John Kelly Chocolates Now Open On Montana In Santa Monica

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Boy, I sure missed this one, but it looks like an outpost of Hollywood chocolatier, John Kelly Chocolates, is now open at 1111 1/2 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.  With one store already at 1506 N. Sierra Bonita in LA, the brand hand-produces award-winning fudge and chocolates using only the best, preservative-free ingredients.  The results are spectacular, particularly the truffle fudge, that they will happily offer you as a free sample as soon as you walk in the door.  Read more at: johnkellychocolates.com.

 

Jersey Mike’s Coming To MDR

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Jersey Mike’s Subs, the East Coast sandwich chain is continuing its inexorable march into the West Side.  The latest location is under construction at The Shoppes at Del Rey at 4020A Lincoln Blvd in Marina Del Rey, near Free Bird and The Coffee Bean.  You can acquaint yourself with the menu here: jerseymikes.com, before they open one in your backyard. 

 

Mr. C’s “Night In Venice”

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Been daydreaming about gondoliers, pasta, and canals?  This Thursday, March 22nd, Mr. C in Beverly Hills is presenting a special dining event, “A Night in Venice”.  The evening begins at 8:30pm and later, they move the celebration to The Beverly in West Hollywood.  Make a reservation by contacting dleahy@mrchotels.com or 310-226-6245.  Read more at: mrchotels.com.

 

 

Native Foods Goes Green With 1/2 Off Beer/Wine And A Reuben Sandwich

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Gone meatless but still missing the traditional cabbage and corned beef?  Native Foods is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year by offering half off beer and wine and with a special sandwich:  The Classic Reuben consisting of thin sliced, deli-style seitan piled on grilled rye with homemade sauerkraut, Native horseradish cheese, and Russian dressing served with lemon-dill potato salad.  Cost is $9.95.  What could be more Irish?  And did I mention all beer and wine is half off?!  Read more at: nativefoods.com.

Mozza’s Cookbook Class This Thursday

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Ever wondered how they do it?  Want to recreate the ravioli with the egg in it?  Well, now’s your chance.  Tomorrow night (Thursday, March 15th), the folks down at Mozza are holding a class to demonstrate various recipes from their newest book The Mozza Cookbook.  Class starts at 7:00pm and costs $150.  Make a reservation by calling 323.297.1133.

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Chipotle Taking Over Baja Fresh Space In Beverly Hills

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There seems to be a load of restaurant activity going on in Beverly Hills lately…  Here’s the latest:  design-your-own-burrito restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill is hard at work taking over the now closed Baja Fresh space at 475 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills (on the corner of Little Santa Monica).  And yes,  there already is a Chipotle down the street at 224 S. Beverly.  Unfamiliar with the ubiquitous Mexican chain?  Acquaint yourself here: chipotle.com.

My Vienna Gelato And Coffee Coming To Beverly Hills

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Austrian theme restaurants are hot in BH right now.  Recently came the opening of BierBeisl further up the street, and now it appears that construction is underway on the double space just to the right of Crumb’s Bake Shop on Little Santa Monica near Beverly in Beverly Hills on another Austrian themed eatery.  My Vienna Gelato & Coffee is developing the spaces and has posted signs and applications in the window.  According to their Facebook page that you can see here: facebook.com/pages/My-Vienna-Gelato-Coffee, they are billing themselves as, “Award winning gelato and authentic coffee tradition”.   I’ll keep you posted as more develops…

Free Desserts Today And Tomorrow At Native Foods

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Buy an entrée, side, and drink at Native Foods today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday), and they’ll throw in a free dessert (including a limited edition mint chocolate whoopie pie).  A portion of the profits goes to benefiting two charities, Farm Sanctuary and something called the Orange County Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology.  Read more at:  nativefoods.com.

 

Whole Foods’ Crack Heard ‘Round The World

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You could be forgiven for thinking that “The crack heard ’round the world” was a reference to your old, flatulent college roommate, but it isn’t.  On Saturday, March 10th, in a promotional event, Whole Foods stores will simultaneously be cracking open over 300 wheels of authentic Parmigiano Reggiano.  The “The crack heard ’round the world” occurs at 3:00pm eastern time and samples will be offered. 

Om Organic Mixology Moving Into Beverly Hills

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While we’re on the subject of businesses moving into Beverly Hills, I noticed this application posted at 9897 Santa Monica Blvd., the site of the former K Chocolatier.  It looks like something called Om Organic Mixology is applying for a liquor license.  I can’t find much on the web about them, except that they’re a new, environmentally conscious vodka company billing themselves as “the enlightened cocktail”.  You can read their launch page here: omcocktails.com/om-cocktails-2.  I’ll keep my eye on this one…

 

 

Home Restaurant And Supper Club Moving Into The Camden House Space In Beverly Hills

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Although I can’t track down much more info than the name, according to the signs posted in the windows, the cavernous and empty Camden House space at 430 N. Camden Dr. in Beverly Hills will soon be an enterprise called Home Restaurant and Supper Club operated by House of Music and Entertainment and represented by Neil Brown.  Not much activity to be noted at this point, except the transfer of liquor license and an “intent to file for an open air dining permit”, but I’ll keep you posted…

 

Rotisserie Works Closed In The Century City Shopping Center; Seasons 52 Moves Into Old Houston’s Space

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It looks like Rotisserie Works in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center is now closed.  I’ll keep my eye on the space and let you know if anything moves in…

In other CC news, it’s being reported that Seasons 52, a new restaurant is moving into the Century City Shopping Center (la.eater.com).  It apparently is going into the old Houston’s space because I noticed this little card taped the old front door.  With locations across the US, Seasons 52 bills itself as a “fresh grill”.  You can read more about it here: seasons52.com.

The  old Rotisserie Works space…

 

The card taped to the front door of the old Houstons space…

 

Obika’s New Pizza Oven

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Obika‘s snazzy new Italian pizza oven is now up and running and delivering amazingly crispy pies starting today in the Century City Shopping Center.  Obika’s CEO, Raimondo Boggia was kind enough to give a personal tour of the pizza kitchen.  While they’re still hard at work developing their pizza menu, look for beauties such as:  Verdure Grigliate (grilled eggplant, zucchini, radicchio, smoked mozzarella di bufala, parsley), Formaggi Morbidi (gorgonzola, stracchino, ricotta, mozzarella de bufala), or perhaps the Salmone e Ricotta (wild Alaskan salmon, ricotta, mozzarella di bufala).  Read more at obikala.com.

Friday Evenings At Mr. C, Beverly Hills

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Tough week?  Need a great place to unwind?  Mr. C in Beverly Hills has recently added a Friday evening happy hour from 6pm to 8:30pm in the Lobby Bar that includes complimentary “cicchetti” with every round of drinks ordered.  Cicchetti are Venetian tapas prepared and selected specially by chef David Perez.  There’s also live music and a super cool glass pool table.  Sounds like a great way to kick off the weekend.  Read more at:  mrchotels.com/beverly-hills/.

 

 

Chinese Friends Fresh Szechuan Kitchen Now Open In Hawthorne

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In the troubled space that used to be the home to LA’s only outpost of East coast hotdog staple, Nathan’s Famous, a new breezy eatery has arrived.  Chinese Friends Fresh Szechuan Kitchen is now open at 5050 W. Rosecrans Ave. in Hawthorne (next to Starbucks).  The restaurant is open from 10:30am to 3:00pm and then from 4:00pm to 9:30pm and offers an extensive menu of traditional dishes, friendly staff, and a bright dining room guarded over by the portrait of Chairman Mao on the front of a neon-lit Forbidden City.  There are bold plans for expansion: I was assured by the manager that they intend on making this the flagship store for a future chain.  You can read more and check out the menu here:  chinesefriendsusa.com.

 

Native Foods Valentine’s Day Special

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Were Melisse, Spago, and the Hotel Bel Air already booked for Valentine’s Day?  Need a quick solution that’s a little more reasonable?   Native Foods has the answer…  For today only, they are offering a Valentine’s Day Special Italian feast consisting of “homemade vegetable lasagna layered with homemade tofu ricotta, roasted portobellos, greens, and a fresh marinara.  Topped with Native cashew parmesan and served with a Caesar salad and garlic bread” all for only $9.95.  Why not add in a freshly made tiramisu made with espresso soaked vanilla cake and vegan mascarpone with shaved chocolate for another $2.95 more.  Fresh, healthy, and satisfying… now that’s Love!

nativefoods.com