You enter and you're thrust into an environment, a mood,'' Hricak says of the restaurant that is located in a historic, two-story bank building. The entire space is bathed in white, from the flowers and frosted glass tables, to the staircases, tabletop, domed ceiling and shimmering floors. Natural light spews from the ceiling. Video cameras pan the room and project diners' images on the wall monitors. It draws everyone, from Chasen's patrons to college students, couples and singles, celebrities, tycoons, seniors and families.
Every table has a vantage point.
In L.A., people are the entertainment. You don't need waterfalls. In the end, says Hricak, operators ultimately are at the mercy of fate and a fickle populace.