Truxton’s SM Update…

Posted on June 6, 2013 by toddrickallen

What’s going on over at the long-languished construction site for the upcoming Santa Monica branch of Westchester staple, Truxton’s American Bistro? Well, anyone familiar with the mountains of red-tape confounding any new SM restaurant should be less than surprised. After their banners went up on the derelict building on the corner of 14th and Santa Monica Blvd. that used to house the Overunder Sports Grill back in May 2012, the site sat mostly untouched for the longest. However, things are looking up for Truxton’s as evidenced by a flurry of recent construction. According to a rep, after having to push back an originally planned April opening, they are planning on opening in early July. In the mean time, check out their menu and read more here: truxtonsamericanbistro.

Ristorante Al Mare Coming Soon To SM Pier

Posted on June 3, 2013 by toddrickallen

Construction is underway on a brand-spanking new Italian restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier, next to the carousel building. According to the signs, Ristorante Al Mare will offer a rooftop bar-lounge, live entertainment, and even cooking classes. No word on an opening date, but by the look of things, they’re well on their way toward the projected summer opening.

Sasabune Now Open In New Space; Maru Restaurant Taking Over The Old Sasabune In West LA

Posted on May 30, 2013 by toddrickallen

Sushi Sasabune, which quietly slipped out of their old space to inhabit the old Seed Bistro at 11917 Wilshire Blvd. is now officially open (but with no signs yet), according to their Facebook page here. Replacing them in their old digs just blocks away at 12400 Wilshire will soon be Maru Restaurant. With one location in Valencia, according to their website Maru offers a menu of seasonally inspired modern French, Japanese, and California influences using organic farmer’s market produce and fish flown in from Japan. Construction is currently underway with no news of an opening date, but I’ll keep you posted… Check out their website here: maruvalencia.com.

Kreation Now Open In Venice

Posted on May 29, 2013 by toddrickallen

Furthering its inexorable drive to make cold-pressed juice available to all, plucky and prolific organic juice chain Kreation’s latest outpost is now open at 1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice. Inhabiting the old Jin Patisserie space with its lovely, sunny patio, the Venice location offers a full “kafe” menu as well as their proprietary line of juices, nut “mylks”, kombucha, smoothies, and detox drinks. Read more at: kreationjuice.

Obikà’s Sicilian Wine Dinner

Posted on May 28, 2013 by toddrickallen

On Monday June 3rd at 7:00pm, Italian mozzarella specialist Obikà in the Century City Shopping Center will be hosting a special Sicilian wine dinner highlighting the flavors and wines of Sicily. $40 will get you four traditional courses redolent of the Island’s flavors including citrus, pistachio, fennel, and capers paired with three Sicilian wines, a 30-year-old Marsala, and limoncello. Make your reservation by calling (310) 556-2452 or click here: obikala.com.

Street’s Memorial Weekend Bash

Posted on May 24, 2013 by toddrickallen

This Memorial Day Sunday May 26th, Susan Feniger’s Street is hosting an über-cool event just dripping with hip… Starting and 12pm and running until 9pm, Street will be setting up a Korean BBQ and kimchi station on the patio, but there’s more: there’ll be a sake/soju lounge by Yoshi Murukami of Boutique Sake, and a pop-up shop by Giant Robot. Now how cool is that? Cost at the door is $45 and includes 3 drinks, but advance purchase is $35 and includes 4 drinks, so what are you waiting for? Click here to find out more…

Santa Monica Festival Food Scene Line-Up

Posted on May 23, 2013 by toddrickallen

Festival season is off and running… The 22nd Annual Santa Monica Festival takes place from 11am to 6pm on Saturday June 1st in Cloverfield Park at 2600 Ocean Park Blvd. Scheduled events for the “zero waste” event include a variety of eclectic dance and music presentations, workshops, a marketplace, eco-zone, Juneteenth celebration, and a culinary stage with various Santa Monica chefs leading demos culminating in a Chef Challenge between Josie Le Balch (Josie, Next Door) and Nyesha Arrington of Wilshire Restaurant. The challenge? Create an innovative vegetarian meal for four for $15. And what festival is complete without the de rigueur Food Trucks? Here’s a partial list of the line-up: Border Grill, Coolhaus, India Jones, Juice Crafters, Let’s be Frank, and many more… Admission Free. Check out their Facebook page here.

Sbarro Pizza Coming To Santa Monica Place

Posted on May 20, 2013 by toddrickallen

You could be forgiven for thinking that there already was a branch of ubiquitous mall pizza chain Sbarro in the food court of Santa Monica Place. But there wasn’t… it was a branch of Stephano’s Pizza, the very same as is located on the corner of The Promenade and Arizona, just blocks away. Well, Stephano’s has quit the food court and in its place will shortly be a brand-spanking new branch of the aforementioned Sbarro that you can read about, if you must, here.

Native Foods’ “Tour Of Asia” Cooking Demo This Monday

Posted on May 17, 2013 by toddrickallen

This Monday, May 20th at 7pm, Native Foods in Westwood is hosting a “Tour of Asia” cooking demo. Featuring vegan recipes from Korea, Vietnam, China, and Thailand, there will also be prizes and samples. Cost is free but space is limited… Secure your spot by clicking here.

Taste Of Hawthorne Food And Music Festival This Sunday

Posted on May 16, 2013 by toddrickallen

With all the big “Taste of…” festivals in SoCal, it’s easy to overlook some of the smaller ones, but they’re often not without their charms… This weekend affords you the opportunity to go off the beaten path and discover a different world. Taste of Hawthorne is this Sunday, May 19th from 10am to 6pm at the Hawthorne Airport at 12101 S. Crenshaw in Hawthorne. A rather remarkable 40 plus Hawthorne and South Bay restaurants are represented, as well as food trucks, Food Network and Travel Network stars (i.e. local son Chris Cognac, the Food Network’s Hungry Detective), artisan beer and wine gardens, and entertainment headlined by local fave band Ozomatli. And with brand-spanking new Eureka! Tasting Kitchen on site, what more could you want? Another bonus? Admission free. Check out more at: tasteofhawthorne

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LA Urban Fitness Cafe Coming Soon To Main St. SM

Posted on May 14, 2013 by toddrickallen

Nutrition and supplement experts LA Urban Fitness at 3015 Main Street in Santa Monica (corner of Marine) is currently remodeling a portion of their store to install a brand-spanking new cafe to be called, surprisingly, LA Urban Fitness Cafe. The new cafe will feature bar, table, and outdoor seating and offer a menu of smoothies, cold-pressed juices, coffee, and “snacks”. They’re shooting for a June opening. laurbanfitness.com.

Coast Beach Cafe, Santa Monica Hosts Monaco Grand Prix Party

Posted on May 10, 2013 by toddrickallen

Dust off your seersucker sports coat… On Sunday, May 26th, Coast Beach Cafe just steps from the beach in the swanky Shutters Hotel in Santa Monica is hosting a very civilized viewing party for the Monaco Grand Prix racing event. Now here’s the genius part: Due to the time difference in Monaco, Coast is opening their doors at 4:00AM and luring guests in with promises of a continental breakfast and unlimited champagne! Quelle bonne idée! Secure yourself a table here.

White Asparagus From Provence Arrive At Melisse

Posted on May 8, 2013 by toddrickallen

Those succulent little heralds of Spring, white asparagus, have arrived from Provence in all their plump, sweet glory and are currently featured as the stars of the menu at Josiah Citrin’s Melisse in Santa Monica. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try them in their signature dish, White Asparagus “Cocotte” with Morel Mushrooms and Yellow Wine Sauce as well as other preparations. Time is extremely limited so move fast… melisse.com

Birdpick Closed In Santa Monica…

Posted on May 7, 2013 by toddrickallen

Purveyors of all things tea, Birdpick has flown the coop in Santa Monica. Their ground floor Santa Monica Place location is now closed. If you find yourself desperately in need of a good cuppa, they still have tea shops in Pasadena and Culver City. Read more at: birdpick.com.

Gluten-Free Cooking Class With Kristine Kidd May 7th

Posted on May 2, 2013 by toddrickallen

With so many people doing gluten-free these days and restaurants increasingly accommodating them, gluten-free is becoming a national craze. Now is your chance to try it yourself. Cookbook author, culinary expert, and food editor of Bon Appétit magazine for 20 years, Kristine Kidd, author of Weeknight Gluten Free: Simple, Healthy Meals For Every Night Of The Week, will be teaching a cooking class on Tuesday, May 7th at Let’s Get Cookin’ in Westlake Village. Some of the recipes you’ll be learning: Soft Socca (Mediterranean chickpea crepes) with Summer Squash, Basil & Gruyère, Sautéed Scallops and Quinoa with Orange-Avocado Salsa, and Ginger-Cherry Oatmeal Cookies. Read more about the event here and check out Kristine Kidd’s blog and find out about more events here.

Farmer Boys Coming Soon To El Segundo

Posted on May 1, 2013 by toddrickallen

With 72 locations throughout California and Nevada (albeit mostly far east and south of Downtown LA), breakfast and burger chain Farmer Boys is making its first inroad into West LA. Known for its generous portions, the new restaurant is taking over a repurposed fire department outpost at 2161 E. El Segundo Blvd. (corner of Nash) in El Segundo, a city quickly adapting to meet the noontime meal requirements of the aerospace industry. Look for a May opening. Until then, read more here: farmerboys.

Street’s Cinco De Mayo Celebration…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by toddrickallen

This Sunday, in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Susan Feniger’s Street has planned a special taco night with a wide selection of veg and non-veg tacos, toppings, and sides all served on Border Grill homemade tortillas. Included on the taco menu: chipotle jackfruit, fried duck egg, beer battered okra, and smoked octopus. Tacos are either a la carte or as plates and can be washed down with margaritas and aguas frescas. Check out the entire menu and read more here: eatatstreet.

Il Buco’s Friday Night Wine Deal

Posted on April 26, 2013 by toddrickallen

Can’t decide where to go tonight? Giacomino Drago’s Il Buco at 107 N.Robertson Blvd. in Beverly Hills is offering a special wine deal on Friday nights: Half off any bottle of wine. Hello, Kistler! Check out their wine list here, or make a reservation here.

Yogurtland Now Open In The Third Street Promenade

Posted on April 25, 2013 by toddrickallen

For those who’ve been worried sick that there simply aren’t enough places to procure frozen yogurt in Santa Monica comes this happy news… Relentlessly expanding icy treat chain Yogurtland has just opened yet another SM location just off the Third Street Promenade at 304 Santa Monica Blvd., in the old Jamba Juice location. yogurt-land.com

Meizhou Dongpo Coming Soon To Century City

Posted on April 22, 2013 by toddrickallen

Signs went up recently on the space that used house long-gone Ummba Grill in the Century City Shopping Center announcing an upcoming brand new Chinese restaurant. Meizhou Dongpo is a chain of Sichuan restaurants in China that is looking to make inroads in the US. Not much info yet, except an undeveloped website linking to a Chinese site, and an artist’s rendering of what the future restaurant will look like. Look for a summer 2013 opening. dongpous.com. Update: This website no longer works… try http://www.meizhou.com.cn/?lang=en. -TRA

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