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.
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…
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Wishing all readers a festive and delicious Holiday Season from Toddrickallen!
This year’s somewhat hastily prepared Buche de Noel
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.
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.
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.
Toddrickallen 