Uh-Oh…Broadway Ale House Closed By ABC

Posted on February 3, 2012 by toddrickallen

I sure overlooked this one… local watering hole, the Broadway Ale House at 129 Broadway in Santa Monica has a big ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) suspension notice stuck on the door. It’s clearly locked and untended (notice the mail on the floor). While I don’t have the reason, (the notice states that they have violated the “Alcoholic Beverage Control Act”) the most usual ABC closure is for underage drinking. What’s curious is that the first day of the 30 day suspension was December 6th, but the sign states that the suspension could be “indefinitely until license is transferred”. Not sure what’s going on, but as you can see, the place appears abandoned. I’ll let you know as more develops…

BierBeisl Bringing Austrian To Beverly Hills Soon…

Posted on February 1, 2012 by toddrickallen

Work is going on fast and furiously on the new BierBeisl going into the old short-lived Bottega Marino space at 9669 Little Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills. They didn’t make a mid-January opening as projected, but it shouldn’t be too long now. In the mean time, read more about the Austrian restaurant here: bierbeisl-la.com.

Choppe Choppe Opening In Beverly Hills

Posted on January 30, 2012 by toddrickallen

Only two weeks ago I told you about the demise of Vive Le Crepe! at 368 N. Camden in Beverly Hills. Wasting no time whatsoever, the ambitious Choppe Choppe soft opens (hopefully) today. Formerly in Culver City, the fresh sandwich shop follows a philosophy of “5 proteins done 2 ways” in the forms of salad, sandwich, or wrap. Read more at: choppechoppe.com.

Native Foods Celebrates Superbowl With The Cubano Sandwich, Opens Next Week In Newport Beach

Posted on January 27, 2012 by toddrickallen

Ok, this sounds way to good to pass up, but in celebration of the Superbowl, that oddly is next weekend, Native Foods Cafe is offering a special this weekend only (Jan. 27th-29th): the Cubano sandwich, that is described as a “traditional Cuban sandwich stacked with slow roasted cilantro-garlic seitan and smoky maple-glazed seitan, pickles, mayo, sweet mustard and a homemade swiss cheesy sauce on a grilled baguette. Served with chili con limon sweet potato fries and a sweet mango treat.” All for $9.95. My mouth is already watering…

In other Native Foods news, the Newport Beach location in Fashion Island opens next week on January 31st.

Mario Batali Book Signing On Friday

Posted on January 26, 2012 by toddrickallen

Come on, admit that you’re dying to meet the cherubic superstar of Italian cooking, Mario Batali. I’ve seen you… waiting for hours outside Mozza, making pilgrimages to Babbo, and devouring every scrap of news about LA’s Eataly like a private detective. Well now’s your chance to corner the orange clog-clad dyanamo yourself. Mario Batali will be signing copies of his 483rd book, Motlo Batali: Simple Family Meals from My Home to Yours tomorrow, Friday (Jan. 27th). The book signing will take place at 1:00pm at Mozza2Go (corner of Melrose and Highland), and I’d arrive early if I were you…

Spumoni Cafe, Tar & Roses Now Officially Open In Santa Monica

Posted on January 25, 2012 by toddrickallen

Here’s a few first looks into Santa Monica’s newest, both of which officially opened yesterday, (Tuesday, January 24th). Spumoni Cafe and Authentic Italian Creamery, the little charmer at 715 Montana Ave, serves not only its proprietary house made gelato and baked goods, but breakfasts, crepes, salads, and sandwiches as well. Andrew Kirschner’s much anticipated dark and sultry vixen, Tar & Roses, sits at the corner of 6th and Santa Monica and boasts a tight and focused menu centered around a wood burning oven. Spumonicafe.com, facebook.com/TarAndRoses.

Spumoni Cafe and Authentic Italian Creamery

Tar & Roses

Obika’s New Pizza Oven, Century City

Posted on January 23, 2012 by toddrickallen

As you can see from the photo, Obika, the Italian restaurant focused on fresh mozzarella, is installing a stone pizza oven in their Century City Shopping Center location. They expect the pizzas to start rolling out February 12th (fingers crossed). Read more at: obikala.com.

Mr. C, Beverly Hills Launches New Sunday Brunch

Posted on January 20, 2012 by toddrickallen

Mr. C’s, the West Coast relation to the famous Cipriani family restaurant empire, is currently (at least through the end of January) serving a sunday brunch, complete with jazz and complimentary valet parking. Hours are 11:00am to 3:00pm. And of course, there’s the prerequisite classic Cipriani bellini included. Read more at: mrchotels.com.

Vive La Crêpe! Now Closed In Beverly Hills

Posted on January 18, 2012 by toddrickallen

More Camden news: Vive La Crêpe!, the chain that tried its hand at a West Coast location in Beverly Hills is now closed. Having opened in the space near Teuschers at 380 N. Camden on March 8th, 2011, the creperie failed to gain traction among the famously carb-phobic. Someone’s not wasting any time though, the store appears to be already leased. I’ll keep you posted as I learn more…

José Eber 360 Cafe Now Open In Beverly Hills

Posted on January 17, 2012 by toddrickallen

Located inside the new(ish) José Eber Hair Salon at 360 N. Camden in Beverly Hills, 360 Cafe is now (soft) open. With entrances from the street as well as directly into the tony salon, the petit, counter-only cafe offers a simple menu of Illy coffee and cafe items featuring baked goods from La Maison du Pain on Pico.

Obika Regional Wine Dinner This Tuesday

Posted on January 13, 2012 by toddrickallen

Obika in Century City kicks off a once-a-month evening focusing on various wine regions of Italy this Tuesday, January 17th. This month’s dinner will highlight the wines and cuisine of Le Tre Venezie (Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia) and will include a special 3-4 course menu with pairings. There will also be special guests and discussions about the regions. This would be a great way to familiarize yourself with the increasingly popular wines of Italy that seem to dominate every wine list lately. Read more or make a reservation at: obikala.com.

Receive A Free Dessert From Native Foods Today While Supporting A Good Cause

Posted on January 11, 2012 by toddrickallen

Come into the quickly spreading Native Foods (new locations coming to Boulder and San Diego) today and the socially conscious eatery will donate a portion of the profits to local charity Reading to Kids, when you purchase an entrée, side, and drink. Plus, you’ll receive a free dessert! Find a location or read more at: nativefoods.com.

Via Dolce Now Open For Business In New Location

Posted on January 10, 2012 by toddrickallen

Although the new signs have yet to go up, it’s confirmed: Via Dolce has officially replaced the old Valens Dolce at 1426 Montana Ave. #5 in Santa Monica and is now open for business, serving their usual menu of salads, sandwiches, pastries, coffees, and teas.

Which Wich Opening Soon In El Segundo

Posted on January 4, 2012 by toddrickallen

A lot of El Segundo news lately, there seems to be a mini-explosion of new casual eateries and sandwich shops. Next on the list: Which Wich Superior Sandwiches at 460B N. Sepulveda in the Gateway El Segundo shopping center next to the newish Five Guys burger joint. Which Wich already has a number of locations throughout SoCal and you can look for the latest incarnation to open sometime between the 7th and 12th of January. Read more at: whichwich.com.

The New Which Wich is under construction just to the left of Five Guys.

Lidia Bastianich Dinner At Mozza This Wednesday, Jan 4th

Posted on January 1, 2012 by toddrickallen

With tv shows, numerous books, vineyards, and restaurants to her credit, Lidia Bastianich is the irrepressible an undisputed matriarch of Bastianich empire. Once again, this Wednesday, January 4th at 7:00pm at Mozza, she returns to LA to discuss the companion book to her upcoming tv series, “Lidia’s Italy in America”. Lidia will be discussing how Italian immigrants brought a rich tradition of beloved recipes from the Old Country to America all accompanied by dishes from the book prepared by Matt Molina, Mozza executive chef. Cost is $150 plus tax and gratuity, and space is extremely limited, but why not try your luck by calling Nicole White just as fast as your fingers can dial at (323) 866-5290 to reserve.

Happy 2012 From Toddrickallen!

Posted on December 28, 2011 by toddrickallen

Wishing all readers a healthy, abundant, and joyous New Year. Here’s a big Cheers! to all who come to these pages. I can’t wait to see what happens to the ever-changing LA food scene in 2012…

Sabra Beirutmix Mediterranean Grill Replaces Ittou Bento In El Segundo

Posted on December 25, 2011 by toddrickallen

With one other location in Hermosa Beach, Sabra Beirutmix Mediterranean Grill is now open in the Gateway El Segundo shopping center in the old Ittou Bento space at 400 N. Sepulveda Blvd. in El Segundo. Open from 10am to 9pm Monday through Saturday, the Lebanese deli has a menu of traditional mezze, salads, soups, sandwiches, and wraps that you can check out here: beirutmix.com/menu.

Holiday Wishes From Toddrickallen

Posted on December 21, 2011 by toddrickallen

Wishing all readers a festive and delicious Holiday Season from Toddrickallen!

This year’s somewhat hastily prepared Buche de Noel

Schat’s Bakery Cafe Now Open In El Segundo

Posted on December 20, 2011 by toddrickallen

Independently owned, but still related to well-known Dutch baking family Schat, David Schat’s Bakery Cafe is now open in El Segundo at 131A W. Grand Ave. Offering a variety of traditional breads, pastries, cakes, and cookies, they also sport a menu of sandwiches, salads and breakfast and are open from 7am to 7pm Mon-Sat, and 7am to 2pm Sundays. Check out more at: schatselsegundo.com and toddrickallen.com/schats-bakery-cafe-el-segundo.

Valen Dolce Calls It Quits On Montana; Via Dolce Moves In

Posted on December 15, 2011 by toddrickallen

There’s more activity lately on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica than you can shake a stick at. Sadly, we saw this one coming… After a valiant effort and loads of free samples, Valen Dolce is giving up the ghost at 1426 Montana Ave. #5. Further up the street, it looks like stiff competition coming from its next door neighbor Sweet Lady Jane, is causing Via Dolce to vacate its space at 1627 Montana. But all is not lost, Via Dolce (not related to Valen Dolce… I know, its confusing) will be taking over the old Valen Dolce space. They should be ready for business sometime in January 2012. Look for the usual menu of coffees, teas, pastries, salads, and sandwiches.