More as news breaks—but a week or so ago, even as The Sauce was receiving news releases trumpeting New Year’s Eve plans/menus for Sherman Oaks’ Tipple & Brine and adjacent Tunnel Bar, a sign was going up out front saying that both would be on hiatus from December 22 to February 1 for “the holidays and renovations.”

Well, we’re not even going to try to understand the logic of the timing of the New Year’s press announcement, which even included the unveiling of a special New Year’s Eve cocktail for Tunnel Bar called the Classy Bitch. 

Richard DiSisto

But here’s what’s going on, according to a spokesman: Richard DiSisto, owner of the Vantage Restaurant Group (which includes Downtown Johnny’s, Tipple & Brine and Tunnel Bar) has decided to close Downtown Johnny’s and take a break at Tipple/Tunnel until sometime between February 3 and February 9 to reorganize staffing and management, as well as to prepare for the coming minimum wage increase that is sure to affect some staff. 

This does not seem to have much to do with the holidays, or renovations—but The Sauce reserves judgment until we have the opportunity to chat with Mr. DiSisto. We are, after all, a classy … blog.

Interior, Downtown Johnny's

14633 & 14649 Ventura Blvd., 818-528-2580