Chop Suey

Chop Suey Cafe soft-opened about a month ago and will hold its grand opening the week of Aug. 7 with an invitation-only event. This historic restaurant first opened in 1937, but has been closed since 1994 due to the Northridge Earthquake. Featured in Jack Nicholson's "Chinatown" and Robert Mitchum's "Farewell My Lovely," Chop Suey's original high wood panel and formica top tables greet the dining crowd, while a new contemporary full bar and outdoor patio in the rear can seat a little more than two dozen patrons. I visited the new bar at Chop Suey twice in early August. The bartenders are beautiful, friendly and quick. The bar, patio and restaurant spaces each have a different feel, which makes the whole place seem like three different places ... and I like it. The bar menu here is especially good during happy hour when the items (most of them four dollars) are half off. The egg rolls and curry won tons are terrific. Little Tokyo needed a new bar and gathering place and Chop Suey fits the bill nicely,