Perhaps the last place one would expect to find substantial vegetarian food would be a restaurant specializing in fish tacos. But Wahoo’s Fish Taco, in addition to already offering tofu, mushrooms, or vegetables as fillings for tacos, apparently recently added a Wafu Bowl to its menu: teriyaki tofu with choice of rice and beans. I noticed the sign walking by the Wahoo’s next to the new Seed Bistro. So the answer is yes, you can get veggie food at Wahoo’s. Read more here: wahoos.com.
The Santa Monica Farmer’s Market will be celebrating its 30 year anniversary by hosting the Good Food Festival and Conference September 14th through 18th. A variety of events are scheduled and will be conducted by chefs, farmers, “food leaders”, and others. The main thrust is to open a discussion about issues concerning local and sustainable food systems. Discussions and demos will be led by a host of politicians, CEOs, and local chefs including: Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, Suzanne Goin, Evan Kleiman, Nancy Silverton, Jerry Brown, Jonathan Gold, and many others. There will also be a street fair on Saturday and Sunday. Check out the full program at goodfoodfestivals.com.
The new Seed Bistro going into the old BiMi sushi restaurant space at 11917 Wilshire in West LA is having their grand opening on Monday August 29th. The sunny little bistro, a sister to the Venice original, Seed Kitchen, promises a vegan, organic, and macrobiotic menu. They will be opening for dinner only on Monday at 5:30 pm until 10:00pm. Lunch service will begin Sept. 12th from 11:30am to 2:00pm. Read more about Seed at www.seedbistro.com.
Work continues, albeit slowly, at the upcoming Ferrarini, the purveyor of Italian specialty items and “eating place” going into the old Le Croissant space at 9622 Brighton Way in Beverly Hills. Recently, they posted their liquor license application, so we can assume beer and wine will be served. No word of an opening date yet, but I’lll keep my ear to the ground. You can acquaint yourself with the company here: www.ferrarini.it/en/mondo/italy-all-over-world
As we await the promised summer opening of the uber-stylish Shore Hotel on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica and its upcoming restaurant Plato Azul by the BP Taco group, the website has given us a glimmer of hope: They are shooting for an October 1st debut. (Given that they are taking reservations starting that date, I imagine they intend on making it.) I’ll keep an eye on it for you… Until then, you can read more at shorehotel.com/. 
It looks like Jersey Mike’s Subs, the rapidly expanding chain of, you guessed it, sub sandwiches is coming to Brentwood at 12003 Wilshire, next to California Pita. Work hasn’t yet begun, but they do have the sign announcing its impending arrival. I’ll keep you posted, in the mean time, you can read more here: www.jerseymikes.com/.
Torrance-based Ramen Yamadaya is expanding into the Westside. Looks like they are on track to open their newest restaurant in Culver City on Washington Blvd., one block east of Sepulveda at the corner of Commonwealth Street. The pace of work is fast and furious as they push to make their deadline of an August 27th (this Saturday) opening. Read more at www.ramen-yamadaya.com/.
If those frothy hearts, leaves, and swirls at the top of your latte fascinate you, then this Tuesday, August 16th head down to Caffe Luxxe at 925 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica for The Battle of the Baristas, a “latte art competition”. Starting at 6:30pm, this teeth-clencher promises multiple rounds of baristas showing off their flashiest milk-foam skills. http://www.caffeluxxe.com/
M Cafe de Chaya has a special deal on for summer: dinner for two for under $20. For $18.95 you get 2 Big Macro Burgers, 2 large M Fries, and 2 ice teas. Not bad. Offer available at both locations (Beverly Hills and Melrose). Check out www.mcafedechaya.com for more info.
On Thursday, August 25th from 7pm until 9pm, Susan Feniger’s Street will be hosting a pop-up party in the lot behind the restaurant featuring two sets by the cult-fave band Ozomatli. KCRW’s Liza Richardson will be dj-ing as well. Special food stations will be set up throughout the restaurant offering a unique array of food designed by Susan that reflects the “culture of Ozomatli”. There will also be special cocktails, espresso, and all guests will receive a re-issue of Ozomatli vs. KCRW Soundclash. Cost is $85 and space is limited so act quickly by calling (323) 203-0500 for reservations.
Susan Feniger’s Street 742 N. Highland Los Angeles, CA 90038
This isn’t exactly news since they’ve been open since May, but La Focacceria Tra di Noi at 362 N. Camden in Beverly Hills is now hosting their official grand opening celebration. Here’s a peek…
http://www.tradinoimalibu.com/index.html
The first annual Toast & Taste Santa Monica will be held this Saturday, August 6th from 2:00pm until 6:00pm at 1238 Lincoln Blvd. (just south of Wilshire) in Santa Monica. The charity affair benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs in the LA area and will feature wine and beer tastings as well as local restaurants and food trucks, and a silent auction. Some of the participants are: BRÜHAUS, Pourtal, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Blue Moon beers, and Cheeseball Wagon. The kid-friendly event costs $29. Go to http://www.smbgc.org/toasttaste/ for more info.
Work is underway on a new cafe at 360 N. Camden in Beverly Hills. Located inside the new José Eber Hair Salon, 360 Cafe will be opening “very soon”. (Or so I was told.) With entrances from the street as well as directly into the tony new salon, the petit cafe will feature a simple menu of coffee and cafe items featuring baked goods from the new-ish La Focacceria Tra di Noi next door. (While investigating the new cafe, a kind receptionist at the salon let me look around unescorted until I stumbled into the station of José Eber himself, who dropped his scissors and stared at me as if I were a janitor stumbling into surgery. I was promptly walked out.)
Toddrickallen 