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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
June 2008 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - JUNE 2008 Archive


OPENINGS

The Bowery owner George Abou-Daoud debuted Italian restaurant Delancey in April, and is already planning two more eateries at Sunset and Tamarind. In August or September, he will open The Mission, a cantina named for old church missions. Abou-Daoud also intends to open a New York-style Italian sub shop on that corner, called Tamarind Deli, which borrows its name from the street.
 
Chef Thomas Ortega and close friend Demi Stevens recently opened Ortega120 in Redondo Beach, specializing in modern Mexican food and a tequila list that runs 120 bottles deep. The space hosts a tortilleria (where fresh tortillas are made), a patio with water features and a black-top bar with models of low-rider cars. Old Mexican movies play on a water wall. Ortega apprenticed at Water Grill, Lucques, Spago Beverly Hills and Patina. The massive menu at Ortega120 features dishes like braised beef short rib enchiladas with red chile guajillo sauce and cotija cheese; a roasted half-chicken with house-made mole; and pan-seared red snapper in a sauce of onion, tomato, peppers, garlic and white wine. For dessert, fresh-made churros come with chocolate dipping sauce. To drink, The 120 Margarita features tequila, fresh-squeezed lemon and lime and a "double top secret ingredient." Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ortega120, 1814 South Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA 90277, 310-792-4120.
 
Susan Feniger, co-owner of Border Grill and Ciudad, is still in the design and menu testing phase at Street, which will open in the former home of The Dive by the end of 2008. Feniger has described the concept as "street-inspired home-style cooking from around the world." Street, 742 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, no phone available yet.
 

NEWS BYTES

Anniversary Special at Tracht's
Tracht's, the Long Beach restaurant of chef Suzanne Tracht (Jar), is celebrating its first anniversary with a three-course tasting menu for $30. First course options include signatures such as crab deviled eggs; braised pork belly with ginger broth, ong choy, seaweed and carrots; and red Belgian endive Caesar salad with garlic croutons. Among entrées are lemongrass chicken with kaffir lime leaf, Tracht's signature pot roast and roasted wild salmon with shallots and lemongrass vinaigrette. Dessert choices include chocolate pudding and pecan pie. This anniversary promotion is offered Sundays through Wednesdays, from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. until Labor Day, September 1. Tracht's will also provide a 25% discount on any bottle of wine from its list purchased with this promotion. Tracht's, Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, 111 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802, 562-499-2533.
 
The Penthouse at Huntley Santa Monica Beach Summertime at The Penthouse
The Penthouse at Huntley Santa Monica Beach has debuted new summer menu items that showcase fresh seasonal produce such as melons, heirloom tomatoes, and squash. A few of executive chef Seth Greenburg's new dishes include Kusshi oysters with Tuscan melon granita, Serrano ham, and jalapeno threads; cucumber and melon gazpacho with house-made citrus spice; and seared scallops served with braised Kurobuta pork belly and tomato gremolata. In addition, house mixologists have introduced new exotic summer cocktails and sangria for guests to sip on the rooftop lounge overlooking the ocean. The Penthouse at Huntley Santa Monica Beach, Huntley Santa Monica Beach, 1111 Second St., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-393-8080.
 
The 9th Hour Menu at Foxtail
Foxtail executive chef Antonia Lofaso recently debuted "The 9th Hour," a menu of specialty cocktails and "delectable treats," all $9 and all available weekdays from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Expect options like lobster en croute with curry, lemongrass and cilantro; Kumamoto oyster ceviche with heirloom tomatoes, jalapeño and kaffir lime leaves; and caramelized shallot tarte tatin with white asparagus, wild mushrooms and Tallegio cheese. Foxtail, 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-859-8369.
 
Up on the Roof
The Peninsula Beverly Hills unveiled the redesign of The Roof Garden in time for summer. Cheryl Rowley Design oversaw the $4 million renovation, including a "living wall" of palm trees, jasmine and wisteria, sweeping city views, a 60-foot swimming pool surrounded by heated limestone tiles and twelve cabanas with flat screen TVs. The new menu features "Naturally Peninsula" dishes like watermelon and cherry tomato soup, snapper ceviche with tostones and nori-wrapped ahi tuna with crispy bamboo-scented rice. A chef mans the outdoor grill, cooking steaks, fish and chicken. The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310-551-2888, 800-462-7899.
 
New Dining Options at Blue Velvet
Blue Velvet, situated across the 110 from downtown in The Flat, has introduced two new dining options. Executive chef Jonathan McDowell is offering a seasonal three-course lunch menu. Dishes might include butter lettuce salad with candied kumquats, cashews and champagne vinaigrette; or fricassee of Guinea hen with flageolets, lardon, Brussels sprout leaves and thyme jus. Priced at $20 per person, lunch lasts Mon.-Fri. from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. A poolside happy hour runs Mon.-Fri. from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., featuring live DJs, dollar-a-minute massage and $5 well drinks, draught beer and wine selections. Complimentary passed hors d'oeuvres consist of grilled Argentinean-style Provolone, caprese flatbread with cherry tomatoes and Gruyère, shrimp à la plancha with avocado pureé and pork rolls with shredded cabbage and spicy miso sauce. Blue Velvet, The Flat, 750 Garland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90017, 213-239-0061.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

BIN189 at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa has announced the appointment of Joseph Antonishek as executive chef. Antonishek comes to BIN189 from MINX Restaurant & Lounge in Glendale. Previously, he has cooked at the Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills, O-Bar, the Argyle and the Mondrian hotels. "I am excited for this new opportunity to share my passion for the culinary arts at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa," says the chef, who has a genuine love of the outdoors. BIN189, Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa , 27984 Hwy. 189, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352, 909-337-4189.
 
Chef Michael Ruiz closed Ingredients, his short-lived small plates emporium and gourmet shop, but quickly rebounded by assuming the executive chef position at Cobras & Matadors. To coincide with the chef change, restaurateur Steven Arroyo retooled Goat as a third Cobras & Matadors, joining the Beverly Boulevard and Los Feliz locations. Ruiz will eventually rewrite the menus at all three restaurants, but he began on La Brea. The menu at the newest Cobras & Matadors now features sherry-braised pork shoulder with blackened apples, green peppers and orange; pimenton scallops with charred apple, morcilla and saffron butter; and sautéed mushrooms with sage, almonds and scallion créma. Open nightly at 6 p.m. Cobras & Matadors, 460 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-936-7622.
 

CLOSINGS

Mike Zamarripa will temporarily close The Coffee Table in Silver Lake in October 2008 to make way for a 64-condo mixed-use development. He will re-open on the ground floor in 2009 in one of the developer's two retail spaces. During the year-and-a-half closure, Zamarripa will continue to operate The Coffee Table Bistro and adjacent CT Lounge in Eagle Rock. The other space in the Silver Lake complex will potentially host a wine bar. The Coffee Table, 2930 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039, 323-644-8111.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
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