Author Archives: toddrickallen

My Vienna Gelato And Coffee Coming To Beverly Hills

Posted on by
Reply

Austrian theme restaurants are hot in BH right now.  Recently came the opening of BierBeisl further up the street, and now it appears that construction is underway on the double space just to the right of Crumb’s Bake Shop on Little Santa Monica near Beverly in Beverly Hills on another Austrian themed eatery.  My Vienna Gelato & Coffee is developing the spaces and has posted signs and applications in the window.  According to their Facebook page that you can see here: facebook.com/pages/My-Vienna-Gelato-Coffee, they are billing themselves as, “Award winning gelato and authentic coffee tradition”.   I’ll keep you posted as more develops…

Free Desserts Today And Tomorrow At Native Foods

Posted on by
Reply

Buy an entrée, side, and drink at Native Foods today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday), and they’ll throw in a free dessert (including a limited edition mint chocolate whoopie pie).  A portion of the profits goes to benefiting two charities, Farm Sanctuary and something called the Orange County Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology.  Read more at:  nativefoods.com.

 

Whole Foods’ Crack Heard ‘Round The World

Posted on by
10

You could be forgiven for thinking that “The crack heard ’round the world” was a reference to your old, flatulent college roommate, but it isn’t.  On Saturday, March 10th, in a promotional event, Whole Foods stores will simultaneously be cracking open over 300 wheels of authentic Parmigiano Reggiano.  The “The crack heard ’round the world” occurs at 3:00pm eastern time and samples will be offered. 

Om Organic Mixology Moving Into Beverly Hills

Posted on by
2

While we’re on the subject of businesses moving into Beverly Hills, I noticed this application posted at 9897 Santa Monica Blvd., the site of the former K Chocolatier.  It looks like something called Om Organic Mixology is applying for a liquor license.  I can’t find much on the web about them, except that they’re a new, environmentally conscious vodka company billing themselves as “the enlightened cocktail”.  You can read their launch page here: omcocktails.com/om-cocktails-2.  I’ll keep my eye on this one…

 

 

Home Restaurant And Supper Club Moving Into The Camden House Space In Beverly Hills

Posted on by
3

Although I can’t track down much more info than the name, according to the signs posted in the windows, the cavernous and empty Camden House space at 430 N. Camden Dr. in Beverly Hills will soon be an enterprise called Home Restaurant and Supper Club operated by House of Music and Entertainment and represented by Neil Brown.  Not much activity to be noted at this point, except the transfer of liquor license and an “intent to file for an open air dining permit”, but I’ll keep you posted…

 

Rotisserie Works Closed In The Century City Shopping Center; Seasons 52 Moves Into Old Houston’s Space

Posted on by
Reply

It looks like Rotisserie Works in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center is now closed.  I’ll keep my eye on the space and let you know if anything moves in…

In other CC news, it’s being reported that Seasons 52, a new restaurant is moving into the Century City Shopping Center (la.eater.com).  It apparently is going into the old Houston’s space because I noticed this little card taped the old front door.  With locations across the US, Seasons 52 bills itself as a “fresh grill”.  You can read more about it here: seasons52.com.

The  old Rotisserie Works space…

 

The card taped to the front door of the old Houstons space…

 

Obika’s New Pizza Oven

Posted on by
2

Obika‘s snazzy new Italian pizza oven is now up and running and delivering amazingly crispy pies starting today in the Century City Shopping Center.  Obika’s CEO, Raimondo Boggia was kind enough to give a personal tour of the pizza kitchen.  While they’re still hard at work developing their pizza menu, look for beauties such as:  Verdure Grigliate (grilled eggplant, zucchini, radicchio, smoked mozzarella di bufala, parsley), Formaggi Morbidi (gorgonzola, stracchino, ricotta, mozzarella de bufala), or perhaps the Salmone e Ricotta (wild Alaskan salmon, ricotta, mozzarella di bufala).  Read more at obikala.com.

Friday Evenings At Mr. C, Beverly Hills

Posted on by
Reply

Tough week?  Need a great place to unwind?  Mr. C in Beverly Hills has recently added a Friday evening happy hour from 6pm to 8:30pm in the Lobby Bar that includes complimentary “cicchetti” with every round of drinks ordered.  Cicchetti are Venetian tapas prepared and selected specially by chef David Perez.  There’s also live music and a super cool glass pool table.  Sounds like a great way to kick off the weekend.  Read more at:  mrchotels.com/beverly-hills/.

 

 

Chinese Friends Fresh Szechuan Kitchen Now Open In Hawthorne

Posted on by
1

In the troubled space that used to be the home to LA’s only outpost of East coast hotdog staple, Nathan’s Famous, a new breezy eatery has arrived.  Chinese Friends Fresh Szechuan Kitchen is now open at 5050 W. Rosecrans Ave. in Hawthorne (next to Starbucks).  The restaurant is open from 10:30am to 3:00pm and then from 4:00pm to 9:30pm and offers an extensive menu of traditional dishes, friendly staff, and a bright dining room guarded over by the portrait of Chairman Mao on the front of a neon-lit Forbidden City.  There are bold plans for expansion: I was assured by the manager that they intend on making this the flagship store for a future chain.  You can read more and check out the menu here:  chinesefriendsusa.com.

 

Native Foods Valentine’s Day Special

Posted on by
Reply

Were Melisse, Spago, and the Hotel Bel Air already booked for Valentine’s Day?  Need a quick solution that’s a little more reasonable?   Native Foods has the answer…  For today only, they are offering a Valentine’s Day Special Italian feast consisting of “homemade vegetable lasagna layered with homemade tofu ricotta, roasted portobellos, greens, and a fresh marinara.  Topped with Native cashew parmesan and served with a Caesar salad and garlic bread” all for only $9.95.  Why not add in a freshly made tiramisu made with espresso soaked vanilla cake and vegan mascarpone with shaved chocolate for another $2.95 more.  Fresh, healthy, and satisfying… now that’s Love!

nativefoods.com

The Skinny On The Closure Of The Broadway Ale House…

Posted on by
6

Stop the presses!  A big hats off to reader Evan, whose keen eye spotted the real story about why the Broadway Ale House was closed by ABC.  Apparently, according to the Santa Monica Patch, there is an accusation of selling drugs (cocaine and marijuana) from behind the bar, which the holder of the licence, Eden Beloved Noe, blames on an employee.  Due to the charge and a previous May charge of underage selling, as of December 6th, she can no longer retain the license and it must be transferred to a new owner, Mark Jason Marquez, which can take up to 100 days.  Read the whole sordid story with further details here: http://santamonica.patch.com/articles/alehouse.  Read where Ms. Noe defends herself here: http://santamonica.patch.com/articles/ale-house-owner-paints-herself-as-victim-in-drug-case.

Read my original post here:  toddrickallen.com/2012/02/03/uh-oh-broadway-ale-house-closed-by-abc/.

Uh Oh… Cafe 360 At Jose Eber Closed For A Health And Safety Violation

Posted on by
2

Ok, so Cafe 360, the coffee shop at Jose Eber Salon at 360 Camden in Beverly Hills only just opened last month, right?  Well I noticed this weekend that all signs were down and the door is closed.  When I inquired at Jose Eber reception, I was told that they were closed for “renovation” and would re-open at some point.  Upon closer inspection, it appears their “renovation” was not voluntary:  note the small notice at the bottom of the door.  Apparently, the state closed them down for a health and safety reason.  Hopefully they’ll be up and running again soon…

Uh-Oh…Broadway Ale House Closed By ABC

Posted on by
5

I sure overlooked this one… local watering hole, the Broadway Ale House at 129 Broadway in Santa Monica has a big ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) suspension notice stuck on the door.  It’s clearly locked and untended (notice the mail on the floor).  While I don’t have the reason, (the notice states that they have violated the “Alcoholic Beverage Control Act”)  the most usual ABC closure is for underage drinking.  What’s curious is that the first day of the 30 day suspension was December 6th, but the sign states that the suspension could be “indefinitely until license is transferred”.  Not sure what’s going on, but as you can see, the place appears abandoned.  I’ll let you know as more develops…

Choppe Choppe Opening In Beverly Hills

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Native Foods Celebrates Superbowl With The Cubano Sandwich, Opens Next Week In Newport Beach

Posted on by
Reply

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