December rounds out a year that's seen the closure of longtime institutions like Empress Pavilion and the introduction of restaurants that have shown a lot of promise in becoming classics in their own right. While it's too early to say which among the new will become a  favorite, there's been no shortage of new restaurants vying for consideration.

Downtown alone has seen the addition of several new spots for food and drink. DTLA Cheese opened inside Grand Central Market during the week of Christmas. The Must Bar reopened after a three-year hiatus, straying not too far from the Historic Core. The list of nightcap options in Little Tokyo grew with the Wolf & Crane. On the other side of downtown, the dining options at FIGat7th expanded with the launch of Torta Company and Loteria Grill as well as Twist & Grill. Check out what other restaurants have opened — and closed — around town.

Openings:

Bok Ga: 545 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles; (213) 383-9151.

Bo Nuage: 8010 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; (310) 880-2065.

Brand 158: 158 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale; (818) 305-2861.

Chianina Steakhouse: 5716 E. Second St., Long Beach; (562) 434-2333.

Commonwealth Restaurant: 222 S. Gleanoaks Blvd., Burbank; (818) 845-2225.

Crossings: 1010 Mission St., Pasadena; (626) 799-7001.

Ditmas Kitchen and Cocktails: 8731 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A.

DTLA Cheese: Grand Central Market, 317 Broadway, Stall A-7, downtown.

Fork in the Road: 2420 Main St., Santa Monica; (310) 450-2244.

Groundwork Montana: 1601 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 650-6805.

HomeState: 4624 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz; (323) 906-1122.

Home Brewed Bar: 39 Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena; (626) 397-2887.

Insadong Galbi Noodle: 3407 W. Sixth St., Los Angeles; (213) 568-3760.

Komodo Venice: 235 Main St., Venice; (310) 255-6742.

Meizhou Dongpo: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City; (310) 788-0120.

Mud Hen Tavern: 742 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 203-0500.

Plan Check: 351 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles; (310) 288-6500.

Rare by Drai's: 8720 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; (310) 360-1525.

République Bakery: 624 S. La Brea, Los Angeles; (310) 361-6115.

Star Lite Cantina: 11411 Moorpark St., Studio City; (818) 766-5807

The Must Bar: 117 Winston St., Downtown; (213) 628-2000.

Torta Company and Loteria Grill: 735 S. Figueroa St., downtown; (213) 435-6782.

Twist & Grill: 735 S. Figueroa St., downtown; (310) 699-8807.

Wolf & Crane: 366 E. Second St., downtown; (213) 935-8249.

Closings:

Atwater Grill: 3143 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village; (323) 805-0215.

El Conquistador: 3701 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; (323) 666-5136.

Nicky D's Wood-Fired Pizza: 2764 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 664-3333 (relocated).

Tanzore: 50 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 652-3838.

Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of openings and closures in the San Gabriel Valley as well.


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