News for Restaurants in Los Angeles July 2011 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 - JULY 2011 Archive OPENINGS Now open on La Brea is the German gastropub Wirtshaus. German owners and a German-born chef, Kenny Seliger, offer their country's traditional cuisine updated for an L.A. palate; expect a variety of sausages, schnitzel, spaetzle, apple strudel and German and Austrian beers. Dogs are welcome. Wirtshaus, 45 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-931-9291.   After a one-year renovation due to a fire, Venice favorite Axe has reopened for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The contemporary Cal-American menu remains mostly the same, including composed farmers market plates, rice bowls, black-eyed pea stew, trout with cabbage, lentils and spinach, and grilled rib-eye with mushroom ragout. Lunch Wed.-Fri., Dinner Wed.-Sun., Brunch Sat.-Sun. Axe, 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, 310-664-9787.   In Manhattan Beach, chefs Neal Fraser (BLD) and Travis Lorton (Gjelina) have launched The Strand House. Expect a seasonal, sustainable menu with dishes including grilled peach salad with Purple Haze goat cheese, slow-cooked duck egg with sautéed greens and forest mushrooms, braised rabbit gnocci, grilled radicchio guanciale pizza, crispy black sea bass, and Salmon Creek Farm's porterhouse pork chop. The Strand House, 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, 310-545-7470.   In Westchester (near LAX), the Custom Hotel has launched the poolside patio Deck 33 with Café del Rey chef Katsuo Nagasawa at the helm. His Pacific Rim menu is tweaked with pan-global influences; expect dishes like shellfish cigars with yuzu and mango, fried calamari, yellowtail crudo with ginger-jalapeno ponzu, black spaghetti with mixed seafood, and chanterelle-crusted Alaskan halibut. Deck 33, Custom Hotel, 8639 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045, 310-645-0400.   In Downtown L.A., 15 floors above it all, Perch offers stunning views and a French bistro menu from executive chef Benjamin Udave. Expect modernized French cocktails and dishes like "shake and bake" frogs legs with lily root, rabbit rillettes with braised plums and candied kumquat, duck confit salad and deconstructed boeuf bourguignon. Dinner Mon.-Sat. Perch, 448 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-802-1770.   The casual Peruvian spot Chimu has opened in the Grand Central Market downtown. Chef/co-owner Mario Alberto Orellana (formerly of Mo-Chica and the Lazy Ox Canteen) offers a range of modern Peruvian cuisine; expect dishes including ceviches, green barley salad, grilled chicken, tongue stew and braised pork belly with black mint aioli. Chimu, 324 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-625-1097.   Yxta Cocina Mexicana and El Arco Iris owner Jesse Gomez' latest venture is in fine dining, with Mercado. This new Santa Monica restaurant, set to open soon, will feature cuisine by chef Jose Acevedo, formerly of Taleo Mexican Grill in Irvine, and interior design by Poonam Khanna (The York, Laurel Tavern and Yxta Cocina Mexicana). Mercado, 1416 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-526-7121.   In the former Michel Richard patisserie space in Beverly Hills, Nicola Mastronardi (chef at Vincenti, where he remains) has opened Pizzeria il Fico. The restaurant features the cuisine of Puglia in Southern Italy, with dishes including housemade mozzarella, burrata and salumi, as well as roasted octopus, fritto misto, salads, homemade pastas, specialty thin-crust pizzas and Italian desserts. Pizzeria il Fico, 310 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-271-3426.   Newly opened is Vodvil, a retro bar/lounge/game room on Fairfax, featuring a swanky mid-century bar and brightly colored banquettes for savory and sweet cocktails and communal games. Former "Top Chef" contestant Jamie Lauren turns out items like pickled deviled eggs, spicy chickpeas, smoked trout salad, Kobe sliders, turkey sloppy Joes, and turkey pot pie. Finish up with banana cream pie. Dinner Tues.-Sun. Vodvil, 351 N Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323-951-0406.   Rosé, a cool French-inspired wine bar, opened on July 15. The indoor-outdoor space has the flavor of Saint-Tropez, with stylish cocktails and champagnes from a porcelain bar. For food, their specialty is mussels steamed in their own private label rosé from the South of France. Rosé, 861 N La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-289-1294.   Restaurateur and vintner Joe Bastianich, who is a partner in many Mario Batali restaurants (including Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza) is now expressing a desire to bring his mega-market/restaurant concept, Eataly, to Los Angeles, as well as Washington, D.C., after success in New York. The launch of both locations is anticipated for late 2012. The L.A. edition would be at least as large as the original in Manhattan, which is 40,000 square feet. Eataly   The Blue Boar Public House is now open in Hollywood. Designed by Spacecraft, this English-style pub offers hand-pulled cask ale, high-end handcrafted cocktails and Cal-Brit gastropub fare---think Scotch eggs, fish and chips, burgers and wings. Dinner nightly. Blue Boar Public House, 1615 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-465-1750.   In Westwood, the modern restaurant fundamental LA has opened for lunch, with dinner soon to follow. Expect adventurous artisan sandwiches including trotters and arugula on brioche, or short ribs with curried eggplant, dandelion greens and lime yogurt. There's also a compelling boutique wine and craft beer list. fundamental LA, 1303 Westwood Blvd., Westwood, CA 90024, 310-444-7581.   The old e3rd Steakhouse & Lounge in the downtown arts district has been replaced by Nola's, offering New Orleans cuisine and featuring weekly Sunday brunch with live music. Nola's, 734 E. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-680-3003.   NEWS BYTES Monday Night Movies, Martinis and Manicures at Station Hollywood at the W Station Hollywood, the outdoor bar and lounge located at the W Hollywood offers summer fun through August with Monday Night Movies, Martinis and Manicures. Surrounded by fire pits, lounge seating and an outdoor bar, their 35-foot outdoor screen will feature free movies, ranging from Reservoir Dogs to a Grease singalong, every Monday from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Movies begin at 9 p.m., and guests can order off of the small plates menu created by executive chef Sascha Lyon, with items priced from $6-$17. Complimentary mini manicures are offered by BLISS Hollywood throughout the evening. No reservations are required. Station Hollywood, W Hotel, 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-798-1360.   FARMacy Hours are Back at Michael's With Free Bar Bites Due to popular demand, Michael's has extended its FARMacy hours for the rest of summer Tuesdays through Thursdays from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., and every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. During FARMacy hours, guests who gather in the bar/lounge and say "burrata" will receive a complimentary bar bite of their choice, with the purchase of one of mixologist Jason Robey's farm-to-glass signature cocktails. Robey has just recently added a few new cocktails for summer to his menu as well. Michael's, 1147 Third St., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-451-0843.   Mar'sel Debuts Exclusive Chef’s Five-Course Tasting Menu At Terranea Resort's signature restaurant mar'sel, chef Michael Fiorelli has created an exclusive new "moon rise menu" that will only be available on the select evenings each month when the moon rises during dining hours. Diners may reserve a table on the restaurant's oceanfront terrace. The menu will be offered August 12th-14th, September 14th, and October 13th-15th. The cost is $65 per person for the five-course menu, with optional wine pairings for an additional $35. mar'sel, Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, 310-265-2701.   July 14 Looking to celebrate Bastille Day on July 14? This French national holiday lands on the day of the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which marked the start of the French Revolution. The day commemorates the fall of the monarch and the rise of the modern republic for French citizens. Find Los Angeles restaurants where you can join in the festivities with GAYOT.com's selections for the Best Bastille Day Dining.   Free Dessert with First Online Takeout Order at La Cachette Bistro La Cachette Bistro is now offering takeout ordering online, along with a special "free dessert" offer. Customers placing a first-time order online can type in "free dessert" in the comments area to receive one sweet treat of their choice (limit 1 per order). Meals can then be picked up in-store or curbside. For more information, visit www.lacachettebistro.com. La Cachette Bistro, 1733 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-434-9509.   New Italian Concept from Innovative Dining Group Innovative Dining Group (Sushi Roku, BOA Steakhouse) has announced plans for its first foray into both downtown Los Angeles and the Italian genre, with a new concept to open winter 2011. The new casual trattoria will be located at 801 S. Figueroa St. at 8th St. in the former home of long-standing favorite Zucca Ristorante.   “Marina Music Adventure” Includes Vu Dinner and Concert The Marina Music Adventure consists of a pre-concert dinner "Taste of Vu" menu for two at Vu beginning with cheese and charcuterie, a selection of five small plates for sharing and two desserts, along with coffee and tea that can be served before or after the concert. It includes roundtrip water taxi tickets transporting guests between the restaurant and Burton Chase Park. Performances this summer will include Frankie Avalon, Oleta Adams, Tito Puente, Jr. Orchestra and Aimee Mann. The package is available July 7 through August 27 every Thursday and Saturday nights. The concerts begin at 7 p.m., and water taxis depart from Vu's dock every 20 minutes. The package is priced at $85 per couple, excluding tax and gratuities. For more information please call 310-439-3033. Vu, Jamaica Bay Inn, 14160 Palawan Wy., Marina del Rey, CA 90292, 310-823-5333.   Bombay Palace’s New “Samosas and Mimosas” Bottomless Brunch Bombay Palace has introduced its "samosas and mimosas" bottomless brunch with an extensive buffet priced at $20 per person. It features a salad bar, appetizers, tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, a choice of curry dishes, traditional brunch favorites, plus four vegetable dishes, various sides, naan and desserts. Each guest will also receive bottomless mimosas and tea or coffee. Brunch is offered on Sundays, from noon-3 p.m. Bombay Palace, 8690 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211, 310-659-9944.   All Natural Shave Ice Truck Hits LA's Streets for Summer A cool shave ice truck called IceIceShavie is now rolling the summer streets of L.A. featuring flavors created by mixologist Damian Windsor. The ingredients for the all-natural syrup combos are all local, and feature flavors like Cucumber/Cilantro/Jalapeno/Lime and Raspberry/Agave/Cinnamon/Lemon/Ginger/Blackberry. Follow it on twitter at: twitter.com/#!/IceIceShavie.   Barbecue Sunday Supper Offered at Vertical Wine Bistro Sunday suppers at Vertical Wine Bistro in Old Pasadena include a three-course barbecue rib dinner for $29 ($9 extra for beer pairing) throughout the summer. A Caesar salad is followed by baby back ribs with housemade barbecue sauce, black-eyed pea salad and onion rings, concluding with a chocolate sundae or sorbet. Vertical Wine Bistro, 70 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103, 626-795-3999.   CHEF SHUFFLE Vernon Cardenas, former corporate executive chef of Sushi Roku, BOA Steakhouse and Katana, has been named the new chef at Century City's Pink Taco. Pink Taco, Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067, 310-789-1000.   L'Ermitage Beverly Hills has announced that chef Joseph Elevado (Nobu New York, Social House in Las Vegas) has signed on to oversee the food and beverage program, including in-room dining and poolside menus. Elevado will also debut a new signature restaurant that will take culinary inspiration from both Italy and Asia. L'Ermitage Beverly Hills, 9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-278-3344, 800-800-2113.   CLOSINGS Soi 56 has shuttered and will re-open with a new dining concept and name (District 13) this summer. Soi 56, 1556 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 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 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!

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