Native Foods Café rolls out their Big Daddy Dagwood Special Meal in time for Father’s Day. Consisting of “warm thinly sliced original seitan, caramelized onions, vegan cheddar, avocado, tomatoes, pickles, mustard, mayo and creamy horseradish sauce on grilled marble rye” and served with special fresh garlic fries. Cost is a cool $9.95. But you can only get it this weekend only, June 15th through the 17th. Read more at nativefoods.com.
While we’re on the subject of Santa Monica Place, starting tonight and running the entire summer on the second Wednesday of every month through October, you can advance your oenophilic knowledge at the Learn About Wine Summer Series at Santa Monica Place. Tonight’s lesson, “Que Syrah – A Night for Rhones” commences at 7:00pm and goes until 9:00pm. Cost is $60 at the door. Read more at learnaboutwine.com.
There are still a few good reasons to visit the third floor of Santa Monica Place. On Tuesdays, all bottles of wine at Pizza Antica are half off. With a largely Italian wine list, it’s a great opportunity to have a cheap and tawdry affair with an Arneis, Pecorino, or Fruilano. Check out their wine list here: pizzaantica.com.
Remember The Market at Santa Monica Place? I thought not. With so many stalls sitting empty comes news of one more: Aurelie the Cookie Guru is now closed. But one glimmer of hope: It looks like a new venture, The Curious Baker appears to be moving into the old Rockenwagner Bakery space. Look for an opening this month.
M Café will be celebrating its 7th anniversary with a “Lucky No. 7” celebration on Friday, June 15th. From 7pm until closing, you can get any of the following items for $7 each: Big Macro Burger (w/ side), Tofu Teriyaki Rice Bowl, M Chopped Salad, Tuna Wrap (w/ side), 16 oz Juice: Refresher or Pick Me Up, Two cupcakes (M Café patisserie only), or Two-Salad Deli Combo. Offer good at both locations, read more at: mcafedechaya.com.
In still more changes to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center food court, it looks like Fuddruckers burgers is now closed. If you’re absolutely desperate for the chain’s standard American fare, find another location here: fuddruckers.com.
It looks like Westchester’s local fave, Truxton’s American Bistro is expanding to Santa Monica into the derelict building that used to house the dump Overunder Sports Grill, right next to club Central on the corner of 14th and Santa Monica Blvd. Signs are up and, while there’s still a way to go, it looks like construction is well underway. No news on the website, but you can check out the menus and read more at: truxtonsamericanbistro.com. I’ll keep you posted as an opening draws near…
Update: I spoke with someone at the original Truxton’s who informed me that they will be opening sometime within the next year.
Construction continues fast and furiously on the Seasons 52, going into the old Houston’s space in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Signs recently went up around what appears to be a new patio announcing the fall opening. Until then, check out the menu here: seasons52.com/menu.
Susan Feniger’s Street has added a few specials to help people with their “meatless Mondays”. Included are: jackfruit tacos, veggie tamales, and fried plantains, all for $5 each. Read more and get a glimpse of Susan’s upcoming book Susan Feniger’s Street Food at eatatstreet.com.
In case you’ve been asleep in a cave for a while, fresh juicing is big right now. Riding on the popularity of places like Kreation are a new set of über-healthy vegetable and fruit juice purveyors. The latest is Juice Crafters at 11682 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood (near the corner of Barrington). After the usual challenges, I was informed that the permits came through, window paper is down, and they are set to open “in a few days”. According to the website, they also have plans to open in Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and Venice as well. After all, who can’t use a little detox now and then? Check out more at: juicecrafters.com.
James Beard award-winner, author, and tv guy Ted Allen will be signing copies of his recently released book In My Kitchen: 100 Recipes and Discoveries for Passionate Cooks this Saturday, May 26th at 12:00pm at Williams-Sonoma, 1600 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.
With locations in Westwood, Beverly Hills, and around the world, Korean “healthy fresh” bibimbap chain Bibigo is moving into the recently closed Sorabol Korean BBQ space in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center. Look for a July opening… In the mean time, read more and try to spot clever words like “portmanteau’, “propitious”, and “gastro-diplomatic” here: bibigo.com.
It looks like Copenhagen Pastry is nearing completion on its brand new bakery at 11113 Washington Blvd. and plans on opening soon, at least according to the sign in the window. Signs are up and fixtures are in at the former automotive store space. I’ll keep you posted… in the mean time, read more at: copenhagenpastry.com.
It’s no secret that Josiah Citrin is against the upcoming July voter-approved ban on foie gras. Last night, May 14th, Citrin’s Santa Monica Michelin two-starred restaurant Melisse (melisse.com) held a $200 six course fundraising foie gras dinner with part of the proceeds going to C.H.E.F.S. (Coalition for Humane and Ethical Farming Standards), an organization of local chefs dedicated to fighting the California ban. In response, a number of animal rights organizations including the Animal Protection & Rescue League (www.stopforcefeeding.com) held a peaceful protest outside and a media circus ensued. Present were a number of local television stations, Santa Monica police, about 30 protestors, and a few bewildered patrons. Here a few photos of the melee:
Santa Monica’s yearly celebration of all things local, “earth-friendly”, and sustainable, the Santa Monica Festival is this Saturday, May 19th from 11am to 6pm at Clover Park. Here’s the official listing of this years food trucks: Border Grill Truck, The Bun Truck, Coolhaus, Crepe’n Around, Gastrobus, Go Chew Truck, Hawaiian Delight, India Jones, Let’s be Frank, Linde’s Almonds, Nom Nom Truck, Waffles De Liege, and Yalla. Admission is Free. Read more at: smgov.net/Festival.
More food truck news: Every Thursday night, Olympic High School at 721 Ocean Park (corner of Lincoln) in Santa Monica is hosting a Food Truck Night from 5:30 to 9:00pm. All proceeds to go fund supplies and activities at the school. Read more here: olympic.smmusd.org/temp/foodtruck.
Even as the food court in the Century City Shopping City continues to gain attention and praise for its diversity and quality (i.e. Jonathon Gold’s appraisal here), more and more stalls are sitting vacant (three so far). The latest to go, Sorabol Korean BBQ & Asian Noodles closed down this week. If you find yourself desperate for some mall chap chae, you can still find an outpost in the Sherman Oaks Fashion Square, Topanga Mall, or farther afield by checking their website here: sorabolrestaurants.com.
With location across the US and closer to home in Torrance, Pasadena, and Seal Beach, it looks like Pei Wei Asian Diner is moving into the corner space at 270 North Beverly Drive (at Dayton) in Beverly Hills. With a wide and varied menu that emphases Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese influences, Pei Wei also offers a variety of vegetarian, low-fat, and gluten-free options. Check out their menu and read more here: peiwei.com.
Obikà in Century City continues to explore the various regional cooking of Italy with a specially-themed dinner on Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:00pm. This month, they will be highlighting the flavorful vegetables and pasta of the region of Lazio with a 4 or 5 course menu. Wine pairings complete the experience of a romantic, leisurely dinner in Rome (via Century City Shopping Center). Cost is $38 and $15 for the pairing. Call 310 556-2452 for reservations. obikala.com.
Native Foods Cafe is celebrating the re-opening of its Westwood branch, now open right next door to the old one at 1114 Gayley, with new menu items. Look for such seasonal treats as: grilled California caesar, Bangkok curry bowl, Maryland tempe cakes, roasted chile taco trio, and strawberry shortcake parfait. Check out the entire menu here: nativefoods.com/menu.
Toddrickallen 