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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
November 2009 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - NOVEMBER 2009 Archive


OPENINGS

Bricks and Scones is now serving afternoon tea and scones ($5 gets you a pot of tea, two scones with jam, clotted cream and lemon curd---all day), along with savory items like turkey, pesto and mozzarella panini and grilled ham and cheese. There are also gourmet baked goods including chestnut corn muffin cake, berry shortcake and red velvet cupcakes. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily. Bricks and Scones, 403 N Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024, 323-463-0811.
 
Campanile's Mark Peel has opened a casual eatery, The Point, in an office building in Culver City. Expect quiche Lorraine, shaved fennel and avocado salad, kabocha squash and toasted pumpkin seed soup and a host of sandwiches ranging from BLTA to meatloaf with pickled onion, cucumbers and horseradish on a Kaiser roll---all under $10. Have them with an interesting, eclectic selection of wines--- all $20 or less---from Herzegovina to Languedoc. Breakfast & Lunch Mon.-Fri. The Point, 8522 National Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-836-8400.
 
Kris Morningstar (Blue Velvet, CASA) is whipping up haute sandwiches in Hollywood's new gourmet marketplace/wine bar The Mercantile. Expect smoked trout with horseradish aioli and golden beets on a tartine, and saucisson sec with Morbier and red-wine cornichon butter, as well as prepared salads, pastries, ice creams and imported specialty foods. The wine bar features complimentary tastes, and wines by the glass or the bottle, from a list of 100. Small plates range from French onion soup to house-made foie-gras terrine and charcuterie. Lunch & Dinner daily. The Mercantile, 6600 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-962-8202.
 
Old Pasadena's defunct Fred's Cantina will be the home of a Mexican restaurant called Ixtapa. It's a venture of restaurateur Jack Huang, who owns successful area establishments Villa Sorriso and Bar Celona. The menu will reflect the cuisine of the Mexican Riviera. It is expected to open before the holidays. Dancing and live music will be part of the scene in this large space at the corner of Arroyo Parkway and Colorado Boulevard.
 
Another gastropub for Hollywood makes its debut with Stout on Caheunga. Expect several dozen beers on tap and artisanal burger pairings with the likes of a "scarlet navel" beef burger with Brazilian black beans, gouda and grilled blood orange; an organic chicken "Bollywood" burger sporting chutney mayonnaise and sharp cheddar; or a veggie "cat juggler" made with quinoa, beans, jerk spices, caramelized garlic and artichoke hearts. Lunch & Dinner daily. Stout, 1544 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-460-4188.
 
The Oaks Gourmet, an upscale market and café with a fine selection of wine and spirits, including biodynamic labels and artisanal microbrews, has opened in Hollywood. Find roasted beet, sherried fig and Humboldt Fog salad, a lobster tarragon club sandwich, duck confit and caramelized onion pizza, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, baked goods from Cake Monkey and Delilah's, plus specialty coffees, milkshakes and fresh smoothies. Note that licensing to serve wine on the small outdoor patio is pending. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. The Oaks Gourmet, 1915 N. Bronson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-871-8894.
 

NEWS BYTES

XIV Spices Up Sundays with "Not Just Brunch"
Michael Mina's XIV is now offering a fun twist to Sundays with "Not Just Brunch," featuring haute brunch stylings like steak and eggs and deep-fried French toast, accompanied by live music, firebreathers, sexy circus performers and, of course, cocktails to wash it all down. Brunch hours are 12 p.m-4 p.m. XIV, 8117 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-656-1414.
 
Happy Hour at Cameo Bar
The new happy hour at the Viceroy Santa Monica's Cameo Bar runs from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Thursday from 5 p.m.-close. Expect handcrafted cocktails, wines and beers along with bites from new executive chef Tony DiSalvo, priced from $5-$9. The happy hour menu features crispy shrimp tempura served with a chili mayonnaise and citrus soy sauce, halibut tacos topped with a cabbage-lime salsa medley and pickled jicama, and prime beef sliders served on a brioche bun with cheddar cheese and tomato jam. Cameo Bar, Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-451-8711.
 
Elements Kitchen Set to Open at Pasadena Playhouse
Elements Kitchen, the charming four-year-old Old Pasadena eatery with a strong local following, is set to debut a larger, more serious dining room in the space adjoining the Pasadena Playhouse, scheduled for December. Elements Kitchen incorporates fresh, seasonal ingredients into a menu with diverse cultural influences.
 
Three-course Meal Deal at Osteria Mozza
At Osteria Mozza, a three-course meal is currently being offered for just $35 at its Amaro Bar, Monday through Thursday. The special offer consists of one appetizer from the Mozzarella Bar, a choice of pasta, a dessert and a glass of either Bastianich Friulano or La Mozza Morellino di Scansano. Reservations for the Amaro Bar are not accepted, and the 10 seats are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Dinner Mon.-Sat.. Osteria Mozza, 6602 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-297-0100.
 
Thanksgiving To-Go with Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood is offering haute seasonal items in their Thanksgiving to-go menu, including creamy pumpkin and aged Parmesan soup infused with truffle; garlic and herb roasted organic turkey with herb and chestnut stuffing and turkey gravy; Scottish salmon en croute with a wild mushroom farce, lemon and tarragon sauce; roasted pumpkin risotto with lime and aged Parmesan, creamy horseradish mashed potatoes; and prune and almond tart. All Thanksgiving orders must be placed by November 23 at 2 p.m. Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood, The London West Hollywood, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-358-7788.
 
Chocolate dim sum at The Peninsula Beverly Hills Dim Sum for Dessert
Executive chef James Overbaugh and executive pastry chef Miguel Torres have introduced a new unique dessert at The Peninsula Beverly Hills: chocolate dim sum. The dish features four sweet dumplings stuffed with white or dark chocolate and served with a trio of dipping sauces---passion fruit, orange-raspberry and ginger-caramel---and green tea ice cream. Diners can also choose from an assortment of authentic savory dim sum like Peking duck potstickers and steamed shrimp dumplings prepared by native Hong Kong chef Jimmy Chiu. Dim sum is served in The Club Bar and in The Living Room. The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310-551-2888, 800-462-7899.
 
Bottomless Bubbly at Casa Del Mar's Brunch
Casa Del Mar has debuted its new Sunday "Bubbly Brunch" with bottomless champagne and a retro dessert buffet featuring mini éclairs, warm milk chocolate bread pudding and an ice cream station. The "Bubbly Brunch" costs $29, with bottomless champagne for an additional $8.99. (Diners who text the word "Casa" to 21534 will receive a video text with a coupon that can be shown for free bottomless champagne.) Brunch is available on the Veranda on Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For reservations, call 310-581-7714. Casa del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405, 310-581-5533, 800-898-6999.
 
David Haskell Joins Vertical Wine Bistro
Sommelier David Haskell, former owner of BIN 8945 Wine Bar & Bistro, and previously of New York's Le Cirque, has joined Pasadena's Vertical Wine Bistro as Director of Operations and official "Wine Pimp," retooling the restaurant's list of 400-plus wines and expanding the offerings by-the-glass to more than 80 rotating selections. He is also introducing innovative wine flights and teaches a "Get EntWined" wine pairing class---every Wednesday from 6 p.m.-7 p.m.---pairing three wines with three dishes for $33. Reservations are recommended. Vertical Wine Bistro, 70 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103, 626-795-3999.
 
Il Sole Debuts Sunday Rustic Menu
Il Sole's new Sunday rustic menu, debuts November 8, and is available Sundays from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Guests may choose one appetizer and one entrée from a selection of old favorites and new dishes for $35 per person. Executive chef Issac Rivera returns to the kitchen to spotlight seasonal dishes like homemade sweet potato ravioli in a sage cream sauce and veal ossobucco on saffron rice. Select wines by the glass are also available from $8-$10, and select bottles are under $40. Il Sole, 8741 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-657-1182.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

Alberto Lazzarino, formerly of Melograno, is the new chef at Osteria La Buca on Melrose. He replaces owner Filippo Cortivo's charming mother Loredana. Osteria La Buca, Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067, 310-277-3770.
 
In Manhattan Beach, Café Pierre's new chef de cuisine Remi Lauvand (formerly of Citrus at Social) is updating the menu with seasonal dishes, charcuterie and artisan cocktails. CafĂ© Pierre, 317 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, 310-545-5252.
 

CLOSINGS

Hollywood power lunch spot Orso had its last night of service on November 21. The restaurant's counterparts in New York and London will remain open. Orso, 8706 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-274-7144.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
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