Tudor House To Close In Santa Monica

Posted on April 30, 2012 by toddrickallen

Sad but true… Long-standing repository of all things Anglophile, The Tudor House market and tea room will be closing in about 4 weeks. After receiving a tip from a reader about the imminent closure, I talked to an employee who confirmed the tragic news. It seems that after 20 years in the same location at 1403 2nd Street in Santa Monica, and 50 years total, the purveyor of British food and condiments, as well as tea room will be letting their lease expire in about two months. The owners tried valiantly to find a buyer to take over the establishment and preserve it, but none were forthcoming. It looks like a new “Spanish” restaurant will eventually be taking over the space, and employees are fleeing to the new upcoming outpost of The King’s Head in the Valley, Studio City to be exact with a (fingers crossed) opening in June. End of an era. thetudorhouse.com.

Melisse Hosts the “5 X 5” Guest Chef Collaborative This Weekend…

Posted on April 27, 2012 by toddrickallen

This Sunday, April 29th, begins the “5 X 5” Guest Chef collaborative that introduces guest chefs to 5 restaurants in LA. Melisse kicks off the series of dinners over the course of the next few months by hosting a special dinner on Sunday with Chef Ludo Lefebre, who will provide a course “in the style of the Host Restaurant”. The other participants in the 5 X 5 program are:

Monday, May 21, 2012: PROVIDENCE, with Guest Chef Jeremy Fox Monday, July 16, 2012: ANGELENI OSTERIA, with Guest Chef Michael Tusk
Monday, August 20, 2012: BOUCHON, with Guest Chef to be announced
Sunday, September 16, 2012: ink., with Guest Chef Chris Cosentino

Cost is $150 per person plus gratuity and tax and a portion of the proceeds goes to Special Olympics. Make a reservation at Melisse by calling (310) 395-0881, and make future reservations at the home restaurant.

Tasty Clouds Candy Company Coming To West LA

Posted on April 25, 2012 by toddrickallen

On a nondescript block of Santa Monica Blvd. west of Bundy, I noticed the papered-over windows and signs of something I hadn’t heard of before, Tasty Clouds Candy Company. According to their website, Tasty Clouds was founded by Nina Rodecker and specializes in providing hand-crafted, house-made from scratch, organic and designer cotton candy and catering services to events (as well as sno-cones, caramel apples, and other decadent treats). Not much more information on the space they’re taking over at 12325 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA, but you can read more about the company here: tastyclouds.com.

Yogurtland Coming Soon To Montana Ave.

Posted on April 23, 2012 by toddrickallen

In case you’ve been lying awake at night worried that there simply aren’t enough places to procure frozen treats on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, you’re in luck. It looks like an outpost of Yogurtland is moving into the space left by Lucky Brand at 1426 Montana. As always, I’ll keep you posted…

Casa Martin Mexican Restaurant Coming Soon To Santa Monica

Posted on April 20, 2012 by toddrickallen

Construction is underway and liquor license application is posted on the upcoming new Mexican restaurant, Casa Martin moving into the old Detelich Gallery space at 1654 Ocean Ave, unit B in Santa Monica, which seems an odd location until you consider that the Village at Santa Monica, the multi-million dollar residential and commercial complex is going in across the street (SantaMonicaVillage). Very little information out there yet, except the name of the man behind the venture, Fernando Martin. I’ll keep you posted as more develops…

Mr. C’s New Wine-by-the-glass Menu

Posted on April 18, 2012 by toddrickallen

Mr. C in Beverly Hills has expanded its wine-by-the-glass menu considerably, with a variety of new California Pinot, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc as well as an Italian Chianti, the Stellina di Notte 2009. You can sample some of their new fare on Wednesday evenings, when they offer a pre-fixe classic Venetian market menu for $44 per person and add a three course wine tasting pairing for $20. Check out the new menu here: mrchotels.info/winemenu.

M Café’s New Spring Menu

Posted on April 16, 2012 by toddrickallen

M Café de Chaya, on Melrose and in Beverly Hills, has rolled out its new seasonal menu, bringing back some old favorites but adding a number of new items as well including: barley and green garbanzo bean salad, kale and shiitake ohitashi, raw almond rainbow roll, and grilled vegetable salad with avacado-lemon dressing. Check out the entire Spring menu here: mcafedechaya.com.

Catalina Coffee & Café Opening Soon In Redondo Beach

Posted on April 13, 2012 by toddrickallen

Construction is underway on Catalina Coffee & Café, going into the building housing the new and über-cool genre bookstore, Mysterious Galaxy at 2810 Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach. With one location already in Redondo Beach, the new restaurant will have a slightly different menu and serve beer and wine, but look for standard fare of sandwiches, salads, breakfasts, and baked treats. Billing itself as “The South Bay’s Neighborhood Gathering Place”, they expect to open in May, but it may be pushed back to June. Read more at: catalinacoffee.com.

Veggie Grill’s New Menu Items

Posted on April 11, 2012 by toddrickallen

Veggie Grill has recently added a number of new items to their standard all-vegan menu. Included on the list are a selection of “homestyle dinners” that consist of a main and two sides such as the gluten-free Urban Plate: blackened tempe, carmelized onion, and portobello mushroom stack with chipotle ranch, steamin’ kale and tomato salad. There are new sandwiches as well like the Buffalo Bomber (crispy chickin’ with buffalo sauce, ranch, tomato, and red onion) and the Crab Cake (“crab” cake with spiced tartar sauce, pickles, tomato lettuce, red onion). And don’t miss the new Chocolate Pudding Parfait. Find locations and read more at: veggiegrill.com.

Epicurean Row, El Segundo Debuts April 21st

Posted on April 8, 2012 by toddrickallen

Perhaps you’ve noticed the advertising push for the new development Three Sixty At South Bay. The massive project sits at the corner of Aviation and El Segundo. In an apparent attempt to create more buzz, the developers are launching a regular food truck event. Epicurean Row starts Saturday, April 21st from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

Seasons 52, Century City

Posted on April 6, 2012 by toddrickallen

You may well know that the healthy concept restaurant Seasons 52 is going into the old Houston’s space in the Century City Shopping Center. Although there’s no official date for an opening, construction continues at a brisk pace with a projected opening of Fall 2012 (about the same time as the Santa Monica branch moving into the space at 120 Broadway). Recently, they posted their application to sell liquor… Read more here: seasons52.com.

Bottomless Bellini Easter Brunch At Mr. C

Posted on April 4, 2012 by toddrickallen

Mr. C in Beverly Hills is offering an Easter brunch on Sunday, April 8th, that includes BOTTOMLESS BELLINIS! Of course the Cipriani name is famous for their classic concoction. Oh, by the way, there is a three-course menu as well including such items as: Chilled English Pea Soup, Roasted Baby Beetroot Salad, Spring White & Green Asparagus Quiche, as well as other choices. But did I mention BOTTOMLESS BELLINIS? Cost is $65 and the brunch runs from 11:00am to 3:00pm. View the menu and other info here: mrchotels.info/easter_brunch.

Susan Feniger’s Street’s “Seder To Savor”

Posted on April 2, 2012 by toddrickallen

In more Street news, the plucky little restaurant devoted to the world’s street food has cooked up a menu for their second annual Seder event on Saturday, April 7th. The evening starts with a brief service and a glass of wine at 6:00pm, and follows with a choice of either a vegetarian or non-veg four course menu served family style that you can check out here: eatatstreet.com/streetevents. Make reservations by calling (323) 203-0500.

Upper West’s “Old School Eats” Wine Dinner Tonight

Posted on March 29, 2012 by toddrickallen

Upper West is hosting a special dinner tonight (Thursday, March 29th) at 7:00pm in association with San Antonio Winery. The are calling the promotion Old School Eats because the selections are reminiscent of the Mad Men era. Included on the menu are potato-leek vichyssoise, waldorf salad, and apple brown betty, all paired with San Antonio wines presented by wine maker Arnaud Debons. Cost is $55. Read more at: theupperwest.com.

Cal Shabu Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on March 28, 2012 by toddrickallen

Here’s another one that escaped my attention, but it seems Japanese cutie, Cal Shabu, has quietly slipped into the corner shop at 930 Broadway in Santa Monica. The chain, with restaurants in Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley, specializes in fresh ingredients that you cook yourself. The space is bright and airy, and filled with funky art. And yes, they actually offer a vegetarian shabu plate! Read more at: californiashabushabu.com.

M Café’s Spring Cooking Demo Tomorrow

Posted on March 26, 2012 by toddrickallen

Are you trying to eat healthier, but need a little fresh inspiration? M Café in Beverly Hills is hosting a “Sweet and Savory Spring Cooking Demo” this Tuesday, March 27th from 7:00pm to 8:30. Included on the menu are nut and mushroom , pâté, barley and green garbanzo salad, and flourless orange and almond cake. Cost is $35 and includes dinner, beverages, recipes, and a Q and A with Chef Lee Gross. Reserve a spot by emailing Sara@thechaya.com.

mcafedechaya.com

John Kelly Chocolates Now Open On Montana In Santa Monica

Posted on March 23, 2012 by toddrickallen

Boy, I sure missed this one, but it looks like an outpost of Hollywood chocolatier, John Kelly Chocolates, is now open at 1111 1/2 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. With one store already at 1506 N. Sierra Bonita in LA, the brand hand-produces award-winning fudge and chocolates using only the best, preservative-free ingredients. The results are spectacular, particularly the truffle fudge, that they will happily offer you as a free sample as soon as you walk in the door. Read more at: johnkellychocolates.com.

Jersey Mike’s Coming To MDR

Posted on March 21, 2012 by toddrickallen

Jersey Mike’s Subs, the East Coast sandwich chain is continuing its inexorable march into the West Side. The latest location is under construction at The Shoppes at Del Rey at 4020A Lincoln Blvd in Marina Del Rey, near Free Bird and The Coffee Bean. You can acquaint yourself with the menu here: jerseymikes.com, before they open one in your backyard.

Mr. C’s “Night In Venice”

Posted on March 19, 2012 by toddrickallen

Been daydreaming about gondoliers, pasta, and canals? This Thursday, March 22nd, Mr. C in Beverly Hills is presenting a special dining event, “A Night in Venice”. The evening begins at 8:30pm and later, they move the celebration to The Beverly in West Hollywood. Make a reservation by contacting dleahy@mrchotels.com or 310-226-6245. Read more at: mrchotels.com.

Native Foods Goes Green With 1/2 Off Beer/Wine And A Reuben Sandwich

Posted on March 16, 2012 by toddrickallen

Gone meatless but still missing the traditional cabbage and corned beef? Native Foods is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year by offering half off beer and wine and with a special sandwich: The Classic Reuben consisting of thin sliced, deli-style seitan piled on grilled rye with homemade sauerkraut, Native horseradish cheese, and Russian dressing served with lemon-dill potato salad. Cost is $9.95. What could be more Irish? And did I mention all beer and wine is half off?! Read more at: nativefoods.com.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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