Restaurant Spotting: Reservoir, formerly Netty’s, set to open in Silver Lake

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After the requisite permit hassles, and much anticipation on the part of neighbors, Reservoir is set to open by the end of the month in Silver Lake. (The restaurant has been in various states of construction since the end of 2006.)

Located in the diminutive house-like structure formerly occupied by Netty’s, across the street from Spaceland, Reservoir (which passed its final inspections yesterday) is owned by chef and reality TV cast member Gloria Felix.

Felix has worked in the kitchens of many of L.A.’s most cherished dining institutions, including A.O.C, Lucques, Grace and Jar.

‘I love Suzanne Goin — I wanted to learn as much as possible from her,’ says Felix, adding, ‘I love Neal Fraser too.’ She also loves Gordon Ramsay. Having played his sous chef on ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ (both this season and last), Felix has had an opportunity to get to know the famously foul-mouthed chef and has this to say: ‘I handled him just fine. We’re best friends, Gordon and I, because I’m on his side.’ She also worked with Ramsay on ‘Kitchen Nightmares.’

After seeing firsthand just how tumultuous it can be to open your own place, it’s a wonder Felix still wanted to, but she did. ‘I just wanted my own restaurant,’ she says. ‘This place is such a diamond in the rough. I’m so happy here, I just want to stay true to the neighborhood and give them a place to walk to and have a nice dinner.’ And, having helped open Blair’s, the cozy little bistro on Rowena in Silver Lake, Felix knows how devoted her neighbors can be.

Also devoted are the people who will be working for her at Reservoir. A few weeks ago she put up an employment ad on Craig’s List and more than 200 people showed up. They stood in the rain for hours while she conducted interviews to fill nine spots. ‘It was insane, it was like a casting call,’ Felix recalls. She stayed late to interview every single candidate. ‘I stayed because they stayed,’ she says.

Look for Reservoir to open, serving Felix’s menu of rustic, seasonal California cuisine, ‘by the end of the month, guaranteed.’

Reservoir, 1700 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles.

— Jessica Gelt

Tiny photo of Reservoir provided by Gloria Felix. Look for more photos in an update soon.