Quenioux gets his own place on Beverly Blvd.

Laurent Queniuox, who consulted at Vermont for quite a while after leaving Bistro K, is closing in on his new place, BISTROLQ, set to open in early summer. It's not Downtown, like he was mulling previously (perhaps just as well as it's getting overcrowded there) but on L.A.'s mini-restaurant row of Beverly Blvd. near Fairfax. We're not sure exactly what the address is yet, but he promises indoor and outdoor dining, air conditioning, and a beer and wine license. Could this be L.A.'s answer to Portland's Le Pigeon? We can only hope.

Here's a few of the dishes he's planning:

• sea urchin tapioca pudding with yuzu kocho

• eel braised in red wine and served with dried plum and chanterelle grits.

• Main courses of baby goat, wild hare or partridge

(photo LAWeekly)