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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
November 2011 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - NOVEMBER 2011 Archive


OPENINGS

Sushi Kimagure has opened at the Archstone residential complex adjacent to Pasadena's historic Del Mar Station (home to La Grande Orange Cafe), south of Old Pasadena. The chef/proprietor previously sharpened his knives behind the bar at Hollywood's Sushi Ike, which had a very loyal following. Kimagure encourages reservations and is serious about its sushi, in contrast to many of Pasadena's sushi bars. Dinner Tues.-Sat. Sushi Kimagure, 220 S. Raymond Ave., Ste. 102, Pasadena, CA 91105, 626-535-0880.
 
Le Zinque, a hip new bistro/wine bar, opened in Venice at the corner of Venice and Abbot Kinney Boulevards. It will be open for coffee and pastries in the morning, and breads will be flown in from Poilâne, the famous boulangerie in Paris' sixth arrondissement. The bar will be open until 2 a.m. Le Zinque, 602 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291, no phone.
 
Frida Mexican Cuisine owner Vicente Del Rio has opened Casa Azul Cantina in the former Tengu space in Westwood Village. The concept offers a regional Mexican menu, but at a lower price point than Frida, plus a wide selection of tequilas. Some of the signature design elements --- including a massive, contemporary mural like the ones found in both the Beverly Hills and Glendale Frida restaurants --- are present. Casa Azul Cantina, 10853 Lindbrook Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90024, 310-209-0666.
 
The Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches Shop is now open in Culver City. The culty gourmet ice cream truck's new brick-and-mortar location serves up its popular luxe ice cream sandwiches with flavors including brown butter candied bacon, sweet potato marshmallow swirl, balsamic fig mascarpone, and pistachio truffle. Also expect ice cream floats, hot chocolate and Blue Bottle coffee. Lunch and Dinner Tues.-Sun. The Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches Shop, 8588 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-424-5559.
 
Barlo Kitchen + Cocktails is now open inside the Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach. Its self-styled "barn to belly" dishes focus on organic, seasonal farmer's market ingredients for breakfast and dinner. Featured dishes include Barajas Farm fried green tomatoes with whipped merlot and a signature burger with herbed chevre, tomato marmalade and bacon caramel. Expect artisanal cocktails like the "porch swing," concocted with Hendricks Gin, gooseberry preserves, watermelon juice and lemon. Barlo Kitchen + Cocktails, Hotel Erwin, 1697 Pacific Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90291, 424-214-1063.
 
Chef Govind Armstrong (Table 8 and 8 oz. Burger Bar) and Brad Johnson (BLT Steak, the original Roxbury, and Georgia) opened Post & Beam in Baldwin Hills. The restaurant adds to the Crenshaw district's culinary offerings with dishes from a wood-burning oven and ingredients sourced from the chef's on-site garden. Some specialties include house-made pizzas and dishes like roasted salmon with smoked tomato butter. Post & Beam, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 3767 Santa Rosalia Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90008, 323-299-5599.
 
The Six Restaurant has opened in Studio City A second location of The Six Restaurant has opened in Studio City. Like The Six Restaurant in West L.A., the focus is on American fare with locally sourced ingredients. Chef Sean Mindrum's dishes include macaroni and cheese (made with six cheeses), thin-crust pizzas and braised short rib pot pie. The rustic décor takes its cues from the Prohibition era, with a tin-plated ceiling, leather seating and dangling Edison light bulbs. The Six Restaurant, 12650 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604, 818-761-2319.
 
Short Order, the much anticipated artisan burger joint from Nancy Silverton (Pizzeria Mozza, La Brea Bakery) and Amy Pressman (late founder of Old Town Bakery), has opened at the Farmer's Market in Los Angeles. Seasonal burgers made from organic, free-range meat include "Nancy's Backyard Burger" highlighted by Comté and bacon, and the "Short Order" with Morbier and sautéed mushrooms. The cocktail list --- equally seasonal and artisanal --- comes from Rivera's Julian Cox. Short Order, 6333 W 3rd. St., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-761-7970.
 
The owners of Figaro Brasserie in Los Feliz have announced plans to open Figaro Bistro on Broadway, at the site of the 1928 Schaber's Cafeteria, which was severely damaged by fire in 1992. Part of the "Bring Back Broadway" initiative to restore the historic street's former energy, the owners are hoping for a mid-2012 opening. Plans include a full-service restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a boulangerie and bar. Figaro Bistrot on Broadway, 620 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, no phone.
 
A popular Orange County food truck, Dos Chinos, has a new little restaurant downtown attached to the historic Belasco Theater on Hill Street. The Latin Asian fusion menu features Vietnamese roast pork belly tacos, Thai coconut chicken curry with tamarind sour cream sauce, short rib marinated in Mexican/Korean barbecue sauce, and the intriguing Sriracha-Tapatio tamarind cheesecake. Lunch and Dinner Daily. Dos Chinos, 1050 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, 714-383-0414.
 
The 1933 Group has introduced Oldfield's Liquor Room in Culver City as an homage to Barney Oldfield, a famous speed racer in the early 1900s. Mixologists crafting cocktails include Armando Conway (La Descarga), Robin Jackson (Club Mallard) and Aaron Stepka (A-Frame, Rivera). Local chef Chester Hastings (head chef at Joan's on Third and author of The Cheesemonger's Kitchen), has created a small selection of simple European-style bar sandwiches. Inspired by the bocadillo of Spanish tapas bars and prepared on ficelle bread from a local baker specifically for Oldfield's, the flavors will change seasonally. Dinner nightly. Oldfield’s Liquor Room, 10899 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034, 310-842-8066.
 
Celebrate Oktoberfest all year round at The Standard Downtown L.A., which now features Biergarten on its rooftop. Austrian chef Kurt Gutenbrunner (New York's Wallsé, Café Sabarsky, and The Standard New York) creates an authentic German, street food-inspired menu that features weisswurst and currywurst, potato salad, giant pretzels, strudel and German beers on tap. Lunch and Dinner Daily. Biergarten, The Standard Downtown LA, 550 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-892-8080.
 
Dana Hollister (Villains Tavern) has opened a new carnival-themed downtown spot featuring entertainment, cocktails and food, called the One-Eyed Gypsy. If you hit the high score at one of the re-furbished Coney Island boardwalk Skee-ball machines your prize ticket can be redeemed for food and drinks at the bar.  Cocktails are handcrafted, like the Ryumba --- made with Russels Reserve rye, cucumber, mint, citrus and chili pepper. Chef Darby Aldaco dishes up barbecued pulled pork pizzas, corn dogs, Angus sliders and funnel cakes. The One-Eyed Gypsy , 901 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, no phone.
 
Andre Guerrero (The Oinkster) has opened Maximiliano, a neighborhood Italian restaurant in Highland Park. Expect somewhat upscale dishes, with starters and sides like braised veal and saffron risotto, local calamari salad, brandade flatbread, and baked fennel with roasted shallots, bacon and gruyere. Thin crust pizzas sport squash blossoms, preserved lemon and arugula, while mains span pastas, organic Scottish salmon picatta and vegetable tagine with couscous. Craftsman Brewing Company offers seven beers on tap, and there's also a select Italian wine list. Dinner nightly. Maximiliano, 5930 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042, 323-739-6125.
 
Harry Morgan expands Las Vegas' Fukuburger truck into a rock and roll Hollywood burger restaurant, Fukuburger LA, on Cahuenga. Standard burgers (and one chicken katsu patty) have a Japanese accent courtesy of wasabi mayo, furikake, red ginger and habanero kabyaki; toppings range from applewood-smoked bacon to fried egg and shitake mushrooms. Beer and sake are also served. Lunch and Dinner daily. Fukuburger LA, 1634 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-464-3858.
 
The lounge of Bugatta Restaurant in Los Angeles Bugatta Restaurant & Bar has opened in the previous Bungalow Club space on Melrose Ave. Expect a menu of tapas-style choices including fig pistachio bruschetta, ahi poke with corn mango salsa on a jumbo lump crab cake, filet mignon skewers, and sushi rolls. Larger items feature pan-roasted chicken breast and grilled steaks. Specialty cocktails include a $10 10-ounce martini, an elderflower gimlet and a lavender Cosmo. Bugatta Restaurant & Bar, 7174 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-964-9494.
 
A new modern Mexican restaurant and lounge, Palmilla Cocina y Tequila, has opened in Hermosa Beach. Restaurateurs Greg and Ron Newman (Baja Sharkeez, Sandbar, Panama Joe's) offer a sophisticated hacienda setting in a beachy locale. Expect contemporary Mexican cuisine including an array of ceviches, nachos with Dungeness crab and white shrimp, carnitas Michoacan, and a dry-aged Angus New York strip served with a queso-stuffed grilled pasilla chile. There's also an extensive tequila list and hand-shaken cocktails. Dinner nightly. Palmilla Cocina y Tequila, 39 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, 310-374-4440.
 
"The Next Food Network Star" finalist Debbie Lee opened Ahn-Joo at The Americana at Brand on November 10. The restaurant features fusion fare like "Korean Nachos" made with deep-fried rice cakes, soy-braised pork and chile queso. Ahn-Joo, The Americana at Brand, 668 Americana Wy., Glendale, CA 91204, 818-242-3793.
 
Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen, owners of the successful chain of gourmet sandwich shops, Mendocino Farms, will be closing their Mexican restaurant, CASA, and opening Blue Cow in its place in late January 2012. The new concept, a full-service restaurant with an ambitious cocktail program, will provide the same emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients as Mendocino Farms. It will also serve as a laboratory for creating new, innovative sandwiches, burgers and plated dishes. Corporate chef Judy Han, executive chef Joshua Smith (previously of Church & State) and visiting chefs like Jason Travi --- who is creating the signature burger for the restaurant --- will collaborate on the creative, casual menu. Blue Cow, California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-621-2249.
 
The fourth Mendocino Farms gourmet sandwich shop has opened in West Hollywood, joining two in downtown L.A. and one in Marina del Rey. The mini-chain, a venture of Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen, offers gourmet sandwiches emphasizing local, seasonal ingredients and various cultural influences. Examples include kurobuta pork belly bánh mì, chipotle turkey meatball and a Singaporean dosa wrap. Lunch & Dinner daily. Mendocino Farms, 7100 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-512-2700.
 
Ra Pour Restaurant & Lounge is bringing a hip vibe to the 'burbs when it opens in Rancho Cucamonga's Victoria Gardens shopping center. Chef Greg Stillman, previously of The French Laundry and the Patina Group, will offer a menu featuring lobster pops, wood-fired pizzas, Kobe carpaccio, steaks, and fried chicken and waffles. Mixologist Ryan Magarian has consulted on cocktails. The restaurant will initially be open for dinner nightly, with lunch and brunch to follow.
 

NEWS BYTES

Richard Ruskell's Pastries Available to Order
Executive pastry chef Richard Ruskell at Montage Beverly Hills offers pastries to order. His seasonal cupcake collection is packaged in a holiday-themed box ($60 for 14 cupcakes). Other treats include cakes, pies, macarons and morning or tea pastries. Orders should be placed at least two days in advance. To place an order, please call 310-860-5800. Montage Beverly Hills, 225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-860-7800, 888-860-0788.
 
$2 Bubbly at Bouchon
Bouchon is celebrating its 2nd anniversary by offering $2 glasses of champagne on November 18. The bistro will be open from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. while the bar's hours will be 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Bouchon, Garden Building, 235 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-271-9910.
 
Savory has introduced new offerings for lunch and brunch New Lunch & Brunch Dishes at Savory
Savory in Malibu has introduced new offerings for lunch and brunch. Owner/executive chef Paul Shoemaker's dishes include butternut squash soup; pizzas with toppings like chanterelle mushrooms, cauliflower, bacon and burrata; burgers and sandwiches; and entrées such as Guinness-battered fish and chips. Sunday brunch might include a pork belly scramble with purslane and potatoes. Savory, 29169 Heathercliff Rd., Malibu, CA 90265, 310-589-8997.
 
New Cocktail and Appetizer Menu Available in Mr. C Lobby
In Beverly Hills, Mr. C is now offering a selection of Italian dishes from the Cipriani Family's cuisine in the lobby area, including the popular prosciutto tower, pizzas, and selections of cheeses, charcuterie and fruit. The cocktail menu features classics such as the Manhattan and Cosmopolitan, as well as newer additions like the Harry's Bar special Roger, named for the Cipriani family's first establishment in Venice and made with Svedka Vodka, peach purée and orange juice. Mr. C, Mr. C Hotel, 1224 Beverwil Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90035, 310-226-6245.
 
New Gourmet Brunch at Wood & Vine
Wood & Vine has started serving brunch. Expect dishes including a 62-degree egg with stone-ground grits, jalapeno gravy and chorizo; confit duck with potato and duck hash and a fried egg; and fried chicken and waffles. Specialty brunch cocktails are also offered. Wood & Vine, Taft Building, 6280 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-334-3360.
 
Bouchon’s Early Bird Special 2-Course Prix Fixe Through 2011
Bouchon in Beverly Hills is offering an early bird special through December 31, from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The $39 prix-fixe includes choice of soup du jour or salad, followed by a choice of roast chicken with spaetzle and squash, pan-roasted Idaho trout, steak frites or vegetable risotto. The two-course dinner is paired with a glass of house vin de carafe blanc or rouge. Bouchon , Garden Building, 235 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-271-9910.
 
White Truffle Season at Providence
Providence is featuring white truffles in dishes such as pasta alla chitarra, white truffle risotto, and soft scrambled eggs with a fondue of Reblochon de Savoie and shaved white truffle. Chef Michael Cimarusti is also offering a White Truffle Menu Spontanée. The season for white truffles runs through mid or late December. Providence, 5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-460-4170.
 
Ombra Ristorante Celebrates Slow Foods on Mondays
On Mondays at Ombra Ristorante, chef Michael Young features a Notte Slow menu that celebrates slow foods. The menu changes every week, but past dishes have included tuna prosciutto with capers, onions and olive oil; homemade maloreddus pasta with sausage and saffron; and espresso panna cotta with Nutella sauce. The dinner is priced at $35 per person, and can be paired with a $12 carafe of wine. Ombra Ristorante, 3737 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604, 818-985-7337.
 
Newest Lazy Dog Café Landing in San Gabriel Valley
The newest Rocky Mountain-inspired Lazy Dog Café will open shortly in the San Gabriel Valley community of West Covina. Lazy Dog features an eclectic menu served with hometown warmth in dishes like campfire pot roast, chicken potpie, spicy Moroccan chicken and its signature burgers. It will be open daily for both lunch and dinner. Lazy Dog Café, 1440 Plaza Dr., West Covina, CA 91790, 626-480-8603.
 
All-You-Can-Eat Fried Chicken is Back at Eva
Chef Mark Gold has brought back all-you-can-eat fried chicken for $19.99 on Wednesday nights at Eva Restaurant. Sides like macaroni and cheese, green beans, crushed potatoes and creamed corn are available for $5 each, and there are also $5 desserts and $10 specialty cocktails offered. Eva Restaurant, 7458 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-634-0700.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

Pasadena's Bistro 45, which is currently celebrating its 21st anniversary, has introduced a new chef, Steven Lona, who succeeds Damon Bruner. The native Southern Californian previously worked in Orange County, with Florent Marneau at Marche Moderne and under chef Craig Strong (formerly in Pasadena himself at The Langham hotel) at Studio at the Montage. Bistro 45, 45 S. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106, 626-795-2478.
 

CLOSINGS

Santa Monica Place Chinese eatery Xino Restaurant and Lounge has closed. Xino Restaurant and Lounge, Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Place, Ste. 308, Santa Monica, CA 90401, no phone.
 

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