Toddrickallen

Rotisserie Works Closed In The Century City Shopping Center; Seasons 52 Moves Into Old Houston’s Space

toddrickallen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:35:48 +0000

It looks like Rotisserie Works in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center is now closed. I’ll keep my eye on the space and let you know if anything moves in…

In other CC news, it’s being reported that Seasons 52, a new restaurant is moving into the Century City Shopping Center (la.eater.com). It apparently is going into the old Houston’s space because I noticed this little card taped the old front door. With locations across the US, Seasons 52 bills itself as a “fresh grill”. You can read more about it here: seasons52.com.

The old Rotisserie Works space…

The card taped to the front door of the old Houstons space…

Broadway Ale House Again Open For Business

toddrickallen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:15:00 +0000

The Broadway Ale House has put a bad patch behind them and is once again open for business at 129 Broadway in Santa Monica. In case you haven’t been following the scandalous affair, you can catch up here: toddrickallen.com/2012/02/07/the-skinny-on-the-closure-of-the-broadway-ale-house/.

Obika’s New Pizza Oven

toddrickallen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:27:35 +0000

Obika‘s snazzy new Italian pizza oven is now up and running and delivering amazingly crispy pies starting today in the Century City Shopping Center. Obika’s CEO, Raimondo Boggia was kind enough to give a personal tour of the pizza kitchen. While they’re still hard at work developing their pizza menu, look for beauties such as: Verdure Grigliate (grilled eggplant, zucchini, radicchio, smoked mozzarella di bufala, parsley), Formaggi Morbidi (gorgonzola, stracchino, ricotta, mozzarella de bufala), or perhaps the Salmone e Ricotta (wild Alaskan salmon, ricotta, mozzarella di bufala). Read more at obikala.com.

Friday Evenings At Mr. C, Beverly Hills

toddrickallen — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:39:28 +0000

Tough week? Need a great place to unwind? Mr. C in Beverly Hills has recently added a Friday evening happy hour from 6pm to 8:30pm in the Lobby Bar that includes complimentary ”cicchetti” with every round of drinks ordered. Cicchetti are Venetian tapas prepared and selected specially by chef David Perez. There’s also live music and a super cool glass pool table. Sounds like a great way to kick off the weekend. Read more at: mrchotels.com/beverly-hills/.

Chinese Friends Fresh Szechuan Kitchen Now Open In Hawthorne

toddrickallen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:45:52 +0000

In the troubled space that used to be the home to LA’s only outpost of East coast hotdog staple, Nathan’s Famous, a new breezy eatery has arrived. Chinese Friends Fresh Szechuan Kitchen is now open at 5050 W. Rosecrans Ave. in Hawthorne (next to Starbucks). The restaurant is open from 10:30am to 3:00pm and then from 4:00pm to 9:30pm and offers an extensive menu of traditional dishes, friendly staff, and a bright dining room guarded over by the portrait of Chairman Mao on the front of a neon-lit Forbidden City. There are bold plans for expansion: I was assured by the manager that they intend on making this the flagship store for a future chain. You can read more and check out the menu here: chinesefriendsusa.com.

Native Foods Valentine’s Day Special

toddrickallen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:50:12 +0000

Were Melisse, Spago, and the Hotel Bel Air already booked for Valentine’s Day? Need a quick solution that’s a little more reasonable? Native Foods has the answer… For today only, they are offering a Valentine’s Day Special Italian feast consisting of “homemade vegetable lasagna layered with homemade tofu ricotta, roasted portobellos, greens, and a fresh marinara. Topped with Native cashew parmesan and served with a Caesar salad and garlic bread” all for only $9.95. Why not add in a freshly made tiramisu made with espresso soaked vanilla cake and vegan mascarpone with shaved chocolate for another $2.95 more. Fresh, healthy, and satisfying… now that’s Love!

nativefoods.com

Happy Valentine’s Day From Toddrickallen

toddrickallen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:38:00 +0000

Wishing all readers a sublime Valentine’s Day. Don’t you just love the intimate connection generated by two people lingering over a decadent, well-prepared feast? As is tradition in my house, I’ll be making a gruyère cheese soufflé scented with star anise. Here’s to Love!

Choppe Choppe Now Open In Beverly Hills

toddrickallen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:24:35 +0000

Formerly in Culver City, Choppe Choppe, is now open at 368 N. Camden (the old Vive Le Crepe! space) in Beverly Hills. The fresh lunch spot follows a concept of “5 proteins done 2 ways” in the forms of salad, sandwich, or wrap. Check out their menu board below, or read more at: choppechoppe.com.

The Skinny On The Closure Of The Broadway Ale House…

toddrickallen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:13:35 +0000

Stop the presses! A big hats off to reader Evan, whose keen eye spotted the real story about why the Broadway Ale House was closed by ABC. Apparently, according to the Santa Monica Patch, there is an accusation of selling drugs (cocaine and marijuana) from behind the bar, which the holder of the licence, Eden Beloved Noe, blames on an employee. Due to the charge and a previous May charge of underage selling, as of December 6th, she can no longer retain the license and it must be transferred to a new owner, Mark Jason Marquez, which can take up to 100 days. Read the whole sordid story with further details here: http://santamonica.patch.com/articles/alehouse. Read where Ms. Noe defends herself here: http://santamonica.patch.com/articles/ale-house-owner-paints-herself-as-victim-in-drug-case.

Read my original post here: toddrickallen.com/2012/02/03/uh-oh-broadway-ale-house-closed-by-abc/.

Uh Oh… Cafe 360 At Jose Eber Closed For A Health And Safety Violation

toddrickallen — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:59:06 +0000

Ok, so Cafe 360, the coffee shop at Jose Eber Salon at 360 Camden in Beverly Hills only just opened last month, right? Well I noticed this weekend that all signs were down and the door is closed. When I inquired at Jose Eber reception, I was told that they were closed for “renovation” and would re-open at some point. Upon closer inspection, it appears their “renovation” was not voluntary: note the small notice at the bottom of the door. Apparently, the state closed them down for a health and safety reason. Hopefully they’ll be up and running again soon…