start.
Now somebody get that runner some water.