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.
Wishing all readers a healthy, abundant, and joyous New Year. Here’s a big Cheers! to all who come to these pages. I can’t wait to see what happens to the ever-changing LA food scene in 2012…
With one other location in Hermosa Beach, Sabra Beirutmix Mediterranean Grill is now open in the Gateway El Segundo shopping center in the old Ittou Bento space at 400 N. Sepulveda Blvd. in El Segundo. Open from 10am to 9pm Monday through Saturday, the Lebanese deli has a menu of traditional mezze, salads, soups, sandwiches, and wraps that you can check out here: beirutmix.com/menu.
Wishing all readers a festive and delicious Holiday Season from Toddrickallen!
This year’s somewhat hastily prepared Buche de Noel
Independently owned, but still related to well-known Dutch baking family Schat, David Schat’s Bakery Cafe is now open in El Segundo at 131A W. Grand Ave. Offering a variety of traditional breads, pastries, cakes, and cookies, they also sport a menu of sandwiches, salads and breakfast and are open from 7am to 7pm Mon-Sat, and 7am to 2pm Sundays. Check out more at: schatselsegundo.com and toddrickallen.com/schats-bakery-cafe-el-segundo.
There’s more activity lately on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica than you can shake a stick at. Sadly, we saw this one coming… After a valiant effort and loads of free samples, Valen Dolce is giving up the ghost at 1426 Montana Ave. #5. Further up the street, it looks like stiff competition coming from its next door neighbor Sweet Lady Jane, is causing Via Dolce to vacate its space at 1627 Montana. But all is not lost, Via Dolce (not related to Valen Dolce… I know, its confusing) will be taking over the old Valen Dolce space. They should be ready for business sometime in January 2012. Look for the usual menu of coffees, teas, pastries, salads, and sandwiches.
Need new ideas for your vegan holiday feasts? Native Foods in Culver City is offering a free cooking demo this Sunday, December 18th. There promises to be free samples, delicious holiday appetizers, prizes and more. Sign up here: nativefoods.com/events.
If you enjoy walking around in a naughty Santa suit while consuming large quantities of holiday cheer all for a good cause, then this Saturday is the day for you! The Third Annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl takes place starting at 5:00pm at various locations and routes throughout the city. A $10 entrance fee gets you a wristband that allows entrance to a large number of SM establishments including: Ye Olde King’s Head, Harvelle’s, Pourtal Wine Bar, Sonoma Wine Bar, and a host of others. Proceeds go to the Westside Food Bank so you can feel good about your over-indulgence. Read more at: santamonicapubcrawl.com.
Obika (Century City, Beverly Center) is proudly rolling out the latest holiday addition to its menu: buratta with persimmon carpaccio, pine nuts and arugula. As you probably know, Obika uses only the freshest cheeses flown in from Italy three times a week. Rich, decadent buratta coupled with local, organic sweet persimmons is a match made in heaven. But you’ll only be able to get it through December so you’d better hurry… Read more at obikala.com.
M Café de Chaya has just rolled out their new holiday prix-fixe dinner. Here’s the three course menu:
Smooth & Silky Celery Root Soup
vanilla-scented green apple & chives
Winter Field Greens with Fennel, Cranberries & Bosc Pear
crumbled tofu “bleu” cheese, maple-glazed walnuts,
red wine & shallot vinaigrette
Smoked Tofu, Pumpkin & Chestnut Terrine en Croute
with porcini mushroom-red wine sauce
Plus 2 choices from an assortment of sides
Cost is $75 for two or $135 for four and your order must be in before 5:00pm on December 22nd. Call 310.410.0381, ext.11 or email catering@mcafedechaya.com to order.
Today (December 6th) and tomorrow only, at Native Foods, when you purchase an entrée, side, and drink, you’ll get a free dessert, including their holiday pumpkin cheesecake. Plus, a portion of all profits from the two days will go to benefit the charities Mercy for Animals, and The Foundation for Second Chances. Free dessert and a good cause… sounds like a perfect way to kick off the Yuletide season.
Find a location and more at: nativefoods.com
Breaking news… This Monday, December 5th, the chefs from the three LA picks for Esquire’s Best New Restaurants 2011, Sotto, Playa, and Ray’s And Stark Bar, are converging upon Sotto (whom Esquire said had the best pizza in town right now) to celebrate their listing. Chefs Steve Samson & Zach Pollack (Sotto), Chef John Sedlar (PLAYA), Chef Kris Morningstar (RAY’S AND STARK BAR), will present a yet-to-be determined 6 course extravaganza with award-winning mixologist Julian Cox pouring the cocktails and Sotto’s wine director, Jeremy Parzen pairing wines. Cost is: $65/per person, optional wine pairing $30/per person, cocktails $12. Bound to book out, rush an email to info@sottorestaurant.com with your name, the number of people in your party, your requested reservation time and phone number as fast as your little fingers can hit the keys…
Lurking behind a nondescript dark facade next to that curious pipe shop on Wilshire is the latest darling in the burgeoning mini-empire of Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan (Rustic Canyon, Huckleberry, Sweet Rose Creamery). Milo & Olive, their intimate, modern bakeshop and pizzeria began opening for dinner last night (December 1). Open since November 18 for breakfast and lunch, their new lunch and dinner menu will be served from 11:00am to 11:00pm. Space is tight and no reservations are accepted so there is a big emphasis on take-out. Check out their lunch/dinner menu here: miloandolive.com/momenu/. Milo & Olive is at 2723 Wilshire Blvd. (at Harvard) in Santa Monica. miloandolive.com.
While investigating the new house line of nibbles at Barneys in Beverly Hills called “Fred’s”, I came across an exciting discovery: They now carry a line of the famous Debauve & Gallais chocolates from Paris! Billed as the “world’s most exclusive chocolate”, the iconic chocolatier was founded in 1800 to serve the kings of France and famously created chocolates for the likes of Marie Antoinette, Proust, and Baudelaire as well as numerous kings and tsars. We’re not talking the little yuzu and black sesame art pieces popping up in boutiques all over Paris right now. This is old school sophistication and elegance. Visiting their Paris shop or the now defunct New York store was like stepping back in time, with chocolates arranged like precious jewels in cases. They will make the perfect gift this holiday season. Read more at: debauveandgallais.com. Barneys New York is at 9570 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills.
Z Garden, a sunny new bistro has just opened at 2350 Pico Blvd (at 24th) in Santa Monica. Although the menu is still under development, the emphasis is on “fresh, healthy Mediterranean cuisine”. Expect an assortment of classics such as falafel, fatoush, sandwiches, plates, and desserts served in a bright, minimalist boîte
Wishing all readers a joyous holiday filled with good food, family, and dear friends. I’m very grateful to all of you for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the excitement of the LA food scene these past two years. Happy Thanksgiving from Toddrickallen!
Wasn’t it just yesterday we were eagerly anticipating the changes at Santa Monica Place? Here are a few sad photos of the first round of casualties atop the hiccupping mall. As of Oct. 31st, Xino, the mod Chinese cavern once reviewed for the Times by Sister Irene herself is now caput. And I’m sure that many die-hard fans of Piero Salvaggio are wiping away a tear over the demise of Primi Al Mercato, his ambitious restaurant/retail space. Keep your fingers crossed that that’s all for now. I ran into a former employee of Primi who told me that they simply did not have the traffic, with some evenings seating only three tables. Sigh…
Ex-Xino
What used to be the “market” of Primi Al Mercato
The remains of Primi Al Mercato
If you follow a gluten-free diet and miss pizza terribly, you’re now in luck! Pizza Antica in the Santa Monica Place Mall was kind enough to let us know about their new gluten-free menu that you can check out here: http://pizzaantica.com/pdf/GF_Menu.pdf. They have teamed up with Azna Gluten Free to produce pizzas that are Roman style, thin and crackly crusted. Pizza Antica is also offering the Italian corn-based pasta brand La Veneziane in its gluten-free pasta dishes. Buon appetito!
Toddrickallen 