According to one report, three of five restaurants in the United States fail to remain in business within three years of opening. More than a decade in, head chef Michael Cimarusti's (pictured) Providence is still going strong in famously fickle Los Angeles.
courtesy Noe Montes
The Ugly Bunch —
The Ugly Bunch is a permanent item on the menu and one of the restaurant's most beloved dishes. It features "ugly" seafood -- geoduck, sea urchin, abalone -- turned into a beautiful plate.
courtesy Noe Montes
Fresh ingredients —
Providence's Engawa (fluke fin) offering includes sprouted mung bean, radish blossom and oro blanco.
courtesy Noe Montes
Green seafood —
The tasting menu at Providence changes seasonally. One recent inclusion was lobster with matsutake mushrooms (pictured).
courtesy Noe Montes
Award-winning —
Providence has racked up awards since opening 11 years ago, including Best New Restaurant James Beard Award in its first year, followed by two Michelin stars and a number one slot on Los Angeles Times' restaurant critic Jonathan Gold's "101 Best Restaurants" list in 2014 for the second consecutive year.
courtesy Noe Montes
Charmed location —
On Melrose Avenue, Providence occupies the former space of two legendary L.A. restaurants: Le St. Germain (1970-1988) and Joachim Splichal's flagship restaurant Patina, now re-situated at downtown's Walt Disney Concert Hall.
