Little Pine (restaurant)

Summary

Little Pine was a fine-dining vegan bistro located in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.[1][2] It was founded by electronic musician and animal rights activist Moby.[3] In July 2020, local plant-based investors took over operations of the restaurant.[4] The restaurant served organic, vegan, Mediterranean-inspired dishes and has a retail section with art and books, curated by Moby himself.[2][3] Moby's vision was to create a space that includes various aspects of society that he cares about. The restaurant closed down in December 2022.[5]

Little Pine
Exterior photo of Little Pine restaurant in Los Angeles, California
Exterior photo of Little Pine restaurant in Los Angeles, California
Map
Restaurant information
EstablishedNovember 2015
Owner(s)Moby
Food typeOrganic, vegan food
Street address2870 Rowena Avenue
CityLos Angeles
StateCalifornia
Postal/ZIP Code90039
CountryUnited States
Coordinates34°06′28″N 118°16′00″W / 34.10775°N 118.26679°W / 34.10775; -118.26679
Websitewww.littlepinerestaurant.com

Overview edit

Little Pine opened on November 19, 2015 and was located in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.[6] Original plans for the restaurant to open in the summer of 2015 were delayed.[7] Moby opened the restaurant to create a space that encompasses various matters that he cares about, such as veganism, organic food, community, architecture and design.[8] Moby has stated that Little Pine was created to provide a "... compelling representation of veganism"[9] and to provide a space as "... an extension of our neighborhood and community."[10]

The restaurant's decor had chandeliers and artistic murals created by various local artists,[2] and photographic works of nature created by Moby.[3][11] The general decor was designed by interior designer Tatum Kendrick.[7][10] Little Pine was located in an Art Deco-style building that was built in the 1940s.[3][12] The restaurant has 58 seats.[13] Moby did not allow his own music to be played in the restaurant,[12][14] and had been a vegan for 28 years when the restaurant opened.[11]

In April 2020, Little Pine announced an indefinite hiatus amid COVID-19. Shortly after, local news outlets began reporting grievances by former employees. Moby addressed the controversy around the restaurant's closing by saying, "I fully accept that the shut down could’ve been handled much better, and for that I take responsibility, and again apologize.”[15]

Little Pine announced plans in March 2022 to reopen in the near future as a for-profit restaurant.[16]

Fare edit

Little Pine purveyed all plant-based, vegan dishes influenced by Mediterranean cuisine[2][11] and influences of the cuisine, such as Italian, Spanish and French cuisines, as well as minor aspects of North African cuisine.[3] Brunch dishes included French toast, lemon pancakes and biscuits and gravy.[2] Entrée dishes included stuffed pasta shells, panko crusted piccata, and a Parmesan spinach crêpe, among others.[2][14] Organic wine, various beers, tea and coffee were are also served,[2] as well as almond milk.[13] Food ingredients were sourced locally whenever possible.[3]

Reception edit

Food Network named it one of the top 20 vegan restaurants in the United States.[17]

In 2016 Little Pine was awarded the Restaurant of the Year by VegNews.[18]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Harris, Jenn (November 9, 2015). "Moby dishes on Little Pine, his new vegan restaurant in Silver Lake". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Balla, Lesley (November 20, 2015). "Moby's Little Pine Vegan Restaurant Debuts in Silver Lake". Zagat. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Balla, Lesley (November 17, 2015). "Moby Talks Vegan Meatballs and Stuffed Shells at Little Pine". Los Angeles. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  4. ^ Local Plant Based Investor Group To Operate Little Pine Restaurant Installing Famed Vegan Chef Roberto Martin As Executive Chef
  5. ^ Elliott, Farley (2022-12-05). "Moby's Once-Famous LA Vegan Restaurant Little Pine Has Quietly Closed". Eater LA. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  6. ^ Rosemberg, Jasmin. "Moby on His Memoir and Music at New Silver Lake Restaurant Little Pine". Variety. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Rodell, Besha (November 10, 2015). "Moby's New Vegan Restaurant in Silver Lake Is Opening Next Week". LA Weekly. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  8. ^ "About". Little Pine Restaurant. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  9. ^ "Moby on His Silverlake Restaurant Little Pine". The Hollywood Reporter. October 26, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Broverman, Neal (June 23, 2015). "Moby's Forthcoming Vegan Concept in Silver Lake". Los Angeles. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c "Music Mogul Moby Dishes On New Vegan Restaurant In Silver Lake". CBS Los Angeles. November 17, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Stern, Claire (November 19, 2015). "Moby on His New Vegan Restaurant, Little Pine (and Why It Has a Strict "No Moby Music" Policy)". InStyle. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Kenney, Shawna (January 13, 2016). "Little Pine, Big Heart: Moby's Newest Adventure". Paste. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  14. ^ a b Barrera, Sandra (January 12, 2016). "Moby opens vegan restaurant in L.A., gives profits to animal charities". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "Employees of Moby's Little Pine restaurant say celebrity owner "left us all high and dry" after closing last month". 15 April 2020.
  16. ^ "little pine on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[user-generated source]
  17. ^ Ventiera, Sara. "Veg Out: 20 Top Vegan Restaurants from Coast to Coast". Food Network. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  18. ^ "The 2016 Veggie Awards". Vegnews.com. 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2019.

External links edit