Last week we gave you a peek into the mash-up dinner organized by chefs Mark Peel and Roy Choi at Peel’s The Tar Pit. Sadly, and unexpectedly, this was the last major bash to overtake the two-year-old Hollywood cocktail haunt, at least at this La Brea space, as Tar Pit closed following this past Saturday’s service. Peel writes to tell us the shutter came as a result of the building’s landlord demanding a “high, pre-recession rent” that is seemingly too astronomical for the street, elaborating that “it would make no sense to stay. We have tried to negotiate and she won’t come down even one dollar.”
The chef and owner, whose 22-year-old Campanile still thrives down the street, explains that the shutter is especially untimely, “as I believe we have the best chef de cuisine we ever had in Jason Fullilove and our cocktail program is first rate,” before clarifying, “but the rent would crush us.”
While not making any specific commitments to resuscitate Tar Pit, Peel hasn’t given up on the vision and plans to bring The Tar Pit back to a different location, writing, “I have loved the collaboration of farm to bar cocktails and want to continue that in other future projects.” As always, we can’t wait to see what the chef will hatch next for L.A.
Earlier: The Point Reaches Its End [GS]
Five Reasons Why Mark Peel is The Man of the Moment [GS]
