The former site of the La Ballona and Tokyo 77 restaurants -- 3843 Main Street -- will soon be home to a new restaurant and bar, Rocco's Tavern. There's another Rocco's Tavern in Studio City -- a good place to watch a game according to this Yelp page. You can see a picture of it here.

According to their web site, Rocco’s Tavern is actually one of three Italian restaurants in L.A. owned by New York childhood friends Leo Amari, Roger Toussant, Ali Manos and L.A. native John Liska. The others are Rocco’s Italian Kitchen in the Miracle Mile and 901 Bar and Grill on Figueroa near USC.

"Growing up on the mouth watering recipes of old man Rocco’s Pizza in the heart of Staten Island," the web site says, "a childhood dream is finally realized in three successful LA area restaurants vastly unique but all proudly serving quality, authentic Italian cuisine."

And lest you mourn the passing of La Ballona restaurant too much:

On this Yelp page, friscoco c. writes at the time of La Ballona's closing last winter that he spoke to the owners of La Ballona restaurant, and he reports:

The bad news is, after all these years, management has decided to pack it in before it becomes too much of a financial and emotional drain.  The good news is, they own the building, and will be entering the realm of Downtown landlords.