Starting Friday, August 24th through September 7th, M Café is having its annual contest, “Microtize Me”. Submit your idea of your favorite naughty comfort food, and if they take up your challenge to create a healthy macrobiotic replica, you could win a dinner for four and a “goodie” bag, plus your idea will be featured on the menu at both locations for two weeks. Submit your ideas via Facebook, Twitter, on at either location. Find out more at: mcafedechaya.com.
Arguably, Sotto makes one of the best pizzas in town. Their hand-built Neapolitan wood-burning oven turns out a chewy, slightly charred pie that explodes with flavor. Equally adept are they at their mixology. Now you have an opportunity to sample both. Tuesday to Friday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, you can get their summer special Sosta Napoletana: one of their highly-lauded signature pizzas and a cocktail for $19. Bar only. Sotto is at 9575 W. Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. Read more here: sottorestaurant.com.
It looks like an outpost of Tarzana’s Hummus Bar & Grill, Hummus Bar Express is coming to the old Yangtze space at 1333 Third Street Promenade (between Arizona and Santa Monica Blvd.) in Santa Monica. If their Valley location is any indication, look for a menu of “authentic Mediterranean cuisine” including flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, and, you guessed it, hummus. As always, I’ll keep you posted…
Susan Feniger is celebrating the recent release of her newest book Susan Feniger’s Street Food with a blow-out party at Street on August 26th from 5pm to 10pm. Susan will be on hand to demonstrate recipes from the book and share her “spice market secrets”. There will be food booths, cocktails, “ethnic elixirs”, aquas frescas, even treats to take home all served to beats from Amoeba Music’s DJs. Cost is $50 per person or $70 with a signed book. Even with no online reservations accepted, this event is bound to quickly sell out. Get your space by calling (323) 203-0500 just as quickly as your little fingers can dial.
Susan Feniger’s STREET
742 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, California 90038
In further icy treat news… Yogurtland, the aforementioned self-serve frozen yogurt shop is now open in the space left by Lucky Brand at 1426 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. yogurt-land.com
Construction is underway on what will soon be the Culver City location of self-serve frozen yogurt chain Cherry On Top. With locations throughout the US and LA, their newest store is on the corner of Centinela and Washington Place. Read more at: cherryontop.net.
A new adorable, homey little Italian eatery (that I’m told is a rebranding of their previous SM restaurant) has taken over the cozy courtyard space that was once Cafe Dana at 1211#C Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Il Sogno Italian Backyard Grill is now open Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 9am until 4pm. Look for a menu of pastas, salads, stone-grilled piadina and ciabatta, or eggs to which you subsequently add a selection of grilled items, vegetables, cheeses, and dressings. Website still under construction, but you can call (310) 587-3520 for more information. ilsognogrill.com
This week at Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills, they’re celebrating the 100th birthday of legendary Julia Child (a personal idol of mine whom I was fortunate to have met once) with a special menu inspired by Julia’s cookbooks. Included on the menu will be such things as Salade Niçoise, Provençal Soup, Tarte au Fraises (strawberry tart), and other items either ordered À la carte or as a full menu for $59.95 for three courses. The special menu is featured August 7th through August 15th. Call (310) 271-9910 for reservations. bouchonbistro.com
Having long anchored one of the busiest corners on the Promenade, the Santa Monica branch of the Mexican chain La Salsa has closed its doors on the corner of Third St. and Santa Monica Blvd. No word on a replacement yet…
The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. is opening soon at 8732A Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. The company uses a special filtration system to replicate water from Brooklyn that they believe has the preternatural power to elevate the average bagel into a New York masterpiece. With locations in Beverly Hills, Mid-City LA, around the country, and expanding fast, the OBWBC counts Larry King as an investor and spokesperson. Read more here: brooklynwaterbagels.com.
More competition to the Montana Ave. coffee scene: Renovations are underway on the old White Lilac space at 1511A Montana Ave. in Santa Monica to make room for the West Coast premier of a coffee shop by Italian specialty coffee brand Manuel, Spazio Caffè. 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.
With locations throughout Southern California, it looks like the latest installment in the expanding Chicago-style pizza chain Fresh Brothers is going into the old Freshii space at 11740 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. I hear they’re shooting for an August opening. Read more at freshbrothers.com.
Alas, we find ourselves woefully between truffle seasons. But those desperate for the fabulous fungus can rejoice: Melisse in Santa Monica has procured a stash of Australian black truffles (fully in season) and is offering an 8 course truffle tasting menu for $345. But they are also offering their signature dishes à la carte as well including: Fresh Tagliatelle (grated black truffles, parmesan brown butter truffle froth), Truffle Risotto (carnaroli rice, mascarpone, shaved black Australian truffles), Sweet White Corn Ravioli (brown butter truffle sauce, shaved black Australian truffles), or the classic Truffle Egg with toasted brioche. melisse.com.
In further mall news… It looks like the latest contender to step into the boxing ring that is the Santa Monica Place food scene is going to be… (drumroll) Johnny Rockets. With locations throughout the US and So Cal, the retro burger chain has begun construction on a never-occupied stall in the food court. Best of Luck! Until the final bell, you can check out their menu and more here: johnnyrockets.com.
More changes in Century City: Construction is underway in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center food court on the latest restaurant in the expanding Joe’s Pizza chain. And as you can see in the photo, Fatburger is moving in right next door in the space vacated by Fuddruckers.
Native Foods is offering a special meal deal this weekend only: Drunken Tofu Banh Mi consisting of crispy tofu marinated in a sweet and tangy sauce on a grilled baguette with pickled daikon, carrots, basil, and cilantro, served with a side of kimchi slaw, all for $9.95. Find a location and read more at: nativefoods.com.
I noticed this bright, sunny new storefront at 12211 Wilshire Blvd. in West LA (next door to Bar Food, and Amandine Cafe) promising a new venture, Organic Farm is moving into the space. I couldn’t get much more information other than what’s posted in the window stating that they offer the finest organic products: snacks, juices, and other items that are “earth grown, 100% natural”. You will, however, notice the little green cross and references to two medical marijuana bills in small print at the bottom of the paper. Hmmm… Look for a Summer 2012 opening.
As I reported earlier (toddrickallen.com/tudor-house), after 50 years, Anglophile institution Tudor House, the store, restaurant, tearoom, and bakery at 1403 Second Street in Santa Monica is to close. According to the paper posted on the window, it looks like they now have an official date, Sunday July 22nd. To commemorate the sad news, they will be giving out complimentary glasses of champagne to all customers who come in on Saturday or Sunday of their last weekend to wish them goodbye. Read their farewell letter here: thetudorhouse.com. I was told by an employee that a new “Spanish” restaurant will be taking over the space. I’ll keep you posted…
Update: EaterLA is reporting that the restaurant moving into the Tudor House space will be a paella and tapas venture by Lazy Ox restaurateur Michael Cardenas. The new restaurant is to be named Taberna Arros y Vi. Read more at: la.eater.com.
Some restaurants can go a gazillion years before attempting a renovation (think Spago), but not plucky little La Focacceria Tra Di Noi at 362 N. Camden in Beverly Hills, that only just opened in May of last year. As you can see from the notice posted in the window, as of this week, they are closed for dinner as they undergo a re-do. According to the sign, they will still be open for lunch. To get invited to the grand re-opening, email them at Lafocatradinoibh@gmail.com.
Westside Tavern, in the Westside Pavillion, is hosting a special event with Randall Grahm, the “winemaker and philosopher king” of Bonny Doon vineyard on Thursday, July 12th at 7:00pm. The special five course Chef’s dinner will be paired with, you guessed it, various Bonny Doon wines. For more information, contact Lori Theis at (310) 470-1539 or events@westsidetavernla.com.
