Well, it looks like Seasons 52 was able to do it… They opened their Santa Monica location on March 28th after only minimal delays (a veritable miracle in SM). With a cool Houston’s meets True Food Kitchen vibe, they are now serving lunch and dinner for the calorie-conscious crowd 7 days a week at 1501 Ocean Ave. (corner of Broadway) . Check out their menu here: seasons52.
Impossible to get a look inside yet, but there are signs of life at the upcoming Beverly Hills branch of Hakkasan at 245 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. With locations in London and at the choicest addresses throughout the world, the upscale Chinese restaurant known for its designer-clad waiters, ultra-swanky vibe, and astonishing prices has posted its application to sell alcohol, but not exactly at eye level… No word on an exact opening date yet, but their website announces a Summer opening. Check out the Miami Hakkasan’s menu here to get an idea of things to come, and read more at: hakkasan.com/beverlyhills.
Pizza Antica in Santa Monica Place as well as Northern CA, is celebrating the launch of its new proprietary beer Birra Antica, with a “release week” from April 15th to April 21st. For $6 you can sample the brew with a taralli (Italian pretzel) developed by Linden Street Brewery that is described as “rustic, country-style, and spiced with fennel, black pepper, and cumin”. Read more at: pizzaantica.
Here’s a glimpse of what Josiah Citrin has put together from the Farmer’s Market for the Spring menu at Mélisse:
English Pea Velouté
Porcini Mushrooms, Whipped Porcini Cream
Green Asparagus
Almond Panna Cotta, Blood Orange and Oxalis
Santa Barbara Spot Prawns
Sugar Snap Peas, Sea Vegetables, Curly Dock
White Asparagus “Cocotte”
Morel Mushrooms, Savagnin Wine Sauce
Read more at: melisse.com
If you’ve been wondering what happened to the little Italian restaurant Alejo’s on the corner of Washington and Lincoln in Marina Del Rey, it’s still there but with a new name: Eddie’s Italian Restaurant. It still has the same owner, and the same menu, just a new sign. Read more at their (not yet updated) website: alejosrestaurant.
Have you been wondering what those banners announcing Stella Rosa wines (not to be confused with Stella Rossa Pizza Bar in Santa Monica) on the sides of the construction site on the corner of Lucille and Lincoln Blvd. in Venice are doing there? Well, according to an official associated with the winery, the construction site will be a future “cool, upscale, office building”. No word on what will be inhabiting the building quite yet… Look for a September unveiling. stellarosawines
OK kids, better move quickly on this one… With tv shows, numerous books, vineyards, and restaurants to her credit, Lidia Bastianich is the irrepressible and undisputed matriarch of the Bastianich empire. Once again, this Tuesday March 26th at 7:00pm at Mozza, she returns to LA to celebrate the release of not one, but two new books: Lidia’s Favorite Recipes, and her latest children’s book Lidia’s Family Kitchen: Nonna’s Birthday Surprise. As well as a book signing, included in the evening is a special four course dinner (complete with wine pairings) by Executive Chef Matt Molina with recipes from Lidia’s vast repertoire. Cost is $175 per, and space is extremely limited, but why not try your luck by calling Nicole White just as fast as your little fingers can dial at (323) 866-5290 or by email at nwhite@mozza-la.com to reserve. mozzarestaurantgroup
Huckleberry in Santa Monica is hosting a series of Thursday Night Dinners, each consisting of a three course prix fixe. On the menu tomorrow night (March 21st): Farmers’ Market Bitter Greens Salad with dates and parmesan, Crispy Anson Mills’ Polenta and slow cooked free range chicken confit with farm egg, roasted artichokes, and asparagus, and Fresh Strawberry Tart. They will do a vegetarian option as well. Cost is $30 (kids under 12 are half off, under 5 are free), no reservations, seating begins at 6pm and ends at 9pm. huckleberrycafe
Wow, that was fast… Kreation Juicery is now officially open in Beverly Hills at 9609 Little Santa Monica Blvd. (formerly Menchie’s) , just inches away from perpetually swamped Sprinkles cupcakes. And yes, the rumors are true, they do have a juice ATM. Read more about the rapidly expanding chain at: kreationjuice.
This Saturday, March 16th at the Beverly Hills branch of Williams-Sonoma, you can get an opportunity to check out gluten free done at the hands of a pro. Cookbook author, culinary expert, and food editor of Bon Appétit magazine for 20 years, Kristine Kidd will be demonstrating recipes and signing copies of her latest book, Weeknight Gluten Free: Simple, healthy meals for every night of the week. The event begins at 2:00pm and is bound to be crowded so come early. Note: only cookbooks purchased at W-S will be eligible for signing. Read more about Kristine Kidd at her blog: kristinekidd, and get more info about the event here: williams-sonoma.
After what seems like an unusually long time coming (otherwise known as normal in Santa Monica), the family owned Mexican Restaurant Casa Martin is officially open in the storefront that used to house the old Detelich Gallery space at 1654 Ocean Ave, unit B in Santa Monica, fortuitously positioned between Loew’s Hotel, The Lobster, and across the street from the upcoming Village at Santa Monica, the multi-million dollar residential and commercial complex currently in construction (SantaMonicaVillage). The cheery little eatery boasts an extensive menu of traditional Mexican fare including burritos, enchiladas, salads, and vegetarian entrees, as well as weeknight specials such as Nacho Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, and GNO (Girls Night Out) Fridays. Hours are: Mon-Thurs 9:30am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 9:30am to 11pm. casamartinsm
According to staff and the application posted in the window, it looks like newish Shore Hotel at 1515 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica is adding a “bar-lounge” just off the main lobby. No word on an opening date yet, but I’ll keep you posted. shorehotel
Downtown’s Border Grill is offering a rare opportunity to spend an afternoon with the Too Hot Tamales themselves, Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken. On Saturday, March 16th they will be offering a cooking class on doing brunch the Border Grill way. Included on the menu are Border Bloody Maria, Guava empanadas, and La Bomba Rice Pudding. But you had better move quickly, the 11am class is sold out but thankfully they’ve just added a 2pm class. Cost is $75 and includes brunch, cocktails, and recipe booklet. Call (213) 486-5171 just as fast as your little fingers can dial to secure your spot. bordergrill.com
To those of you who live in Santa Monica and have been up late at night worried that you just may have to walk more than one block to procure coffee comes this welcome news… With the recent spate of coffee houses opening across the city comes wind of one more. It looks like a brand-spanking new branch of Starbucks is looking to take over the prominent corner spot long-held by Farrah’s Florist at 11th and Wilshire. If you look carefully at the picture on the “notice of pending design review”, you can get an idea of what the new corner will look like. But not so fast… As you can see by the marquis, Farrah’s is fighting back. Looks like they’ve commenced a petition drive to hold on to the location. We’ll be following this one closely…
Update: I spoke with someone from Farrah’s who explained how frustrated the florist feels after inhabiting the choice spot across from Melisse for 25 years, hence the petition and community push-back. Some of the other shops on the block are losing their leases as well; This is going to be one big Starbucks! The battle will culminate in a March 18th hearing at City Council Chambers. But there’s a bigger concern here. With all the construction downtown (the new Miramar project, the proposed Frank Gehry tower on Ocean Ave. at SMB, and the upcoming Village at Santa Monica), local residents are increasingly worried about over-development and the loss of local character, turning this into a cause célèbre. Looks like Farrah’s could be the latest poster-child in the fight. We’ll see how this plays out…
Still more changes to the mercurial food scene in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center… Billing themselves at “The Original Kabobery”, purveyors of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, Massis Kabob opened over the weekend in the space left by long-gone California Crisp in the food court. With four other locations around LA, you can read more about the Glendale-based chain here: massiskabob.
If you’re even the teensiest bit of an anglophile, then you’re familiar with the iconic British pie. Seen everywhere throughout the UK from the best restaurants to the busiest tube station, the British pie is an institution. Now’s your chance to get a taste of tradition right here in LA. Ye Olde King’s Head at the corner of 2nd and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica has declared March 4th through the 10th British Pie Week. With a number of specials including 20% off pies in the restaurant, 15% off in the shoppe, and a special “pie & a pint” in the pub for $10, there’s no reason not to fancy yourself on the set of Downton Abbey. And there’s even a veg version! yeoldekingshead.com
The juicing craze continues at break-neck speed… With 6 other locations throughout California and spreading fast, Pressed Juicery opened the doors to its 7th location today, Wednesday February 27th at 430 N. Bedford Dr. in Beverly Hills. Read more about their 100% raw, unpasteurized, and cold-pressed concoctions here: pressedjuicery.
M Café in Beverly Hills is celebrating its fourth anniversary at that location and to celebrate, they’re offering a special deal until this Thursday, February 28th. Get $4 off any order over $15 after 4pm. Read more at: mcafedechaya.
Based in the San Gabriel Valley and poised to take over the world, cheery purveyors of milk coffee/tea/boba/juice Lollicup are moving into the space that was supposed to have been Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt at 2206 Sawtelle (south of Olympic). Besides sunny drinks, expect a menu of snacks such as fried tofu, mini buns, squid balls, and combination plates. With locations across the US, China, and coming soon to Europe and the Middle East, you can read more about the plucky little coffeeshop at: lollicup.com.
Recently I told you about a new venture replacing the short-lived Il Sogno at 1211 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Brand-spanking new Courtyard Kitchen is now fully up and running. Look for a Mediterranean-inspired menu of breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches in a cozy neighborhoody setting. Hours are from 8am to 4pm daily.
Toddrickallen 