July 14, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

The Future Of Chez Jay Hangs In The Balance:

When the Palisades Garden Walk opens in December 2013, those visiting one of Santa Monica’s prized public projects may seek out nearby places to eat. City Hall hopes to have a park-friendly restaurant on-site, so that hungry park visitors will not have to walk too far to satisfy their palates.

Council members authorized staff on April 24, as part of their consent calendar, to seek Requests for Proposals “for a restaurant operator to lease and remodel or construct a restaurant” that would operate at the western edge of the future Palisades Garden Walk.

The future park site, which is located at 1657 Ocean Avenue, is currently owned by City Hall. A restaurant – Chez Jay – currently sits on the portion of the property where City Hall would like the new restaurant to be located.

With the arrival of Palisades Garden Walk, staff saw an “opportunity for the existing restaurant to be upgraded to better serve patrons of the new park” and hence seek RFPs “for a restaurant operator to lease and remodel or construct a restaurant on the Site.”

“The RFP would indicate a preference for a casual dining restaurant, with or without alcohol, since that meets the objectives of the Civic Center Specific Plan (CCSP) and is designed and oriented to serve Palisades Garden Walk,” staff continued in a report to council members.

Keeping consistent with the overall look of Palisades Garden Walk, the CCPS outlined specific “design parameters” as to how the restaurant should look.

One such design parameter: the restaurant should be a “pavilion-like” structure allowing “for the generous flow of activities from interior to exterior spaces.”

In terms of size, the restaurant should have a maximum floor area of 15,000 square feet and a maximum footprint of 10,000 square feet. The building’s height would be limited to two stories and 25 feet.

“The CCSP encourages the use of verandas, terraces, patios, and other intermediary space in the design of the restaurant,” the staff report continued. “In addition, the CCSP conceived of the ‘park-related’ restaurant and buildings as ‘complementary with the design and activity program for the park.’”

City Hall purchased the land, about 11.3 acres in size, from the RAND Corporation in 2000.

Chez Jay sits on a 7,500 square foot parcel and has been, according to City Hall, “operating on a month-to-month lease since June 2003.” Jay Fiondella, who passed away in 2008, originally owned the restaurant. His daughter, Anita Fiondella Eck, currently operates the restaurant with Michael Anderson.

“Chez Jay has operated as a steak house since 1959 and has a storied history as a gathering place of various celebrities,” the staff report to council members stated.

However, Chez Jay’s current design does not match City Hall’s desired themes for the future park.

“The existing restaurant is oriented toward Ocean Avenue, with no outdoor seating areas or take-out food windows and nominal landscaping,” the staff report stated.

Through remodel or reconstruction, City Hall hopes the new restaurant will offer “excellent architectural merit in keeping with the CCSP design parameters” and “casual dining, preferably with food service to be available throughout the day, in a facility which provides a unique aesthetic and ambiance that relates to the PGW experience by providing outdoor dining and visitor-serving amenities, catering to patrons of PGW and adjacent uses.”

City Hall expects construction of the new restaurant to be privately financed, though a rent credit with the new operator would be negotiated.

The staff reported also added that the future restaurant operator “must be financially and operationally capable of providing quality food and beverage offerings” and must “incorporate sustainable materials and practices into its building and operations.”

The new restaurant must also abide by City Hall’s “Healthy Foods Initiative” and other restrictions, such as plastic bag and smoking bans as well as local hiring preferences.

“Depending on the number and quality of submissions received, staff will either return to Council to seek negotiating instructions for a lease with the recommended operator, or return to council for authorization to seek additional information from a short list of finalists,” the staff report stated. “The goal is to select a lessee and negotiate a lease by the end of 2012 so that the planning and construction of the restaurant can be completed as close to the opening of PGW as possible, which is scheduled for December 2013.”

Chez Jay would be allowed to remain on site if it submits an RFP that meets City Hall’s liking.

in News
<>Related Posts

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...