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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
April 2014 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - APRIL 2014 Archive


OPENINGS

Newport Seafood, a Chinese seafood restaurant from the San Gabriel Valley, will be making its Beverly Hills debut on La Cienega’s Restaurant Row, in the space previously occupied by Xandros. Newport Seafood, 50 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211, no phone.
 
Wexler’s Deli has been added to the Grand Central Market’s burgeoning restaurant roster, with Micah Wexler (Mezze) dishing up Jewish deli-style sandwiches and bagels with house-cured lox and sturgeon, pastrami and corned beef, and baked goods. Also expect homemade pickles and egg creams. Wexler’s Deli, 317 Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-624-2378.
 
Dusty’s Bistro in Silver Lake has been replaced by Samosa House Sunset, a vegetarian Indian restaurant with a flagship in Mar Vista (established in 1979) and another popular outpost in Culver City. Expect appetizers like samosas and pakora, small plates of saag and pav bhaji, South Indian dishes, mango lassi and rose milk. Samosa House Sunset, 3200 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 310-398-6766.
 
The former Crown Bar space was revived by the 1933 Group (Thirsty Crow, Bigfoot Lodge) and has become Harlowe, featuring craft cocktails and a bar menu by Eric Greenspan. Harlowe, 7321 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-876-5839.
 
Eric Greenspan’s shuttered restaurant The Foundry on Melrose has been completely transformed into the stunningly beautiful cocktail spot Melrose Umbrella Company by the folks behind the Key Club and Bistrot Bagatelle - Los Angeles. Co-owner Zach Patterson (Bagatelle), along with Julian Cox (Picca), creates a stylish craft cocktail program using home-made tinctures, syrups, and tonics from seasonal ingredients. The adjacent Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese serves up a menu of sandwiches and salads to complement the cocktails. Melrose Umbrella Company, 7465 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-951-0709.
 
Partners Jason Bernstein and James Starr, proprietors of Golden State, have opened Cofax in a former kosher meat market a few doors to the north on Fairfax Avenue. Cofax brews beans from Stumptown and also features guest roasters. Bottled kombucha is available, too. Cofax, 440 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-424-7485.
 
Chef Andre Guerrero, whose quality quick-serve eatery, The Oinkster, has been an Eagle Rock favorite for almost a decade, is replicating the concept in Hollywood, slated to open late April. The design is courtesy of the innovative architectural firm, Design, Bitches (Superba Snack Bar), and the vibe is contemporary with communal tables and a patio. The Oinkster, 776 Vine St., Hollywood, CA 90038, no phone.
 
Stamp Proper Foods has opened in Los Feliz, just around the corner from MessHall. The restaurant/market is dedicated to health-conscious diners and shoppers. Vegans, vegetarians and people on gluten-free diets will find breakfast, lunch and early dinner menus meeting their needs. An espresso bar, manned by baristas trained by Stumptown Coffee, is onsite, and indoor and outdoor seating is available. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. Stamp Proper Foods, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027, 323-953-5181.
 
Aro Latin has opened in South Pasadena, a contemporary Latin fusion restaurant from Karan and Candy Garcia Raina, owners of Radhika, an Indian eatery in Pasadena. A multinational menu includes tamales from El Salvador, tiraditos from Peru, tacos from Oaxaca, and paella from Spain. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily and has a full bar. Aro Latin, 1019 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030, 626-799-9400.
 
Chef Eric Greenspan has opened Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese Chef Eric Greenspan has opened Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese. The casual eatery features a menu of highly inventive grilled cheese creations. Greenspan's Grilled Cheese, 7465 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-591-0177.
 
Terrazza, a new café and lounge in Casa del Mar, will open in Spring 2014. The restaurant will overlook the ocean and feature a market-driven menu from chef Sven Mede. Guests can expect seasonal salads, pizzas, housemade pastas and a rotating selection of seafood, including crudo. Terrazza, Casa del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405, 310-581-5533.
 
Quinn and Karen Hatfield (Hatfield's, The Sycamore Kitchen) will open Odys & Penelope in Fall 2014. The meat-centric concept will be influenced by the cooking methods of grilling and smoking. Odys & Penelope, 127 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, no phone.
 
Faith & Flower has opened in downtown Los Angeles. The restaurant is helmed by executive chef Michael Hung, formerly of San Francisco’s La Folie, who is offering globally influenced California cuisine. Brunch will be available Sat.-Sun. as of April 19th. Faith & Flower, 705 W. 9th St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-239-0642.
 
SHIKI Beverly Hills has opened in the former Enoteca Drago space in Beverly Hills. Executive chef Shige Fujimoto (Matsuhisa, Asanebo) presents a chef’s selection “omakase” menu ($80) with Japanese dishes like halibut sashimi with sliced truffle. SHIKI Beverly Hills, 410 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-888-0036.
 
Former L'Orangerie GM Stephane Clasquin is opening L'Orangerie Bistro on Robertson Boulevard in summer 2014. Expect casual French fare and a piano bar. L'Orangerie Bistro, 426 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034, no phone.
 
Melissa Rosen's second outpost of Locali now serves up vegan, vegetarian and organic fare to Venice. Expect organic, probiotic smoothies, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, panini, soups, salads and quinoa bowls, alongside gluten-free baked goods and organic coffee drinks. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. Locali, 701 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, 310-399-2254.
 
On the rockin’ section of Sunset Strip, in the former Frankie and Johnnie's, Dough Pizzeria & Bar has opened. Expect arancini and stuffed squash blossoms, red kale salad, gnocchi with roasted oyster mushrooms and charred broccoli, and entrees including seabass, braised short rib and Jidori chicken. Pizzas range from standard Margherita and pepperoni to pies topped with braised short rib, trout or olive tapenade. Lunch & Dinner daily. Dough Pizzeria & Bar, 8947 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-276-7770.
 
Bardot has opened in Claremont Village in the space housing recently shuttered Harvard Square. The new eatery is a venture of Harvard Square owner Alain Fournier, who also owns two Café Allegro locations in the Inland Empire. Bardot features some French-inspired small plates, entrée salads, sandwiches and pastas in a more hip, updated space. Lunch & Dinner daily. Bardot, 206 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, 909-621-2255.
 
The dramatically stunning but ill-fated Gonpachi on La Cienega has been transformed into SHAN Social House, showcasing Japanese-style chukka cuisine and Wagyu beef specialties. Dining is by reservation only. Dishes include crab sunomono, sushi and sashimi samplers, sea cucumber, uni tempura, premium Wagyu filet mignon and rib eye (from Japan), seafood or beef shabu shabu, and two chef’s tasting menus. Expect garden-fresh craft cocktails and a luxe sake list. Lunch & Dinner daily. SHAN Social House, 138 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211, 310-659-8887.
 
Art’s Table has opened in Santa Monica Art’s Table has opened in Santa Monica on Montana Avenue. Chef Mark Mittleman's (The Polo Lounge) American menu features a slow-roasted pork belly sandwich, mini sloppy Joe with smoked cheddar on a challah bun, albacore quinoa salad with pistachios, and local sea bass with gremolata. Brunch spotlights a lobster Benedict with onion confit, black garlic, arugula, poached eggs and Béarnaise. Art's Table, 1002 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-395-2500.
 
The Westfield Mall in Century City welcomes the latest outpost of Beijing-based chain Meizhou Dongpo, a sleek, chic Sichuan restaurant that in this location also features an outdoor patio and bar. Expect authentic classics ranging from pork dumplings and dan dan noodles to Peking duck, and sophisticated Sichuan dishes like pig's trotters, bobo chicken and prawns. Lunch & Dinner daily. Meizhou Dongpo, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, CA 90067, 310-788-0120.
 
Silver Lake’s chic new neighborhood spot Lucky Duck by Square One comes from the owners of Square One Dining and Gingergrass. Expect a seasonally changing menu from chef Bryan Stevens (Water Grill, BALEENkitchen) with dishes like local rockfish tartare, flowering arugula salad, duck fat fries with duck cracklings, wild Alaskan halibut with romesco, and a DeyDey’s beef grass-fed burger. Lou Amdur runs the wine program, which may win fans all on its own. Dinner Mon.-Sat. Lucky Duck by Square One, 2630 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027, 323-686-6304.
 
The Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles’s restaurant, LA Chapter, is now open on Broadway in Downtown L.A. Something of a sequel to the late Heath Ledger’s Brooklyn restaurant Five Leaves, this West Coast incarnation continues an homage to a blend of Modern American and Aussie cuisines. Chef Micah Fields turns out pasta with uni, duck and spätzle, and an Australian-style burger with pineapple, beets and a fried egg. Expect craft cocktails and a select wine list. LA Chapter, 927 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-623-3233.
 
Hospitality group Cardiff Giant (The Churchill, The Hudson) has taken over the former Heinz 57 loading dock in DTLA and opened Fifty Seven, a restaurant designed to showcase a rotating roster of top chefs from around the country. Chef David Nayfeld (Eleven Madison Park, Joel Robuchon’s Mansion, Aqua) debuts the project with a residency highlighting his progressive American cuisine; his menu features the likes of cochon de lait, spiny lobster and house-made bratwurst. The bar area offers bites from the chef, seasonal cocktails and a wine list leaning towards West Coast selections. There’s also a performance space downstairs. Dinner nightly. Fifty Seven, 712 South Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90021, 213-816-8157.
 
Superba Food + Bread, a spin-off of Superba Snack Bar, has opened in Venice. The restaurant features New American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and highlights artisan breads. Expect pastries, sandwiches and salads for lunch; dinner items include pot pie with smoked turkey, pearl onions, carrots and a scallion and cheddar crust, as well as beef rib pot roast with rutabaga, stout, sour cream and caraway. Superba Food + Bread, 1905 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, 310-907-5075.
 

NEWS BYTES

Among the Red Hour offerings at Crustacean are a beef taco in a wonton shell Crustacean Launches New Happy Hour
Red Hour, the new happy hour at Crustacean in Beverly Hills, is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the bar from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Special menu items (available only during Red Hour) include a beef taco in a wonton shell, lobster mousse ball and a smaller portion of the “Centennial” Wagyu beef, a recent dinner menu addition honoring the 100th anniversary of Beverly Hills. New Red Hour cocktails are featured along with several herb-infused non-alcoholic beverages. There is also a six-week Wednesday Red Hour Live Music Series, an invitation-only event for House of An VIP Insiders, celebrities and special guests. This series kicked off on May 21, 2014, with Pia Toscano (“American Idol”) and Jared Lee. Crustacean, 9646 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-205-8990.
 
Providence has undergone a redesign by House of Honey Redesign for Providence
Providence in Los Angeles has a reimagined interior by House of Honey that draws inspiration from the ocean and an Art Deco aesthetic, featuring dark blue velvet chairs, driftwood chandeliers and custom damask wallpaper painted in gold, rose, pearl and lapis hues. In addition, the patio has been enclosed and decorated in a similar style. Providence, 5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-460-4170.
 
NINETHIRTY in Westwood Rolls Out All New Menus This Spring
NINETHIRTY at the W Los Angeles - Westwood will introduce new lunch, brunch and dinner menus this spring from chef Dakota Weiss. New dinner highlights include opah crudo served with yuzu, mango and macadamia nuts, and potato-crusted sea bass with roasted leeks, baby carrot, anchovy and a fennel salad. Breakfast debuts a duck fat-roasted potato and Roquefort quiche served with mixed greens and sliced tomatoes. NINETHIRTY, W Los Angeles Westwood, 930 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024, 310-443-8211.
 
The Hollywood Chefs Picnic Club Celebrates its 6th Year of Great Recipes
The sixth-Annual Hollywood Bowl Chefs Picnic Club offers music fans an opportunity to prepare concert picnics comprised of recipes from famous L.A. chefs. Each week during the Bowl season, a different chef will provide an appetizer, entrée and dessert recipe, delivered via email to Club members. This year’s chefs include Suzanne Goin (Lucques, A.O.C., Tavern), Susan Feniger (Mud Hen Tavern), Michael Cimarusti (Providence, Connie and Ted’s), Walter Manzke (République), and Ori Menashe (Bestia). For more information and to sign up for free recipes, visit www.hollywoodbowlpicnic.com
 
Bigfoot Lodge Spotlights New Craft Cocktail List and the Western Whiskey Movement
The ironically rustic charm of Bigfoot Lodge in Atwater Village has deepened with the debut of two new patios and a showcase of the Western whiskey movement in a new craft cocktail list by Marcos Tello and Aidan Demarest of Liquid Assets. The Western whiskey-focused drink list features more than 20 small-batch whiskeys, ryes and bourbons hailing from the American West. Signature drinks include “One Good Buck” with Dancing Pines bourbon, fresh strawberry and soda; and “Donkey Punch” made with El Silencio mescal, vanilla liqueur, mint and lemon. Bigfoot Lodge, 3172 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039, 323-662-9227.
 
iPic Theaters to Feature Menu by Sherry Yard
Set to open this spring, the new luxury iPic Theaters in Westwood will feature six screens, 424 seats and a diverse, locally sourced gourmet menu designed by chef Sherry Yard that includes salmon tartare cones and lobster rolls. From Yard’s own Helms Bakery guests can expect treats such as chocolate chip toffee coffee cookies, triple gingerbread cookies, apple caramel ice cream cups with almond streusel, and crème fraiche rhubarb pops. A full-service bar will offer handcrafted cocktails by mixologist Adam Seger, featuring a locally driven fresh produce and herb-centric menu focusing on house-made syrups, bitters and infusions. iPic Theaters Westwood, 10840 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024, no phone.
 
Easter Catering Offerings from La Bottega Marino
La Bottega Marino is offering an Easter catering menu with options ranging from English pea soup ($10/quart) to lamb leg stew with favas, peas and carrots ($45, serves 4-6) to La Pastiera Napoletana, a traditional Easter dessert of grain cake with a flaky pastry shell ($45, serves 8-10). For more information, call 310-477-7777. La Bottega Marino, 11363 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, 310-477-7777.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

Michael’s, the landmark Santa Monica restaurant of Michael McCarty, has a new chef. John-Carlos Kuramoto, who has been executive chef for three years, is departing. His replacement is Dustin Taylor, previously of Comme Ça and Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. Michael's, 1147 Third St., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-451-0843.
 
Charlie Parker, who created quite a buzz at the Westside bar Freddy Smalls, has departed to pursue a fine dining opportunity in Northern California. He’s been replaced by Victoria Yang, who worked with Josef Centeno at Lazy Ox Canteen, and has been cooking at Freddy Smalls under Parker’s direction. No major menu changes are anticipated. Freddy Smalls, 11520 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064, 310-479-3000.
 
Aaron Grissom has replaced Stefhanie Meyers as chef at Bow & Truss in North Hollywood. Bow & Truss, 11122 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601, 818-985-8787.
 

CLOSINGS

Chef Rick Bayless plans to open a Santa Monica location of his contemporary Mexican restaurant Red O, replacing Ma’Kai on Broadway. Interiors will be designed by Thomas Schoos and the patios will also be revamped; the restaurant is expected to open later this year. Ma'Kai, 101 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-434-1511.
 
Innovative Dining Group (Sushi Roku, BOA Steakhouse, Katana, etc.) has closed Chi Lin, the Chinese restaurant adjacent to RivaBella. Chi Lin, 9201 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, no phone.
 
Cafe Pierre closed on April 14, 2014 Chef Michael Fiorelli, most recently of mar'sel, is partnering with Cafe Pierre owners Guy Gabriele and his daughter, Sylvie, on a new Italian-inspired restaurant called Love and Salt. It will open this summer in the current space of Cafe Pierre, which closed April 14, 2014, after being in business for more than 30 years. In the meantime, diners should check out Guy Gabriele's Zazou in Redondo Beach and Sylvie Gabriele's Farm Stand in El Segundo. Cafe Pierre, 317 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, no phone.
 

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