I have yet to try this place, but an excited reader tipped me off that Mendocino Farms has moved west (there are two locations in downtown.)  Their website decribes this sandwich ‘market’ as wine-country inspired using local and fresh ingredients.  Chef Judy Han has created a menu that offers an interesting variety of meat, fish, veggie, and vegan choices including Drunken Goat in Paris which is herbes de provence marinated Cypress Cove goat cheese with cranberry chutney, French Brie, carmelized onion, green apple and market greens on curcama hazelnut bread and My Vegan Trip Through India, a housemade Indian spiced chickpea and spinach patty with tamarind chutney, vegan cucumber and mint raita, and spinach on ciabatta.  Sounds delicious.  They opened on April 29th.  If you’ve been, let me know your thoughts…

Mendocino Farms

4724 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Ray (310-822-2300)

Daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m

This from a reader:

Meat-Free Mondays
What: Say no to the flesh of our fellow mammals (birds, too) and dine by the sea with three courses for $35.
Why: Strawberry gorgonzola salad, grilled truffle flatbread, and a choco-peanut butter tart never killed anybody.
When: Mon., 6-10 p.m.
Where: One Pico at Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico Blvd., at Ocean Ave., Santa Monica (310-458-0030).

News from Mozza:

Book Signing at Mozza2Go in Los Angeles

On Sunday, May 16th at 2:30pm, Mario will be in Los Angeles at Mozza2Go, to sign copies of his new cookbook, Molto Gusto.

Come early to beat the crowds!

   

6610 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90038

(323) 297-1130

Well it looks like construction in under way at the old French 75 space at the back of the Westfield Century City shopping center.  The boards covering the exterior say “Capitol City Coming Soon”.  It looks like it’s going to be The Tap Room By Capitol City, an adult version of the ‘upscale’ sports bar, Capitol City in Hollywood on Cahuenga.  Capitol City in Hollywood has fairly standard American fare with a good selection of beers and ales.  We’ll see what they have in mind for Century City. 

http://www.capcitysports.com/

If you’ve never met Susan before, do yourself a favor.  She is a delightful person and interesting to talk to.  You might even be able to hit her up for a recipe.  (Like I did!)

MEET SUSAN AT CiUDAD This Wednesday!
TOP CHEF MASTERS Viewing Party with Susan This Wednesday, May 5, 2010 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Ciudad bar/cantina · Delicious $3 Tacos! · 1/2 OFF Mojitos, Margaritas, and More! · Surprise Tastes of one of Susan’s   Top Chef Masters Dishes Ciudad 445 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA  90071 213.486.5171 – ciudad-la.com Please RSVP to 213.486.5171 or mcohen@ciudad-la.com Susan is competing on behalf of The Scleroderma Research Foundation To make a donation, go to www.sclerodermaresearch.org

More News from Mozza…

A full month of pizza making at Mozza’s Scuola di Pizza

Thursday, May 6^th Pizza Class

 Thursday, May 13^th Pizza Class

 Thursday, May 20^th Pizza Class

 Thursday, May 27^th Pizza Class

 RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE BY CALLING:  323.297.1130

IMPORTANT *

Pizzeria Mozza is located at:

641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
Fax: 323.297.0109

Get more information about Pizzeria Mozza

News from Veggie Grill:  If you bring a Veggie Grill ‘virgin’, to Veggie Grill on Thursday, April 22, they will comp their entree.  Just tell the cashier.  And no solo virgins either.  Happy Earth Day!

www.veggiegrill.com

News from Mozza:

Pizzeria Wine Director Amanda Courtney will conduct an hour and half wine tasting/class that will explore the beautiful wines from this picturesque region in Northern Italy.

LIGURIA: COAXING WINE FROM STUBBORN SEASIDE SLOPES

$49 per person plus tax and service

Sunday April 18th from 4:00-5:30-PM

or

Sunday April 25th from 4:00-5:30-PM

Jack Warner Room, Pizzeria Mozza

Space is limited and will be booked on a first come, first serve basis. Please call our confirmation line to book:  323.866.5300Light antipasti will be served.  Inquiries for dinner reservations welcome! **tax and gratuity not included

641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
Fax: 323.297.0109

Get more information about Pizzeria Mozza

This from a good source:  It appears that Sweet Lady Jane, the cult-fave bakery at 8360 Melrose is moving west.  They are planning on moving a second location into the old pharmacy space at 1631 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.  Construction is beginning as we speak.  Westsiders can expect the fanatically followed line of cakes, cookies, and sweets.  Cosmetic surgeons can expect an increase in liposuction revenue.

This just in from Mozza:

Scuola di Pizza Class Schedule

Thursday, April 8^th Chocolate Workshop 

Thursday, April 15^th Simple & Traditional Classics

 A Dessert Class 

Thursday, April 22^nd Fresh Mozzarella Workshop 

Thursday, April 29^th Pizza Class 

RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE BY CALLING:  323.297.1130

Pizzeria Mozza is located at:

641 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323.297.0101
Fax: 323.297.0109

Get more information about Pizzeria Mozza
Make a reservation at Pizzeria Mozza

On March 23rd,  participating Starbucks will be giving away a free pastry with the purchase of a beverage before 10:30am.  Download the coupon here…

http://www.starbucks.com/blog/4983/free-pastry-day 

PUGLIA – The heel of the boot…

 “Stretching out eastward towards Greece and Byzantium, Puglia, the heel of the boot that is Italy, looks more like wind-swept northern Africa or sun toasted Greece than any part of the rest of Italy. Nearly 500 miles of coastland wrap around a geological treasure trove of variation, from the craggy and hilly Gargano peninsula to the Murge, the high grassy plain that dominates the center of this region of wheat and olive farming, then south to the flat half moon of the gulf of Taranto.”

 – Mario Batali   http://mariobatali.com/exploreItalyDtl.cfm?rid=14

Please join us for a special experience of wines from the region of Puglia.

Pizzeria Wine Director Amanda Courtney will conduct an hour and half wine tasting/class that will explore the beautiful wines from this exotic region in Southern Italy.

PUGLIA: ITALY’S WINE CELLAR

$49 per person plus tax and service

Saturday, March 20^th from 3:00-4:30-PM

Saturday, March 27^th from 3:00-4:30-PM

Sunday, March 28th from 3:30-5:00 pm

Jack Warner Room, Pizzeria Mozza

Space is limited and will be booked on a first come, first serve basis.

Please call our confirmation line to book:  323.866.5300

Light antipasti will be served.  Inquiries for dinner reservations welcome!

A very busy Menchie’s has just opened on Montana at Lincoln in Santa Monica.  The self-serve palace of frozen yogurt appeared to be holding its own against TCBY across the street and Pinkberry only a few blocks up.

This just came in from Mozza:

Pizzeria Mozza is thrilled to present new Wine Director/Sommelier, Amanda Courtney as she continues with our unique wine education program.

Please join us either Saturday or Sunday for a special experience of wines from the Alto-Adige…

Amanda will conduct an hour and half wine tasting/class on both days that will present delicious libations with traditional food pairings from this lovely region in Northern Italy.

Space is limited and will be booked on a first come, first serve basis.

$49 per person

Saturday or Sunday, February 27^th & 28^th

3:30-5:00 pm

Jack Warner Room, Pizzeria Mozza

Please call our confirmation line to book:  323.866.5300

Light antipasti will be served.  Inquiries for dinner reservations welcome!

Scuola di Pizza Class Schedule

Thursday, March 4^th & Thursday, March 25^th Pizza Classes.

Thursday March 11^th Chocolate Workshop.

RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE BY CALLING:  323.297.1130

IMPORTANT *

Spumoni Cafe and Pizzeria, an offshoot of Spumoni in Santa Monica, appears poised to open in Brentwood at 11714 San Vicente (Thank God, I was beginning to tire of the 28,000 other Italian restaurants in Brentwood.)  An employee told Toddrickallen that it will be open either Friday (2/19) or Monday at the latest.  Obviously they’ve had a few setbacks as evidenced by the chalkboard, but if the popularity of Spumoni in Santa Monica is any indicator, they should have a fighting chance.

Eater LA has confirmed that Veggie Grill is moving into the Sizzler space on Wilshire at 20th in Santa Monica in October.  Good news for Westside vegans.  How do you compare Veggie Grill’s southwest chicken sandwich with Native Food’s chicken sandwich?  (Hint:  They’re related…)