Author Archives: toddrickallen

Obika’s New Pizza Oven

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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

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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

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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

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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…

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

 

 

Mario Batali Book Signing On Friday

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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…

 

Spumoni Cafe, Tar & Roses Now Officially Open In Santa Monica

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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

Mr. C, Beverly Hills Launches New Sunday Brunch

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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.

 

Vive La Crêpe! Now Closed In Beverly Hills

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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…

Obika Regional Wine Dinner This Tuesday

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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.

obika
Mozzarella Bar 

 

 

Receive A Free Dessert From Native Foods Today While Supporting A Good Cause

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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.