Layla Cafe at 11906 W. Wilshire, near Bundy in West LA is in its soft opening. Behind the coolest giant swinging door is a quiet oasis serving healthy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern salads, sandwiches, grilled items, and nibbles. Open from 10am to 12am daily.
Layla Cafe
11906 W. Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 310-2999
If you hurry, you just might be able to make the newly added pizza class at Scuola di Pizza. It’s this Thursday night, June 24th. There is a 6:30 reception with a 7:00 start. Cost is $150 and seating is very limited. Call 323.297.1133 for reservations.
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
So what’s going on at the new Thai restaurant across the street from Urth on Main in Santa Monica? That sign in the window announcing the Thai trinkets store’s impending conversion to a vegan restaurant has been up for quite a while. Well, according to Latree the owner, the restaurant has been postponed due to a conflict with the city of Santa Monica. It appears that building is lacking a proper cover for its electrical panel. While this doesn’t sound like a giant problem, the only company that manufactured the covers is long out of business. A makeshift cover was installed and this is the reason the city won’t grant the permit. Latree has been very patient and has already done much of the conversion, but she doesn’t expect any action from the city until later this year. Her future menu lists a variety of noodles, curries, appetizers, and fried rice made with fresh, healthy ingredients.
Looks like they still have a way to go if they’re going to make it for a July/August opening, but check out the Freshii website for its menu of salads, wraps, soups, and breakfasts that calculates your calories as you make your choices. With restaurants throughout the US, Canada, and the world, they offer a concept menu of fresh foods that you customize to fit your lifestyle. Find Freshii on the corner of San Vicente and Gorham (under Chin Chin) in Brentwood. Find the menu here http://freshii.com/menu.php
The Westside sugar rush continues unabated…
With locations in the City of Commerce and Huntington Park, it appears that La Monarca Bakery is heading west. Signs have gone up at 1300 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica (formerly Frogo Yogurt) announcing its impending arrival. The menu lists an assortment of pan dulce, cakes, savory pastries, ice cream, and coffees. See it here at http://lamonarcabakery.com/en/pdf/MONARCA-MENU.pdf
It looks like a crepe chain, La Crepe Parisienne, that started in Mexico is going into the vacant storefront at 563 Camden in Beverly Hills, next to Teuscher. The only other location in the US is in New York on Spring St. The online menu lists a variety of sweet and savory crepes prepared upon demand, as well as Illy coffee and “healthy bottled beverages”. Check out the menu at vivelacrepe.fr/
Stop the presses! This just in from a very reliable source: You know that cavernous space in the Brentwood Country Mart that I referred to in a previous post as the “carcass of the City Bakery”? A very reliable source has informed Toddrickallen that work has begun on “Thomas Keller’s casual cafe/bakery and produce market.” Could this be the elusive Bouchon Bakery that Keller has been alluding to building in LA for some time now? I stopped by this afternoon and sure enough, there are signs up stating that you can no longer walk through the space and there was ample evidence that work had begun. If you listen carefully, you just may be able to hear westsiders exude a collective gasp of disbelief at their good fortune. You can glimpse what’s likely to be coming at Bouchonbakery.com.
With the original in West Hollywood, it looks like Millions of Milkshakes is getting ready to open next week in the Westfield Fox Hills Mall. Expect the usual designer milkshakes made with over 50 different toppings. I’ll think I’ll steer clear of the Linsay Lohan though…
A reader sent news of soba cooking classes in Santa Monica. Soba is my go-to noodle of choice. Whenever I return from 99 Ranch Market or the Japanese supermarkets on Sawtelle, inevitably I bring back a supply to last a few months. It’s earthiness stands up to heavily flavored sauces (such as a curry) and sparkles in lighter soy-bases sauces. Or try substituting it for the traditional pizzoccheri in an Italian pasta of cubed and sautéed potato, cavolo nero, butter, parmesan, red pepper flakes, and toasted bread crumbs. If you’ve every had the opportunity to have had fresh soba, then you know that these classes are a great opportunity. They even offer vegan soba cooking classes!
Soba and Japanese Home Cooking Workshops:
Beginner to expert soba noodle classes with gluten-free offerings, Japanese market tours, knife skills, vegan dining, and more.
Locations and tickets online at mazumizu.com.
After leaving Red O the other night, the doorman handed us a business card which states that they are “coming soon” to Santa Monica, although I’ve been unable to confirm this anywhere.
A reader excitedly spotted Border Grill Truck in Hawthorne. Unfortunately for them, they were not open for business but instead appeared to be undergoing a repair. Men working on the truck explained that it was undergoing a conversion to make it run on cooking oil. Hopefully a greener Border Grill Truck will be back up and running soon!
With an outposts in Santa Monica and Brentwood, Caffè Luxxe is under construction at the Brentwood Country Mart next to the new and ridiculously popular Sweet Rose Creamery. Favored by crazed coffee snobs, their lattes are probably the best in this part of town. Their artisanal baked goods and sandwiches are excellent. Too bad BCM can’t fill that cavernous hole left by City Bakery’s departure, it feels creepy walking through its carcass to get from one end to the other…
Another installment of Mozza’s ‘Festa Dello Sport” will take place this Thursday, June 3rd to watch the World Cup game. The menu includes a fantastic variety of finger foods including pizza, LaBrea pretzels, and brownies. Cost is $50 (without bevies) and is limited to 30 people. Doors open at 5:00.
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
News from Melisse: This summer, Josiah Citrin is turning over the reigns of Melisse in Santa Monica to a series of guest chefs. A portion of the proceeds will go to Special Olympics. The price is a hefty $150, but it’s a great way to experience the talents of some well-known chefs. Coupled with Melisse’s legendary service, wine list, and ambiance, it could turn out to be an amazing experience.
Chef Christopher Kostow of The Restaurant at Meadowood, Napa Valley
will be joining the restaurant on
Sunday, June 27th
Chef April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig in New York will
be sharing her talent in the kitchen on
Monday, July 26th
Chef David Kinch of Manresa in Los Gatos is the invited guest chef
Monday, August 23rd
Local Chef Ray Garcia of Fig in Santa Monica will be preparing an amuse bouche for each of the dinners
Melisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
For reservation please call 310-395-0881 or visit www.opentable.com
Mélisse Restaurant, 1104 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Ph.:310.395.0881
This Saturday, May 29th at 5:00pm Nancy Silverton and Executive Chef Matt Molina will be cooking at the Scuola di Pizza at Mozza2Go for their “Fest Dello Sport” tailgate party for watching Game 6. The menu offers a variety of snacks, sandwiches, and of course, pizza. Cost is $50 (beverages sadly not included) and seating is limited to 30 so act fast! I’m guessing the house-made popcorn with fennel pollen and Maldon sea salt would vastly improve any game.
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
Susan Feniger will be hosting a Top Chef Masters viewing party tonight at Street. There will be tray-passed food and drinks for $30 per person. Space is limited so arrive early.
742 N. Highland Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: 323.203.0500
A reader sent news that “artisanal take-out joint” Earl’s Gourmet Grub has opened on Venice in Mar Vista. Quirky decor (think pixelated murals and ultra-moderne chalet), hand crafted sandwiches, 13 regional varieties of potato chips, and vintage sodas distinguish this futuristic European deli. The locally sourced menu features signature sandwiches (such as the HEARTICHOKE, marinated artichoke, hearts of palm, pickled red onion hash, artichoke-jalapeno Spread, chevre, mache on pain de mie), salads, breakfasts, and pastries.
Earl’s Gourmet Grub, 12226 Venice Boulevard, between Centinela Avenue and Grand View Boulevard, Mar Vista (310-313-1717 or earlsgourmetgrub.com).
Here’s the latest on classes at Mozza:
Saturday, June 5th 1-3PM,
Fresh Mozzarella Workshop
Thursday, June 10th 7-9:30PM,
Cooking In a Wood-fire Oven
Thursday, June 17th 7-9:30PM,
Pizza Class
Saturday June 19th 1-3PM,
Chocolate Workshop
$150 per class/12 guests per/50% deposit will be taken to hold reservation/ cancellations must be made within 7 days of class
RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE BY CALLING: 323.297.1130
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
Fax: 323.297.0109
A Reader sent word that this Friday May 23rd, Sprinkles Beverly Hills will be offering a new flavor, saltly caramel cupcakes with fleur de sel from Brittany. This sounds like heaven to me. As a ‘salt person’, I love the crunch of salt against the rich, sweet butteryness of caramel. Go as early in the day as you can to avoid the long lines.
Sprinkles Cupcakes, 9635 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills 90210
(310-274-8765) Sprinkles.com
On Wednesday, May 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 Susan Feniger will be hosting a TCM viewing party at Border Grill Santa Monica complete with drink and food specials. But you must RSVP by today, May 11th to aquinn@bordergrill.com or by calling (310) 451-1655. Good Luck Susan!
Border Grill Santa Monica
1445 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 Bordergrill.com
Toddrickallen 