Category Archives: News

M.A.K.E. Out Coming Soon To Santa Monica Place

Posted on by
Reply

With restaurants in Oklahoma City, Miami, and Chicago as well as his Matthew Kenney Culinary and its associated M.A.K.E. Restaurant in the Market at Santa Monica Place, raw guru and author Matthew Kenney is one busy man.  Yet he’s still finding time to expand his “living plant-based” concept even further.  In the space that housed short-lived La Gourmandise’s Petite Pantry next to his restaurant in Santa Monica Place, he is opening a to-go concept called M.A.K.E. Out, where he’ll be selling prepared raw, vegan items such as cheeses, crackers, and other quick bites.  I’ll keep you posted on a potential opening date. Read more at: matthewkenneycuisine.com.

make

 

Genwa Korean BBQ Coming Soon To Restaurant Row

Posted on by
1

With one location at 5115 Wilshire Boulevard, it looks like Genwa Korean BBQ is expanding into LA’s storied Restaurant Row.  Going into the building at 170 N. La Cienega Blvd. that used to house troubled Woo Lae Oak, it appears little has been done yet except to post signs announcing the impending arrival.  I’ll keep you posted, until then, check out more here: genwakoreanbbq.

genwa

 

Street’s 80’s Themed Valentine’s Menu

Posted on by
Reply

It’s not too early to early to think of plans for St. Valentine’s Day.  And Susan Feniger’s Street has the perfect idea with an 80’s themed menu that you kind of have to see to believe.  The menu, dubbed “80’s Mix Tape Valentine” features, well let’s just say very creative titles such as:  Pet Chop Boys with Duranch Duranch Dressing, Soy George, and Chile Vanilli.  To find out exactly what these dishes are, check out the entire menu and get more info here: eatatstreet.  Cost is $65 for four courses of New Wave romance.

street2

 

 

 

M Café’s Cooking Demo Tonight

Posted on by
Reply

M Café has really focused on cleansing and healthy eating with its “Renew, Recharge, & Reset Your Life” program.  Tonight from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Beverly Hills location, M Café’s Chef Lee Gross and Holistic Nutritionist Elissa Goodman will be offering a cooking demo to kickstart your way to a maco-marvelous you.  Included in the demo are: Homemade Almond Milk, Raw Harvest Kale Salad with Quinoa, Avocado & Lemon Dressing, and Hearty Root Vegetable Stew.  Cost is $35.  You must RSVP to amy@mcafedechaya.com to score a seat.  Read more at: mcafedechaya.

mcafe2

Potato Corner Now Open In Century City

Posted on by
Reply

Having deprived the Westside of their potato creations for far too long, the Westfield Century City Shopping Center’s very own outpost of Philippines-based international spud giant Potato Corner is now open on the first floor, next to Breadbar.  Another branch is coming soon to the Westfield Culver City Mall.  Read more, if you must, at: potatocornerusa.

potato

The Craftsman Bar To Replace The Yard In Santa Monica

Posted on by
4

The Yard, the gastropub at 119 Broadway in Santa Monica bid goodbye after the holidays.  Now construction is fast and furious on a new restaurant replacing it.  Papers are up in the window announcing the new venture to be The Craftsman Bar and Kitchen.  I can find little information on the new watering hole except for their elaborate official website, which mysteriously appears to be in Latin gibberish (or at least I couldn’t get Google Translate to sort it out).  Check it out here and let me know if you have any luck:  thecraftsmanbar.com.  I’ll keep you posted…

craft1

craft2

Tower 8, Oceana Beach Club Hotel’s Restaurant Now Open, Menu By Josiah Citrin

Posted on by
7

A few months ago, I told you about the renovation of Hideaway at the Oceana, the restaurant at the charming and seductive Oceana Beach Club Hotel nestled in a quiet neighborhood at 849 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica.  While keeping the spectacular views of Palisades Park and the ocean beyond, the plucky little restaurant has replaced its beach club feel with a swanky new look, a new menu, and a new name.  Tower 8 (named after the corresponding lifeguard tower on the beach) is now open with a look that is being described as “70s chic” by staff.  But here’s the biggest surprise: The menu is designed by Josiah Citrin, yes the Josiah Citrin of Mélisse.   The new “California-Coastal” menu features snacks, small plates, plates, sandwiches and panini, salads, and “garnishes” which appear to be side orders such as roasted squash with trumpet mushrooms, pomegranate, rosemary and gigande beans with barley, mushrooms, cippolini onions, roasted grapes. So let’s see… a hip new vibe, breathtaking views, and a menu by Josiah Citrin?  I don’t think Tower 8 is going to be a secret for long.  Read more at: oceanabeachclubhotel.

tower1

tower2

Wendy’s Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on by
Reply

Maybe it’s because of the rapidly changing neighborhood, or maybe because when we first saw the construction, there was a glimmer of hope that something exciting would be replacing the decrepid Arby’s at 1340 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica, but for whatever reason there seemed to be a lot of interest in the new branch of national burger chain Wendy’s that was being built.  Well, for those closely following the story comes this thrilling development: Wendy’s is now officially open in Santa Monica.

wndy

Whole Foods’ CEO John Mackey In Pasadena

Posted on by
3

Regardless what you think about his political views, Co-CEO of Whole Foods, John Mackey has had a powerful influence on the way we eat.  Passionate about organic food, philanthropy, and animal welfare, he took a small vegetarian market he started in 1978 and built it into an empire spanning two continents.  Well now’s your chance to hear his ideas on free market economics personally.  On Thursday January 24th, he will be signing copies of his new book Conscious Capitalism at the Pasadena Whole Foods at 465 S. Arroyo Parkway from 4pm until 6pm.

Update:  The kind people managing this event asked me to pass on that the book signing is actually from 4pm until 5pm and a portion of the sales from the book will go to a good cause:  Whole Foods Market’s Arroyo store has pledged to donate $1 to Whole Planet Foundation for every book sold.  Read more about their work here: wholeplanetfoundation.

 

whole

M Café Wants You To Renew, Recharge, And Reset Your Life

Posted on by
42

Feeling like you overdid it during the holidays?  Need a jump-start to 2013?  M Café has the solution…  Along with certified holistic nutritionist Alissa Goodman, they have created a signature 5 day macro cleanse intended to “Renew, Recharge, and Reset” your body, mind, and metabolism, and who doesn’t need that right about now?  Check out a sample menu here: RESETMENU and read more here: mcafedechaya.

ImageProxy.mvc

A Peak Inside Malibu’s Mr. Chow, Opening December 31st

Posted on by
Reply

With a reputation built on exclusivity and elegance, Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills (as well as other select cities) has long been the glamorous destination of choice for celebrities and the Industry set craving its signature brand of “Beijing High Cuisine” for almost 40 years.  So it only seems natural that they would open a second California location in Malibu.   Mr. Chow Malibu officially opens its doors New Year’s Eve.  Inhabiting the old Nobu space in at 3835 Cross Creek Rd., #18A the new Mr. Chow will carry the same menu as its BH sister, but is aiming at a neighborhood bar feel.  On New Year’s Eve they will be hosting two seatings, (one at 6:00pm and another at 9:00pm) after which they will be closed New Year’s Day, then open for dinner service only (lunch coming soon) on the 2nd of January.  Until then, here’s a glimpse at the interior, which has a very classic Mr. Chow feel.  They are currently taking reservations: Get yours by calling (310) 456-7600 just as fast as your little fingers can dial…  mrchow.comphoto-13

photo-13

Nespresso Boutique Coming Soon To Beverly Hills

Posted on by
24

There is a plethora of coffee-capsule machines out there, but few companies have worked as hard as Nestlé subsidiary Nespresso in developing cult-status style.  Their machines are sold in the choicest locations (not Bed, Bath, and Beyond), and their coffee is available only online after you join the ‘club’, or in their boutique in Bloomingdale’s.  Their only U.S. free-standing boutique is on New York’s Upper East Side… until now.  I’ve long heard rumors of a boutique opening in LA and lo and behold, as I was walking down Beverly in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, I noticed the workers applying the sign to the storefront at 320 Beverly Drive announcing the upcoming Nespresso Boutique.  Unlike the tiny space in Bloomingdale’s, if it is like the NY store (and I’m told it will be), this will be a café with a light menu of pastries, salads, and sandwiches, but the real star of the show will be a sexy showroom to highlight the snazzy machines and designed to get you hooked on their brand of über-cool “grand cru” coffee.  No word on an opening date, but I’ll keep you posted… nespresso.com

Update:  Looks like they’re projecting a September 2013 opening…

photo-13

Update:  Nespresso Boutique and Café opened on October 16th, 2013.

nespresso

 

Nekter Juice Bar Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on by
Reply

I don’t know what offering they made to the Gods of Santa Monica Permits, but I know a few restaurateurs who’d love to get their hands on the invocation…  Defying the famous SM red tape, it looks like Nekter Juice Bar opened on Monday (December 17th) with only a minor delay after a November projected opening.  With locations throughout OC, their newest resides at 1422C 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica and offers a menu of fresh, healthy, raw juices, smoothies, and açaí bowls.  Read more at: nekterjuicebar.com.

photo-12 copy

photo-12

photo-13