Post #743276 by The Below Decks on Tue, May 19, 2015 3:43 PM

This just posted today (5/19/15) on Eater LA:

Welcome to the rumor mill.

While there’s been little if anything in the way of official information coming forth from developer Andrew Meieran’s team regarding the long, long, long-awaited rebirth of Clifton’s Cafeteria, some details are still spilling out, and they point to a few exciting new developments.

According to one source, there’s a lot of work still going on inside the shuttered space, but with everything so far behind schedule (an understatement, to say the least) the team is now trying to focus their efforts on opening just one or two of the multi-level, multi-concept restaurants and bars. The others will have to come later on, when the doors are open and some of that local goodwill has been restored.

Perhaps more importantly, the entrance underneath that glowing new signage could swing open as soon as August (a source says that’s Meieran’s timeline, while others involved are plotting for something mid-fall), and the team is already working on staffing up some of the bigger pieces of their complex concept.

When Clifton’s does open, don’t be surprised if there’s also a non-profit aspect to the whole affair. The old cafeteria used to routinely serve the homeless population downtown who couldn’t afford to eat, and given the many millions being poured into the building now, it makes sense that ownership would want to seem as philanthropic as possible still.

Again, there’s nothing set in stone yet regarding an opening date, and details are still coming together, but if the rumors end up being correct, it could all point to a late-summer opening, which would be a welcome return for one of Los Angeles’ most beloved old restaurants.