Can’t wait to get a look at the flashy new Spago facelift? You may not have to much longer… They started taking reservations over the weekend with a projected opening of October 1st. Grab a spot by calling (310) 385-0880 just as fast as your little fingers can dial. I scored mine for the 6th.
Jooji Garden, a casual new eatery has popped up at 12340 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA (near Centinela). The restaurant offers an eclectic menu of Mediterranean and Chinese specialties (including a separate vegetarian menu) in a bright, airy interior space or sunny patio. Hours are from 11:00am to 11:00pm daily.
The frozen yogurt craze shows no sign of abating… After its recently opened Montana Ave. branch, Yogurtland continues its relentless march into Santa Monica with construction underway on a new outpost at 304 Santa Monica Blvd (at Third Street Promenade) in what was formerly a Jamba Juice. yogurt-land.com
Wow! Did that take a long time or what? I first reported on the impending arrival of an Italian deli at 9622 Brighton Way in Beverly Hills (formerly Le Croissant) back in August of 2010. Well, Ferrarini is now officially open and offering a menu of sandwiches, paninis, salads, espresso, and dolci highlighting specialty regional products from Italy, as well as select groceries. One small problem though is that the refrigerated cases that they have had shipped from Italy are not functioning, but they should have things sorted out soon…
Upper West is hosting a dinner on Sunday, October 6th at 6pm in which Chef Nick Shipp will be assisting students from the Junior Blind in preparing a special 4 course menu with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the Junior Blind of America. Cost is only $55 for an amazing cause. Seating is limited, so grab a reservation by calling 310-586-1111 as fast as your fingers can dial. theupperwest.com
Here are a few tantalizing photos giving us some idea of Spago’s new look… Look for an opening very soon…
On Sunday, September 23rd from 2pm to 6pm, Tom Colicchio’s Craft in Los Angeles is celebrating beer week by hosting a special event highlighting beers from the OC craft beer label The Bruery. $125 (including gratuity and tax) gets you a tasting of 10 different beers with Chef’s pairings. Read more about The Bruery’s beers here: brueryprovisions.com, make reservations here: amorini@craftlosangeles.com, more about Craft here: craftrestaurantsinc.com.
If you’ve found yourself craving the Bakewells, Eccles cakes, and pasties (for those unfamiliar, this is not a typo) that the recently defunct Tudor House used to offer, you’re in luck! Ye Olde King’s Head Bakery has opened across the street. While part of the King’s Head complex on the corner of Second St. and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, the traditional English pastry shop has its own snazzy storefront on Second St. and is carrying the pastries from the same bakery that supplied the Tudor House.
Just a few weeks ago I told you of the demise of the long-standing La Salsa at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. in the Third Street Promenade. Wasting no time whatsoever, an entity named Nice Rice has claimed the space. As you can tell from the window application, construction is underway on what will eventually be a new Asian restaurant. I’ll keep you posted…
Surely you’ve heard of the famous La Tomatina festival that occurs on the last Wednesday of August every year in the town of Buñol in Valencia, Spain, where people gather in the Plaza and hurl tons of over-ripe tomatoes at each other. Well, this Wednesday, August 29th, A.O.C. is celebrating La Tomatina with a special multi-course dinner showcasing, you guessed it, the tomato. Check out the menu and make a reservation here: aocwinebar.com. We’ll see if any of the tomatoes end up in the air…
Starting Friday, August 24th through September 7th, M Café is having its annual contest, “Microtize Me”. Submit your idea of your favorite naughty comfort food, and if they take up your challenge to create a healthy macrobiotic replica, you could win a dinner for four and a “goodie” bag, plus your idea will be featured on the menu at both locations for two weeks. Submit your ideas via Facebook, Twitter, on at either location. Find out more at: mcafedechaya.com.
Arguably, Sotto makes one of the best pizzas in town. Their hand-built Neapolitan wood-burning oven turns out a chewy, slightly charred pie that explodes with flavor. Equally adept are they at their mixology. Now you have an opportunity to sample both. Tuesday to Friday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, you can get their summer special Sosta Napoletana: one of their highly-lauded signature pizzas and a cocktail for $19. Bar only. Sotto is at 9575 W. Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. Read more here: sottorestaurant.com.
It looks like an outpost of Tarzana’s Hummus Bar & Grill, Hummus Bar Express is coming to the old Yangtze space at 1333 Third Street Promenade (between Arizona and Santa Monica Blvd.) in Santa Monica. If their Valley location is any indication, look for a menu of “authentic Mediterranean cuisine” including flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, and, you guessed it, hummus. As always, I’ll keep you posted…
Susan Feniger is celebrating the recent release of her newest book Susan Feniger’s Street Food with a blow-out party at Street on August 26th from 5pm to 10pm. Susan will be on hand to demonstrate recipes from the book and share her “spice market secrets”. There will be food booths, cocktails, “ethnic elixirs”, aquas frescas, even treats to take home all served to beats from Amoeba Music’s DJs. Cost is $50 per person or $70 with a signed book. Even with no online reservations accepted, this event is bound to quickly sell out. Get your space by calling (323) 203-0500 just as quickly as your little fingers can dial.
Susan Feniger’s STREET
742 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, California 90038
In further icy treat news… Yogurtland, the aforementioned self-serve frozen yogurt shop is now open in the space left by Lucky Brand at 1426 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. yogurt-land.com
Construction is underway on what will soon be the Culver City location of self-serve frozen yogurt chain Cherry On Top. With locations throughout the US and LA, their newest store is on the corner of Centinela and Washington Place. Read more at: cherryontop.net.
A new adorable, homey little Italian eatery (that I’m told is a rebranding of their previous SM restaurant) has taken over the cozy courtyard space that was once Cafe Dana at 1211#C Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Il Sogno Italian Backyard Grill is now open Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 9am until 4pm. Look for a menu of pastas, salads, stone-grilled piadina and ciabatta, or eggs to which you subsequently add a selection of grilled items, vegetables, cheeses, and dressings. Website still under construction, but you can call (310) 587-3520 for more information. ilsognogrill.com
This week at Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills, they’re celebrating the 100th birthday of legendary Julia Child (a personal idol of mine whom I was fortunate to have met once) with a special menu inspired by Julia’s cookbooks. Included on the menu will be such things as Salade Niçoise, Provençal Soup, Tarte au Fraises (strawberry tart), and other items either ordered À la carte or as a full menu for $59.95 for three courses. The special menu is featured August 7th through August 15th. Call (310) 271-9910 for reservations. bouchonbistro.com
Having long anchored one of the busiest corners on the Promenade, the Santa Monica branch of the Mexican chain La Salsa has closed its doors on the corner of Third St. and Santa Monica Blvd. No word on a replacement yet…
The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. is opening soon at 8732A Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. The company uses a special filtration system to replicate water from Brooklyn that they believe has the preternatural power to elevate the average bagel into a New York masterpiece. With locations in Beverly Hills, Mid-City LA, around the country, and expanding fast, the OBWBC counts Larry King as an investor and spokesperson. Read more here: brooklynwaterbagels.com.
Toddrickallen 