Table 8's Dark and Moody Redesign

With chef Govind Armstrong at the helm, Meridian Entertainment Group’s Table 8 became a fast hit when it opened in 2003, but apropos of its L.A. stardom, it’s already getting a makeover. The restaurant reopened in January with a completely new look. For fans of the original, the new Table 8 may come as bit of a shock. Not only have the rooms been switched—the dining room is where the lounge was—but gone are the breezy, honey-hued California accents. The restaurant still retains the sophistication of a top dining venue, but there’s a larger separate bar area and an urban, rock ’n’ roll edge befitting its Melrose location. Designer Thomas Schoos created the seductive space with purple, black, and chocolate hues, hand-crafted chandeliers, dark Venetian plaster, black leather seating and lacquered tables, and mohair-covered walls. For groups, there’s a communal table in the dining room, plus a large curtained-off cabana that seats 12. Armstrong and his team prepare seasonal, market-fresh cuisine, with mixologist Ryan Magarian showcasing fresh fruits and other kitchen ingredients in his cocktail list. —Lesley Balla
Posted 03.26.07