Everybody's talking. In the place where El Authentico tried to make it work, there's a new establishment, The Park. (At Sunset and Douglas.)

So, after fluttering over there twice in one week, Chicken Corner's take on The Park has been positive -- despite the fact that I nearly lit my menu on fire immediately upon sitting down the first time, due to some ill-advised flat-ish candles with flames higher than the lip of the candle holder. While the food is good but not great, I really like this place. It's bare bones, but it has an easy, energetic vibe. It filled up quickly on Saturday night, and service was quick, too -- friendly and very good at putting out fires. When the table next to ours set their menu on fire -- big burst of flame -- The Park personnel were right on it. And they forgot to forget to play Neil Young and Carol King for patrons, which made me happy. Maybe some Harry Nilsson next time. The artist Shepard Fairey was present with his wife. He said he liked the polenta.

Here's what Eater Los Angeles has to say about it.

ECHO PARK: A reader tipped us off about The Park's recent debut, an everyday neighborhood bistro that's casual, eclectic, run by three friends who did all the renovations by themselves (with the help of more friends). Classic Echo Park. The room has salvaged light fixtures, natural woods, "gentle colors." Chef and co-owner Joshua Siegel, who put in some time at Square One and SF's Firefly, came up with an understated and inexpensive the menu: spaghetti and meatballs, roast chicken, hangar steak. Hey, they know their 'hood. (1400 Sunset Blvd, 213.482.9209).