Behind-the-Scenes Photos of L.A. Chapter at the Ace Hotel Downtown

Earlier this month, Los Angeles got its very first Ace Hotel, the popular rustic-chic chainlet with branches in Seattle, Portland, OR, New York, Palm Springs, and London. Located in the city's resurgent downtown and housed in the 1920s-era United Artists Theater, the property is stunning—think sky-high ceilings, pristine Art Deco architecture, glorious chandeliers. There's even a 1,000-seat music venue in a restored version of the former theater. That's all wonderful, of course, but what's on the menu? There's a rooftop bar and coffee area, but the hotel's main restaurant is L.A. Chapter, a casual all-day restaurant from Jud Mongell and chef-owner Ken Addington of Brooklyn's Five Leaves. The hotel has been in soft-opening mode for two weeks, but the restaurant makes its dinner debut tonight.

Press photos are great and all, but what does a restaurant that's about to open actually look like? Are pots of stock boiling away? Is the walk-in a wonderland of produce? Does the FOH staff scurry around terrified? We stopped by the restaurant yesterday as Addingtpm and his executive chef Micah Fields were doing final tastings, menu walk-throughs, and folding a ton of napkins in preparation for the first dinner service. Check out our slideshow for an idea of what a major restaurant opening looks like 24 hours before it's filled with crowds of hip #dtla diners.