Pete's L.A. restaurant in downtown L.A. has been renamed Ledlow Swan

Pete’s L.A. in downtown renamed Ledlow Swan

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Chef Josef Centeno poses for a portrait during a look at the soon-to-open Pete’s in downtown Los Angeles. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Pastries made by pastry chef Margeaux Aragon at Pete’s, opening downtown Oct. 15. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Tables set in the main dining room at Pete’s. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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The private back room at Pete’s. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Pastry chef Margeaux Aragon checks on pastries in the oven at Pete’s. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Decorative glass separates the main dining room from the private dining room in the back at Pete’s. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Jerimiah Doherty beverage director at Pete’s makes a French 75. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Kevin Bonito makes a cappuccino with Stumptown coffee at Pete’s. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Tables are set at Pete’s, which opens Oct. 15. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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The iconic lunch spot at the corner of 4th and Main streets has been given a complete makeover of the space and menu. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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“Pete’s is an institution - one of the first restaurants that opened down here [in the Old Bank District],” Josef Centeno said. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

By Jenn HarrisColumnist

Dec. 15, 2014 10:11 AM PT

Josef Centeno, who also owns Baco Mercat, Bar Ama and Orsa and Winston, has changed the name of his latest venture, Pete’s L.A., to Ledlow Swan. The downtown restaurant currently has no signage while Centeno waits for a new logo.

“I probably should have changed the name Pete’s from the outset,” said Centeno in an email to The Times. “I only had the best intentions by keeping the name, but it has caused some confusion because I re-did the menu and interiors entirely.”

Centeno took over the then Pete’s Cafe and became a partner and the executive chef in October. He changed the name to Pete’s L.A. and replaced the old menu with a selection of his take on American classics.

Centeno said that while many customers welcomed the change, there were others who did not.

“It seems to have brought out the worst in some, and I feel badly that my staff has taken the brunt of it,” said Centeno.

Centeno said the decision to change the name came suddenly, but that it took a few days to come up with a new name. He decided on Ledlow Swan, a reference to his grandparents.

“Sometimes it is just better to make a clean break,” said Centeno. “The old Pete’s in its former incarnation can live on in the memories of those to whom it was most important.”

The menu items will remain the same (in that he has some staples and changing specials), and will feature the new Ledlow Swan logo.

“Otherwise we’ll continue to do what we’ve been doing and are proud of -- making the best restaurant that we can,” said Centeno.

400 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 687-7015, www.petesla.com, soon to be www.LedlowSwan.com.

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