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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
September 2011 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - SEPTEMBER 2011 Archive


OPENINGS

Mercato di Vetro, a project from sbe (The Bazaar by José Andrés, Cleo, among others) has opened. The two-story restaurant offers Italian small plates from chef Danny Elmaleh. Mercato di Vetro, 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-859-8369.
 
Settebello Pizzeria Nepoletana, with branches in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, has opened in Pasadena. The establishment features authentic wood-fired, Napoli-style pizzas, as well as a variety of antipasti. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers a full bar in a rustic urban setting near the Laemmle Theatres. Settebello Pizzeria Nepoletana, 625 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101, 626-765-9550.
 
Tender Greens Santa Monica opened in early September with chef Rian Brandenburg leading the kitchen. This fast-casual restaurant brings to light local seafood, wines, microbrews and produce, and humanely raised meats. The menu features customer favorites from other locations as well as new items such as a grilled octopus salad with arugula, roasted fingerling potatoes, fennel and chickpeas with a grilled lemon vinaigrette; chipotle barbecue chicken or herb-brushed local albacore both served with mashed potatoes or atop ciabatta bread. The Santa Monica location of Tender Greens is 100-percent bottle-less and serves all wine, beer, water and soda through a draft system. Tender Greens Santa Monica, 201 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310 587-2777.
 
Wurstküche has opened on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice, with a roomy industrial space and more than 50 craft beers. Expect the same sausage menu as Wurstküche downtown, with varieties ranging from classic bratwurst and bockwurst to more exotic blends like duck, buffalo, rabbit, rattlesnake and alligator. Lunch & Dinner daily. Wurstküche Venice, 623 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, 213-687-4444.
 
Top Chef star Michael Voltaggio's highly anticipated restaurant ink. is now open on Melrose. Expect creative haute gastronomy in small plates featuring the likes of spaghetti with giant squid, squash and hazelnut pesto, iberico pork loin with bbq caramel, and artful vegetable dishes. Voltaggio offers eight seats at a sushi bar for a nightly tasting menu, and the bar features high-end mixology. Dinner Wed.-Sun. ink., 8360 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90069, 323-651-5866 .
 
The Roof on Wilshire dining area at the Hotel Wilshire The new boutique Hotel Wilshire made its debut on September 27, and features a poolside restaurant, The Roof on Wilshire, with American cuisine from chef Eric Greenspan (The Foundry on Melrose). The rooftop pool, restaurant and cabanas offer panoramic views of the city. The Roof on Wilshire, 6317 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, no phone available.
 
Adolfo Suaya's Peruvian-Asian concept, Osaka, opened in Hollywood September 15. The restaurant, designed by Kristopher Keith of Spacecraft, offers a menu focused on traditional Peruvian ingredients blended with Asian techniques and flavors stemming from Japan, Thailand and China. The Hollywood branch marks the U.S. arrival of the successful South American brand. Expect a selection of ceviches, tiraditos, robata and signature entrées, including Osaka tiradito with raw white fish, yuzu oyster sauce, and shiso aroma; crab causita with stone crab meat, avocado and rocoto cream; and ceviche Nikkei with raw tuna, Japanese cucumber, crispy quinoa and yuzu vinaigrette. Also, look for a comprehensive cocktail menu with an emphasis on the broad selection of Peruvian pisco cocktails. Dinner nightly. Osaka, 6327 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-785-0360.
 
Salvage Bar & Lounge is opening in the historic Roosevelt Residences in Downtown L.A. The interior, rich in marble and brass, is comprised of the luxurious materials salvaged from the original 1926 landmark, tweaked for a contemporary design. A venture of Nocturnal Entertainment Group, the venue features a reclaimed brass bar, seating that incorporates unique textiles, stained glass and a spectacular wall fresco. Custom cocktails will be paired with small plates like jalapeño poppers, tuna tartare and popcorn shrimp. Salvage Bar & Lounge, 717 Seventh St., Los Angeles, CA 90017, 213-688-7755.
 
Blue Plate Taco, a sister restaurant to Santa Monica's Blue Plate and BP Oysterette, has been announced for the eco-friendly Shore Hotel in Santa Monica, opening in the spring of 2012. The casual, beach-oriented Mexican concept will offer lobster and truffle tacos wrapped in house-made tortillas, various ceviches and other Mexican specialties with inventive salsas. The restaurant will seat approximately 70, with a full bar, and will be open for lunch and dinner daily. Blue Plate Taco, Shore Hotel, 1515 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-451-9859.
 
Venice Beach Wines owner Oscar Hermosillo has opened a cool little spot next door called Oscar's Cerveteca. The beer menu offers more than 100 bottles, and dishes feature ceviche, bacalao, fried pickles, fish tacos, burgers, fish and chips, and steaks. Dinner nightly. Oscar’s Cerveteca, 523 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291, 310-310-8937.
 
Dining area at Sfixio In Beverly Hills, the former Da Vinci space has been transformed into Sfixio by husband and wife team Massimo Denaro and Mara Sampo. Denaro, a native of Florence, offers a modern Italian/Mediterranean menu spotlighting Tuscan specialties including seasonal crudo, zucchini flan with Italian sweet blue cheese, clam and mussel soup, homemade pappardelle with braised wild boar and juniper, and an Angus beef filet with foie gras. The restaurant also features a DJ lounge open after dining hours and a reasonable Italian wine list. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner Mon.-Sat. Sfixio, 9737 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-385-1800.
 
Chef Josie Le Balch (of the eponymous Santa Monica institution Josie) has opened a little sister spot called Next Door by Josie. Expect casual yet inventive gastropub dishes that range from soups, sandwiches and burgers to deviled eggs with duck cracklings, wild game chili, coconut curry mussels with elk chorizo, and apricot-glazed barbecued ribs. California draft beers and boutique wines round things out. Lunch & Dinner daily. Next Door by Josie, 2420 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405, 310-581-9888.
 

NEWS BYTES

Farmshop Starts Dinner Service
A year since its original opening, Farmshop is now serving dinner Wed.-Sun. The family-style meal consists of three or four courses that might include dishes like spiced leg of lamb with preserved lemon, apricots and black olives. On Sundays, diners can enjoy the fried chicken made famous at ad hoc. Farmshop, Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., Ste. 25, Santa Monica, CA 90402, 310-566-2400.
 
2010 Taste of Downtown Burbank Beer, Wine Garden and Food for the Taste of Downtown Burbank
The 8th Annual Taste of Downtown Burbank will take place in a four-block area on San Fernando Boulevard between Magnolia Boulevard and Olive Avenue, from 5:30 p.m-9:30 p.m. on October 6. Among the 40 participating restaurants are Barney's Beanery, The Castaways, Chadaka Thai, Ciao Cristina!, Granville Café, Kabuki, McCormick & Schmick's and Porto's Bakery. In addition to a beer and wine garden, cooking demonstrations from noted chefs and live music will contribute to the fun. Proceeds will benefit the Burbank Community YMCA financial scholarship fund. The cost is $30 per person (all you can eat), $45 per person with the beer and wine garden, and $10 for every child under 12. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.tasteofdowntown-burbank.com/.
 
Free Dessert For Your Tweet Tooth
At the Santa Monica pizza spot Hostaria del Piccolo, show them proof of your Facebook or Twitter check-ins and get a free dessert. http://twitter.com/#!/hostaria_samo, or http://www.facebook.com/hostariadelpiccolosantamonica. Hostaria Del Piccolo, 606 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-393-6633.
 
Wagyu Beef Now Offered in California at BOA Steakhouse
For the first time, U.S. pure-bred Wagyu beef will be served outside the state of Colorado. Innovative Dining Group (IDG) owned BOA Steakhouses will collaborate with Emma Farms in Aspen, CO to sell select Wagyu beef for its intense marbling and flavorful fat dispersion. The beef is high in Omega 3s and 6s and free of hormones or antibiotics. Chefs at the BOA Steakhouse restaurants (Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Las Vegas) will use only sea salt and fresh pepper to season the beef and give guests the option on portion size. Other meat options at BOA Steakhouse include a 40-day dry-aged New York strip and a high desert Ostrich strip steak, all served with house made sauces and choice of rubs. The menu also provides seafood, chicken and lamb options and plenty of sides to choose from. BOA Steakhouse, 101 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-899-4466.
 
Petrossian Adds Discounted Menu Favorites to Weeknight Happy Hour
West Hollywood's Petrossian Boutique and Restaurant has added more selections to its popular happy hour menu. In addition to their original offerings (classic smoked salmon and two glasses of champagne or wine for $29, or 30 grams of classic Transmontanus caviar and two glasses of champagne or flutes of vodka for $49), the luxe spot now offers more of Chef Giselle Wellman's menu items, including signature egg royales and caviar flatbread at reduced happy hour prices. Petrossian Boutique & Restaurant, 321 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-271-0576.
 
Sip “Cabana Cocktails” at The Peninsula this Fall
For the first time ever, the Peninsula Beverly Hills' twelve rooftop pool cabanas will be open to non-hotel-guests looking to relax and sip "Cabana Cocktails" nightly from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Guests can try signature Peninsula cocktails such as the Speckled Jalapeño Margarita, White Peach and Pear Martini and Pomegranate Mojito, along with appetizers ranging from ahi tuna to a grilled steak quesadilla. The Peninsula signature cocktails are $16, while appetizers range in price from $14 to $20. Cabana guests can also order from the adjoining Roof Garden's dinner menu, which offers appetizers, desserts, wines and other refreshments. Call 310-975-2855 for reservations or visit http://www.peninsula.com. The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310-551-2888, 800-462-7899.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

Wilshire Restaurant in Santa Monica has announced that Nyesha Arrington, a protégé of restaurateur and chef Josiah Citrin, has been hired as the restaurant's new executive chef. An upcoming contestant on Bravo's new Top Chef: Texas, she has cooked previously at Joël Robuchon's Las Vegas restaurants L'Atelier and The Mansion. She has also worked under Josiah Citrin at Melisse. Arrington's new menus for dinner, lunch and the bar are in development and are expected to be finalized by mid-October. Wilshire Restaurant, 2454 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-586-1707.
 
Water Grill and executive chef Amanda Baumgarten have announced that they are parting ways. Baumgarten, a competitor on season 7 of "Top Chef," was promoted to the position in February, taking over from David LeFevre (M.B. Post). Water Grill, 544 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-891-0900.
 

CLOSINGS

After little more than a year of service, Sublime Food Lounge in Culver City closed over the summer. Plans are in the works for a new concept called Doc's Apothecary Bar to take over the space. Sublime Food Lounge, 8631 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, no phone.
 
Da Vinci restaurant has closed in Beverly Hills, and been replaced by the new Italian/Mediterranean spot Sfixio. Da Vinci, 9737 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, no phone.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
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