News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
August 2012 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - AUGUST 2012 Archive

OPENINGS

Govind Armstrong (Post & Beam) has created the menu at the new ROFL Cafe on Melrose, where former Table 8 chef Jacob Wildman is helming the stoves. Expect Intelligentsia coffee and contemporary California stylings like roast chicken, Armstrong's signature short rib grilled cheese, seared tuna and gourmet pizzas. The acronym stands for Republic Of Laughter, and the cafe describes itself as a "culinary wellness center." Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. ROFL Cafe, 7661 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-951-1536.

Actor David Arquette's WeHo has opened Bootsy Bellows. The nightclub has also introduced Dinner Extravaganza, a dinner show featuring a three-course meal, cocktails, magic, puppets and dancers. Tickets cost $60, and reservations are required. Bootsy Bellows, 9229 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069, 310-274-7500.

Nobu Malibu, which formerly opened in a salty little Malibu mall more than a decade ago, has been reborn as a modern beachfront restaurant. Most seats, including the 14-seat sushi bar, offer stellar ocean views. Expect a high-end sushi menu, plus Nobu Matsuhisa's signature dishes like black cod with miso, and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño. Malibu specials include uni mini tacos, King crab salad and rib-eye with truffle butter sauce. Dinner nightly. Nobu Malibu, 22706 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, 310-317-9140.

Eden Burger Bar has opened in Glendale, with dry-aged, eight-ounce burgers, a nice wine list, as well as an international beer list. Artisan pizzas are also offered; expansion plans for downtown, Hollywood and NoHo are already underway. Eden Burger Bar, 333 ½ N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, CA 91206, 818-552-2212.

Los Feliz now welcomes the third location of Spitz, home of the doner kebab, a favorite Turkish street food of Europe. The doner is made up of beef and lamb, chicken or falafel wrapped into a sandwich of foccacia or lavash with veggies and savory garlic spread. Also, find a dozen craft beers on tap and sangria. Lunch and Dinner daily. Spitz, 1725 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027, 323-525-3309.

Scotsman Charles Lew, who owns Stout, is currently working with the Spacecraft Group to design a Scottish gastropub in Los Feliz that will be called The Morrison. Look for a modern interpretation of Highland culinary favorites. The Morrison, 3179 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039, no phone.

The new Downtown Los Angeles restaurant Kitchen Table has opened in the Old Bank District and features a rooftop dining room. Modern bistro dishes from chef Fernando Darin (The Foundry on Melrose, ink.) span influences from France, Italy, Spain and Brazil, including pork cheeks and polenta, beef tartare, a daily fish and grilled rib-eye. There's also a short cocktail list as well. Dinner nightly. Kitchen Table, 410 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-617-3000.

On Melrose the old All'Angelo space is now The Colonial Wine Bar. Chef Pippa Calland's (Villetta) menu includes Dungeness crab crostini, roasted marrow bones with oxtail marmalade, wild mushroom flatbread, lamb burger with harissa, and grilled hangar steak. Co-owner David Haskell (Bin 8945) curates a select list of Old and New World wines, plus beer and sake. Dinner nightly. The Colonial Wine Bar, 7166 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-657-1827.

9021Pho is scheduled to open at the Glendale Galleria in the fourth quarter of 2012, following the original location in Beverly Hills and another 9021Pho in Westlake Village. Inspired by chef Kimmy Tang, the menu at these popular eateries offers Vietnamese cuisine with California twists (including low calorie and vegan dishes), including items such as crab, shrimp and chicken crunchy rolls, mini-pork baos, tamarind chicken, star anise salmon, and, of course, pho. 9021Pho, Glendale Galleria, 100 W. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91210, no phone available.

NEWS BYTES

Menu Changes Instituted at Canter's
Canter's deli, a Fairfax Avenue institution since 1952, is updating its menu as a new generation of family ownership begins to shape the business. Nearly all of the classic deli sandwiches remain on the menu, but three new burger options --- the Hawaiian (with pineapple), the "black & blue" (with bacon and blue cheese) and a pastrami burger --- are being introduced. The kitchen's breakfast repertoire has expanded to include chocolate chip-banana pancakes and four versions of eggs Benedict. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. Canter's, 419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-651-2030.

"Bespoke Dining" Company Kitchit Brings in More Chefs
Kitchit, which arranges "bespoke dining" experiences, has added several names to its roster of chefs available for private, in-home events. The company's culinary talent now includes Michael Cimarusti (Providence), Ronnie Woo (The Delicious Cook), Betty Fraser (Grub), Jeff Nimer (Haute Chefs), Rachael Narins and Suzanne Griswold (Chicks with Knives) and Tony DiSalvo (Viceroy Santa Monica). Kitchit members can work with these chefs to create custom menus for dinner parties and other events. For more information, visit www.kitchit.com.

Two-for-One Brunch Deal at Border Grill
Border Grill in Santa Monica is offering a two-for-one coupon for its new unlimited small plates brunch. Dishes offered include coconut french toast, huevos rancheros and Yucatan eggs Benedict with with manchego cheese biscuit, Yucatan roasted pork, poached egg, hollandaise sauce and pickled onions. The deal is good through October 28, 2012. To print the coupon, visit bordergrill.com. The all-you-can-eat brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and costs $29.99, with bottomless mimosas an additional $6. Border Grill, 1445 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-451-1655.

Pop-up Burger Joint in Haven Gastropub
On August 20, Old Pasadena's Haven Gastropub debuted its Burger Haven, an pop-up burger joint located in-house, ideal for diners that don't have time for a leisurely meal. The McCormick Alley entrance to Haven Gastropub leads to the fast-casual concept serving a selection of grass-fed and free-range burgers. On the menu are Haven's signature Haven burger and lamb burger, plus a variety of house-made sauce and condiments and rotating burger specials. Haven Gastropub, 42 S. De Lacey Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105, 626-768-9555.

Auntie Em’s Kitchen Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary
To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Auntie Em's Kitchen in Eagle Rock is offering a new monthly series of Farmers' Market Dinners beginning August 29. Expect a five-course dinner with two seatings, featuring fresh locally sourced ingredients. Also, for the month of September, Auntie Em's will offer 10 Items for Under $10 each day, featuring popular breakfast and lunch favorites. Auntie Em's Kitchen, 4616 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041, 323-255-0800.

CHEF SHUFFLE

Executive chef Jason Tuley (The Churchill) will open a restaurant in Santa Barbara called Anchor Woodfire Kitchen. Look for a late fall debut. The Churchill, 8384 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323-655-8384.

CLOSINGS

Lilly's French Café & Bar in Venice closed August 31, 2012, after more than a dozen years in business. Lilly's French Café & Bar, 1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, no phone.

West Hollywood's fresheast has shuttered. The restaurant served simple, healthy food that drew inspiration from Asia and India. fresheast, 8951 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, no phone.

French-Italian restaurant Fraiche in Culver City closed at the end of June. Fraiche in Santa Monica remains open. Fraiche, 9411 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, no phone.

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Los Angeles

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BEYONCE INSPIRED LIBATIONS

Try these whiskey cocktails inspired by Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album.

Check the recipes.

BOURBON IN YOUR AIOLI

This cashew aioli recipe gets a kick with bourbon.

Get the recipe.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDS

Over the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles August 2012 Archive

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
August 2012 Archive