My Fit Foods, the Texas-based purveyor of pre-packaged, healthy, low glycemic, lean protein meals is now open (just in the nick of time for the Holidays) at 11701 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Barrington and Wilshire). Read more about their innovative take-away here: toddrickallen.com/my-fit-foods, and here: myfitfoods.com.
Where’s the prettiest place you’ve never eaten? That would be Hideaway at the Oceana Beach Club Hotel, the secretive, sexy hotel nestled into a quiet residential neighborhood at 849 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Why is it the prettiest and why have you never eaten there? Originally opened with a “guest only” policy (later abandoned), this little charmer boasted an adventurous (if small) “coastal California cuisine” menu, a seaside clubhouse feel, and jaw-dropping views of Palisades Park and the ocean beyond through enormous picture windows. Well, all that is about to change. Hideaway at the Oceana is now closed for a major renovation. Gone will be the clubhouse feel, to be replaced with a sleek Deco design and a fireplace. The menu will be completely revamped as well. Sumptuous sunset views will stay. Look for a December opening…
With a troubled history of encounters with the law, ABC, and the Health Dept., the Broadway Ale House at 129 Broadway in Santa Monica was not destined for long. A new establishment with a new owner, a new lease on life, and a new name has taken its place. The Commons took the paper from its windows after a re-do and opened its doors this week. Sign changes are still to come. We wish them better luck…
Although various dates have been floating around, on Monday, a manager confirmed to me that the LA area’s first outpost of Seasons 52, the “fresh grill and wine bar” going into the old Houston’s space in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center will be opening November 26th. Santa Monica’s branch still has no definite date, but is listed on the website with a winter opening. In the mean time check out more here: seasons52.com.
Wow, that didn’t take long… Workmen could be seen Sunday gutting the interior of ambitious Austrian-themed gelateria My Vienna at 9481 S. (Little) Santa Monica in Beverly Hills. Sadly, the coffee shop had only been open since June. No word of a replacement, but I’ll keep you posted.
And while we’re on the subject of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center food court, another mystery solved… With four other locations around LA, Glendale-based purveyors of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, Massis Kabob will soon be inhabiting the space left by California Crisp. Check out their menu here: massiskabob.com.
Continuing its relentless march into the Westside, Jersey Mike’s Subs just posted banners announcing its place, along with Fresh Brothers and Starbucks , in the new development on the corner of Broadway and Lincoln in Santa Monica.
Well, I think we can all heave a sigh of relief… If you’ve been up late at night wondering what was going to take the place of the recently closed Baja Fresh in the mercurial food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, worry no more! Signs just went up indicating that the empty space will soon be inhabited by a branch of national burrito chain Chipotle.
Television darling and weight loss heroine Valerie Bertinelli will be signing copies of her cookbook One Dish at a Time at the Barnes & Noble at 210 Americana Way in Glendale on Saturday, November 3rd at 2:00pm. She will be sharing recipes from the book, described as “nutritious Italian”, and discussing her personal journey to stop overeating. Perfect for heading into the Holiday season…
Mélisse in Santa Monica, in keeping with its visiting chef series, is hosting a special event with Chef Sinichi Sato of Passage 53 in Paris. Sinichi, who hails from such luminaries as Gagnaire, L’Astrance and Aida, and is the first Japanese chef in France to receive 2 Michelin stars, will be presenting his modern French Ten Tasting Menu for two nights only: Tuesday, November 27th and Thursday, November 29th. To score a reservation, call 310.395.0881 just as fast as your little fingers can dial…
Hailing from Texas, with locations in various states as well as Hermosa Beach and Torrance, My Fit Foods is moving into the West Side. Going into a space that has seen many incarnations in the strip mall at 11701 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Barrington and Wilshire), MFF offers healthy, pre-packaged meals (many in three sizes: small, medium, or large) and snacks that are locally prepared and focus on lean protein, low glycemic carbohydrates and heart healthy fats. They also have nutritional coaches to recommend meal planning and provide education. My Fit Foods is planning on opening November 8th in West LA with a another location opening on the same day (barring complications) at 8601 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. Read more at: myfitfoods.com.
Looks like the fresh juice craze continues unabated… With a number of locations in the OC, Nekter Juice Bar is looking to make inroads north. Construction is underway on their newest location at 1422C 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica. Offering a menu of fresh, healthy, and raw juices, smoothies, and açaí bowls, Nekter is planning on a November opening, but this is Santa Monica after all so we’ll see. nekterjuicebar.com
You know you can’t resist her… TV darling and prolific cookbook author Ina Garten will be signing copies of her latest book Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust on Thursday, November 15, 12:00pm at the Williams-Sonoma at 1600 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica. Come early as lines usually stretch for blocks and the book must have been bought at W-S with proof of purchase. Call (310) 586-1018 for more details.
Bouchon Bakery in Beverly Hills is getting into the spirit of the season with Halloween-themed baked treats. From now until October 31st, you can take home their “scary good” specials including: Pumpkin Brioche, TKO Bat Cookies, Devils Food and Pumpkin Cupcakes, and more. Perfect for your Halloween party. bouchonbakery.com/beverly-hills
Well-known fromagerie and LA institution, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills is hosting its 12th annual Holiday Spectacular on Wednesday and Thursday, November 7th and 8th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at nearby Sharkey’s Mexican Grill at 435 N. Beverly Dr. Cost for the coveted tickets is $100 and a credit card is required for the reservation. No word on a menu, but I’m willing to guess it’ll heavily feature cheese… Call (310) 278-2855 to secure your spot. cheesestorebh.com
Native Foods is hosting a free Halloween cooking demo this Sunday, October 21st, 10:30am at their Westwood location The super spooky and freaky event promises samples and loads of free prizes including cookbooks, mugs, tote bags, more. Sign up at their website here: nativefoods.com/events.
If you’ve been eagerly conjecturing on what was going to inhabit the new structure being built on the site of the fossilized Arby’s that was recently demolished at 1340 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica, wonder no more… Looks like a new branch of national burger chain Wendy’s snagged the choice piece of real estate. [Sigh]
Recently, I told you about the upcoming West Coast premier of a coffee shop by Italian specialty coffee brand Manuel, Spazio Caffè, under construction at 1511A Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Looks like they’re planning a second location as indicated by the signs in the window at 245 S. Main St., in Venice, between Exhale Yoga and Subway. Based in San Vendemiano, Italy and with locations throughout the world and one US location on the East Coast, the artisan coffee purveyor will also likely offer its line of selective teas, chocolate, baked goods, and merchandise. No word on an opening date yet, but as always, I’ll keep you posted… Read more at: manuel.it/en/spaziocaffe.
Looking for something to do this weekend? The fourth annual Taste of Italy takes place tomorrow, Oct. 13th at 424 North Main St. in Downtown LA. Benefitting the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, the culinary and cultural event will feature performances, wine, and food stalls including participation by such names as: Obika, Il Fornaio, Academia Barilla, San Antonio Winery, Toscanova, Laconda del Lago, and a whole lot more. Tickets are $60 at the door and include 10 “tasting” tickets. Check out more at: italianhall.org/tasteofitaly.
The recently remodeled and svelte new Spago will commence lunch service on October 16th. Long an LA institution, lunch on the famous patio is now guaranteed year-round with the new retractable, telescoping arched roof, controlled by a remote with which the Spago folks were kind enough to let us play, and that I tried to capture in the last, grainy photo. In the mean time, here are a few samples of the new design details…
