Mensano, a new European restaurant concept from Grammy-winning mixing engineer and sound artist Manny Marroquin, is getting ready to open in Greater Toluca Lake at 4200 N Lankershim Boulevard.
The restaurant will take over a former dance studio on Lankershim Boulevard, Southpaw Casting Studios, according to a recent approval from the Los Angeles City Planning Department. While an exact opening date has yet to be announced, city filings indicate the concept will feature 105 seats, operate from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily, and offer high-end bar food and cocktails in a casual setting. No chef or finalized menu has been confirmed.
The 3,471-square-foot space is being designed as a full-service European restaurant with a central bar, indoor dining area, kitchen, and restrooms. The property includes six on-site parking spaces and will participate in a valet parking program. The location is zoned for commercial use and sits near the LA River and Hollywood Freeway within the Sherman Oaks–Studio City–Toluca Lake–Cahuenga Pass Community Plan Area.
Marroquin is best known in the hospitality space for Verse, a modern supper club also located on Lankershim Boulevard. Verse is known for its refined audio-visual experience and has operated successfully with later hours and a full bar. Marroquin, a longtime Toluca Lake resident, stated at a recent public hearing that Mensano will differ from Verse, offering a quieter, earlier-closing, neighborhood-focused alternative.
The project has drawn a mix of community reactions, with some expressing concern about traffic, noise, and increased alcohol access, while others voiced support based on Marroquin’s track record and community involvement. The proposal has received support from Los Angeles Council District 2 and LAPD’s North Hollywood Area Vice Unit, provided that the recommended conditions are met.
“This isn’t a destination restaurant,” Marroquin said during the hearing. “It’s meant to serve Toluca Lake and our neighboring communities. We’re proud of what we’ve built with Verse, and we plan to bring that same commitment to quality and community with Mensano.”
