Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.




 

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
January 2013 Archive

Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive

Get news for restaurants in Los Angeles.  Learn more about what's going on in your dining community.  From chefs to new restaurants, you'll get the most out of Los Angeles restaurants when you know what's going on. 

LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - JANUARY 2013 Archive


OPENINGS

Chef Ressul Rassallat (L'Orangerie, The Lodge at Pebble Beach) has opened his first restaurant in West L.A., Tapenade. Not only that, he designed and built it himself. Expect a rustic, global menu of small plates built around fresh California market ingredients, such as crispy Brussels sprouts with almonds and capers; grilled squid with tomato, beans and chorizo; lamb shank for two; and the signature dish --- ricotta tapenade with crunchy miniature loaves of rosemary bread. Lunch and Dinner Mon.-Sat. Tapenade, 11301 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064, 310-312-6233.
 
Lenny Rosenberg, a second generation deli owner from New York, launched his newest location of Lenny's Deli in Westwood February 7. The restaurant replaced the famed Junior's Deli, which closed last year after 53 years. Rosenberg has noted his great respect for the memory of Marvin Saul, the founder of Junior's Deli, and states that he wants to bring the traditions of the classic deli into the 21st century, with more healthy options and lower prices. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. Lenny's Deli, 2379 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064, 310-475-5771.
 
Mr. Chow has opened a branch at the Malibu Country Mart in the former Nobu Malibu space. This is the second Los Angeles area location of the famous Chinese restaurant, joining Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills. Mr. Chow, Malibu Country Mart, 3835 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu, CA 90265, 310-456-7600.
 
Chef David Myers (Comme Ca) has opened Hinoki & the Bird at The Century luxury condominium building in Century City. The menu features Asian-inspired dishes such as coconut-curried mussels; lobster roll with green curry and Thai basil; and caramel-braised pork belly with radish and mustard greens. Hinoki & the Bird, 10 W. Century Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90067, 310-552-1200.
 
A second location of Hostaria del Piccolo has opened. This branch of Santa Monica's casual Italian restaurant Hostaria del Piccolo is part of The Frank, a new mixed-use complex in Venice. Hostaria del Piccolo, The Frank, 512 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291, 310-392-8822.
 
Michael Sutton, Sandy Gendel and Peter Garland have opened Sirena in the former Pane e Vino space in West Hollywood. The menu features coastal Mediterranean dishes. Sirena, 8265 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 323-852-7000.
 
Chef Paul Shoemaker has opened Juicy Lucy Chef Paul Shoemaker has opened Juicy Lucy, a burger joint at TASTE at FIGat7th in downtown. The menu offers burgers (with the cheese inside of the meat, rather than on top), sriracha cheese fries, and shakes in flavors like chocolate, mixed berry and salted caramel. Juicy Lucy, TASTE at FIGat7th, 735 S. Figueroa St., Ste. #120, Los Angeles, CA 91107, 213-683-1030.
 
Look for a springtime opening for M.B. Post chef-owner David LeFevre's new Manhattan Beach seafood restaurant Fishing With Dynamite. The former Water Grill chef revisits the East Coast fishing nostalgia of his childhood with a raw bar menu including oysters, crab and sea urchin, as well as cooked seafood fresh from the waters of Alaska, Maine and Chesapeake Bay. Fishing With Dynamite, 1148 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, no phone.
 
Berlin Currywurst became a hit in Silver Lake two years ago with its spicy Berlin-style sausages; now they've opened a sudsy sister spot in Hollywood: Berlin Currywurst - The Beer Garden. Expect all-natural pork, beef, chicken and tofu wursts with a range of curry sauces from mild to hot. Plus wine, with German craft beers on tap and in bottles. Lunch & Dinner daily. Berlin Currywurst - The Beer Garden, 1620 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-467-7593.
 
On Rodeo Bistro & Lounge at Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel in Beverly Hills features French fare with a California twist from chef Olivier Rousselle, and cocktails created by Matthew Biancaniello. On Rodeo Bistro & Lounge, Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, 360 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-273-0300.
 
The Blind Donkey, a new bar from Ryan Sweeney (Little Bear and The Surly Goat), has opened in Old Pasadena, showcasing a rotating roster of local craft beers and a particularly wide selection --- more than 60 at last count --- of bourbon and rye whiskeys that are incorporated into some clever cocktails. There's also bar food, like triple-fried fries with Sriracha ketchup or grilled cheese on a skewer with tomato soup for dipping. Open nightly. The Blind Donkey, 53 E. Union St., Pasadena, CA 91103, 626-792-1833.
 
Former Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen and Milo & Olive chef Evan Funke will soon be opening a pasta-based concept called Bucato in the former Beacon space at Culver City's Helms Bakery complex. The restaurant will include a pasta lab where Funke will be making pasta the old school Bolognese way, without any machines, extruders or rollers. The menu will feature eight to 10 handcrafted pasta dishes, as well as seasonal small plates prepared on a wood-burning grill. The 100-seat restaurant will feature an abundance of reclaimed woods and two patios. Bucato, Helms Bakery, 3280 Helms Ave., Culver City, CA 90034, no phone.
 

NEWS BYTES

The Hudson Reopens After a Makeover
The Hudson in West Hollywood reopened January 17, following a makeover after owners Beau Laughlin and Brett Cranston temporarily closed for renovations and to reformulate the menu. The collaborative effort, designed to make The Hudson a more inviting experience, was conducted by chef Conrad Woodul, mixologist Mia Sarazen, interior designer Jeanmarie Dumouchel, and Riley Rea, an expert in reclaimed wood, from Croft House Furniture. The Hudson, 1114 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-654-6686.
 
New D'Cache Chef Unveils Tasting Menus
At D'Cache, the Spanish/Latin-fusion eatery in Toluca Lake, new executive chef Phillip Lee has unveiled a modern Spanish menu to show off his stuff. At lunch, the five-course menu is priced at $35 ($45 with wine), and at dinner, a 10-course tasting menu runs $65, (or $95 with wine). D’Cache, 10717 Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake, CA 91602, 818-506-9600.
 
dineLA Restaurant Week Returns
Taking place over two consecutive weeks (January 21–February 1), this winter's dineLA Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to indulge in specially priced menus from a variety of LA restaurants. Meals will be available in three price categories: lunch menus for $15, $20 or $25 and three-course or small plate dinner menus for $25, $35 or $45 (beverages, tax and gratuity are not included).
 
Chef Suzanne Goin of A.O.C. New Home for A.O.C.
A.O.C., the popular wine bar that pioneered the small plates concept in L.A., served its last meal in its current location on January 19, 2013. The restaurant, owned by acclaimed chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne, will re-open on February 6, 2013, in the building that housed Il Covo, at 8700 West 3rd Street in West Hollywood. Dinner nightly. A.O.C., 8700 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-859-9859.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

Alex Stratta has moved on from his shuttered Alex at Wynn Las Vegas, to become the new executive chef at Scarpetta in Beverly Hills. Stratta is replacing Freddy Vargas, who is leaving to helm the stoves at SBE's Mercato di Vetro. Scarpetta, Montage Beverly Hills, 225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-860-7970.
 
Benjamin Dayag has been named the new chef de cuisine at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills' restaurant Livello. Dayag, who succeeds Joseph Elevado, was promoted from executive sous chef. "My passion is to create classic dishes that embrace modern cooking methods, while staying true to time-honored techniques," says Dayag of his contemporary American cuisine with Asian influences. Dayag has cooked extensively in Las Vegas, at Nobu and Social House, before arriving at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. Livello, L'Ermitage Beverly Hills, 9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-278-3344.
 
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun) are teaming up with Ludo Lefebvre (LudoBites) on a new restaurant. The name and concept have yet to be determined. Animal, 435 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-782-9225.
 

CLOSINGS

After more than 50 years in business, Henry's Tacos in Studio City closed in January. Henry's Tacos, 11401 Moorpark St., North Hollywood, CA 91602, no phone.
 
BoHo, the bohemian gastropub at Hollywood & Highland, has closed. BoHo, Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Ste. 411, Hollywood, CA 90028, no phone.
 
SIMON L.A. at the Sofitel Los Angeles has been turned into Estérel, a Mediterranean-influenced restaurant. SIMON L.A., Sofitel Los Angeles, 8555 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-358-3979.
 
The Royce The Royce at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena had its last night of full service on January 26, 2013. The kitchen will be renovated and the restaurant will change concepts to a New American steakhouse. Chef David Féau will be moving on, but has not yet announced where.
The Royce, The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106, 626-585-6410.
 

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

Discover the top restaurants in Los Angeles for various cuisines and categories like sushi, steakhouses, pizza, happy hours, romantic dining and even gourmet food trucks. Find the best restaurants in LA here!

Discover the best restaurants in LA

Current News View archived news: January 2024 | December 2023 | November 2023 | October 2023 | September 2023 | August 2023 | July 2023 | June 2023 | May 2023 | March 2023 | December 2022 | November 2022 | October 2022 | September 2022 | August 2022 | July 2022 | June 2022 | May 2022 | April 2022 | March 2022 | February 2022 | January 2022 | December 2021 | November 2021 | October 2021 | September 2021 | August 2021 | July 2021 | June 2021 | May 2021 | April 2021 | March 2021 | February 2021 | January 2021 | December 2020 | November 2020 | October 2020 | September 2020 | August 2020 | July 2020 | June 2020 | April 2020 | March 2020 | February 2020 | January 2020 | December 2019 | November 2019 | October 2019 | September 2019 | August 2019 | July 2019 | June 2019 | May 2019 | April 2019 | March 2019 | February 2019 | January 2019 | December 2018 | November 2018 | October 2018 | September 2018 | August 2018 | July 2018 | June 2018 | May 2018 | April 2018 | March 2018 | February 2018 | January 2018 | December 2017 | November 2017 | October 2017 | September 2017 | August 2017 | July 2017 | June 2017 | May 2017 | April 2017 | March 2017 | February 2017 | January 2017 | December 2016 | November 2016 | October 2016 | September 2016 | August 2016 | July 2016 | June 2016 | May 2016 | April 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | January 2016 | December 2015 | November 2015 | October 2015 | September 2015 | August 2015 | July 2015 | June 2015 | May 2015 | April 2015 | March 2015 | February 2015 | January 2015 | December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 | September 2014 | August 2014 | July 2014 | June 2014 | May 2014 | April 2014 | March 2014 | February 2014 | January 2014 | December 2013 | November 2013 | October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013 | March 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012 | November 2012 | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009 | September 2009 | August 2009 | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009 | April 2009 | March 2009 | February 2009 | January 2009 | December 2008 | November 2008 | October 2008 | September 2008 | August 2008 | July 2008 | June 2008 | May 2008 | April 2008 | January 2007 | March 2008



VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

Check the list.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

Get the recipes.

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

Check the list.