Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. I will be in touch with you shortly.

Issa Rae is Opening a Pizzeria and Bar in Downtown L.A.

Kate Amsbry April 29, 2025

Can a little star power help revive Downtown’s struggling restaurant scene? Actor and writer Issa Rae—along with cofounders Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan—is opening a pizzeria and bar at 718 South Hill Street inside the same historic early-20th-century building that houses Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen and Lost, a rooftop cocktail and taco bar that opened last September.
 
Named Downtown Dough, the restaurant’s menu will be centered around the space’s wood-fired pizza oven, with dishes incorporating seasonal produce. Think classic, nostalgia-inducing dishes like cheesy garlic bread made from toasted focaccia, crispy Old Bay calamari and banana pudding tiramisu. Guests can also expect clever twists on cauliflower pizza and lobster pasta.
 
Two years ago, GVO Hospitality—the group owned by Hagos and Relan—first debuted the fourth location of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen within the space, which previously housed the short-lived Gusto Green (pictured below). Now, after 6pm, venue will flip into the 179-seat Downtown Dough.
 
Photograph: Time Out/Patricia Kelly Yeo The dining room of the previous tenant, Gusto Green.
 
Rae has also previously collaborated with GVO Hospitality on Somerville, a soul food-inspired jazz club in View Park-Windsor Hills that opened last fall.
 
Downtown Dough’s first day of service for is slated for this Saturday, May 3; look out for reservations on OpenTable.
 
Downtown Dough
 
718 S Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Wed–Sun 6–11pm

Recent Blog Posts

Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.

Real Estate

Home Design Trends in Sierra Madre, CA

Exploring the Latest Styles and Innovations in Sierra Madre Home Design

Real Estate

Choosing the Right Paint Colors for Your Pasadena Home

Expert Tips for Selecting the Perfect Palette for Your Pasadena Space

Real Estate

Key Questions to Ask During an Open House in South Pasadena, CA

Essential Queries for a Successful Home Viewing in South Pasadena

Real Estate

Top Neighborhoods to Invest in Monrovia, CA This Year

Discover the Best Areas for Real Estate Investment in Monrovia

Real Estate

Must-Have Smart Home Features for South Pasadena Homeowners

Enhance Your South Pasadena Home with Cutting-Edge Smart Technology

Real Estate

Your Guide to Buying a Home in Pasadena, CA

Navigating the Pasadena Real Estate Market with Confidence

Real Estate

Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades That Add Value in La Canada Flintridge, CA

Enhance Your Home's Worth with Sustainable Solutions in La Canada Flintridge

Real Estate

Tech Advancements Reshaping Homebuying in San Marino, CA

How Technology Is Transforming the Real Estate Landscape in San Marino, CA

Helms Bakery and See’s Candies Are Teaming Up for Some Limited-time, Chocolatey Treats This Summer

Helms Bakery will be frying up a weekend-only special doughnut in collaboration with See’s Candies.

View All

Ready to Begin?

Whether you’re mapping out a long-term plan or need to list next month, We're here to listen first, advise second, and guide every step until the ink is dry. Let’s connect—and turn your Pasadena dreams into a solid address.

Contact Us
Get in Touch
Contact Details

Kate Amsbry | CA DRE# 01805536

(626) 298-2005

[email protected]



345 E Colorado Blvd Suite 130
Pasadena CA 91101