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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
March 2014 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - MARCH 2014 Archive


OPENINGS

Big Bear Lake Brewing Company is opening at Big Bear Village in the resort mountain town of Big Bear Lake. The microbrewery offers six craft beers on tap, including honey blonde ale, brown ale, Hefeweizen-style beer, porter, Indian pale ale, orange wheat, plus various seasonal ales. American whiskeys are offered, as well as California wines, all complementing a menu of gourmet pub fare that includes brick-oven pizzas. Big Bear Lake Brewing Company, 40827 Stone Rd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, 909-878-0500.
 
Brand 158 has opened in Glendale, and the kitchen is helmed by a familiar name to L.A. diners: Peter Roelant, once of L'Orangerie and Four Oaks. Here he turns out a much more approachable menu of pizzas, burgers, lobster rolls, as well as steaks and rack of lamb. There’s a full bar and desserts include Key lime pie and apple cobbler. Lunch & Dinner daily. Brand 158, 158 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204, 818-305-2861.
 
FigOly at Luxe City Center Hotel in downtown Los Angeles has been retooled into Stafford + Mathis Kitchen. The restaurant presents a dual menu concept with the Stafford menu offering traditional cuisine and the Mathis menu featuring more adventurous fare. Stafford + Mathis Kitchen, Luxe City Center Hotel, 1020 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-743-7600.
 
The Taiwanese café Pine & Crane has opened in Silver Lake in the former Cru space. Expect Taiwanese and Chinese dishes including twice-cooked pork, beef noodle soup, potstickers, dan dan noodles and locally sourced vegetable dishes. To drink, there are craft beers, wine, boba and specialty Taiwanese teas. Pine & Crane, 1521 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 323-668-1128.
 
The Acme Bar Group (Library Bar, Laurel Tavern) will unveil the new Beelman’s Pub in the Historic Core at 6th and Spring Streets in Downtown L.A. this spring. A dramatic garden will sport ivy, moss, brick walls and cobblestone patio steps lit by European wall sconces and candlelight. Inside, there will be large communal tables, classic leather Pullman booths and walls of dark wood veneer. Expect a high-end, European-inspired cocktail list featuring Spanish sherry, Italian bitters and French bubbles, and a food menu with elevated pub fare and charcuterie. Beelman’s Pub, 600 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014, no phone.
 
The Cardiff Giant hospitality group (The Churchill, Clover Juice, The Hudson) and executive chef Joshua Drew (Farmshop) plan to open Cordoba in Los Feliz in fall 2014. The restaurant will be designed by Sam Marshall of Marshall Projects (Gjelina, Laurel Hardware), and will feature natural wood accents and textures, South American ceramics, along with a traditional Argentinean grill as the focal point of the room. Drew’s Argentinean-inspired menu will also highlight seasonal, local ingredients. Cordoba, 1816 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027, no phone.
 
Southern California’s Brouwerij West will open the largest craft brewery in the city of Los Angeles in late 2014. It will be located in San Pedro inside a wood truss-roofed warehouse that was originally built by the U.S. Navy in the 1940s, now part of the CRAFTED arts complex. This will house the beer production, as well as a restaurant with seating for more than 200 people, a bottle shop, a coffee bar, a retail outlet and large private event space. Chef Brendan Collins and general manager Carolos Tomazos of Culver City's Waterloo & City will oversee the restaurant, tailoring the menu to match the palate of Brouwerij West’s Belgian-inspired ales. Brouwerij West, Warehouse No. 9, 110 East 22nd St., San Pedro, CA 90731, no phone.
 
Celebrity chef Michael Mina has opened Bourbon Steak in Glendale Bourbon Steak, the highly regarded steakhouse concept from celebrity chef Michael Mina has opened at the Americana on Brand in Glendale. The menu revolves around organic, grass-fed and hormone-free beef with seasonal ingredients, as well as signature items like tableside tartare, lobster pot pie and truffle donuts. Lunch & Dinner daily. Bourbon Steak, Americana at Brand, 237 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91210, 818-839-4130.
 
Jimmy Shaw has opened his sixth Loteria Grill at FIGat7th, and with his brother Andy Shaw, an adjacent torteria (sandwich shop) stall called Torta Co. Expect regional Mexican specialties found at the other Loterias, and at the torta shop, Mexican-style sandwiches the likes of turkey mole, pulled pork, spicy wild mushroom, and red snapper. Lunch & Dinner daily. Torta Co. and Loteria Grill, 735 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017, 213-435-6782.
 
Roy Choi has opened POT in K-Town at The Line Los Angeles. Expect Korean food stylings crafted through Choi’s personal gastronomic lens, including hot pots, soups and barbecue. POT, The Line Hotel, 3515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010, 213-368-3030.
 
L L'Assiette has opened in the former space of The Colonial Wine Bar on March 20, 2014. Father-son team, Jacques and Marc Fiorentino partnered with Mary Anne Reyes (The Colonial Wine Bar) on this restaurant, which offers an all-inclusive meal of steak frites along with a choice of soup or salad. There is also an à la carte selection of cheeses and French pastries. L'Assiette, 7166 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-274-2319.
 
LA Chapter, the restaurant at the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, is now serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner. LA Chapter, Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, 929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-623-3233.
 
Replacing jer-ne at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, the hotel restaurant Cast & Plow now offers classic bistro fare. chef Umit Kaygusuz’ farm-to-table cuisine uses ingredients sourced from local fishermen and farmers, as well as from neighborhood growers, ranchers and farmers' markets. To drink, there are local wines and signature libations including a "Portside sangria" and the "blood orange Fizz." The restaurant features live seasonal entertainment, a communal table and terrace fire pits overlooking the marina. Cast & Plow, Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, 310-823-1700.
 
Cary Hardwick and Laurie Sisneros, owners of Spaghettini in Seal Beach, in conjunction with renowned saxophonist Dave Koz, will open their new Beverly Hills restaurant, Spaghettini & the Dave Koz Lounge, December 10, 2014. The restaurant will offer refined California-inspired Italian cuisine in a state-of-the-art music venue. Executive chef Scott Howard’s menu will feature signature Spaghettini dishes from Seal Beach, including Parmesan-crusted Chilean sea bass, as well as new locally inspired Italian dishes such as Santa Barbara sea urchin with cucumber, jalapeño and pickled cherry, and orecchiette with six-hour Kurobuta pork bolognese, porcini mushrooms and Pecorino. Spaghettini & the Dave Koz Lounge, 184 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-424-4600.
 
Restaurateur George Abou-Daoud (Rosewood Tavern) has moved his Lebanese café Urban Garden to Beverly Boulevard. His healthful, vegan-friendly “ancient food with a modern sensibility” features a menu of falafel, lamb and free-range chicken shawarma, poached albacore salad, Egyptian spinach stew and lamb and feta meatballs, as well as refreshing rosewater lemonade. Lunch & Dinner daily. Urban Garden, 7563 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-951-0990.
 
Santa Monica’s Seasalt Fish Grill plans to open a sister spot in Downtown L.A. Expect a menu including grilled fish, soup and salad, ranging from Southwest quinoa kale salad to Baja seafood chowder, as well as fish tacos and sandwiches. Seasalt Fish Grill, 7th St. & Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017, no phone.
 
Chef Eduardo Ruis (Corazón y Miel) opened his spacious new Pasadena sausage spot Picnik on March 15. Expect 20 craft beers on tap and hand-made sausages (made from Duroc heritage pigs from Compart Family Farms), ranging from a “peasant sausage” of leeks and herbs, to sweet and spicy Italian, chorizo, bratwurst and lamb merguez. They’re served on baguettes with toppings like pickled red cabbage, sauerkraut and sautéed peppers. An attached retail store is also in the works. Picnik, 168 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105, 626-793-8008.
 
Chef Bruce Kalman (Urbano Pizza Bar, The Churchill) opened Union in Pasadena on March 11, featuring rustic field-to-table cooking inspired by Northern Italy and the California coast. Dishes include spring lamb with Grist & Toll grains, romesco and pickled green garlic, and orecchiette with "head and shoulder" pork ragu and gremolata. Beer and wine are served. Dinner Tues.-Sun. Union, 37 E. Union St., Pasadena, CA 91103, 626-795-5841.
 
Gunpowder has opened in Venice in the former Dagwood’s Pizza space, aiming to offer high-end, healthy caffeine in the form of signature tea drinks 24 hours a day. At this self-proclaimed “24-hour Tea Lab/Bakery/Workspace/Hangout," expect tea lattes, matcha smoothies and iced, fresh-fruit tea infusions ranging from jasmine and Asian pear to white-tea with strawberry, watermelon and blueberry. The gluten-free baked goodies are from Merce Muse (Paris). There’s also free WiFi and dogs are welcome. Gunpowder, 202 S Main St., Venice, CA 90291, 310-422-6138.
 
When you’re craving a Philly cheesesteak in Koreatown, head to Whiz, the new sandwich shop around the corner from Beer Belly. Cheesesteaks range from the “Whiz Wit” (Cheese Whiz and grilled onions,) to “Jalapeño Jack” (house-made pepper jack whiz and house-pickled jalapeños,) to Buffalo bleu chicken. Also featured are hot sandwiches with the likes of applewood bacon and pork shoulder meatballs, and cold hoagies as well. Lunch & Dinner daily. Whiz, 3901 W 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90020, 213-249-9449.
 
In downtown L.A., Local Table now offers eggs, sandwiches, salads and mains made with local, sustainable ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Expect sweet potato goji salad, a turkey apple sandwich, California black cod, wild rice stuffed Tuscan kale, and sesame chicken with red beet risotto. Also, you'll find Handsome Coffee drinks and fresh, cold-pressed juices. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Mon.-Sat. Local Table, 800 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017, 213-488-2654.
 
West Hollywood welcomes Glazed Donut Bistro, which offers artisanal “Donuts for Grownups.” We don’t see why kids wouldn’t like the "Happy Happy Almond Joy" variety, the chocolate hazelnut crunch or the "Mambo Italiano," filled with a house-made Italian cannoli cream. Adults might prefer bourbon pecan pie donuts, and certainly the Stumptown coffee drinks. Savory lunch items also include fried chicken beignets and brioche donut sliders with barbecued pork. Breakfast & Lunch Tues.-Sun. Glazed Donut Bistro, 8807 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-360-0222.
 
The sustainable Belcampo Meat Co. --- which together comprises a ranch, a processing plant and now a butcher shop and restaurant in downtown L.A.’s Grand Central Market --- has opened. The store sells grass-fed beef, lamb, pork, poultry, goat and rabbit; a lunch counter serves soups, sandwiches, burgers and stews. Massiomo Spigaroli from Antica Corte Pallvicina in Italy is advising on an upcoming charcuterie program, and the company also has plans to open a Santa Monica location later this year. Belcampo Meat Co., Grand Central Market, 317 Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-625-0304.
 
Mondo Taco’s second location has now opened in Santa Monica. Expect gourmet fusion tacos on handmade corn tortillas (or gluten-free) with chicken and chipotle with goat cheese, braised short rib and horseradish slaw, grilled Cajun fish with jambalaya, and coconut shrimp with curry sauce. Lunch & Dinner daily. Mondo Taco, 2200 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404, 310-310-8922.
 
In Beverly Hills, Comoncy Café has opened, offering Equator espresso coffee, breakfast sandwiches, kale, quinoa and arugula salads, and half a dozen kinds of sandwiches. Breakfast & Lunch Mon.-Sat. Comoncy Cafe, 413 N. Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 424-285-8874.
 
The Malibu Pier Restaurant and Bar is slated to open on May 15, 2014, with chef Jason Fullilove (Da Vinci, The Tar Pit, LACMA) helming the stoves, offering a seafood-centric menu that includes crudo, small plates and larger entrées. Malibu Pier Restaurant and Bar, 23000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, 310-456-8820.
 

NEWS BYTES

Read GAYOT GAYOT's 25 Best Restaurants in LA
Los Angeles is spoiled for choice when it comes to new, inventive and important places to dine, which is why we invite you to broaden your horizons at one of GAYOT's 25 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles. An upscale vegan restaurant, a sexy steakhouse and an ambitious, multi-cultural dining concept are just a few of the highlights.
 
Tableside For Two Menu At Café Pinot
Café Pinot presents the Two for Tableside dinner menu, a culinary program highlighting the art of tableside dramatic staging of dishes by executive chef Sydney Hunter. Available Monday through Friday, the tableside dish for two rotates every two weeks during dinner hours. Côte de boeuf, carved off the bone tableside, will be featured from March 24 to April 4; turbot, roasted in the oven with the skin and then deboned tableside, will be offered from April 7 to April 18; double-cut Salmon Creek Farm’s pork chop, oven-roasted with the bone-in, then presented tableside for bone removal, will be featured from April 21 to May 2; dorade, cooked with the whole head on and deboned tableside, will be offered from May 5 to May 16. Cafe Pinot, 700 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-239-6500.
 
New Project from Chef Josiah Citrin
A new project from Mélisse chef/owner Josiah Citrin is reportedly in the works: a casual restaurant taking over the Macchi's Bistro space in Marina del Rey. A name for the restaurant has not yet been announced. Mélisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-395-0881.
 
Patina Group Expands with More Casual Eateries
Patina Restaurant Group has been in an expansion mode. Last fall, the restaurant group opened Patina Tokyo, and is now rolling out three new casual locations in L.A. Market Café at the corner of Hope and Sixth Streets downtown will provide breakfast and lunch for busy Financial District workers. In addition, the company’s third C+M and fifth Market Café arrived in Westwood on March 19. All three restaurants will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Market Café, 550 S. Hope St., Los Angeles; C+M, Market Café, 11111 and 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Westwood.
 
Local Pizzeria in the Spotlight
Among the memorable moments from the 2014 Academy Awards was Oscars host Ellen DeGeneres handing out pizzas to the celebrities seated in the front rows of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. So where did the pies come from? They were delivered by Big Mama's & Papa's Pizzeria, which has 20 locations in the Southern California area, including one in Hollywood. Big Mama's & Papa's Pizzeria, 7353 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-851-8111.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

Check back soon for more news.

CLOSINGS

Trader Vic's at L.A. Live has closed. Trader Vic's Lounge at The Beverly Hilton remains open. Trader Vic's, L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. A-120, Los Angeles, CA 90015, no phone.
 
Chef Roy Yamaguchi has closed his downtown location of Roy’s; however the Roy’s spots in Pasadena, Anaheim, Newport Beach and Woodland Hills remain open. Roy's, 800 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017, no phone.
 
The Hollywood Arclight Complex’s Southern barbecue joint, Roadside Eats, has closed. Roadside Eats, ArcLight, 6374 W. Sunset Blvd., Ste. D, Los Angeles, CA 90028, no phone.
 
In Santa Monica, Italian favorite La Botte has closed. Chef/owner Stefano De Lorenzo is working on another yet undisclosed project. La Botte, 620 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, no phone.
 

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