Still more changes to the mercurial food scene in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center… Billing themselves at “The Original Kabobery”, purveyors of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, Massis Kabob opened over the weekend in the space left by long-gone California Crisp in the food court. With four other locations around LA, you can read more about the Glendale-based chain here: massiskabob.
If you’re even the teensiest bit of an anglophile, then you’re familiar with the iconic British pie. Seen everywhere throughout the UK from the best restaurants to the busiest tube station, the British pie is an institution. Now’s your chance to get a taste of tradition right here in LA. Ye Olde King’s Head at the corner of 2nd and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica has declared March 4th through the 10th British Pie Week. With a number of specials including 20% off pies in the restaurant, 15% off in the shoppe, and a special “pie & a pint” in the pub for $10, there’s no reason not to fancy yourself on the set of Downton Abbey. And there’s even a veg version! yeoldekingshead.com
The juicing craze continues at break-neck speed… With 6 other locations throughout California and spreading fast, Pressed Juicery opened the doors to its 7th location today, Wednesday February 27th at 430 N. Bedford Dr. in Beverly Hills. Read more about their 100% raw, unpasteurized, and cold-pressed concoctions here: pressedjuicery.
M Café in Beverly Hills is celebrating its fourth anniversary at that location and to celebrate, they’re offering a special deal until this Thursday, February 28th. Get $4 off any order over $15 after 4pm. Read more at: mcafedechaya.
Based in the San Gabriel Valley and poised to take over the world, cheery purveyors of milk coffee/tea/boba/juice Lollicup are moving into the space that was supposed to have been Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt at 2206 Sawtelle (south of Olympic). Besides sunny drinks, expect a menu of snacks such as fried tofu, mini buns, squid balls, and combination plates. With locations across the US, China, and coming soon to Europe and the Middle East, you can read more about the plucky little coffeeshop at: lollicup.com.
Recently I told you about a new venture replacing the short-lived Il Sogno at 1211 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Brand-spanking new Courtyard Kitchen is now fully up and running. Look for a Mediterranean-inspired menu of breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches in a cozy neighborhoody setting. Hours are from 8am to 4pm daily.
With more than 1,200 restaurants in Japan alone, international Japanese-style curry giant Curry House CoCo Ichibanya officially opens its doors Wednesday, February 20th at 12007 Wilshire Blvd. in Brentwood (near Bundy) according to signs in the window and their website. Two other US locations already exist in Torrance and Irvine. Read more and check out their menu here: ichibanyausa. Anyone brave enough for natto curry?
And while we’re on the subject of Pei Wei, I just noticed the signs in the window of the new development at the corner of Sepulveda and Washington Blvd. in Culver City announcing yet another Pei Wei going into the space at 4114E Sepulveda, next to recently opened Zinga! Frozen Yogurt. peiwei.com
Last May, I told you about construction beginning on a Beverly Hills branch of Pei Wei and as you can see by the sign in the window, it looks like Pei Wei Asian Market opens its doors for the first time on Monday (2/18) at 270 N. Beverly Dr. (at Dayton) in Beverly Hills. A spin-off chain from P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, you can check out their menu that claims to draw inspiration from 5 Asian countries and read more about them here: peiwei.com.
With one restaurant in Encino, purveyors of “Israeli Cuisine” Itzik Hagadol are looking to expand into Beverly Hills. Signs recently went up in the window at 452 Canon Dr. announcing their impending arrival. You can check out their menu and read more at: itzikhagadol.
Perhaps looking to save cupcake seekers from a life of sugary addiction, Kreation Juicery is opening a second branch of their popular fresh-pressed organic juice cafe in Beverly Hills (thier other recently opened branch is at 9465 Charleville) at 9609 Little Santa Monica Blvd. (formerly Menchie’s) , just doors away from perpetually swamped Sprinkles cupcakes. Read more about the rapidly expanding juice chain at: kreationjuice.
This Sunday, February 10th from 11am to 3pm, you can celebrate the Chinese New Year with an all vegetarian dim sum brunch at Susan Feniger’s Street. Check out their “Year of the Snake” menu and read more here: eatatstreet.com.
What’s the skinny on the new signs and ownership change at the 17th St. Cafe at 1610 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica? After opening and developing the cafe for 14 years, owner Jack Srebnik sold it in 2003. Since then, however, the reviews of the Montana Ave. institution have been, well let’s just say less than stellar. So it appears that Jack is back. He’s buying it back from the current owners under the auspices of his partnership in Beverly Bagels Inc. Rather than trying to reconstitute the tainted 17th St. Cafe brand, he is changing the name to Jack’s on Montana. Expect a menu of brunch, salads, and sandwiches similar to the one that made the cafe a popular breakfast and lunch spot with locals for years.
With restaurants in Oklahoma City, Miami, and Chicago as well as his Matthew Kenney Culinary and its associated M.A.K.E. Restaurant in the Market at Santa Monica Place, raw guru and author Matthew Kenney is one busy man. Yet he’s still finding time to expand his “living plant-based” concept even further. In the space that housed short-lived La Gourmandise’s Petite Pantry next to his restaurant in Santa Monica Place, he is opening a to-go concept called M.A.K.E. Out, where he’ll be selling prepared raw, vegan items such as cheeses, crackers, and other quick bites. I’ll keep you posted on a potential opening date. Read more at: matthewkenneycuisine.com.
With locations across the US, frozen yogurt giant Menchie’s is expanding its SoCal reach with an upcoming new branch at 3849 Main St. (corner of Washington) in Culver City. Read more at: menchies.com.
With one location at 5115 Wilshire Boulevard, it looks like Genwa Korean BBQ is expanding into LA’s storied Restaurant Row. Going into the building at 170 N. La Cienega Blvd. that used to house troubled Woo Lae Oak, it appears little has been done yet except to post signs announcing the impending arrival. I’ll keep you posted, until then, check out more here: genwakoreanbbq.
It’s not too early to early to think of plans for St. Valentine’s Day. And Susan Feniger’s Street has the perfect idea with an 80’s themed menu that you kind of have to see to believe. The menu, dubbed “80’s Mix Tape Valentine” features, well let’s just say very creative titles such as: Pet Chop Boys with Duranch Duranch Dressing, Soy George, and Chile Vanilli. To find out exactly what these dishes are, check out the entire menu and get more info here: eatatstreet. Cost is $65 for four courses of New Wave romance.
M Café has really focused on cleansing and healthy eating with its “Renew, Recharge, & Reset Your Life” program. Tonight from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Beverly Hills location, M Café’s Chef Lee Gross and Holistic Nutritionist Elissa Goodman will be offering a cooking demo to kickstart your way to a maco-marvelous you. Included in the demo are: Homemade Almond Milk, Raw Harvest Kale Salad with Quinoa, Avocado & Lemon Dressing, and Hearty Root Vegetable Stew. Cost is $35. You must RSVP to amy@mcafedechaya.com to score a seat. Read more at: mcafedechaya.
Having deprived the Westside of their potato creations for far too long, the Westfield Century City Shopping Center’s very own outpost of Philippines-based international spud giant Potato Corner is now open on the first floor, next to Breadbar. Another branch is coming soon to the Westfield Culver City Mall. Read more, if you must, at: potatocornerusa.
The Yard, the gastropub at 119 Broadway in Santa Monica bid goodbye after the holidays. Now construction is fast and furious on a new restaurant replacing it. Papers are up in the window announcing the new venture to be The Craftsman Bar and Kitchen. I can find little information on the new watering hole except for their elaborate official website, which mysteriously appears to be in Latin gibberish (or at least I couldn’t get Google Translate to sort it out). Check it out here and let me know if you have any luck: thecraftsmanbar.com. I’ll keep you posted…
Toddrickallen 