The Hermosa Beach City Council Tuesday night approved changes to the conditional use permit and precise development plan to revamp Einstein’s restaurant into a western steakhouse under a new ownership. The vote was 4-1.

The City Council voted to uphold the Planning Commission’s Dec. 4 ruling to transform the restaurant which served as a recommendation to the municipality.

Einstein’s owner, Mike Ludwig, recently sold the establishment to the Philia 5 Group. Allen and Jed Sanford, who represent the firm, attended Tuesday’s meeting and will manage the new enterprise. 

Councilman J.R. Reviczky approved the plan but added he will see how the business progresses and will have no problem revoking the CUP if the restaurant changes into something other than a restaurant.

“Like it or not, you’re being judged by past performances and I’ve got to tell you, I’ve heard this tune before,” he said “There is no way in the world I’m going to provide an opportunity for this location to be another nightclub. I’ll see you in six months.”

Philia 5 Group recently submitted its proposal to turn Einstein’s into a chop steakhouse called The Union Cattle Company equipped with a hydraulic bull on the first level, two firepits installed on the top patio and several physical changes to the structure including 8-foot walls to be installed around the ground-level patio aimed at reducing noise notoriously known to come from the 8,100-square-foot site near the corner of Pier and Manhattan avenues.

Councilwoman Kathy Dunbabin was the lone dissenter on the issue. She voted against it because she believed the mechanical bull would create noise issues and didn’t think it to be appropriate for a family establishment.

Many residents and business owners turned out for the meeting to express support for the venture. They claim it will be an improvement to the current operation which becomes a nightclub in the evening with bass-heavy music attracting hundreds of young patrons to it on the weekend.

“As a business owner, I am in support of this enterprise,” said Bill Robb, owner of the Treasure Chest. “There is a risk with any kind of enterprise, especially a restaurant, but this is an investment I hope you will all consider and it’s an original concept for Hermosa Beach.”

The Sanfords informed the council about their intent to provide a valet service to patrons by negotiating with local businesses about leasing out their parking spaces and lots at night when parking is the most scarce.

Sanford will do away with the trance, drum and bass, and hip-hop music now being played by DJs inside Einstein’s at night when it becomes a makeshift nightclub.

The new owners submitted drawings in an attempt to enhance the architecture while eradicating some of the noise problems currently associated with the business. One of these additions is a double-door entry with a vestibule.

The Sanfords will also replace the music with the classic rock genre, more suitable to the steakhouse theme. Both the ground and top outdoor patios will close when the kitchen does which is at 12:30 a.m. The Sanfords will not seat patrons on top and ground-level patios after 9 and 10 p.m., respectively. The patios combined constitute 51 percent of their seating capacity.

“No restaurant can succeed with less than half of its seating capacity closed off during peak hours,” said Jed Sanford. “We understand the history of this location and we want to make it work as a restaurant so it’s both an asset to the community and an asset for the city of Hermosa Beach.”

As one of the conditions, the city will have the opportunity to review the business in six months with the option of revoking its CUP if the owners fails to fulfill their promise to run a restaurant as opposed to a restaurant by day and a club by night.

“I’m not going to tell you how to run your restaurant, but if the bull or anything else is a problem in six months, then I will have no problem pulling your CUP,” said Councilman Michael Keegan. “I want to see if it works and I don’t want to be the one who stops any business from putting $200,000 to $300,000 (taxes) back into the city.”

The Sanfords hope the restaurant will attract a wide demographic by promoting a relaxed and energetic atmosphere for both families and young people looking to have a good time.

Local activist Jim Lissner voiced his concern for the establishment, claiming business owners in the past have told the city they will be opening a restaurant which then eventually becomes a nightclub.

“I know of no other family restaurant that has a mechanical bull,” he said. “I have a problem with the operation of many establishments in the downtown where the owners came to the city as a restaurant but have since then become a club in the evening. Keep in mind, when Patrick Malloy’s went in, it said it was a restaurant, too.”