News for Restaurants in Los Angeles March 2012 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 - MARCH 2012 Archive OPENINGS On the edge of Old Pasadena, Vol. 94 has emerged, a wine bar with small plates from chef Phil Lee, who previously cooked with David LeFevre at downtown's Water Grill. The menu, which incorporates wide-ranging global influences, includes cheese and charcuterie plates, fried sweetbreads with dipping sauces, duck rillettes, Korean-style pork belly, a play on chicken and waffles, Moroccan-glazed shrimp, and hanger steak with chimichurri. Dinner nightly. Vol. 94, 239 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101, 626-356-9494.   Cooks County has taken over the former Bistro LQ space on Beverly Boulevard, and chef Daniel Mattern (Lucques, A.O.C.) offers a streamlined California menu sourced from local farms and ranches. Expect seasonal dishes like pork rillettes with persimmon jam, grilled lamb's tongue with poached duck egg and chicories, and braised beef cheeks with soft polenta and horseradish cream. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun. Cooks County, 8009 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323-653-8009.   Part of a minor flurry of openings in the Crown City is Pasadena's new Ración, a contemporary Spanish/Basque bistro with a menu featuring dishes like chicken and ham croquetas with membrillo and goat cheese mousse, lamb meatballs with a tomato glaze, seared squab breast with golden raisins, squid stuffed with duck sausage, and paella. The wine list is exclusively Spanish. Dinner Tues.-Sun. Ración, 119 W. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91105, 626-396-3090.   Marcona, a new gourmet sandwich and food shop, opened on Melrose in Hollywood March 20. Expect a sophisticated Mediterranean spin on East Coast deli favorites; sandwiches include the Marcona chicken pesto with currants and greens, lomo-spiced pork shoulder with roasted parsnips and date mustard, and charred salmon salad with fennel and orange zest. Also find fresh salads, house-made pickles and sweets. Marcona, 7368 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-951-9991.   Chef Gordon Ramsay, who opened Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood in 2008, will open The Fat Cow at The Grove on October 1, 2012. This casual restaurant from the "Hell's Kitchen" star will feature dishes inspired by the farmers market, such as the Skinny Cow Chopped Salad made with Tuscan kale, cabbage, carrots, radish and pumpkin seeds. The Fat Cow, 189 The Grove Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-965-1020.   The Umami Restaurant Group's downtown deli concept, UMAMIcatessen, features PIGG --- a cutting edge pork tribute featuring various charcuterie and other creations from San Francisco chef Chris Cosentino. Also included are Adam Fleischman's Umami Kosher-style deli, The Cure, as well as an expanded Umami Burger. UMAMIcatessen , 842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, 213-413-8626.   Gene Simmons is launching a new restaurant and entertainment venture called Rock & Brews, serving rock musicians' favorite foods and highlighting an ever-changing craft beer selection from around the world. The venue features multiple large screen televisions that continuously screen concert videos and live recordings of the greatest rock concerts of all time. The flagship is scheduled to open in El Segundo April 3, with plans for continued expansion worldwide beginning in 2013 and beyond. The casual American menu has a broad selection of "Opening Acts" appetizers, "VIP" salads, hand-crafted burgers, "Headliner" sandwiches, "Front Row" pizzas and "Encores" desserts. Rock & Brews, 143 Main St., El Segundo, CA 90245, 310-615-9890.   NEWS BYTES Dazzling, Inspired Seasonal Spring Cocktails at Drago Centro The creative juices are flowing (literally) at DRAGO Centro, where head bartender Jaymee Mandeville has concocted a unique new spring lineup of signature libations. Some of downtown's most compelling haute cocktails now include Night and the City (Hayman's Old Tom gin, Bittermens Hellfire, Miracle Mile Candy Cap mushroom bitters, heirloom tomato shrub, black pepper, fresh horseradish and squid ink syrup) and the Airstream Libation (Pueblo Viejo Blanco tequila, R. Jelínek Fernet; toasted, coconut-infused Demerara; fresh lime; kaffir-lime leaves and egg white.) Drago Centro, City National Plaza, 525 S. Flower St., Ste. 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-228-8998.   New Menu at Susan Feniger's STREET Susan Feniger's STREET has unveiled a new 2012 menu with a greater emphasis on vegan and vegetarian options; more than 20 dishes can be prepared meat-free. Popular classics, like the famous kaya toast and the STREET burger with yuzu kosho remain. Global adventurers can explore new dishes like pea shoots and pork belly in mustard oil on coconut-fried rice with a soft egg; date and kamut fritters with yogurt sauce and rose petals; and Turkish zucchini cakes with dill and spicy pepper sauce. Susan Feniger's STREET, 742 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-203-0500.   Koi Celebrates its 10th Anniversary In honor of Koi's 10th anniversary, executive chef Robb Lucas has added some special dishes to the menu for a limited time. Start off the meal with a Koi Crispy Rice Flight, featuring variations on the restaurant's signature crispy rice with toppings such as Kobe beef, grilled eggplant or diced avocado. Other options include spicy shrimp tostadas with jalapeno cream sauce and the "Red Rose" sushi roll, a spicy tuna and cucumber roll with avocado, yellow grapes, tomato, jalapeno and balsamic vinaigrette. Visit GAYOT.com's Koi gallery to see photos of these dishes and more. Koi, 730 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-659-9449.   New Lunch Menu at MEZZE MEZZE is celebrating its one year anniversary by offering a new lunch menu. For $15, guests can choose two dishes from an array of small plates, sandwiches and desserts. Selections include merguez sausage flatbread and braised Moroccan chicken wings. A glass of red or white house wine can be ordered for an additional $5. MEZZE, 401 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-657-4103.   Yappy Hour at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel You and Fido are invited to Yappy Hour, a monthly cocktail party for canines and their companions at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. This "Ulti-Mutt Dog Party" hosts pooches, hounds and pups of all sizes romping and playing on The Dana Lawn. Canines enjoy complimentary hand-made dog biscuits and refreshing libations, thanks to bacon, chicken, cheese, beef and liver-flavored water, while their companions can purchase burgers, brews and wines, with proceeds going to support the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. The second season of Yappy Hour will be held first Thursdays in summer, from May 3 until September 6, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629, 949-240-5088.   Ludo Goes Hawaiian After eight installations of his pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles, chef Ludovic Lefebvre is bringing LudoBites Nine-O to Hawaii. He will offer a special menu of creative small plates at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu from March 6-17, 2012. For more information, visit fourseasons.com. LudoBites Nine-O, 72-100 Kaupulehu Dr., Kaupulehu Kona, HI 96740, 808-325-8000, 800-819-5053, 888-340-5662.   CHEF SHUFFLE BLVD 16 at the Hotel Palomar Los Angeles - Westwood has a new executive chef. Richard Hodge is introducing a new seasonal menu inspired by farmers market ingredients. Dishes include house-made gnocchi with green garlic, mushrooms and spring onions; lamb chops with cauliflower "couscous," grilled asparagus and pine nut pesto; and an organic beef burger with bourbon onions, smoked tomato, jack cheese and black pepper aïoli (served with a Rogue Dead Guy Ale or a pour of Bulleit Bourbon for $20). BLVD 16, Hotel Palomar Los Angeles - Westwood, 10740 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024, 310-474-7765.   The Foundry on Melrose has a new chef de cuisine, Nick Russo, and a new, revamped menu featuring dishes like pork belly pancakes with black vinegar gastrique, blood sausage with Guinness risotto, duck confit gratin with chestnuts, and sea urchin crostini. Chef Eric Greenspan's popular classics like grilled cheese and house-made tater tots with violet mustard are still going strong. The Foundry on Melrose, 7465 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-651-0915.   CLOSINGS Chef Octavio Becerra has shuttered his market-driven small plates restaurant Palate Food + Wine in Glendale. Palate Food + Wine, 933 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204, no phone.   Chef Mark Peel (Campanile) has closed The Tar Pit with hopes to re-open it in a new location. Stay tuned for more details. The Tar Pit, 609 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 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!

Current News View archived news: March 2024 | February 2024 | 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