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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
January 2010 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - JANUARY 2010 Archive


OPENINGS

The first West Coast location of Capriotti's, the gourmet sandwich chain known for its house-roasted meats and soft sub rolls, is now open in Beverly Hills. Expect popular sandwiches like the Bobbie---fresh roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo---and the Capastrami, composed of hot pastrami, melted Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and coleslaw. Also, find hot subs including cheese steak and mushroom, meatball, and eggplant parmesan. Capriotti's, 9683 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310-858-1385.
 
Elements Kitchen has opened adjacent to the Pasadena Playhouse, featuring an eclectic menu that pairs classic traditions with Latin and Asian flavors, all supported by local seasonal ingredients. This is chef/owner Onil Chibás' second Pasadena restaurant, preceded by a mostly al fresco eatery on the other side of town, now called Elements Café. The new restaurant, which has an open kitchen and full bar, offers an eclectic menu with items like crispy fried chicken livers over grits, duck confit eggrolls with a port and pomegranate sauce, seared black cod and chorizo pipérade, and braised Wagyu beef cheeks with a Zinfandel reduction. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Elements Kitchen, 37 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101, 626-440-0044.
 
Delphine Innovative Dining Group's Delphine has opened at the W Hollywood hotel. Inspired by casual eateries found along the European Riviera, the restaurant offers a menu that ranges from traditional French fare to Mediterranean seafood dishes and house-made pizzas. Executive chef Sascha Lyon's résumé includes positions at New York's Daniel, as well as Balthazar Restaurant and Pastis. Delphine, 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-798-1355.
 
Restaurateur Franck Alix is replacing Louise's Trattoria on Melrose Ave. with Melgard Public House. This new concept will serve up a selection of brews on tap, pizzas and pub grub. Melgard Public House, 7505 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, no phone available yet.
 
Famed music magazine Rolling Stone has opened a restaurant, also called Rolling Stone, in a two-story, 10,000-square-foot space in the Hollywood & Highland shopping center. It features design details like black bricks, leather and an antique iron staircase. Rolling Stone, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-464-4000.
 
Thomas Keller's Beverly Hills hotspot Bouchon now has an intimate little classic French bar under the restaurant. Bar Bouchon offers charming indoor and outdoor seating and bar-elegant French fare. Spring for California Sterling White Sturgeon caviar with toasted brioche and crème fraiche ($75/25gm.) Or go for the relatively bargain-priced fresh oysters, escargots, sautéed pork belly with honey dates, blue fin tartare or chicken liver mousse with prune glaze. Also expect top charcuterie and cheese selections, excellent French wines, and classic cocktails. Lunch and Dinner daily. Bar Bouchon, 235 N Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-271-9910.
 
A fire in April of 2008 forced Hollywood's popular Off Vine Restaurant to close, but the craftsman bungalow has now been restored and it is slated to reopen. The first floor dining room and front porch will return to its original 1908 style; a brand new second-floor dining room, large enough to entertain up to 60 guests, boasts large windows overlooking the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park. The California-American menu will feature old favorites (pecan-breaded chicken, banana cream pie), as well as new dishes for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Off Vine Restaurant, 6263 Leland Way, Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-962-1900.
 

NEWS BYTES

Dog Gone Hard Times Menu Debuts at Zeke's
The Zeke's Smokehouse locations in West Hollywood and Montrose have introduced a Dog Gone Hard Times Menu available for lunch and dinner. These special menu items range in price from $8-$12 and include beer-battered catfish bites, Zeke's BBQ Sliders, traditional or BBQ hot wings, and chili fries. All items come with a fountain beverage, or diners can purchase a pitcher of Shiner Bock for $14. Zeke's Smokehouse, West Hollywood Gateway Shopping Center, 7100 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-850-9353.
 
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Sofitel Los Angeles
The Sofitel Los Angeles hotel is offering a special Valentine's Day promotion that includes dinner for two at chef Kerry Simon's SIMON L.A. and a couples massage at LeSpa. Dinner must be reserved on February 14 or 15, while the massage can be booked anytime in February. The package costs $300. Sofitel Los Angeles, 8555 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-278-5444, 800-521-7772.
 
LA Chef Family Tree Honors the Chefs of Los Angeles
DineLA Restaurant Week (Jan 24-29 and Jan 31-Feb 5) kicks off by presenting the first ever Los Angeles Chef Family Tree, an interactive "tree" that illustrates the intricate history of L.A.'s top chefs and the restaurants they've worked at. Discover the roots of Joachim Splichal, Wolfgang Puck, David Myers, Neal Fraser, Suzanne Tracht, Ludovic Lefebvre, Jean-Francois Meteigner, Celestino Drago, Josiah Citrin and many more at http://discoverlosangeles.com/play/dining/familytree. For participating restaurants in Restaurant Week visit http://discoverlosangeles.com.
 
Palate Food + Wine celebrates innards and extremities with "Offal Good."
Glendale's Palate Food + Wine is offering "Offal Good," a three-course feast of innards and extremities from chef/owner Octavio Becerra every Wednesday evening from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. at the restaurant's back wine bar. The weekly event has featured dishes such as split pea soup with crispy pig ears, sweetbreads with oro blanco, chicory and pomegranate, and braised oxtail with buttermilk pommes purée. Subsequent weeks will celebrate other rich, delicious parts of animals, including tongues, brains, intestines, hearts and feet. The three-course meal is priced at $25, or $9 à la carte. The Offal Good menu also offers items like "porkfolio" (charcuterie) and potted lamb, chicken or pork for the less adventurous. Palate Food + Wine, 933 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204, 818-662-9463.
 
Renovation of The Dining Room at The Langham Delayed
Capitalizing on chef Michael Voltaggio's recent victory on Bravo's "Top Chef," The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa is delaying its planned renovation of the restaurant The Dining Room, which originally was scheduled to shutter from January through March, until the second quarter of 2010. After the restaurant, which is in need of updating, has been given a dramatic makeover, it will open with a new, yet-to-be-announced name. In the meantime, Voltaggio's daring molecular gastronomy continues to shake up the Crown City. Dinner Tues.-Sat.. The Dining Room, The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa Pasadena, 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106, 626-568-3900.
 
Prime Rib Deal at Fleming's
Every Sunday in January Fleming's offers a Prime Rib dinner for $29.95 per person. The 3-course prix-fixe meal includes choice of Caesar or wedge salad, a 12-oz serving of prime rib with choice of sauces and one side, and a special dessert. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. A135, Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-745-9911.
 
Comme Ca Home Cooking Help from Comme Ca
At Comme Ca the Monday night special "Roasted Chicken For Two" ($26 per person) offers an extra bonus---along with the leftover meat, the kitchen will pack up the bones and include a package of chopped onions, celery and carrots (mirepoix) with a recipe for making your own chicken stock at home. Just like Mom's, only a whole lot easier. Comme Ca, 8479 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323-782-1104.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

Dong Choi has replaced Michael David as chef de cuisine at David Myers' brasserie Comme Ca. Choi was formerly sous chef, and the menu remains the same. Comme Ca, 8479 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323-782-1104.
 

CLOSINGS

San Pedro's popular Greek restaurant Papadakis Taverna has closed. Papadakis Taverna, 301 W. Sixth St., San Pedro, CA 90731, 310-548-1186.
 
Citrus at Social, the Hollywood restaurant formerly helmed by legendary chef Michel Richard, is now closed. Citrus at Social, 6525 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028, no phone.
 

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