Hidden Sea

TV chef, and Patina and Foundry on Melrose alum Eric Greenspan opened his hidden, patio-only restaurant last spring. With a secret entrance located behind Melrose Umbrella Co., you enter through Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese- yes, really- restaurant where his latest, Mare, features European-inspired seafood amid plants and candlelight. All of a sudden, you feel as if you’ve left Los Angeles. It could be somewhere in Europe, or a little romantic and rustic rendezvous, even your go-to charming neighborhood spot to grab a glass of wine and a whole Branzino. The open sky, leafy citrus trees and wall-hung candles give the place a private seaside feel and the limited menu of moderately priced seafood and farmers market finds has been a hit with in-the-know Angelenos since May.

There’s no roof here- retractable or otherwise- so on the off chance LA gets some rain, the restaurant will likely be closed. When Greenspan and business partner Jim Hustead closed The Foundry, they kept the space and leased it to Melrose Umberlla Co., which slings classic cocktails with a cool vibe. But the patio was left unused, and they always intended it to be another more casual restaurant alongside the grilled cheese joint. But with all this chatter about El Nino descending upon us, Mare just may have to set up that retractable roof after all. www.maremelrose.com