Providence's brasserie: Still searching

At the Santa Monica farmers market this morning, Donato Poto, co-owner and maitre d' of Providence, stopped to give an update on the downtown brasserie he and chef Michael Cimarusti have had in the works for some months now.  After scouting out and, they thought, finding a few spots that would work, they are again in limbo.  According to Poto, they have a handpicked staff and are ready to go, but "until we find the right location, we're not going to do it."  Poto cited parking issues, but both he and Cimarusti (formerly chef at downtown's Water Grill) are savvy enough to wait for the perfect locale. 

And while they're waiting ("it's on the front burner"), Poto, Cimarusti & Co. are busy working on the food (breakfast-lunch-dinner menu by Cimarusti, desserts and chocolates by Providence pastry chef Adrian Vasquez) for LA MILL's upcoming coffee boutique in Silverlake, set to have a soft opening in mid-October.  All of the burners seem to be cranking just fine.

Providence, 5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles; (323) 460-4170.

-- Amy Scattergood

Photos (Cimarusti, left, and Poto, right) by Connie Aramaki