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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
July 2010 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - JULY 2010 Archive


OPENINGS

Obikà, a casual, sophisticated mozzarella bar based in Italy but with locations in five countries, has opened at the Westfield Century City shopping center. This, the company's first California location, features a prominent mozzarella bar, as well as dining room and patio seating. Premium mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP is showcased, along with fresh local ingredients. A Beverly Center location will follow later in the year. Obikà Mozzarella Bar, Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067, 310-556-2452.
 
The Capital Grille steakhouse in Los Angeles The Capital Grille steakhouse has opened at the Beverly Center. The traditional Craftsman-style mahogany-and-leather-clad restaurant with a 5,000-bottle wine cellar features a raw bar platter, lobster-Dungeness crab cakes, and Wagyu beef carpaccio for starters, followed by Kona-crusted sirloin, cedar plank salmon, and filet Oscar. The Capital Grille, Beverly Center, 8614 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-358-0650.
 
"Too Hot Tamales" Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have opened Border Grill Stop, a quick-service kiosk at the Figueroa at Wilshire building in downtown Los Angeles. The morning menu includes breakfast burritos and spiced-up specialty coffee drinks, while lunch offers salads, sandwiches, green corn tamales, and tacos (carne asada, Yucatan pork, grilled chicken and Peruvian ceviche varieties). Border Grill Stop, 601 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-244-6861.
 
The famed Michel Richard patisserie and café on Robertson has closed and relocated as Maison Richard on Stanley, just off Melrose. Michel Richard Inc. owners Thierry Hennequin and Huguette Coffyn have opened their new restaurant featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner with classic French café items ranging from onion soup to salade Nicoise, leek quiche, Feuilleté D'oeufs, fresh calf liver and duck of the day. The onsite bakery offers cakes, pastries, bread, chocolate and cookies. Maison Richard, 707 N. Stanley Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 310-275-5707.
 
An artsy new Vietnamese spot, Xoia, has opened in Silver Lake. Traditional Vietnamese dishes include the classic noodle soup, pho, in beef, chicken and vegetarian incarnations, and a Hoi An specialty of thick yellow rice noodles seasoned with shrimp and pork. Vegetarian selections include spring rolls, pho and crepes; upscale banh mi sandwiches come in lemongrass chicken curry and pork carnitas. There's even a fusion pho beef taco. Xoia, 1801 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 213-413-3232.
 
Darioush opened in Beverly Hills next door to Matsuhisa earlier this year, then closed abruptly; it has now reopened with a modern French-Persian menu, which includes goat cheese-filled figs, roasted duck in date sauce, Angus rib-eye kebabs, mesquite-grilled Branzino, confit lamb shank, and pistachio baklava with roasted pineapple and saffron ice cream. Darioush, 111 N La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211, 310-289-0300.
 
Downtown's newest wine and cheese bar, Mignon, is an intimate little spot nestled in the Pacific Electric Building on Sixth. It features a compelling list of hard-to-find esoteric wines by the glass or bottle, and a selection of fine cheeses, charcuterie and small plates. Mignon, 128 East Sixth St., Los Angeles, CA 90014, 213-489-0131.
 
The briefly beloved Territory BBQ in Silver Lake has been replaced by a funky artisan coffeehouse tucked away on Hoover. Cafecito Organico features organic Fair Trade fresh-roasted espresso and coffee drinks, accompanied by sweets from Delilah's Bakery and weekend tamale specials from La Guera Tamalera. Cafecito Organico, 534 N. Hoover St., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 323-666-1950.
 
Momed, a new modern Mediterranean Beverly Hills café and market, offers casual dining and takeout with a menu full of upscale Lebanese, Greek and Turkish specialties. Breakfasts include organic oven-baked eggs scrambled with spinach, feta and pine nuts and freshly baked Lebanese morning flatbreads; mezze range from hummus with wild mushrooms to baked lamb with currants and pine nuts; and mains include pita hand rolls, skewers, Turkish-style flatbreads, East Mediterranean salads and daily dinner specials. Momed, 233 South Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310-270-4444.
 
Short Order, a casual American burger concept, is slated to open at the Original Farmers Market this winter. The restaurant, a venture of Amy Pressman (Old Town Bakery), Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza) and Bill Chait (Rivera, Spark Woodfire Grill), will feature a modern two-floor setting with classic appointments. Sonoma grass-fed beef, grilled over wood, will be the basis for the menu, while appetizers, salads, shakes and fresh-baked desserts will be offered. Silverton's proprietary special burger blend is sold exclusively at Huntington Meats at the Market. Short Order, Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90036, no phone available yet.
 
Restaurateur/interior designer Dana Hollister has opened Villains Tavern in downtown L.A. The space features deep red walls and vintage chandeliers, along with two patios with an outdoor bar and stage. On offer are a short menu of small plates as well as more than two dozen draft beers and a selection of cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices. Villains Tavern, 1356 Palmetto St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-613-0766.
 
Fresh Bites is set to open in mid-July at 7950 Sunset Boulevard, in a new luxury residential complex. It is a spinoff of Luca Giorgetti's popular Basic Bites in Beverly Hills, featuring a menu from executive chef Claudio Marchesan (formerly of Pane e Vino, Chianti Cucina, Il Fornaio and Prego). All dishes will be made to order behind a glass curtain, then placed on a 30-foot-long conveyor belt leading to a cashier where orders are assembled. Specialties will include pizza with sliced potatoes, pesto, mozzarella, fontina cheese and fresh basil, pasta with a porcini-infused chicken Bolognese, and grilled skewers paired with various dipping sauces. Seasonal desserts will be created by pastry chef Rebecca West. The eatery, seating 120 in a modern, minimalist space from architect Osvaldo Maiozzi, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, from 7 a.m.-midnight. Fresh Bites, 7950 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-822-2900.
 

NEWS BYTES

New Prix-Fixe Menu at Le Petit Bistro
Le Petit Bistro is serving a $25 three-course prix-fixe menu Monday through Thursday. Guests can begin the meal with a soup or salad, followed by an entrée like charbroiled baby lamb chops or filet of sole over braised spinach, and finish with bread pudding, crème brûlée or pot de chocolat. The regular menu and daily specials are also available. Le Petit Bistro, 631 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-289-9797.
 
Nick & Stef's Thursday Summer BBQ on the Patio and New Cocktail Menu
Nick & Stef's Steakhouse offers an ever-changing barbecue on the patio every Thursday during the summer season. Gourmet burgers and savory bites fresh off the grill are featured from 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. While you're there, don't forget to check out the new artisan cocktail menu and happy hour that runs 3 p.m.-closing Monday through Friday. Nick & Stef's Steakhouse, 330 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-680-0330.
 
Saint Amour Now Serving Brunch in Culver City
Chef/owner Bruno Herve Commereuc has added Sunday brunch to the menu at his Culver City brasserie Saint Amour, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The traditional French lunch menu will be joined by a $12.95 prix-fixe brunch, as well as more luxe a la carte items like Eggs Benedict with shaved truffles, Eggs Benedict with prosciutto and a fresh-herb hollandaise, and a piperade and merguez omelet scrambled with potatoes, bacon and Swiss cheese. Saint Amour, 9725 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-842-8155.
 
Take a Trip with Chef Josiah Citrin
"A Taste of France with Chef Josiah" presents the unique opportunity to travel to Provence and the Rhône Valley in France with Mélisse chef Josiah Citrin. The trip will take place from October 29-November 6 and feature visits to vineyards, culinary spots, and medieval villages. Travelers will also have the chance to meet local producers and artisans of such products as truffles, cheese, olive oil and chocolate. Space is limited. For more information, call Tammy Zacks at 404-467-0980. Mélisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-395-0881.
 
Lucky Devils in Hollywood Summer Specials at Lucky Devils
New dishes and a bevy of summer beers have been added to the menu at Lucky Devils in Hollywood. Options include smoked cheddar dip with Madeira onions; roasted tomato and olive tapenade; rosemary-garlic fries; and a pulled smoked chicken sandwich with barbecue sauce and caramelized onions. Blanche de Bruxelles and Craftsman 1903 Pale Lager are just a few of the seasonal brews available on tap. Also, diners should check for Monday-Thursday value specials, like the Kobe Beef Lucky Burger with white cheddar, red onion and secret sauce on a soft brioche bun that's served for $10 every Tuesday. Lucky Devils, 6613 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-465-8259.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

Former chef Shelley Cooper has departed First & Hope Supper Club, the high-concept downtown venue with live jazz and cabaret and upscale American comfort food. The search is on for a new chef, and the menu will remain the same. First & Hope Supper Club, 710 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-617-8555.
 

CLOSINGS

Sushi Roku on 3rd Street closed for renovations on August 1. The two-month project will encompass new menu additions, redesigned server uniforms, and extensive changes to the interior and exterior, including the addition of a new bar and lounge area. Sushi Roku also has two other Los Angeles area locations in Santa Monica and Pasadena. Sushi Roku, 8445 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323-655-6767.
 
Popular Brentwood restaurant Chez Mimi has closed due to rising rent costs, but owner Micheline Herbert plans to reopen later this year in a new Westside location. Chez Mimi, 246 26th St., Santa Monica, CA 90402, no phone.
 
In October, Pasadena's El Cholo will be moving from its current freestanding location on Fair Oaks to the Paseo Colorado shoppping/entertainment complex, occupying the space vacated by Paseo Cantina at 260 E. Colorado Blvd. El Cholo, 958 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105, 626-441-4353.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
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