Lesley Balla

Food and Drink

Building a Restaurant Group With More Than One Project at a Time

Chefs moving into hotel restaurants aren’t tying themselves to one huge company but instead wielding influence in a number of different places. Here’s how L.A.’s Casey Lane handles several projects simultaneously while keeping his own brand intact.
Food and Drink

How to Find the Next Great Restaurant Neighborhood

Pioneering a neighborhood with no other restaurants and little foot traffic takes a lot strategy, perseverance and a lot of luck. Steve and Dina Samson share their tips on making a new development in an uncharted area work for them in Los Angeles.
Food and Drink

How a Chef Tackles Two Years of Opening Delays

When a one-year build-out turns into two or even three, chefs and restaurateurs have plenty to do to stay busy, but they also need to keep the momentum and buzz going before its debut. Here’s how chef Jessica Largey stayed focused on getting Simone opened in L.A.