Adding to the plethora of restaurants to feed a hungry aerospace industry, construction is underway on the new Ittou Bento Japanese Bistro at 400A Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo. By ‘bistro’, we assume they mean sushi and bowls. It’s opening still looks to be a way off…
In an effort to gain the upper hand in the Montana Ave. frozen yogurt wars, longtime local fave TCBY, has begun offering hand-crafted personalized shakes to its line-up. Your move, Menchie’s…
TCBY
715 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-8388
Scuola di Pizza has announced its August pizza class schedule for those dying to know how to make that incredible funghi misti with fontina, taleggio, and thyme. Classes are on Mondays: August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th and are held from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Cost is $150 per class. Call for rezzies and info.
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
My carnivore friends are excited about the news that east coast hotdog chain, Nathan’s Famous has debuted its first LA restaurant. Positioned in a shared space with Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips in an unremarkable strip mall in Hawthorne, the restaurant is wildly popular for inventing the Coney Island Hot Dog. The chain’s closest stores are in Las Vegas, and San Diego, making this their first move into the LA area. Nathan’s Famous has been open since July 18th.
Nathan’s Famous
5050 W. Rosecrans Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 355-1048 www.nathansfamous.com
No visit to Paris is complete without stopping by the venerable bakery, Poilâne on rue Cherche-Midi in the Saint- Germain des Prés district. They have been baking their world-renowned bread in wood-fired ovens since 1932 using only four carefully sourced ingredients: stone-ground flour, salt from Guérande, water, and the sourdough starter from previous batches of bread. The results are sheer perfection; moist earthy interior with a delicate crumb and a crunchy, malty crust. They also make a fine array of cookies and pastries. Their petit pain au chocolate is one of the best in Paris. Poilâne’s dedication to perfection and French tradition make it the perfect place to secure a loaf for your picnic by the Seine, or just to pick up supplies. I returned with their amazing flour, knives, bread-making book, and boxes of cookies as gifts. If you’re desperate to sample the famous bread but have no plans on travel to Paris, you can find Poilâne in London, order a loaf sent to you via their website, or locally, stop by the Cafe in Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. They used to use Poilâne for their sandwiches, but it’s been a while since I’ve been in so I’m not certain they have continued the practice.
Toddrickallen got a glimpse of the future of Century City in Milan. Obika Mozzarella Bar has 11 locations throughout Italy and the rest of the world including the Milan Malpensa airport. While flying out of Milan, I got the chance to have a good look at what we can expect in the Century City Westfield Shopping Center, slated to open in September. Obika is a casual concept restaurant with a menu of pastas, salads, “mozzarella tasting menu”, and sandwiches centering around Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP as well as other Italian specialties. The idea appears to be an emphasis on regional Italian fare in an upbeat, breezy atmosphere. How will this translate in Century City? We’ll have to wait and see. In the mean time, check out the website here http://www.obika.it/ for their menu.
Century City Milan
If you are unable or unwilling to make the trek to the steamy and dusty Marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen – Porte de Clignancourt in Paris (The best place to poke around for antique kitchen ware) and desperately want to bring home some French culinary antiques, then try Au Petit Bonheur La Chance. They have a small, but carefully chosen selection of antique and mid-century French cookware, bowls, linens, utensils, and kitsch. Maria-Pia Varnier, the owner combs France for such treasures. Additionally the street on which it sits, Rue St. Paul on the Right Bank on the Seine near Notre Dame, has a number of other antique shops featuring housewares. Don’t miss a peak in the window of Thanksgiving, across the street from Au Petit Bonheur La Chance. The boutique features iconic American foods, including a window display featuring Lucky Charms cereal.
Au Petit Bonheur La Chance
Village St. Paul – 13, Rue St. Paul – 75004 Paris
Phone 01 42 74 36 38 www.aupetitbonheurlachance.fr
Open Thurs – Mon from 11:00 to 1:00 and from 2:30 to 6:30
Just released info from Mozza… If you act quickly you might make it.
Pizzeria Mozza is hosting a special lunch with
with Special Guest entitled, “Puglia – the heel of the boot”
with Winemaker Sebastiano de Corato from Rivera
Monday July 19th, 12:00 to 1:30
Three courses, $59
Call ASAP for a rezzie!
641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
Toddrickallen stopped by the newly opened Tiato Market Garden Cafe in Santa Monica recently to check things out. Tiato is the casual brainchild of the An family of Crustacean in Beverly Hills. You might be forgiven for having driven by and not noticed. In order to find it, you have to enter the lobby of the office building that houses Lionsgate at 2700 Colorado Ave. I was assured that this would soon be remedied as they are putting the final touches on what will be their permanent entrance from the street leading through the patio. Juan, the affable assistant manager, gave me a tour of the restaurant starting with the large inviting patio. He pointed out to me that the lush landscaping is actually the kitchen’s herb garden and was careful to show me the Vietnamese herb tiato, (or pernilla in english) which gives the restaurant its name. Inside, the space is cool, modern, comfy, and cavernous with dark wood and teardrop glass fixtures. There is casual dining (a la Urth) as well as full service, and a take-away counter. Tiato also has a bar with a happy hour from 4:00 to 8:00 on Thursday and Friday with drinks, beer, and a modest wine list. The creative menus reflect a variety of influences, from Mexican to classic American, but a strong emphasis is on Vietnamese and Asian. Breakfast consists of a variety of eggs, burritos, vegan scrambles, salads, and smoothes. The lunch menu lists soups, salads, bowls, sandwiches, and larger entrees. And Juan confirmed the rumors that they will be bringing in limited supplies of Crustacean’s famous garlic noodles. Currently, Tiato is open from 8:00 to 6:00 Monday through Wednesday and 8:00 to 8:00 Thursday and Friday, but starting July 24th, they will be serving a weekend brunch from 10:30 to 3:00. With its great ambiance, friendly staff, fantastic patio, and An family cuisine, Tiato is well worth a trek to this sleepy Santa Monica neighborhood.
Tiato Market Garden Cafe
2700 Colorado Avenue (between Princeton and 26th Streets), Santa Monica
310-866-5228 tiato.com
Well, it looks like longtime Montana Ave fixture in Santa Monica, Patty’s Pizza has closed up shop. But what’s curious is that it is being replaced by a Subway! If you don’t count any of the 85 or so coffee or yogurt shops, there are currently no fast food restaurants on swanky Montana. One wonders if the NoMa matrons will be lining up to get their footlongs…
625-D Montana Ave, Santa Monica
If you’re a fan of New York’s The Spotted Pig, Then Monday, July 26th is your lucky day. April Bloomfield, chef at the wildly-popular Michelin starred gastropub, will be the guest chef at Josiah Citrin’s Melisse in Santa Monica. The price is $150 with a portion of the profits benefiting Special Olympics. Rezzies can be made at Opentable.com or by calling (310) 395-0881.
Mélisse Restaurant, 1104 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Ph.:310.395.0881
For most of us, Italian wines are a whole other animal. Here I am in Italy and I still don’t know my Fiano from my Falanghina. And in case you haven’t noticed, Italian wines are the current darlings of many fine wine lists across town. So here’s a great opportunity to bone up on the confusing world of Italian wines. Mozza2Go has just announced a series of Saturday Italian wine classes titled Wine 101. Osteria Mozza’s wine director Jeffrey Porter, will take you through the world of Italian wines (with emphasis on the Bastianich family wines, of course) paired with Matt Molina’s fantastic food. Sounds like a great opportunity to not look like a philistine the next time the wine list is passed to you.
Get more information about Osteria Mozza
I had a revelatory moment one balmy evening on the patio of the Amanjiwo Hotel overlooking Borobudur, the 9th century Buddhist monument in Java. Dipping a crispy spring roll into the ubiquitous and oftentimes boring peanut sauce brought a gasp: what was that flavor? It was slightly citrusy, bright and yet deep like the jungle itself. I later found out that the mysterious flavor was kefir lime leaf. I was instantly a fan. Upon returning home, I began scouring Indonesian and Thai grocery stores for the elusive leaf. I couldn’t get enough! Eventually, I planted a tree in a pot on my patio. Using it judiciously as a background flavor creates exotic complexity. More boldly as a primary flavor, kefir lime instantly transports one to a tropical Asian sunset of explosive flavor. Naturally I use it liberally this time of year to elevate the saturated earthy flavors of Asian sauces, coconut curries, and stir fries, but it sings in desserts as well: try it as the central flavor in a creme anglaise over a dark chocolate souffle, in a creamy Thai tapioca or rice pudding, or muddled in a cocktail. Of course it goes well in peanut sauce too…
Toddrickallen is heading for some of the planet’s best style and food destinations: Paris, Milan, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. Stay tuned for blogs from some of our favorite restaurants, markets, patisseries, and food halls. Au Revoir Los Angeles!
With all the new bakeries popping up across town, it’s easy to overlook the hidden gems. One such place is Jin Patisserie in Venice. Hidden behind a high fence is a tranquil garden of escape from the city. There hardly is a lovelier place in LA to sit for afternoon tea than here. The petit sandwiches and pastries are always wonderful. Christine is masterful at her craft. Her macarons shine, the gateaux perfect. But I most love Jin for the amazing chocolates hand-crafted with rare steeped teas and Asian flavors. They are extraordinary and are always the perfect gift.
1202 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291-3366
(310) 399-8801 www.jinpatisserie.com
OK, I have to confess, I have not stopped dreaming of the Earth Burger at Umami Santa Monica since I had my first one a couple of weeks ago. Dense, moist, deeply satisfying; I’m obsessed. It differs from the other veggie burgers out there. It isn’t rice based like most which leave one feeling like they’ve eaten a cinderblock. Umami’s version is made with edamame and mushroom so it has a meatier texture. Topped with white soy and truffle oil aioli, ricotta, cipollini onions, lettuce, and tomato, this is a burger of legends. You can appreciate the skillful blending of flavors to achieve umami, the fifth or savory taste (after sweet, salty, bitter, sour). Here the truffle oil becomes a player in a symphony flavors, not the usual overuse and the resulting petroleum backnote that ruins many a dish. The sum of the parts blend harmoniously into a mouth-watering whole. And don’t get me started on the indescribably delicious ‘cheesy tots’, house-made tater tots which are crispy on the outside and pillowy-moist on the inside with a hint of cheese. Umami Burger Santa Monica is a magical combination of outstanding food, attentive and speedy service (ask for Kitty), and ocean breeze-fanned patio. What could be better on a balmy summer evening?
Umami Santa Monica @ Fred Segal (and other locations throughout the city)
500 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 451-1300 http://www.umamiburger.com/
Sunday-Thursday 11am to 11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-12am
Clockwise from top left: Earth Burger, ‘Cheesy Tots’, Tempura Onion Rings
Toddrickallen 