Construction continues fast and furiously on the Seasons 52, going into the old Houston’s space in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Signs recently went up around what appears to be a new patio announcing the fall opening. Until then, check out the menu here: seasons52.com/menu.
Susan Feniger’s Street has added a few specials to help people with their “meatless Mondays”. Included are: jackfruit tacos, veggie tamales, and fried plantains, all for $5 each. Read more and get a glimpse of Susan’s upcoming book Susan Feniger’s Street Food at eatatstreet.com.
In case you’ve been asleep in a cave for a while, fresh juicing is big right now. Riding on the popularity of places like Kreation are a new set of über-healthy vegetable and fruit juice purveyors. The latest is Juice Crafters at 11682 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood (near the corner of Barrington). After the usual challenges, I was informed that the permits came through, window paper is down, and they are set to open “in a few days”. According to the website, they also have plans to open in Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and Venice as well. After all, who can’t use a little detox now and then? Check out more at: juicecrafters.com.
James Beard award-winner, author, and tv guy Ted Allen will be signing copies of his recently released book In My Kitchen: 100 Recipes and Discoveries for Passionate Cooks this Saturday, May 26th at 12:00pm at Williams-Sonoma, 1600 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.
With locations in Westwood, Beverly Hills, and around the world, Korean “healthy fresh” bibimbap chain Bibigo is moving into the recently closed Sorabol Korean BBQ space in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center. Look for a July opening… In the mean time, read more and try to spot clever words like “portmanteau’, “propitious”, and “gastro-diplomatic” here: bibigo.com.
It looks like Copenhagen Pastry is nearing completion on its brand new bakery at 11113 Washington Blvd. and plans on opening soon, at least according to the sign in the window. Signs are up and fixtures are in at the former automotive store space. I’ll keep you posted… in the mean time, read more at: copenhagenpastry.com.
It’s no secret that Josiah Citrin is against the upcoming July voter-approved ban on foie gras. Last night, May 14th, Citrin’s Santa Monica Michelin two-starred restaurant Melisse (melisse.com) held a $200 six course fundraising foie gras dinner with part of the proceeds going to C.H.E.F.S. (Coalition for Humane and Ethical Farming Standards), an organization of local chefs dedicated to fighting the California ban. In response, a number of animal rights organizations including the Animal Protection & Rescue League (www.stopforcefeeding.com) held a peaceful protest outside and a media circus ensued. Present were a number of local television stations, Santa Monica police, about 30 protestors, and a few bewildered patrons. Here a few photos of the melee:
Santa Monica’s yearly celebration of all things local, “earth-friendly”, and sustainable, the Santa Monica Festival is this Saturday, May 19th from 11am to 6pm at Clover Park. Here’s the official listing of this years food trucks: Border Grill Truck, The Bun Truck, Coolhaus, Crepe’n Around, Gastrobus, Go Chew Truck, Hawaiian Delight, India Jones, Let’s be Frank, Linde’s Almonds, Nom Nom Truck, Waffles De Liege, and Yalla. Admission is Free. Read more at: smgov.net/Festival.
More food truck news: Every Thursday night, Olympic High School at 721 Ocean Park (corner of Lincoln) in Santa Monica is hosting a Food Truck Night from 5:30 to 9:00pm. All proceeds to go fund supplies and activities at the school. Read more here: olympic.smmusd.org/temp/foodtruck.
Even as the food court in the Century City Shopping City continues to gain attention and praise for its diversity and quality (i.e. Jonathon Gold’s appraisal here), more and more stalls are sitting vacant (three so far). The latest to go, Sorabol Korean BBQ & Asian Noodles closed down this week. If you find yourself desperate for some mall chap chae, you can still find an outpost in the Sherman Oaks Fashion Square, Topanga Mall, or farther afield by checking their website here: sorabolrestaurants.com.
With location across the US and closer to home in Torrance, Pasadena, and Seal Beach, it looks like Pei Wei Asian Diner is moving into the corner space at 270 North Beverly Drive (at Dayton) in Beverly Hills. With a wide and varied menu that emphases Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese influences, Pei Wei also offers a variety of vegetarian, low-fat, and gluten-free options. Check out their menu and read more here: peiwei.com.
Obikà in Century City continues to explore the various regional cooking of Italy with a specially-themed dinner on Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:00pm. This month, they will be highlighting the flavorful vegetables and pasta of the region of Lazio with a 4 or 5 course menu. Wine pairings complete the experience of a romantic, leisurely dinner in Rome (via Century City Shopping Center). Cost is $38 and $15 for the pairing. Call 310 556-2452 for reservations. obikala.com.
Native Foods Cafe is celebrating the re-opening of its Westwood branch, now open right next door to the old one at 1114 Gayley, with new menu items. Look for such seasonal treats as: grilled California caesar, Bangkok curry bowl, Maryland tempe cakes, roasted chile taco trio, and strawberry shortcake parfait. Check out the entire menu here: nativefoods.com/menu.
Sad but true… Long-standing repository of all things Anglophile, The Tudor House market and tea room will be closing in about 4 weeks. After receiving a tip from a reader about the imminent closure, I talked to an employee who confirmed the tragic news. It seems that after 20 years in the same location at 1403 2nd Street in Santa Monica, and 50 years total, the purveyor of British food and condiments, as well as tea room will be letting their lease expire in about two months. The owners tried valiantly to find a buyer to take over the establishment and preserve it, but none were forthcoming. It looks like a new “Spanish” restaurant will eventually be taking over the space, and employees are fleeing to the new upcoming outpost of The King’s Head in the Valley, Studio City to be exact with a (fingers crossed) opening in June. End of an era. thetudorhouse.com.
This Sunday, April 29th, begins the “5 X 5” Guest Chef collaborative that introduces guest chefs to 5 restaurants in LA. Melisse kicks off the series of dinners over the course of the next few months by hosting a special dinner on Sunday with Chef Ludo Lefebre, who will provide a course “in the style of the Host Restaurant”. The other participants in the 5 X 5 program are:
Monday, May 21, 2012: PROVIDENCE, with Guest Chef Jeremy Fox Monday, July 16, 2012: ANGELENI OSTERIA, with Guest Chef Michael Tusk
Monday, August 20, 2012: BOUCHON, with Guest Chef to be announced
Sunday, September 16, 2012: ink., with Guest Chef Chris Cosentino
Cost is $150 per person plus gratuity and tax and a portion of the proceeds goes to Special Olympics. Make a reservation at Melisse by calling (310) 395-0881, and make future reservations at the home restaurant.
On a nondescript block of Santa Monica Blvd. west of Bundy, I noticed the papered-over windows and signs of something I hadn’t heard of before, Tasty Clouds Candy Company. According to their website, Tasty Clouds was founded by Nina Rodecker and specializes in providing hand-crafted, house-made from scratch, organic and designer cotton candy and catering services to events (as well as sno-cones, caramel apples, and other decadent treats). Not much more information on the space they’re taking over at 12325 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA, but you can read more about the company here: tastyclouds.com.
In case you’ve been lying awake at night worried that there simply aren’t enough places to procure frozen treats on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, you’re in luck. It looks like an outpost of Yogurtland is moving into the space left by Lucky Brand at 1426 Montana. As always, I’ll keep you posted…
Construction is underway and liquor license application is posted on the upcoming new Mexican restaurant, Casa Martin moving into the old Detelich Gallery space at 1654 Ocean Ave, unit B in Santa Monica, which seems an odd location until you consider that the Village at Santa Monica, the multi-million dollar residential and commercial complex is going in across the street (SantaMonicaVillage). Very little information out there yet, except the name of the man behind the venture, Fernando Martin. I’ll keep you posted as more develops…
Mr. C in Beverly Hills has expanded its wine-by-the-glass menu considerably, with a variety of new California Pinot, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc as well as an Italian Chianti, the Stellina di Notte 2009. You can sample some of their new fare on Wednesday evenings, when they offer a pre-fixe classic Venetian market menu for $44 per person and add a three course wine tasting pairing for $20. Check out the new menu here: mrchotels.info/winemenu.
M Café de Chaya, on Melrose and in Beverly Hills, has rolled out its new seasonal menu, bringing back some old favorites but adding a number of new items as well including: barley and green garbanzo bean salad, kale and shiitake ohitashi, raw almond rainbow roll, and grilled vegetable salad with avacado-lemon dressing. Check out the entire Spring menu here: mcafedechaya.com.
Toddrickallen 