Only two weeks ago I told you about the demise of Vive Le Crepe! at 368 N. Camden in Beverly Hills. Wasting no time whatsoever, the ambitious Choppe Choppe soft opens (hopefully) today. Formerly in Culver City, the fresh sandwich shop follows a philosophy of “5 proteins done 2 ways” in the forms of salad, sandwich, or wrap. Read more at: choppechoppe.com.
Ok, this sounds way to good to pass up, but in celebration of the Superbowl, that oddly is next weekend, Native Foods Cafe is offering a special this weekend only (Jan. 27th-29th): the Cubano sandwich, that is described as a “traditional Cuban sandwich stacked with slow roasted cilantro-garlic seitan and smoky maple-glazed seitan, pickles, mayo, sweet mustard and a homemade swiss cheesy sauce on a grilled baguette. Served with chili con limon sweet potato fries and a sweet mango treat.” All for $9.95. My mouth is already watering…
In other Native Foods news, the Newport Beach location in Fashion Island opens next week on January 31st.
Read more at: nativefoods.com
Come on, admit that you’re dying to meet the cherubic superstar of Italian cooking, Mario Batali. I’ve seen you… waiting for hours outside Mozza, making pilgrimages to Babbo, and devouring every scrap of news about LA’s Eataly like a private detective. Well now’s your chance to corner the orange clog-clad dyanamo yourself. Mario Batali will be signing copies of his 483rd book, Motlo Batali: Simple Family Meals from My Home to Yours tomorrow, Friday (Jan. 27th). The book signing will take place at 1:00pm at Mozza2Go (corner of Melrose and Highland), and I’d arrive early if I were you…
Here’s a few first looks into Santa Monica’s newest, both of which officially opened yesterday, (Tuesday, January 24th). Spumoni Cafe and Authentic Italian Creamery, the little charmer at 715 Montana Ave, serves not only its proprietary house made gelato and baked goods, but breakfasts, crepes, salads, and sandwiches as well. Andrew Kirschner’s much anticipated dark and sultry vixen, Tar & Roses, sits at the corner of 6th and Santa Monica and boasts a tight and focused menu centered around a wood burning oven. Spumonicafe.com, facebook.com/TarAndRoses.
Spumoni Cafe and Authentic Italian Creamery
Tar & Roses
As you can see from the photo, Obika, the Italian restaurant focused on fresh mozzarella, is installing a stone pizza oven in their Century City Shopping Center location. They expect the pizzas to start rolling out February 12th (fingers crossed). Read more at: obikala.com.
Mr. C’s, the West Coast relation to the famous Cipriani family restaurant empire, is currently (at least through the end of January) serving a sunday brunch, complete with jazz and complimentary valet parking. Hours are 11:00am to 3:00pm. And of course, there’s the prerequisite classic Cipriani bellini included. Read more at: mrchotels.com.
More Camden news: Vive La Crêpe!, the chain that tried its hand at a West Coast location in Beverly Hills is now closed. Having opened in the space near Teuschers at 380 N. Camden on March 8th, 2011, the creperie failed to gain traction among the famously carb-phobic. Someone’s not wasting any time though, the store appears to be already leased. I’ll keep you posted as I learn more…
Located inside the new(ish) José Eber Hair Salon at 360 N. Camden in Beverly Hills, 360 Cafe is now (soft) open. With entrances from the street as well as directly into the tony salon, the petit, counter-only cafe offers a simple menu of Illy coffee and cafe items featuring baked goods from La Maison du Pain on Pico.
Obika in Century City kicks off a once-a-month evening focusing on various wine regions of Italy this Tuesday, January 17th. This month’s dinner will highlight the wines and cuisine of Le Tre Venezie (Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia) and will include a special 3-4 course menu with pairings. There will also be special guests and discussions about the regions. This would be a great way to familiarize yourself with the increasingly popular wines of Italy that seem to dominate every wine list lately. Read more or make a reservation at: obikala.com.
Come into the quickly spreading Native Foods (new locations coming to Boulder and San Diego) today and the socially conscious eatery will donate a portion of the profits to local charity Reading to Kids, when you purchase an entrée, side, and drink. Plus, you’ll receive a free dessert! Find a location or read more at: nativefoods.com.
Although the new signs have yet to go up, it’s confirmed: Via Dolce has officially replaced the old Valens Dolce at 1426 Montana Ave. #5 in Santa Monica and is now open for business, serving their usual menu of salads, sandwiches, pastries, coffees, and teas.
A lot of El Segundo news lately, there seems to be a mini-explosion of new casual eateries and sandwich shops. Next on the list: Which Wich Superior Sandwiches at 460B N. Sepulveda in the Gateway El Segundo shopping center next to the newish Five Guys burger joint. Which Wich already has a number of locations throughout SoCal and you can look for the latest incarnation to open sometime between the 7th and 12th of January. Read more at: whichwich.com.
The New Which Wich is under construction just to the left of Five Guys.
With tv shows, numerous books, vineyards, and restaurants to her credit, Lidia Bastianich is the irrepressible an undisputed matriarch of Bastianich empire. Once again, this Wednesday, January 4th at 7:00pm at Mozza, she returns to LA to discuss the companion book to her upcoming tv series, “Lidia’s Italy in America”. Lidia will be discussing how Italian immigrants brought a rich tradition of beloved recipes from the Old Country to America all accompanied by dishes from the book prepared by Matt Molina, Mozza executive chef. Cost is $150 plus tax and gratuity, and space is extremely limited, but why not try your luck by calling Nicole White just as fast as your fingers can dial at (323) 866-5290 to reserve.
Toddrickallen 