News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
March 2011 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - MARCH 2011 Archive

OPENINGS

Chic bar and restaurant Wood & Vine is open in Hollywood's historic Taft Building, with a patio just in time for summer. Expect classic cocktails, craft beers, boutique wines and seasonal small plates by Gavin Mills (Bastide) like grilled scallops with truffled grits, crispy sweetbreads and roasted bone marrow. Wood & Vine, 6280 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-334-3360.

Taking over the former Sona space is MEZZE, a restaurant specializing in Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean small plates. Menu items might include couscous with sea urchin, lemon and mint; braised Moroccan chicken wings; and lamb shoulder with green wheat and Egyptian dukkah spice. MEZZE, 401 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-657-4103.

Obikà Mozzarella Bar, the Italian-based chain that celebrates one of Italy's most iconic cheeses, has opened its second local restaurant at the Beverly Center, following its inaugural California location at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. At Obikà, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP is flown in from Italy several times a week and paired with fresh local ingredients. This branch, which will include a lounge with music, is open daily. Obikà Mozzarella Bar, Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., #K604, Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-652-2088.

Valentino's Piero Selvaggio plans to open a trattoria, Primi Al Mercato, and a retail store called Laboratory di Pasta in late May at The Market on top of Santa Monica Place. Primi Al Mercato, Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, no phone available yet.

After decamping from RH at the ANdAZ West Hollywood, expert chef Sebastien Archambault is joining Thierry Perez at L'Epicerie Market, the French-inspired gourmet market, wine bar and café in Culver City. in Culver City. L'Epicerie Market, 9900 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90323, 310-815-1600.

Chef David LeFevre (formerly of Water Grill) has opened M.B. Post (Manhattan Beach Post). The casual space features exposed rafters, reclaimed wood, communal tables, and beach-inspired design touches like volleyball posts turned into shelving. LeFevre offers a rustic, seasonally inspired menu of shared plates such as bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuits with Vermont maple butter; pale ale battered halibut cheeks with Meyer lemon rémoulade; and rabbit with grilled figs and sage. M.B. Post, 1142 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, 310-545-5405.

The iconic rock and roll magazine has opened Rolling Stone Los Angeles, the first Rolling Stone Restaurant and Lounge (of what surely augurs a larger franchise.) Adjacent to the Kodak Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, an American menu by executive chef Christopher Ennis features appetizers like Dungeness crab-stuffed mushrooms and warm cheddar popovers, and mains including Cabernet-braised short rib, pan-roasted wild salmon and cowboy rib-eye. Also expect upscale sandwiches, flatbreads, burgers and salads, and small bites served in the downstairs lounge. Mixologist extrordinaire Ryan Magarian heads up the cocktail program. Rolling Stone Los Angeles, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-464-4000.

Berlin Currywurst has opened in Silver Lake. On offer are German sausages such as Bratwurst (all natural pork), Bockwurst (all natural veal & pork), Paprikawurst (all natural pork with paprika and garlic), Scharfe Kasewurst (all natural beef with jalapeno & cheese) and tofu-wurst alternatives. Berlin Currywurst, 3827 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 323-663-1989.

Robert Simon, of Bistro 45 in Pasadena, has recreated his Napa Valley restaurant, aka An American Bistro, in Old Pasadena. The restaurant, located in the former Gordon Biersch space at the One Colorado complex, is a blend of the casual and sophisticated, which is also reflected in its menu. Items range from portobello fries to foie gras, pulled pork sandwiches to Snake River Kobe-style flat-iron steak, plus pan-seared salmon and cassoulet. The executive chef is Jonathan Weiner. Lunch is served daily, and dinner is offered Monday through Saturday. aka An American Bistro, 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103, 626-564-8111.

Patina Restaurant Group is behind the opening of Ray's & Stark Bar at LACMA next to the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion. Patina Restaurant Group founder Joachim Splichal and executive chef Kris Morningstar have created a Mediterranean-inspired, farm-to-table menu. Ray's & Stark Bar, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-857-6180.

Animal chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo have opened a second restaurant, Son of a Gun, on Third Street. The menu focuses on local and seasonal American seafood, ranging from a variety of raw fish and oysters to sardines, squid, geoduck clams, and spot prawns. The 55-seat restaurant was designed by Hollywood production designer Ruth De Jong; the bar features classic cocktails, and there's a communal table, too. Dinner nightly. Son of a Gun, 8370 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323-782-9033.

NEWS BYTES

Border Grill's $5 Five Margarita Countdown to Cinco de Mayo!
For the five weeks leading up to Cinco de Mayo Border Grill Downtown LA and Santa Monica will feature a different margarita---including cucumber, pomegranate and Anejo---for $5 if you mention the secret password "Cinco de Drinko." The offer is good any time of the day or night, but limited to one per person and expires May 4. Border Grill, 445 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-486-5171.

Dominick's Annual Crawfish Boil Through May
Chef Brandon Boudet will once again opens the patio at Dominick's for its Annual Crawfish Boil. Every Saturday in May, Chef Boudet will boil 300 lbs. of Louisiana crawfish in a large pot ($10.99 per pound), accompanied by other New Orleans specialties such as po' boys, oysters, crawfish-boiled artichokes with remoulade, and Dominick's Dago red and white wines by the bottle ($12). Dominick's, 8715 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-652-2335.

Tea Parties offered at The Bistro Garden
The Bistro Garden at Coldwater offers a Tea Party at the Garden upon request for private parties of 10 during the week, and for 30 or more on weekends. Presented in the private Fireside Room, it features all the elements of a traditional high tea. Sandwiches include curried chicken salad, burrata cheese with tomato, arugula and tapenade, and traditional cucumber, while the selection of sweets features lemon squares, miniature scones, cupcakes and brownies. Every guest is provided his or her own teapot, with a choice of premium teas and accoutrements. Price begins at $32 per person, not including wine, tax or gratuity. For additional information or arrangements, contact the restaurant at 818-501-0202. The Bistro Garden at Coldwater, 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604, 818-501-0202.

Dining at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood

New Lunch Menus at BOA Steakhouse
BOA Steakhouse has introduced new lunch menus at its West Hollywood and Santa Monica locations. Fresh options include a seared filet mignon udon salad with mango, peanuts and sesame dressing; a grilled portobello sandwich with provolone and arugula on rosemary foccacia; and a grilled romaine and shrimp salad with queso fresco, roasted Anaheim peppers and chimichurri. BOA Steakhouse, 9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-278-2050. BOA Steakhouse, 101 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-899-4466.

$13 Anniversary Menu at Stefan’s at L.A. Farm April 5-6
Stefan Richter, former Top Chef runner-up and owner of Stefan's at L.A. Farm, will celebrate his 13-year anniversary in the United States with a special $13 prix-fixe at his flagship restaurant. The menu includes white truffle and asparagus soup; spicy tuna tartare with papadams, avocado and spicy soy; and homemade German sausage with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and American beer sauce. Stefan's at LA Farm, 3000 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404, 310-449-4000.

Pyongyang Express BBQ Truck Rolls into LA
The tongue in cheek (though no lengua tacos) food truck Pyongyang Express is rolling through the streets of LA with "North Korean-style" burritos, tacos, kimchi quesadillas and rice bowls. Despite it's big painted communist North Korean flag, it's wholly capitalist---sponsored by the video game Homefront, so you can play on the truck's Xbox consoles.

After Five LA Fashion Week Menu at The London Bar
The London Bar at The London West Hollywood will celebrate L.A. Fashion Week with a special menu of stylish cocktails and tasty bites. Available Monday through Friday from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., through the end of March, enjoy $5 specialty drinks like the Wildflower Martini (Absolut Wild Tea, muddled ginger, lemon juice, Elderflower liqueur) and $5 appetizers including curried vegetable samosas, a braised oxtail slider with pickled cucumber, and fish and chips with tartare sauce. Valet parking is also $5. The London Bar, The London West Hollywood, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90036, 310-854-1111.

$22 Late Night Bar Prix Fixe at Playa
From 10 p.m.-closing, guests can nosh on a late-night prix-fixe menu at John Sedlar's new urban Latin restaurant Playa. The deal includes two haute maize cakes and an artisan cocktail for $22 if you sit at the bar or communal table. Playa, 7360 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-933-5300.

CHEF SHUFFLE

Chef Pierre Gornes takes over from where Sebastien Archambault is leaving off at the RH at the ANdAZ West Hollywood. This marks a promotion for Gornes, who has worked with Archambault since the restaurant's opening. The menu will keep to the same Southwestern French style, with seasonal updates. RH, ANdAZ West Hollywood, 8401 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323-785-6090.

Chef Andreas Roller is the new executive chef of Kendall's Brasserie & Bar downtown. Roller has worked in restaurants and resorts all over the world, from London and Germany to Australia and Dubai, in addition to helming the kitchens at the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall under the Patina Restaurant Group. Kendall's Brasserie & Bar, Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-972-7322.

CLOSINGS

After a two-and-a-half-year run, SiLa Bistro---an unpretentious California bistro in Silver Lake---has shuttered. SiLa Bisto, 2630 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027, 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.

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BOURBON IN YOUR AIOLI

This cashew aioli recipe gets a kick with bourbon.

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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 March 2011 Archive

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
March 2011 Archive