Who isn’t dying to know how they do that thing they do with mozzarella at Osteria Mozza?  I have dreams about the artichoke, pinenut, mint, and cheese combination but I can’t seem to make it taste the same.  Lucky for us that Mozza’s Scuola di Pizza is offering a mozzarella class with Mimo Bruno, owner and cheese artisan from Di Stefano Cheese.  The workshop is on Tuesday September 21^st & Wednesday September 22^nd 7-9:30pm.  Rumor has it that Nancy herself will be demonstrating some of her iconic dishes.  Let’s pray for the artichoke…  Cost is $150 per person and as always, classes fill up so hurry! 

www.mozza2go.com

Signs are up in the window, and the liquor license was applied for on 8/12/10, but no other sign of activity on the conversion of the old Xooro space and adjacent at 123-125 Broadway in Santa Monica for the upcoming move of Thai Dishes aka Buddha Boy.  Stay tuned.

Having recently returned from the Amalfi coast in Italy, we were enchanted by the amazing whites of the region;  Falanghina, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo.  We found them to be bright, crisp, minerally, and not only did they pair excellently with the food of the region, but matched the lifestyle as well.  If you’ve never heard of them, you owe it to yourself to give them a try.  If you’d like to learn more about them, Osteria Mozza has a great opportunity:  a special dinner on Friday August 27th at 7:30 hosted by Lucio Mastroberardino of Terredora di Paolo will showcase the incredible wines of Campania.  Of course Matt Molina’s food won’t be so bad either…  Cost is $150 contact Mozza’s Special Events Director Sara Parenti at sparenti@mozza-la.com ASAP. 

Signs have gone up in the window at  9622  Brighton in Beverly Hills at what was once the Le Croissant coffee shop.  Judging from the name and the kitschy window posters, the new shop will be an Italian market and specialty store by the name of  Ferrarini.   Apparently, the brand operates two locations in the valley and is branching out into the westside.

Mozza is offering a $50 discount to Food and Wine Magazine’s Taste of Beverly Hills over labor day weekend (Sept. 2-5).  Sounds like an exciting weekend with unlimited sampling of over 40 local restaurants, unlimited tastings of wine and beer, entertainment, Ludo, Voltaggio, Ted Allen, Evan Kleiman, and even Nancy Silverton.  But you only have until August 22nd to take advantage of Mozza’s offer.  Go to  www.thetasteofbeverlyhills.com and use promo code “Rest50”.

It looks as though the final flurry of activity may guarantee the promised August opening of Fitfood, the casual take-away and delivery place at 7998C Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood.  The website describes a menu of healthier choices; low sodium, sugar, gluten-free and dairy-free choices, no added oil.  The food looks to be Mediterranean and Asian inspired.  Expect such things as pastas, sandwiches, salads, spring rolls, curry, and brown rice pudding. 

Check out more at http://fitfoodla.com/

Check out the new ‘secret recipe’ waffle joint, Bru’s Wiffle currently renovating the space at 2408 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica.  The website boasts a selection of breakfast and lunch items made with waffles including dessert waffles, savory pizza waffles, meatball marinara waffles, and chicken curry salad waffles! Sounds interesting…

Bru’s Wiffle

http://bruswiffle.com/

Brentwood Country Mart madness continues!  I noticed that the paper had been taken off the windows and things are looking complete at Yummy Cupcakes across from the Brentwood Country Mart on 26th in Brentwood.  And there’s a sign in the window announcing the Santa Monica bakery’s impending opening. 

With all the activity centered around the Brentwood Country Mart lately, it looks like one more contender is jumping into the mix.  What used to be Mimi’s at 246 26th Street is being transformed into a new eatery named Villetta.  It looks as though they have a way to go as the old building is essentially torn down. 

Before

After

I noticed this ‘change of ownership’ sign at the run-down and pufferfish-less restaurant space that was Luau restaurant at 369 N. Bedford in Beverly Hills.  The sign states that a new restaurant named Taberna will be taking over.  The sign describes it as an “on-sale general eating place”.  Can’t get much more descriptive than that.  I wish them well, that space has not been kind to many other previous inhabitants…

Toddrickallen got a glimpse inside the brand spanking new Bloomingdale’s inside the glitzy Santa Monica Place at their pre-opening event on Thursday night.  Needless to say the look of the store is ultra fab.  I was surprised to see a frozen yogurt/coffee shop on the top floor.  The name of the shop is Forty Carrots and, it was explained to me, is a house brand for Bloomie’s (just in case you’re stricken with a sweet tooth while shopping for David Yurman).  They were certainly doing a brisk business handing out samples…

Here’s the line-up…

Josiah Citrin’s Melisse has announced the last chef in their popular summer guest chef series.  The program concludes on Monday August 23rd with James Beard award-winning chef, David Kinch from the Michelin two-starred Manresa in Los Gatos, CA.  They also have Ray Garcia from Fig preparing the amuse bouche.  A portion of the $150 set menu will go toward Special Olympics.  

Call 310-395-0881 for reservations or go to www.opentable.com

Mélisse Restaurant

1104 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
http://www.melisse.com