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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
September 2016 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - SEPTEMBER 2016 Archive


OPENINGS

Fritzi Coop has opened in the Original Farmers Market Chef Neal Fraser (Redbird, BLD) has swapped out the hot dog concept Fritzi Dog with fried chicken spot Fritzi Coop in the Original Farmers Market. Temptations include The Classic sandwich with triple battered buttermilk fried chicken, house-made pimento cheese, lettuce and tomato. Fritzi Coop, Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-936-9436.
 
West Hollywood’s Rock and Reilly's Irish pub has opened a sister location in DTLA in the former FOH Mexican Restaurant. Don’t expect any more authentic Irish fare than the original spot’s Irish nachos, corned beef sliders, and tater tots, along with burgers, salads and a slew of bar food. To drink there are whiskey flights, beer floats, assorted cocktails, and rotating draught taps. Rock and Reilly's, 615 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90017, no phone.
 
West Hollywood is home to a location of New York seafood spot Catch. The rooftop space features a retractable roof as well as al fresco dining. Catch, 8715 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323-347-6060.
 
Shake Shack has opened a location in Glendale New York-based burger chain Shake Shack has opened a location in Glendale, across from The Americana at Brand. Shake Shack, 252 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91210, 818-858-1612.
 
Bestia alums Zach Negin and Daniel Flores have opened wine bar Tabula Rasa on Hollywood Boulevard in East Hollywood. Tabula Rasa Bar, 5125 Hollywood Blvd.
, Los Angeles, CA 90028, no phone.
 
The bar area at Culina Modern Italian has been transformed into Vinoteca Stop by Vinoteca at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills for a glass of wine and small plates like crudi, montanara (fried pizza dough) and more. House-made pastries and a jolt of java are served in the morning. Vinoteca, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, 300 S. Doheny Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-860-4000.
 
Breakfast and lunch spot Steven’s Deli has opened at the edge of downtown LA. Expect a deluxe blue bacon burger and a slew of hot sandwiches ranging from the herb beef cheese steak to Cajun chicken fajita, confit turkey melt and quad grilled cheese. Cold sandwich specials include the classic Italian and veggie delight, and you’ll also find the usual bacony breakfast sammies. Breakfast & Lunch Mon.-Sat.. Steven’s Deli, 2232 Enterprise St., Los Angeles, CA 90021, 213-236-0776.
 
Hollywood has a new, charming Mexican spot right off the 101, Mama Chela’s Kitchen. Find fresh, authentic tacos ($1.90) in varieties of pollo, carne asada, al pastor, carnitas and fish alongside burritos, fajitas, sopes and mulitas, as well as breakfast burritos. Breakfast Sat.-Sun., Lunch & Dinner daily.
 
Figueroa Street in Highland Park welcomes another chic eatery, Café Birdie. This airy neighborhood spot in a classic 1920s building sports marble tables, a long bar, wrought iron and rustic stylings. Chef/partner Joey Booterbaugh (The Hungry Cat) offers a Cal-Med menu with seasonal pastas, salads and other bistro-type fare. There’s a back patio and bar, and expect an elevated cocktail program. Café Birdie, 5631 Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042, 323-739-6928.
 
Chef Akasha Richmond has opened AR Cucina in Culver City Chef Akasha Richmond (Akasha) has opened AR Cucina in the former Culver City space of her Indian restaurant Sāmbār. The new concept spotlights rustic, regional Italian cuisine inspired by her travels. AR Cucina, 9531 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-558-8800.
 
We were great admirers of the creative, aesthetically pleasing dishes that chef Jordan Kahn invented at since-shuttered Red Medicine. Now, he's back on the Los Angeles dining scene with Destroyer, serving breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Expect offerings like chicken confit with charred lettuce, hazelnuts, black butter and yuzu. Destroyer, 3578 Hayden Ave., Culver City, CA 90232, no phone.
 
Little Tokyo has landed a new Filipino spot, Pili Manila Grill. Look for barbecue pork and chicken, glass noodles with vegetables, tapa (a popular morning favorite in the Philippines), and Pili spaghetti with a unique banana-flavored base. To drink, there’s cantaloupe and calamansi juice, and for dessert, try the turon --- banana fritters and jackfruit wrapped in a spring roll with caramelized brown sugar. Lunch & Dinner daily. Pili Manila Grill, 201 N. Los Angeles St., Ste. 103, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-533-2001.
 
Longtime Echo Park fans of Pizza Buona, which was around for more than five decades before being forced out by rising rents, are happy to welcome the restaurant back only blocks away on Alvarado Street. Look for traditional pizza pies with a big variety of toppings, and specialties ranging from the Rustica with shrimp to chicken and goat cheese and spinach feta. Also find salads, subs, wedding soup, and a long menu of pasta classics. Lunch & Dinner daily. Pizza Buona, 922 N. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 213-413-0800.
 
Craft beer and sports bar 33 Taps has morphed out of the former Good Microbrew location on Sunset Boulevard. Brunch fare ranges from a veggie omelet to eggs Benedict and fried chicken and waffle, while lunch and dinner options include fish and chips, filet mignon, an Angus beef burger and maple chipotle wings. As the place is situated in Silver Lake, expect a kale salad, Buffalo cauliflower and hummus. Besides local California craft brews (listed by area code), the beer menu features a selection of ales, ciders and wines. There are plenty of screens for watching the game, and a sidewalk patio, too, for when you're not. 33 Taps, 3725 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 323-338-7777.
 
Now soft open on Fairfax Avenue is Pearl's Finest Teas, a hip boba tea shop offering standards like black milk tea and chai, and lush flavors including Chamango, coconut taro slush, orange yuzu, cookies and cream, chrysanthemum buds and watermelon mint. Open daily. Pearl's Finest Teas, 523 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, no phone.
 
Pata Salada, a new Mexican seafood restaurant, has opened in the former Luna Park space on La Brea. Spanish tile and wood accents frame a long bar that specializes in mezcals, tequilas and craft cocktails. The “marisqueria” features fresh seafood from Kumamoto oysters to giant scallops, Pismo clams and king crab legs. Find a large selection of aguachiles, crudos, ceviches and cocteles; other appetizers include a pigs’ trotter tostada, squash blossom quesadilla and fried smelts. For mains, choose among sea bass, grilled Maine lobster and pork shank carnitas. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly. Pata Salada, 672 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-988-3744.
 
Grilled avocado from True Food Kitchen The health-conscious chain True Food Kitchen has opened a location in Pasadena. The menu offers a selection of shareable appetizers, pizzas, salads and signatures, such as a quinoa burger, tacos and spaghetti squash casserole. True Food Kitchen, 168 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91204, 626-639-6818.
 
This fall, Fabrizio and Diana Bianconi (Via Veneto) are opening Bianconi in the former Ortolan space. Kris Keith’s Spacecraft Design Group is revamping the restaurant with an Italian-European vintage-industrial look. The bar will sport copper panels, and there will be a private dining room and surrounding library. The venue will also feature a dramatic central fireplace, a handcrafted wood-burning grill and facade doors that open for alfresco dining. The menu will emphasize traditional Italian cuisine with Mediterranean influences and focus on wood-fired cooking. Bianconi, 8338 W. Third St., West Hollywood, CA 90048, no phone.
 
Celebrated San Francisco chef Charles Phan is opening an outpost of The Slanted Door in the City Market South in DTLA. Expect a sprawling space and a modern, upscale Vietnamese menu similar to the SF flagship, with a raw bar and dishes like Gulf shrimp spring rolls, daikon rice cakes, heirloom melon salad and grilled lemongrass rib-eye steak. The Slanted Door, 1124 San Julian St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, no phone.
 
Chef Ricardo Zarate (formerly of Picca and Mo Chica) is up to bat again, and will open Rosaliné in the former Comme Ca space on Melrose. Expect Peruvian dishes like trout tiradito, Peruvian pork belly, tuna ceviche salad and sweet potato fritters with manchego, jalapeño and stinging nettle.
 
In the Fashion District in DTLA, Chef Steve Samson (Sotto) will open RossoBlù in 2017, where he will feature house-made salumi, Neapolitan pizzas, fresh pastas and dishes from the middle regions of Italy. RossoBlù, 1124 San Julian St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, no phone.
 
Patina Restaurant Group will open the brunch restaurant, Maple, on October 1, 2016, at Descanso Gardens. Chef Mark Salazar’s brunch menu (served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m to 2 p.m.) includes a beef short rib breakfast burrito, a garden Benedict with baby kale and roasted squash, brioche French toast, fried chicken and beignets, and a maple burger with fries. Winter dinner hours and menu will be announced in the fall. Brunch Sat.-Sun. Maple, Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, 818-949-4200.
 
Serafina has opened in the former Maia space on the Sunset Strip. The Italian concept also has locations in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Puerto Rico. Serafina, 8768 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-659-9130.
 
Square One Dining co-owner John Himelstein, who co-founded the original Gingergrass in Silver Lake, has expanded the Vietnamese vision to Little Tokyo. The second branch of Gingergrass replaced Lazy Ox Canteen. Gingergrass, 241 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, no phone.
 
In DTLA, Kachi Bowls and Grill offers Argentinean specialties and healthy bowls (including make-your-own bowls) with options ranging from steak to chimichurri and avocado. Find a variety of empanadas as well as burgers, sandwiches and kale Caesar or ahi Asian salads. Breakfast & Lunch Mon.-Sat. Kachi Bowls and Grill, 231 E. 9th St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-628-3688.
 
Lao Tao Taiwanese Street Food has opened for lunch in Chinatown’s Far East Plaza. Expect authentic dishes ranging from oyster pancakes and beef noodles with marrow, to braised pork belly and twice-fried popcorn chicken. Lao Tao Taiwanese Street Food, Far East Plaza, 727 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-372-5318.
 
Chef Danny Elmaleh (Cleo) has taken over Simon’s Café, his father’s popular Moroccan restaurant in Sherman Oaks; it’s now named Mizlala. Simon Elmaleh still makes the place’s trademark beef and lamb merguez sausage, but his son has updated the Moroccan menu with saffron lemon tagine, octopus and grilled branzino, alongside falafel, lamb and steak kebabs, and seasonal salads. Expect a small wine list featuring some Moroccan wines. Mizlala, 4515 Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, 818-783-6698.
 

NEWS BYTES

Roasted chicken for two is one of the signature dishes at The NoMad restaurant The NoMad Coming to Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles will be home to The NoMad, helmed by Eleven Madison Park chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara. The hotel and restaurant concept started in New York and is also expanding to Las Vegas. Get a taste of what's to come at the NoMad Truck, which is parked at The Line Los Angeles hotel in Koreatown. The NoMad Los Angeles, Giannini Place, 649 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90014, no phone.
 
Clifton's Cafeteria Debut's New Tiki Bar
In DTLA Clifton’s Cafeteria is opening a tiki bar called Pacific Seas, expected some time in October. From Tues.-Sat., look for swank, updated tiki drinks and a Polynesian menu from chef Andrew Pastore featuring crab cakes, crispy red snapper and bluefin tuna with pineapple and watermelon. Clifton's, 648 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, 213-627-1673.
 
Movin' On Up! Doma Kitchen to Relocate
Doma Kitchen, a charming bistro in Manhattan Beach offering Eastern European comfort food, will relocate to the Marina Marketplace in Marina del Rey. In the larger space, the restaurant plans to present exclusive dinners with chef Kristina Miksyte, as well as offer the opportunity to host private parties. Doma Kitchen, Manhattan Village, 3562 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, 310-647-3157.
 
Smoked salmon avocado toast at Baltaire Baltaire Debuts New Casual Lunch Menu
Baltaire has updated their lunch menu with a more casual, approachable setting and new selections, along with mocktails. Executive chef Travis Strickland’s newly debuted lunch dishes include grilled Hawaiian albacore, tuna conserva sandwich on sourdough with Hook’s cheddar, and smoked salmon avocado toast. Baltaire’s new mocktails include blackberry lemonade with blackberries, fresh lemon and club soda. Baltaire, 11647 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049, 424-273-1660 .
 
Ledlow Splits into Two Restaurants
Josef Centeno (Baco Mercat, Bar Ama) is dividing his downtown spot Ledlow into two concepts. Ledlow proper, though downsized, will refocus on whiskey and haute bar food; the other half, P. Y. T., will offer mostly vegetarian options. Light breakfast service will continue. Ledlow, 400 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-687-7015.
 

CHEF SHUFFLE

When downtown's Figueroa Hotel re-opens after renovations, it will feature two restaurants overseen by chef Casey Lane. Figueroa Hotel, 939 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-627-8971, 800-421-9092.
 
Chef Miles Thompson, formerly of Allumette, is now overseeing the kitchen at Michael's in Santa Monica. Michael's, 1147 Third St., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-451-0843.
 

CLOSINGS

Chaya Venice is temporarily closed for renovations. Chaya Venice, 110 Navy St., Venice, CA 90291, 310-396-1179.
 
Mud Hen Tavern, a gastropub concept from Susan Feniger and Kajsa Alger, will shutter in October 2016. Mud Hen Tavern, 742 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-203-0500.
 
The Silver Lake location of Intelligentsia is temporarily closed for renovations. Intelligentsia, Sunset Junction, 3922 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029, 323-663-6173.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
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