Iconic space building LAX restaurant closes

[EZEtoGRU]

Encounters, the restaurant located in the stylish and historic Jetsons-like building at LAX has closed. I never ate there but always wanted to. Did anyone ever eat there? If so, how was it?

 

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-lax-theme-building-closes-20140107,0,2753763.story#axzz2prRHsgEG

[+ Charlie]

The biggest problem for the restaurant was that it was designed in the days before our current elaborate security measures. Passengers don't want to go there to eat, because they have to leave the secure area and then go back through security again to get to their flights. It is not an attractive draw for non-flying diners, because going to LAX--traffic, parking, etc.--is a bigger hassle than it used to be. LAX couldn't find a concessionaire who thought it was a viable business proposition any longer.

[+ azdr0710]

adding to what Charlie says, the LAX Theme Building, finished in 1961, was built when there was only a surface-level road to the terminals (no upper level), no parking garages, no Tom Bradley terminal, no huge nearby office buildings and hotels.....it was a landmark of Mid-Century Modern architecture then and is now barely discernible amid the clutter....even trying to figure out how to dash across several lanes of traffic and find the door is a chore.....just a victim of age....

 

Google reviews of the restaurant at right in this link:

 

https://www.google.com/#q=LAX+theme+building&lrd=lrd

 

http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/history/historylab/LAPUHK/Text/Concepts/Icons/LAX_Theme_1959_10cm.JPG

[wild2east]

I've been there once - dashed across multiple lanes with suitcase in tow, rode up the spacey looking elevator, and got there for a nosh before going on an red eye flight. The place was not crowded at all, had a very nice view of the runway, but the food was just so-so.

 

With all the problems mentioned by others, no wonder the place cannot sustain itself....

 

adding to what Charlie says, the LAX Theme Building, finished in 1961, was built when there was only a surface-level road to the terminals (no upper level), no parking garages, no Tom Bradley terminal, no huge nearby office buildings and hotels.....it was a landmark of Mid-Century Modern architecture then and is now barely discernible amid the clutter....even trying to figure out how to dash across several lanes of traffic and find the door is a chore.....just a victim of age....

 

Google reviews of the restaurant at right in this link:

 

https://www.google.com/#q=LAX+theme+building&lrd=lrd

 

http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/history/historylab/LAPUHK/Text/Concepts/Icons/LAX_Theme_1959_10cm.JPG

[unsub2O17]

Ah memories. I ate there as part of my high school graduation party. I wanted to seem sophisticated--so I tried to eat duck with a knife and fork. It was a terrific view and the duck was great--but what a mess I made!

[bigvalboy]

That was always the problem in later years. Most travelers can only make one trip through security, so unless you arrive at the airport and go directly to the restaurant your travel plans become very cumbersome, and besides as Adameast mentions the food is only so-so, and that is being kind.

[+ Gar1eth]

I was in LA at a convention during college over the Christmas/New Year's Break 1980/81. I remember eating there for lunch on the way back home. I think I had a club sandwich. I remember thinking what a neat building.

 

Gman

[+ Gar1eth]

I forgot to mention. The club sandwich came with tongue on it. I was shocked when I saw that. I had never heard of eating (cow) tongue before that. I ordered my sandwich sans tongue. I got back home and told my Mother. She said my grandmother had fixed tongue as a roast. And my Mother said she ate it until she realized what it was.

 

Gman

[bigvalboy]

I forgot to mention. The club sandwich came with tongue on it. I was shocked when I saw that. I had never heard of eating (cow) tongue before that. I ordered my sandwich sans tongue. I got back home and told my Mother. She said my grandmother had fixed tongue as a roast. And my Mother said she ate it until she realized what it was.

 

Gman

My Dad used to cook tongue for breakfast all the time. I could never bring myself to eat it. That must have been years ago, you just don't hear about it being as common as it once was.

[Steven_Draker]

Does anyone have an idea what the building will become?

[instudiocity]

My Dad used to cook tongue for breakfast all the time. I could never bring myself to eat it. That must have been years ago, you just don't hear about it being as common as it once was.

Off the OP's subject, but you can still get tongue at Art's Deli in Studio City. They've been around as long as I have, 56 years. My now deceased neighbor, Bronx-born and of the circumcised faith used to laugh at me while eating his tongue sandwich, much to my discomfort.

[+ Charlie]

My Dad used to cook tongue for breakfast all the time. I could never bring myself to eat it. That must have been years ago, you just don't hear about it being as common as it once was.

Beef tongue was a standard meat course in our household when I was young, and it was one of my favorites. I think it was probably cheaper than other kinds of beef. I have seen it occasionally offered on deli sandwiches in recent years, but it is pretty uncommon now.

[+ Charlie]

Does anyone have an idea what the building will become?

 

I was wondering the same thing. It's hard to think of any other use for it than as a restaurant.

[jackhammer91406]

Missed Opportunities

 

When I read this article in the L.A. Times I experienced a strong pang of regret. I have lived in Los Angeles almost 45 years and I had always intended to go up to that restaurant.

 

Now that's two iconic LAX restaurants announcing their closing in as many months. The Proud Bird which for years has been across the street from the end of the southern runway has announce it was only able to renew it's existing lease for one more year and then will be forced to close. The lesson here is: in Life it's best not to wait. The good times go fast and the bad times seem to last forever.

[EZEtoGRU]

When I read this article in the L.A. Times I experienced a strong pang of regret. I have lived in Los Angeles almost 45 years and I had always intended to go up to that restaurant.

 

Now that's two iconic LAX restaurants announcing their closing in as many months. The Proud Bird which for years has been across the street from the end of the southern runway has announce it was only able to renew it's existing lease for one more year and then will be forced to close. The lesson here is: in Life it's best not to wait. The good times go fast and the bad times seem to last forever.[/color][/size][/font]

 

So true about waiting too long till the opportunity passes one by. That same thinking caused me to lose the chance to fly the Concorde. I still kick myself over that today.

[nate_sf]

I was wondering the same thing. It's hard to think of any other use for it than as a restaurant.

 

From the article it sounds like the closure has as much to do with a changeover to Westfield managing the LAX concessions and not allowing the existing operator to renew their lease, as it does the with the restaurant itself. Westfield seems like a savvy operator so hopefully they'll come up with something worthwhile.

[+ Gar1eth]

I was wondering the same thing. It's hard to think of any other use for it than as a restaurant.

 

Might be a great place for a USO addition if they had busses taking the soldiers to it.

 

Gman

[+ FreshFluff]

Here's the menu--the BLT and Sea bass look so yummy, especially while staring at that view.

http://losangeles.menupages.com/restaurants/encounter/menu

[+ Gar1eth]

1. 
   

Here's the menu--the BLT and Sea bass look so yummy, especially while staring at that view.

http://losangeles.menupages.com/restaurants/encounter/menu

 

Most of the main dishes are too fancy for me. While I might like the actual main meat, I wouldn't like most of the accessories. They didn't even have a baked potato for the steaks.

 

Gman

[bigvalboy]

Off the OP's subject, but you can still get tongue at Art's Deli in Studio City. They've been around as long as I have, 56 years. My now deceased neighbor, Bronx-born and of the circumcised faith used to laugh at me while eating his tongue sandwich, much to my discomfort.

 

I do miss Art's Deli. There just isn't anything like that in FTL. I can do Art's pastrami, so perhaps the next time I'm in LA I will give tongue a try.

[+ Gar1eth]

I do miss Art's Deli. There just isn't anything like that in FTL. I can do Art's pastrami, so perhaps the next time I'm in LA I will give tongue a try.

 

l'll bet if you really want something from Art's they would probably ship it to you on dry ice assuming that it's a big enough operation. You aren't the only who has moved from the City of Angels to a deli desert. I'm sure Art's is used to requests like that.

 

Gman

[+ FreshFluff]

 

Most of the main dishes are too fancy for me. While I might like the actual main meat, I wouldn't like most of the accessories. They didn't even have a baked potato for the steaks.

 

Gman

 

They do have whipped mashed potatoes though.

 

I usually like sandwiches better than entrees.

[bigvalboy]

From the article it sounds like the closure has as much to do with a changeover to Westfield managing the LAX concessions and not allowing the existing operator to renew their lease, as it does the with the restaurant itself. Westfield seems like a savvy operator so hopefully they'll come up with something worthwhile.

 

LA times is reporting that as of now, they do not have any plans for the structure. They are actively looking for a restaurant as an anchor there, but it is a tough sell location wise.

[body2body]

The LAX "Theme Building" is attributed to Paul Williams, one of Los Angeles most famous architects. He also designed homes for Lucille Ball, and Frank Sinatra (among many others), as well as the original St. Jude's hospital in Memphis, the Saks 5th Avenue store in Beverly Hills (in 1939). He was one of the first prominent African-American architects in the U.S. I read that he learned to draw upside down so his clients would not have to sit next to him while he sketched to demonstrate an idea, since at that time he was concerned that they would be uncomfortable sitting next to a Person of color. His houses are still highly prized. Just yesterday there was an ad for a 9 million dollar home in Toluca Lake touting It's Paul Williams pedigree.