The Olive on Sunset taking over Boa space inside Grafton Hotel

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Last week, we told Daily Dish readers about Spanish Kitchen owner Greg Morris’ plans to open an upmarket grocery store called The Oaks off Franklin Avenue this spring. But that’s not the only project the 37-year-old has in the works this year.

Beginning this summer, Morris says he will start work on transforming the Boa Steakhouse & Lounge space inside the Grafton hotel on Sunset Boulevard into a new dining destination called the Olive on Sunset.

‘It will be a casual Italian restaurant and lounge,’ he said. ‘We are redoing the front so that Olive will open up to the street. That’s what people want on that stretch of the Sunset Strip and we hope to make [Olive] more of a bistro-style experience.’

Morris added that the forthcoming restaurant would not be too fancy, and that he will serve up ‘lighter, easier fare with great ingredients.’ The vibe at Olive might be analogous to his La Cienega haunts such as Spanish Kitchen or the Belmont, but perhaps a bit more upscale. Still, everyone is invited to this culinary party, according to Morris.

‘All my restaurants have always been about accessibility,’ he said last week. ‘It’s nice to be able to go to a place where you feel welcome.’

According to reps at the eatery, Boa is expected to close in late April or May in anticipation of a move just down the boulevard to Luckman Plaza (9200 W. Sunset Boulevard).

- Charlie Amter

Photo of Boa courtesy Grafton hotel