News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
July 2015 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - JULY 2015 Archive

OPENINGS

Chef Brian Malarkey, who operates Herringbone at the Mondrian Los Angeles, has brought a location to Santa Monica. This new Herringbone branch opened on August 1, 2015. Herringbone, The Seychelle, 1755 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-971-4460.

Chef Bryant Ng and his wife, Kim Luu-Ng, who steered The Spice Table to national praise, have teamed with prolific restaurateurs Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan (Huckleberry, Milo & Olive, Rustic Canyon, Sweet Rose Creamery) on this modern Asian restaurant in Santa Monica. Cassia, whose name that refers to a variety of Vietnamese cinnamon, occupies the ground floor of an Art Deco building, with 135 seats indoors, bars devoted to alcohol and raw seafood preparations, and 65 seats on the patio. Culinary influences primarily draw from Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam, resulting in Asian-leaning charcuterie and dishes like Vietnamese pot au feu, white pepper crab and tandoor-blistered naan with chopped escargots. Some dishes popular at The Spice Table have made the transition west, including kaya toast. Zoe Nathan and Laurel Almerinda have teamed on desserts like Vietnamese coffee pudding. Dinner Tues.-Sun. Cassia, 1314 7th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-393-6699.

Brothers Bruce and Eric Bromberg have brought their Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill to The Grove in the Fairfax District. Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-352-9300.

Chef Rick Bayless has opened a Santa Monica location of Red O

Chef Rick Bayless has opened a Santa Monica location of his modern Mexican restaurant Red O, which already has branches in Los Angeles (on Melrose Avenue) and Newport Beach. Red O, 1541 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90046, 310-458-1600.

Manhattan House has opened in Manhattan Beach. Chef Diana Stavaridis creates a seasonal menu influenced by food sustainability. Manhattan House, 1019 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, 310-574-2277.

Interior view of Otium restaurant at The Broad museum on Bunker Hill

Otium, a project from Bill Chait's Sprout LA restaurant group, will likely open later in November 2015. The downtown Los Angeles restaurant will feature contemporary wood-fired fare from chef Timothy Hollingsworth, the former chef de cuisine of The French Laundry who also collaborated on Barrel & Ashes in Studio City. Otium is set in a freestanding building adjacent to The Broad museum on Bunker Hill. Get a taste of what will be on offer at the nearby kiosk Otium On the Go, which is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Otium, 222 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-935-8500.

Black Hogg chef Eric Park has reformatted his former DTLA Hero Shop into the Ohana Poké Co., offering a selection of bases (heirloom sushi rice or kale), with poke variations of ohana shoyu, spicy tuna, sweet unagi, chili mango, shiso radish and soy ginger tofu. Sides include kimchi cucumbers and ponzu spicy noodles. To drink, there’s ginger beer, Mexican pop and Stumptown cold brew coffee. Lunch & Dinner Mon.-Sat. Ohana Poké Co., 130 E. Sixth St., Los Angeles, CA 90014, 213-265-7561.

Chef Charles Olalia (ex-Patina) and business partner Santos Uy (Papilles) have opened the intimate Rice Bar in downtown L.A., serving Filipino rice bowls made with non-GMO, fair-trade heirloom rice, imported from various islands in the Philippines. Dishes feature chicken tinola (free-range chicken simmered in aromatic ginger broth, green papaya, chili leaves) bistek Tagalog (soy marinated black angus beef sirloin, pan-seared, with red onions & calamansi), and dilis frito (sun-dried anchovies, deep-fried and topped off with avocado, tomato, radish and scallion salad.) For dessert, find coconut ice pops, and juice and soda to drink. Expect breakfast service soon. Rice Bar, 419 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014, no phone.

Former "Top Chef" contestant Nyesha Arrington (ex-Wilshire Restaurant) has opened her first restaurant, Leona, on Washington Boulevard in Venice. Expect “progressive California cuisine” with local sourcing and pan-cultural accents, like a slow-braised short rib, coastal seafood cocktail with watermelon and tomato, and sweet corn ice cream with fresh turmeric on white peaches and rose water. A variety of spaces at the restaurant include a chef’s counter, communal tables and patio. Beer and wine are served. Leona, 123 W Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, 310-822-5379.

Adrienne Nicole Borlongan, a food scientist and cocktail pro, is teaming up with attorney JP Lopez on Wanderlust Creamery in Tarzana. The business operates a micro-dairy in-house and makes its own base. Borlongan preaches global inspiration and local ingredients for flavors like blueberry elderflower and strawberry balsamic mascarpone. Wanderlust Creamery, 18511 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA 91356, 818-774-9888.

Mint Leaf is a colorful Indian restaurant in east Pasadena that features a pressed-tin ceiling, wood tables and floors, elaborate wallpaper in bold colors, and golden chandeliers. Executive chef Jayanta K. Paul delivers a balanced menu with a variety of proteins prepared in the tandoor, and featured in curries or sauces like tikka masala. Breads stray from tradition, with naan stuffed with combos like feta and olives, or mozzarella and toasted pine nuts. Desserts like kulfi and rasmalai are made in-house. To drink, sure they serve lassis, but Mint Leaf also carries a full liquor license. Lunch & Dinner daily. Mint Leaf, 2535 East Washington Dr., Pasadena, CA 91107, 626-460-8776.

Since shuttering BierBeisl in Beverly Hills, chef Bernhard Mairinger has opened BierBeisl Imbiss in the Spring Arcade Building in downtown Los Angeles. The concept is modern Austrian street food. BierBeisl Imbiss, Spring Arcade Building, 541 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-935-8035.

Alberto and Elaine Morello have opened Olio e Limone Ristorante and Olio Pizzeria at Shoppes at Westlake Village. These are sister locations to the original Olio e Limone Ristorante and Olio Pizzeria in Santa Barbara, where they also operate Olio Crudo Bar. Olio e Limone Ristorante and Olio Pizzeria, Shoppes at Westlake Village, 30760 Russell Ranch Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362, 818-706-6546.

71Above will open on the 71st floor of the U.S. Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles. Chef Vartan Abgaryan has departed Cliff's Edge to helm the restaurant. The opening is tentatively set for June 2016. 71Above, 633 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles, CA 90071, no phone.

NEWS BYTES

The Lion and the Mouse is a naturally carbonated beer made to be enjoyed in a wine glass

Mad Fritz Creates Bespoke Beer for The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Napa Valley's small-batch brewery Mad Fritz has created a bespoke beer, The Lion and the Mouse, exclusively for The Peninsula Beverly Hills. It is available at The Club Bar. The Belvedere, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310-788-2306.

Ricardo Zarate (right) and his team at the 2015 Cochon 555 competition in Los Angeles

Chef Ricardo Zarate Presents a Pop-up
Ricardo Zarate, who helped to bring Peruvian cuisine to prominence at restaurants like Mo-Chica, Paiche and Picca, returns to L.A. with a pop-up called Once at Santino's in Santa Monica. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, Zarate, the eleventh child in his family, features 11 different share-friendly plates, plus dessert. The menu changes weekly, depending on what Zarate finds at the farmers' market. Feisser Stone is contributing low ABV cocktails, since Santino's only has a beer and wine license. For more information, visit Once's web site. Once, 3021 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405, no phone.

sbe Sells Katsuya and Cleo to the One Group
Hospitality giant sbe, owned by Sam Nazarian, is selling its two successful restaurant chains of Katsuya and Cleo to the rival One Group, which owns the STK and Bagatelle brands. Katsuya, 11777 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049, 310-207-8744.

Nobu Malibu Adds Weekend Breakfast Service
Nobu Malibu has debuted weekend breakfast service, and will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-noon. Nosh on more traditional dishes like buttermilk pancakes and French toast, or explore luxe oceanside options like crab cake egg Benedict, caviar “hot pot” and Japanese bento box with umami sea bass. Nobu Malibu, 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA 90265, 310-317-9140.

Sāmbār Opens for Lunch
Akasha Richmond’s new restaurant Sāmbār is now open for lunch. The new lunch menu will reflect lighter Indian cooking, including vegetarian options, such as the yogi thali plate with punjabi mama greens, zucchini kofta with cashew, tomato and saffron sauce; and modern takes on street food favorites such as chicken kati with yogurt roasted chicken, pomegranate-mint and peach chutney. Also, expect salads and burgers. Sāmbār, 9531 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-558-8800.

Ortolan Space to Be Revived?
Restaurateur Fabrizio Bianconi, of Via Veneto in Santa Monica and L'Isola in St. Barts, is rumored to have picked up the space that formerly housed Ortolan (8338 W. Third St., West Hollywood). The hope is for a December 2015 opening for his next Italian restaurant, which will combine aspects of his Southern California and Caribbean establishments. Via Veneto, 3009 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405, 310-399-1843.

CHEF SHUFFLE

Chef Perfecto Rocher has left smoke.oil.salt. and chef Ricardo Zarate (formerly of Mo-Chica, Picca and Paiche) is consulting on the menu. smoke.oil.salt., 7274 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-930-7900.

Chef Mirko Paderno has left his position at Oliverio at the Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills. He will be chef de cuisine to Angelo Auriana at Officine Brera in downtown Los Angeles. Both chefs previously worked at Valentino in Santa Monica. Oliverio, Avalon Hotel, 9400 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310-407-7791.

CLOSINGS

Cafe Rockenwagner in Brentwood has closed. Chef Hans Röckenwagner continues to operate Rockenwagner Bakery and 3 Square Cafe + Bakery. Cafe Rockenwagner, 1168 S. Barrington Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90049, no phone.

Innovative Dining Group's Soleto Trattoria & Pizza Bar in downtown Los Angeles has shuttered. Soleto Trattoria & Pizza Bar, 801 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017, no phone.

Nadine Trujillo, who served Mexican food at Alegria for 22 years, many in a Silver Lake strip mall, recently retired. However, she left the restaurant in good hands. Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo and Ludo Lefebvre, who have already found success with Trois Mec and Petit Trois in Hollywood, promse #thenexttrois on Instagram, while posing with a decorative Alegria toucan. No word yet on the specific type of cuisine, or when the next Trois will open. Alegria, 3510 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, no phone.

The Venice location of Hostaria del Piccolo has closed. The Santa Monica branch of Hostaria del Piccolo remains open. Hostaria del Piccolo, 512 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291, no phone available.

The international Chinese restaurant group Hakkasan has closed Hakkasan in Beverly Hills. The company has decided to focus on its other Los Angeles concepts, including The NICE GUY and Henry's. Hakkasan, 245 N. Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, no phone.

The Belvedere in The Peninsula Beverly Hills closed for an extensive renovation and will reopen January 19. Mediterranean-inspired fare highlighting seafood will replace the former menu of contemporary American cuisine, with the kitchen still overseen by executive chef David Codney. Outdoor dining will be a significant component of the evolved restaurant, complemented by a refurbished interior. The Belvedere, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310-788-2306.

In mid-July 2015, chef Phillip Frankland Lee closed Scratch Bar in Beverly Hills. However, the restaurant has since re-opened under the same name, but Lee is no longer involved. He plans to bring his Scratch Bar concept to a new location in the San Fernando Valley. Scratch Bar, 111 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211, 310-289-8010.

Continental, the short-lived replacement for Mo's in Burbank, has closed. Continental, 4301 W. Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91505, no phone.

Field Trip at the Farmers Kitchen in Hollywood has shuttered. Field Trip at the Farmers Kitchen, 1555 Vine St., Ste. 119, Los Angeles, CA 90028, no phone.

After more than six decades in business, Billy's Deli in Glendale has closed. Billy's Deli, 216 N. Orange St., Glendale, CA 91203, no phone.

Heywood, the gourmet grilled cheese shop in Silver Lake, has shuttered. Heywood, 3337 1/2 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, no phone.

Trendy WeHo steakhouse STK has closed its doors on La Cienega and moved to the W Los Angeles hotel. STK, 755 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 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!

BEYONCE INSPIRED LIBATIONS

Try these whiskey cocktails inspired by Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album.

Check the recipes.

BOURBON IN YOUR AIOLI

This cashew aioli recipe gets a kick with bourbon.

Get the recipe.

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 July 2015 Archive

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
July 2015 Archive