More changes to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center food scene: It appears that Ummba Grill, the Brazilian Churrascaria on the second floor has closed its doors. The restaurant has been completely boarded over and there is no word on a replacement. Curiously though, their website still portends a future Santa Monica site. Ummbagrill.com.
Looking for a vegan, macrobiotic option for your Fourth of July barbeque party this year? Look no further than M Café. They’ve neatly wrapped up an impressive party package to help you create your backyard burger bar. Available to serve either 4-6 ($80) or 8-10 ($160), each deal comes with Big Macro Patties, Soy Mozzarella Cheese, Special Sauce, Whole Wheat Buns, all the fixin’s, and two deli salads such as Kale with Spicy Peanut Dressing, Creamy Cole Slaw, or Scarlet Quinoa. Just throw those burgers on the barbie and your set. Get more info at: mcafedechaya.com.
Having taken over the old Aunt Kizzy space upstairs at 523 Washington Blvd. in Marina Del Rey, Tahntawan Thai Kitchen is now open and serving Southeast Asian specialties. Check out their menu here: tahntawan.com.
A new venture, Potato Corner appears to be building a free-standing shop on the first floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. With locations at various malls throughout LA and the US, this is their first foray into the Westside. As you can guess, their specialty is potatoes in an array of forms and flavors. Check out their menu here: http://potatocornerusa.com/menu/.
Construction is underway on an “Asian” shaved ice shop in Brentwood. Sweet Crush Ice Bar is moving into the space at 11761 San Vicente Blvd, near Whole Foods. As you can see from the photo, it looks like they have a way to go, but I’m told the icy treats should begin rolling out sometime in July. Check out their Facebook page here: facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Crush-Ice-Bar.
Bouchon Bakery in Beverly Hills has made this Wednesday, June 20th, Macaron Day. All day long, when you buy three of the flavor-tastic French treats, you’ll receive a complimentary fourth macaron. bouchonbakery.com
My Vienna, the Viennese coffee shop and gelateria officially opened on Friday at 9481 S. (Little) Santa Monica in Beverly Hills. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can read more at their Facebook page here: facebook.com/pages/My-Vienna-Gelato-Coffee.
Native Foods Café rolls out their Big Daddy Dagwood Special Meal in time for Father’s Day. Consisting of “warm thinly sliced original seitan, caramelized onions, vegan cheddar, avocado, tomatoes, pickles, mustard, mayo and creamy horseradish sauce on grilled marble rye” and served with special fresh garlic fries. Cost is a cool $9.95. But you can only get it this weekend only, June 15th through the 17th. Read more at nativefoods.com.
While we’re on the subject of Santa Monica Place, starting tonight and running the entire summer on the second Wednesday of every month through October, you can advance your oenophilic knowledge at the Learn About Wine Summer Series at Santa Monica Place. Tonight’s lesson, “Que Syrah – A Night for Rhones” commences at 7:00pm and goes until 9:00pm. Cost is $60 at the door. Read more at learnaboutwine.com.
There are still a few good reasons to visit the third floor of Santa Monica Place. On Tuesdays, all bottles of wine at Pizza Antica are half off. With a largely Italian wine list, it’s a great opportunity to have a cheap and tawdry affair with an Arneis, Pecorino, or Fruilano. Check out their wine list here: pizzaantica.com.
Remember The Market at Santa Monica Place? I thought not. With so many stalls sitting empty comes news of one more: Aurelie the Cookie Guru is now closed. But one glimmer of hope: It looks like a new venture, The Curious Baker appears to be moving into the old Rockenwagner Bakery space. Look for an opening this month.
M Café will be celebrating its 7th anniversary with a “Lucky No. 7” celebration on Friday, June 15th. From 7pm until closing, you can get any of the following items for $7 each: Big Macro Burger (w/ side), Tofu Teriyaki Rice Bowl, M Chopped Salad, Tuna Wrap (w/ side), 16 oz Juice: Refresher or Pick Me Up, Two cupcakes (M Café patisserie only), or Two-Salad Deli Combo. Offer good at both locations, read more at: mcafedechaya.com.
In still more changes to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center food court, it looks like Fuddruckers burgers is now closed. If you’re absolutely desperate for the chain’s standard American fare, find another location here: fuddruckers.com.
It looks like Westchester’s local fave, Truxton’s American Bistro is expanding to Santa Monica into the derelict building that used to house the dump Overunder Sports Grill, right next to club Central on the corner of 14th and Santa Monica Blvd. Signs are up and, while there’s still a way to go, it looks like construction is well underway. No news on the website, but you can check out the menus and read more at: truxtonsamericanbistro.com. I’ll keep you posted as an opening draws near…
Update: I spoke with someone at the original Truxton’s who informed me that they will be opening sometime within the next year.
Construction continues fast and furiously on the Seasons 52, going into the old Houston’s space in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Signs recently went up around what appears to be a new patio announcing the fall opening. Until then, check out the menu here: seasons52.com/menu.
Susan Feniger’s Street has added a few specials to help people with their “meatless Mondays”. Included are: jackfruit tacos, veggie tamales, and fried plantains, all for $5 each. Read more and get a glimpse of Susan’s upcoming book Susan Feniger’s Street Food at eatatstreet.com.
In case you’ve been asleep in a cave for a while, fresh juicing is big right now. Riding on the popularity of places like Kreation are a new set of über-healthy vegetable and fruit juice purveyors. The latest is Juice Crafters at 11682 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood (near the corner of Barrington). After the usual challenges, I was informed that the permits came through, window paper is down, and they are set to open “in a few days”. According to the website, they also have plans to open in Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and Venice as well. After all, who can’t use a little detox now and then? Check out more at: juicecrafters.com.
James Beard award-winner, author, and tv guy Ted Allen will be signing copies of his recently released book In My Kitchen: 100 Recipes and Discoveries for Passionate Cooks this Saturday, May 26th at 12:00pm at Williams-Sonoma, 1600 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.
With locations in Westwood, Beverly Hills, and around the world, Korean “healthy fresh” bibimbap chain Bibigo is moving into the recently closed Sorabol Korean BBQ space in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center. Look for a July opening… In the mean time, read more and try to spot clever words like “portmanteau’, “propitious”, and “gastro-diplomatic” here: bibigo.com.
It looks like Copenhagen Pastry is nearing completion on its brand new bakery at 11113 Washington Blvd. and plans on opening soon, at least according to the sign in the window. Signs are up and fixtures are in at the former automotive store space. I’ll keep you posted… in the mean time, read more at: copenhagenpastry.com.
Toddrickallen 