Actress and vegan darling Alicia Silverstone will be discussing her NY Times #1 bestselling book, The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet in the MLK Jr. auditorium of the Santa Monica Public Library on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7:00pm. She will be sharing her personal journey to veganism and outlines the basic tenets of her book. Who knew a plant-based diet could be so sexy?
After a valiant fight that included daily specials, free wi-fi, and a milkshake bar, TCBY Yogurt in Santa Monica has decided to throw in the towel. The longtime fixture at 715 Montana Ave. faced fierce competition from newcomer Menchie’s across the street and Pinkberry further up. The local fave wasted no time clearing out the entire store. No word on what’s next for the space.
If you happen to be in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center tomorrow, March 8th, and you happen to be a woman, drop by Obikà for a complimentary glass of spumante with lunch or dinner to commemorate Woman’s Day or Festa della Donna as they call it.
While we’re on the subject of crêpes, Vive La Crêpe! opens on Tuesday March 8th at 368 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. The modest, straight forward menu lists a selection of savory crêpes (such as a Tomato, mozzarella, and basil), sweet crêpes (like Dulce de Leche), omelette crêpes (Egg, Goat Cheese, Spinach), and ice cream crêpes all prepared upon demand, plus coffees, teas, and other drinks. The interior is meant to evoke a Parisian cafe with “modern and hip accents”. With three locations in New York, this is the first western US outpost. Read more at vivelacrepe.fr/.
With four locations in California and others throughout the US, CrêpeMaker is now open in the food court of Santa Monica Place. If crêpes are your thing, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a large selection of savory crêpes (including veggie), breakfast crêpes, and of course, dessert crêpes as well as salads, coffees, teas, and drinks. Check out more at http://www.crepemaker.com/.
Ok, I apologize for the rotten photo, but it’s difficult to get photos of the progress on the Market at Santa Monica Place due to the plastic banners covering the window. With the projected opening of May 20th, I’m keeping a close eye on what’s going on. The bones look finished, but fuse boxes and fixtures are still exposed at this point. And no one has even begun moving in. I’ll keep you updated.
Didn’t they just open? Regardless, I noticed this announcement posted on the black wall hiding the construction on the True Food restaurant on the ground floor of Santa Monica Place for a hearing on an application to modify “existing market, food court and patio hours”. If you’re at all interested in such things or have a remarkable amount of free time, the city will apparently be discussing the matter tomorrow, March 2nd at 7:00pm at 1685 Main St., Room 213.
While not exactly shocking given that Joe Bastianich is a Mozza partner, but Joe’s mother, famed Italian food expert Lidia Bastianich will be center stage at a special Osteria Mozza dinner on Saturday, March 5th at 7:30pm to discuss “Italian food and wine culture”. A special paired 5 course dinner will prepared by chef Matt Molina from recipes taken from her book Lida Cooks From The Heart Of Italy. If you were a fan of Lidia’s Italy on PBS (as I was), this is a great opportunity to meet the legend in person. Cost is $175 per person and as always, these events sell out quickly so reserve ASAP by emailing sparenti@mozza-la.com or calling (323) 866-5290.
It’s official! In an announcement on Wednesday, the projected date for the opening of The Market At Santa Monica Place, the “Ferry Building-style” marketplace atop the new mall, is scheduled for May 20th, 2011. According to the announcement: “The Market at Santa Monica Place will be a collection of independently owned purveyors of high-quality, artisan, organic, sustainable and gourmet food offerings and will include “foundational foods,” such as meats, olive oil, cheeses, breads, fruits and vegetables, in addition to gourmet ingredients, prepared foods and related merchandise, such as fresh flowers and one-of-a-kind gifts.” Read more details here: http://www.macerich.com/experience/news/article.aspx?id=97875&utm_campaign=new_stores&utm_medium=email&utm_source=smp&utm_content=market_go_announcement
Who knew there even was a National Margarita Day? Well, apparently there is and today (Feb 22nd) is it! To celebrate, and who doesn’t need to celebrate National Margarita Day, head on down to Susan Feniger’s Street. They’ve put together a flight of make-your-own-margaritas featuring Seis Hermanes and Calor tequilas with a stuffed taco for $20. Cheers!
Tim and Liza Goodell’s newest, Public Kitchen And Bar opened last night (Monday) in the Roosevelt Hotel at 7000 Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood. Expect a menu of casual American in a relaxed bright and airy space. The concierge at the hotel showed me the menu, but insisted that it wasn’t yet finalized and asked me not to photograph it. But all of the items previously listed on EaterLA were verbatim on the menu. Read more at http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/02/15/public_kitchen_bar_launches_within_the_roosevelt_feb_28.php or at http://www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/la/hollywood-roosevelt/eat/public-kitchen-and-bar.
Well, looks like it’s official. I told you a few weeks ago that a ‘for lease’ sign had appeared in the then seldom open L’Epicerie de Paris at 310 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. As you can see from the photo, they have completely cleared out. No word on where they may have moved to, if at all. Sorry LA, no more Fauchon madeleines and marrons glacés.
Susan Feniger’s Street restaurant has created a special four course dinner for Valentine’s night with at least one vegetarian choice in each course including: Japanese Mixed Tempura kabocha squash, asparagus and tofu fritters served with green tea salt and ponzu dipping sauce; Argentine Sweet Potato Gnocchi dumplings with aged pecorino, braised rainbow chard, pistachios and salsa verde; and a choice of either Trio of French Macarons yuzu lime, raspberry and purple yam or Chocolate Crêpe Cake layers of chocolate crêpes and green tea macha cream coated in dark chocolate ganache for dessert. Cost is $40 per person. If you haven’t made plans for dinner yet, you are dangerously close to ending up in the dog house. Call reservations at 323.203.0500 and see if they can squeeze you in…
www.eatatstreet.com
742 N. Highland Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: 323.203.0500
I noticed a new restaurant going in at 1551 #2 Santa Monica Blvd. (near Federal) in West LA, so I had to check it out. I met the owner Nory, who is putting the finishing touches on his venture, Naan Hut. The menu will be classic Persian, but the star of the show will be the house-made naans (breads), which will be baked in the large oven behind him in the photo. Look for an opening by the end of February.
Owner Mory in front of naan oven
Pizza Antica, on top of Santa Monica Place, has announced a Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu for $50. The menu includes two glasses of sparkling wine, a choice for the first course of Portobello Mushroom Fritti with
Smoked Paprika Romesco or Bruschetta with Roasted Golden Beets, Watercress, Gorgonzola Butter and Walnuts, a second course of any two small thin crust pizzas, and a dessert of Hazelnut Semifreddo with Dark Roast Mocha Drizzle. If you can snag a table outside, you’d have the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day.
In other Pizza Antica news, they have introduced a new pizza: Broccoli Rabe and Buratta Pizza. It features roasted broccoli rabe, roasted red onions, Cacciocavalo cheese, burrata, and Calabrian chili oil. Sounds delicious.
http://www.pizzaantica.com/ 310.394.4080
I took a stroll through downtown Santa Monica this weekend. Here’s a few of the things I noticed…
Sign and outside dining railing have gone up at the new Thai Dishes between 2nd and Ocean on Broadway.
Concrete poured for a new dining patio at the (slowly) upcoming True Food Kitchen, the new healthy concept restaurant developed with health guru Andrew Weil, on the ground floor of Santa Monica Place.
Black mesh recently went up hiding the entrance to the anticipated The Market at Santa Monica Place, keeping out nosey bloggers.
Nosey Bloggers have their ways. Progress continues inside The Market on top of Santa Monica Place.
Handsome new sign that went up last week at The Misfit going into the old Anisette space at 225 Santa Monica Blvd. Read more at https://toddrickallen.com/2011/01/27/the-misfit-restaurant-santa-monica/
What a great deal! Pizzeria Mozza is running a $20 special: any Mozza pizza, dessert, and a glass of Bastianich Friulano or La Mozza Morellino di Scansano on Monday through Thursday from 12pm to 5pm, and then again from 11pm until 12am. Sounds like a perfect afternoon to me…
Looking for a way to impress your macrobiotic lover this Valentine’s Day? Then look no further than M Café de Chaya in Beverly Hills. (My Valentine’s menu is always centered around a decidedly un-macro star anise-infused gruyère soufflé.) Next Thursday Feb 10th, executive chef Shigefumi Tachibe will be leading a cooking demonstration of a romantic dinner to impress that special someone. Included on the menu are green tea truffles and something rather suggestively referred to as “lover’s hotpot”. The demo runs from 6:30pm-8:30pm and the cost is $35. Grab your spot by emailing amy@mcafedechaya.com.
M Café de Chaya Beverly Hills
9433 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 858-8459 http://www.mcafedechaya.com/
On Wednesday night, I was admiring the newly posted liquor license application outside the forthcoming The Misfit restaurant, the newest from the people who brought you La Grande Orange, LGO Hospitality, going into the old Anisette space at 225 Santa Monica Blvd in SM, when I ran into the chef Bruce Kalman, (formerly of Chelsea’s Kitchen in Arizona, another LGO eatery) who kindly let me snap a photo. Look for an opening in “a coupla months.” Notice the $200 cabinet for sale in front… http://www.themisfitrestaurant.com/
Bruce Kalman, Chef
During the month of January, Susan Feniger’s Street has made everything on their lunch menu a very reasonable $11. So there’s only one week left to take advantage of this deal. Chances are you’ll get an opportunity to chat with workhorse Susan herself, who’s a champion palm-presser and seems to be there, well, always. (Once I asked her for the recipe for the amazing kaya toast, and she promptly emailed it to me!)
www.eatatstreet.com
742 N. Highland Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: 323.203.0500
Toddrickallen 
