Bold Blend of Cuisines at Chez at Beverly Prescott

Michael Franks and Robert Bell--the dynamic South Bay duo who count Chez Melange in Redondo Beach; Fino, Misto and Depot in Torrance; and Descanso in Hermosa Beach in their mini restaurant empire--have ventured north to Los Angeles for the first time to open the Chez at the Beverly Prescott. With the new restaurant, they step boldly where Hans Rockenwagner (Rox) and Sylvie Laly Darr (Sylvie) faltered. “We took over just after midnight on March 1 and began serving breakfast at 7 a.m. that morning,” said Franks, a little breathlessly. “We did three banquets the first week alone. It’s quite an operation and we’re very excited about it.”

In fact, while getting everything up and running, Franks and executive chef Michael Shafer of Depot in Torrance moved right into the hotel, where they have no doubt been checking out the room service. Shafer, who is also a partner, will design the menus and Chris Blobaum, who survived both previous regimes, will stay on as chef.

The partners bring their taste for a melange of cuisines and techniques to the Chez’s menu. At breakfast, you can get a Southwest scramble with turkey jalapeno sausage, a Cajun meatloaf scramble or a Greek omelet with feta and kalamata olives.

The range of dishes at lunch and dinner is as eclectic as you’d expect from these wild and crazy South Bay restaurateurs: everything from burgers with sun-dried tomato mayonnaise on a homemade onion roll and Pacific rim tostadas (that’s rare ahi tuna and Japanese-inflected salsa on fried won ton skins drizzled with wasabi cream) to Thai dumplings steamed in Amber ale and Southern fried chicken salad. Hallelujah, you can even order extra anchovies for your Caesar--which means they must be expecting some bold and canny eaters.

For casual noshing, check out the bar and lounge, which offers an oyster and seafood bar and an array of appetizers, including Armenian flatbread with a mind-boggling Thai cashew vegetable and mozzarella topping! What did I say? Wild and crazy.

* The Chez at the Beverly Prescott, 1224 Beverwil Drive, Los Angeles, (310) 772-2999. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner; brunch on Saturday and Sunday. All major credit cards. Valet parking. Appetizers $3.50-$7.95, entrees $9.95-$15.95.