Life since Jan. 17, 1994, has not...

Life since Jan. 17, 1994, has not been easy for the May family. First, the Northridge quake so damaged their Sherman Oaks restaurant, Cafe Cordiale, that it still has not reopened. If that were not enough, Margaret and David May’s son, Peter, was severely injured in a motorcycle accident last November.

But now, the family and the restaurant seem to be on the way back.

“I just wanted to let people know we’re alive and kicking” says Margaret May. Peter May is recovering from his injuries, and Cafe Cordiale will reopen in October at its old location in Sherman Oaks. Same location, but a different building.

Margaret says the previous building was virtually destroyed by fire that ignited right after the Jan. 17 temblor. Cable News Network broadcast video footage of the restaurant’s awning amid the flames, Margaret remembers. “We got calls from Japan, England, Australia; people just called from everywhere.” She says, “It was the wildest thing.”

Cafe Cordiale opened in Sherman Oaks in 1985, fulfilling Peter’s dream of owning a restaurant with his father, Margaret says.

Cafe Cordiale was not the first successful San Fernando Valley restaurant operated by David May.

In the early 1960s, he met Bob Prescott, a former World War II pilot and the head of Flying Tiger Airlines, while May was working at Chasen’s. David became the executive chef of Prescott’s new Hungry Tiger Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, which opened in 1962. That restaurant spawned 40 branch outlets throughout Southern California. The chain was sold in 1985 for $23 million.

Cafe Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 789-1985

DRIVIN’ AROUND

Driving around the Valley, one can catch glimpses of the ever-changing eatery landscape.

The Pasta Place, 11040 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, is closing as of today. Owner Roberto Loiederman says, “I have some screenwriting to do, and I also need to get out of here for a while.” In 1993, Max Jacobson praised Loiederman’s several varieties of fresh pasta and sauces, Middle Eastern appetizers and desserts.

China Garden is set to take over the location, 21618 Ventura Blvd., where Paoli’s Pizzeria was going to move earlier this year, before it ran into liquor license problems. Paoli’s decided to stay put in its original location at 21020 Ventura Blvd.

The Seashell Restaurant, 19723 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, has undergone some remodeling. It boasts a new bistro that offers some new menu items and a more casual atmosphere.

Bombay Gate Indian Restaurant has moved from Saticoy Street in Canoga Park to 19527 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana.

Several months have passed since Encino’s Tex Mex eatery, Marix, closed. The restaurant was in Encino for six years, but was not successful enough for corporate management. A spokesperson said the restaurant had been busy on weekends but not during the rest of the week. No signs of life yet at that location.

CATCH A BREATH

Tired of choking on the cigarette smoke of the free spirit at the next table? Tired of having to complain to restaurant personnel about the indoor smog accompanying your favorite entree? The American Lung Assn. of Los Angeles County has published a guide to smoke-free dining and entertainment. “Breathing Easy” lists more than 100 restaurants, coffeehouses and nightclubs that are always smoke-free. Included are more than 20 Valley venues. To get a free copy, call (818) 797-5864.