Need new ideas for your vegan holiday feasts? Native Foods in Culver City is offering a free cooking demo this Sunday, December 18th. There promises to be free samples, delicious holiday appetizers, prizes and more. Sign up here: nativefoods.com/events.
If you enjoy walking around in a naughty Santa suit while consuming large quantities of holiday cheer all for a good cause, then this Saturday is the day for you! The Third Annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl takes place starting at 5:00pm at various locations and routes throughout the city. A $10 entrance fee gets you a wristband that allows entrance to a large number of SM establishments including: Ye Olde King’s Head, Harvelle’s, Pourtal Wine Bar, Sonoma Wine Bar, and a host of others. Proceeds go to the Westside Food Bank so you can feel good about your over-indulgence. Read more at: santamonicapubcrawl.com.
Obika (Century City, Beverly Center) is proudly rolling out the latest holiday addition to its menu: buratta with persimmon carpaccio, pine nuts and arugula. As you probably know, Obika uses only the freshest cheeses flown in from Italy three times a week. Rich, decadent buratta coupled with local, organic sweet persimmons is a match made in heaven. But you’ll only be able to get it through December so you’d better hurry… Read more at obikala.com.
M Café de Chaya has just rolled out their new holiday prix-fixe dinner. Here’s the three course menu:
Smooth & Silky Celery Root Soup
vanilla-scented green apple & chives
Winter Field Greens with Fennel, Cranberries & Bosc Pear
crumbled tofu “bleu” cheese, maple-glazed walnuts,
red wine & shallot vinaigrette
Smoked Tofu, Pumpkin & Chestnut Terrine en Croute
with porcini mushroom-red wine sauce
Plus 2 choices from an assortment of sides
Cost is $75 for two or $135 for four and your order must be in before 5:00pm on December 22nd. Call 310.410.0381, ext.11 or email catering@mcafedechaya.com to order.
Today (December 6th) and tomorrow only, at Native Foods, when you purchase an entrée, side, and drink, you’ll get a free dessert, including their holiday pumpkin cheesecake. Plus, a portion of all profits from the two days will go to benefit the charities Mercy for Animals, and The Foundation for Second Chances. Free dessert and a good cause… sounds like a perfect way to kick off the Yuletide season.
Find a location and more at: nativefoods.com
Breaking news… This Monday, December 5th, the chefs from the three LA picks for Esquire’s Best New Restaurants 2011, Sotto, Playa, and Ray’s And Stark Bar, are converging upon Sotto (whom Esquire said had the best pizza in town right now) to celebrate their listing. Chefs Steve Samson & Zach Pollack (Sotto), Chef John Sedlar (PLAYA), Chef Kris Morningstar (RAY’S AND STARK BAR), will present a yet-to-be determined 6 course extravaganza with award-winning mixologist Julian Cox pouring the cocktails and Sotto’s wine director, Jeremy Parzen pairing wines. Cost is: $65/per person, optional wine pairing $30/per person, cocktails $12. Bound to book out, rush an email to info@sottorestaurant.com with your name, the number of people in your party, your requested reservation time and phone number as fast as your little fingers can hit the keys…
Lurking behind a nondescript dark facade next to that curious pipe shop on Wilshire is the latest darling in the burgeoning mini-empire of Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan (Rustic Canyon, Huckleberry, Sweet Rose Creamery). Milo & Olive, their intimate, modern bakeshop and pizzeria began opening for dinner last night (December 1). Open since November 18 for breakfast and lunch, their new lunch and dinner menu will be served from 11:00am to 11:00pm. Space is tight and no reservations are accepted so there is a big emphasis on take-out. Check out their lunch/dinner menu here: miloandolive.com/momenu/. Milo & Olive is at 2723 Wilshire Blvd. (at Harvard) in Santa Monica. miloandolive.com.
While investigating the new house line of nibbles at Barneys in Beverly Hills called “Fred’s”, I came across an exciting discovery: They now carry a line of the famous Debauve & Gallais chocolates from Paris! Billed as the “world’s most exclusive chocolate”, the iconic chocolatier was founded in 1800 to serve the kings of France and famously created chocolates for the likes of Marie Antoinette, Proust, and Baudelaire as well as numerous kings and tsars. We’re not talking the little yuzu and black sesame art pieces popping up in boutiques all over Paris right now. This is old school sophistication and elegance. Visiting their Paris shop or the now defunct New York store was like stepping back in time, with chocolates arranged like precious jewels in cases. They will make the perfect gift this holiday season. Read more at: debauveandgallais.com. Barneys New York is at 9570 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills.
Z Garden, a sunny new bistro has just opened at 2350 Pico Blvd (at 24th) in Santa Monica. Although the menu is still under development, the emphasis is on “fresh, healthy Mediterranean cuisine”. Expect an assortment of classics such as falafel, fatoush, sandwiches, plates, and desserts served in a bright, minimalist boîte
Wishing all readers a joyous holiday filled with good food, family, and dear friends. I’m very grateful to all of you for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the excitement of the LA food scene these past two years. Happy Thanksgiving from Toddrickallen!
Wasn’t it just yesterday we were eagerly anticipating the changes at Santa Monica Place? Here are a few sad photos of the first round of casualties atop the hiccupping mall. As of Oct. 31st, Xino, the mod Chinese cavern once reviewed for the Times by Sister Irene herself is now caput. And I’m sure that many die-hard fans of Piero Salvaggio are wiping away a tear over the demise of Primi Al Mercato, his ambitious restaurant/retail space. Keep your fingers crossed that that’s all for now. I ran into a former employee of Primi who told me that they simply did not have the traffic, with some evenings seating only three tables. Sigh…
Ex-Xino
What used to be the “market” of Primi Al Mercato
The remains of Primi Al Mercato
If you follow a gluten-free diet and miss pizza terribly, you’re now in luck! Pizza Antica in the Santa Monica Place Mall was kind enough to let us know about their new gluten-free menu that you can check out here: http://pizzaantica.com/pdf/GF_Menu.pdf. They have teamed up with Azna Gluten Free to produce pizzas that are Roman style, thin and crackly crusted. Pizza Antica is also offering the Italian corn-based pasta brand La Veneziane in its gluten-free pasta dishes. Buon appetito!
Josiah Citrin’s new book, In Pursuit of Excellence, is just about to be released. To celebrate, Josiah will be hosting a function at his flagship restaurant Melisse on Sunday December 4th from 4pm to 7pm. Hot off the press, the books will be available for signing, as well as food and drink. Space is extremely limited… But if you’re a fan of Citrin’s, why not try your luck by sending yours and one guest’s name to Jannis Swerman at jannids@aol.com.
According to a press release that just landed in my inbox, Artisan House, the upscale deli/market/restaurant going into the historic Pacific Electric Building at 600 South Main in Downtown, will open the first week of December. The ambitious project is overseen by managing partner Patrice Rozat (Mr. Chow, Four Seasons) and exec Chef Jason Ryczek (One Sunset, Boa), who will oversee a lengthy upmarket Cal/Med menu designed to be “adventurous and socially responsible” (including the current trend in eco-hip: the rooftop garden). The extensive selection of choices will include salads, soups, sandwiches, flatbreads, mains and will be available in two dining rooms, a large patio, bar, and deli designed to evoke a “stylish neighborhood hangout” with a look utilizing the building’s original turn-of-the-century romanesque and beaux-arts design. The market will stock specialty items such as artisan olive oils and vinegar, condiments, jams, chocolates, beer and wine. DJs will be spinning tunes Thursday through the weekend, and brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday. Clearly a lot of thought and development have gone into the creation of Artisan House including my vote for best idea ever: “take-home cocktails”.
You can follow progress on their website: www.artisanhouse.net.
The fifth in a series of travelling chef competitions, “The Ultimate Food Fight” takes place this Thursday, November 17th from 5:00pm to 6:30pm at the Whole Foods in Venice. Chefs from Whole Foods have 30 minutes to create a unique dish out of basic stuffing. Guest judges for the event are Ben Ford from Ford’s Filling Station, Casey Lane from The Tasting Kitchen, and Jason Bowlin from Catch at Casa Del Mar. To get in, you have to donate two shelf-stable Thanksgiving food items to the Venice Housing Corp Food Bank. RSVP to spven.marketing@wholefoods.com or by calling (310) 566-9480. Whole Foods Venice is at 225 Lincoln Blvd.
As you probably know, Dr. Andrew Weil was the consultant for the über-healthy menu at True Food Kitchen on the ground floor of Santa Monica Place. So it should come as no surprise that the good Doctor will be giving a presentation there on his new book, Spontaneous Happiness on Tuesday, Nov. 15th at 10:00am. Included in the $45 fee will be a variety of True Food offerings including: kale salad, eggplant pizza, squash pie, and others. Reservations are limited… call (480) 751-2176 to secure yours. truefoodkitchen.com
Thanks to those busy pigs in Alba, Italy (although I think they’re actually dogs), truffle season is upon us! And in case your budget doesn’t include an 8 course at Melisse, good news! Obikà in the Century City Shopping Center celebrates the famous and traditionally pricey fungus Nov 15 starting at 6pm. They are offering a special four course menu paired with wine that you can check out here: truffledinnermenu2011. Cost is $85 for food, $28 for the wine pairing. Seating is limited so call (310) 556-2452 ASAP for reservations or visit Obikala.com.
A little South Pacific with your latte? Tonight (Nov 8th) from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Montana branch of Caffe Luxxe is a “musical review of Broadway classics” sung by house barista and baritone Nathaniel Reynolds. More than likely it will be quite crowded so arrive early. Caffe Luxxe is at 925 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.
And while we’re on the subject of chain restaurant openings, East Coast-themed sandwich shop Jersey Mike’s Subs continues its incursion into SoCal with the opening of its latest outpost in West Los Angeles at 12003 Wilshire, next to California Pita. Read more at jerseymikes.com.
Missing their promised October opening only slightly, Yogurtland is now open in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center on the first floor next to Vanilla Bake Shop. Read more at yogurt-land.com
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Toddrickallen 