With 72 locations throughout California and Nevada (albeit mostly far east and south of Downtown LA), breakfast and burger chain Farmer Boys is making its first inroad into West LA. Known for its generous portions, the new restaurant is taking over a repurposed fire department outpost at 2161 E. El Segundo Blvd. (corner of Nash) in El Segundo, a city quickly adapting to meet the noontime meal requirements of the aerospace industry. Look for a May opening. Until then, read more here: farmerboys.
This Sunday, in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Susan Feniger’s Street has planned a special taco night with a wide selection of veg and non-veg tacos, toppings, and sides all served on Border Grill homemade tortillas. Included on the taco menu: chipotle jackfruit, fried duck egg, beer battered okra, and smoked octopus. Tacos are either a la carte or as plates and can be washed down with margaritas and aguas frescas. Check out the entire menu and read more here: eatatstreet.
For those who’ve been worried sick that there simply aren’t enough places to procure frozen yogurt in Santa Monica comes this happy news… Relentlessly expanding icy treat chain Yogurtland has just opened yet another SM location just off the Third Street Promenade at 304 Santa Monica Blvd., in the old Jamba Juice location. yogurt-land.com
Signs went up recently on the space that used house long-gone Ummba Grill in the Century City Shopping Center announcing an upcoming brand new Chinese restaurant. Meizhou Dongpo is a chain of Sichuan restaurants in China that is looking to make inroads in the US. Not much info yet, except an undeveloped website linking to a Chinese site, and an artist’s rendering of what the future restaurant will look like. Look for a summer 2013 opening. dongpous.com. Update: This website no longer works… try http://www.meizhou.com.cn/?lang=en. -TRA
Promoters of plant-based diet Veggie Grill is celebrating Earth Week with a special free food offer. The rapidly expanding chain will give you a card good for a free entrée on a subsequent visit if you present them with either a bicycle helmet or the actual bike. The “Ride in, Veg out” offer is good from now until April 24th. Read more at: veggiegrill.
After much confusion (and a brief stint selling bicycle parts), purveyor of raw foods to the stars, restaurateur, and cook book author Juliano Brotman’s Santa Monica palace of veganism Planet Raw is officially closed on the corner of Broadway and 6th Street. Rumor has it that he is looking to move the whole operation to Marina del Rey. No word of a replacement yet, but I’ll keep my eye on it…
You’ll soon be spoiled for choice if you live in Culver City near the intersection of Sepulveda and Washington Blvds. Chipotle and Pei Wei are now open in the Culver Crossroads shopping center. Under construction in the same shopping center is a new branch of “fast fire’d” gourmet pizza restaurant Blaze Pizza at 4114 Sepulveda. Look for an August opening but in the mean time, read more about them here: blazepizza.
You may have noticed that the plebian Albertsons grocery store at 3105 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica had closed and construction had begun on a new project at the site. Turns out, the market will soon be a brand spankin’ new branch of upscale grocer Bristol Farms, providing further evidence of the rapid gentrification of the formerly sleepy seaside town.
Well, it looks like Seasons 52 was able to do it… They opened their Santa Monica location on March 28th after only minimal delays (a veritable miracle in SM). With a cool Houston’s meets True Food Kitchen vibe, they are now serving lunch and dinner for the calorie-conscious crowd 7 days a week at 1501 Ocean Ave. (corner of Broadway) . Check out their menu here: seasons52.
Impossible to get a look inside yet, but there are signs of life at the upcoming Beverly Hills branch of Hakkasan at 245 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. With locations in London and at the choicest addresses throughout the world, the upscale Chinese restaurant known for its designer-clad waiters, ultra-swanky vibe, and astonishing prices has posted its application to sell alcohol, but not exactly at eye level… No word on an exact opening date yet, but their website announces a Summer opening. Check out the Miami Hakkasan’s menu here to get an idea of things to come, and read more at: hakkasan.com/beverlyhills.
Pizza Antica in Santa Monica Place as well as Northern CA, is celebrating the launch of its new proprietary beer Birra Antica, with a “release week” from April 15th to April 21st. For $6 you can sample the brew with a taralli (Italian pretzel) developed by Linden Street Brewery that is described as “rustic, country-style, and spiced with fennel, black pepper, and cumin”. Read more at: pizzaantica.
Here’s a glimpse of what Josiah Citrin has put together from the Farmer’s Market for the Spring menu at Mélisse:
English Pea Velouté
Porcini Mushrooms, Whipped Porcini Cream
Green Asparagus
Almond Panna Cotta, Blood Orange and Oxalis
Santa Barbara Spot Prawns
Sugar Snap Peas, Sea Vegetables, Curly Dock
White Asparagus “Cocotte”
Morel Mushrooms, Savagnin Wine Sauce
Read more at: melisse.com
If you’ve been wondering what happened to the little Italian restaurant Alejo’s on the corner of Washington and Lincoln in Marina Del Rey, it’s still there but with a new name: Eddie’s Italian Restaurant. It still has the same owner, and the same menu, just a new sign. Read more at their (not yet updated) website: alejosrestaurant.
Haven’t made up your mind yet about where to go for brunch on Easter? Here’s a sample of the special “All About Eggs” menu they’ve put together over at Susan Feniger’s Street: Zucchini Polenta Benedict (goat cheese stuffed squash blossom and roasted poblano hollandaise), Diablo Egg Salad Sandwich (spicy egg salad with watercress and spring radishes on whole grain bread), Turkish Baked Eggs (harissa, spinach with baked eggs and chickpeas topped with mint yogurt sauce), Sweet Potato Hash (piquillo peppers, kale, caramelized onion and fried egg), and of course the iconic Kaya Toast. There are many other offerings as well, call (323)203-0500 for reservations and check out the full menu here: eatatstreet
Have you been wondering what those banners announcing Stella Rosa wines (not to be confused with Stella Rossa Pizza Bar in Santa Monica) on the sides of the construction site on the corner of Lucille and Lincoln Blvd. in Venice are doing there? Well, according to an official associated with the winery, the construction site will be a future “cool, upscale, office building”. No word on what will be inhabiting the building quite yet… Look for a September unveiling. stellarosawines
Here’s a sample of the Easter treats that the good folks at Bouchon Bakery in Beverly Hills will be rolling out starting Monday March 25th: Egg Bon Bons, Religieuse, Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes, St. Honore, Easter Shortbread Cookies, Chocolate Easter Eggs, and Golden Egg Mini Macaroons. They’ll also have hot cross buns and Easter baskets by special request. bouchonbakery
OK kids, better move quickly on this one… With tv shows, numerous books, vineyards, and restaurants to her credit, Lidia Bastianich is the irrepressible and undisputed matriarch of the Bastianich empire. Once again, this Tuesday March 26th at 7:00pm at Mozza, she returns to LA to celebrate the release of not one, but two new books: Lidia’s Favorite Recipes, and her latest children’s book Lidia’s Family Kitchen: Nonna’s Birthday Surprise. As well as a book signing, included in the evening is a special four course dinner (complete with wine pairings) by Executive Chef Matt Molina with recipes from Lidia’s vast repertoire. Cost is $175 per, and space is extremely limited, but why not try your luck by calling Nicole White just as fast as your little fingers can dial at (323) 866-5290 or by email at nwhite@mozza-la.com to reserve. mozzarestaurantgroup
Huckleberry in Santa Monica is hosting a series of Thursday Night Dinners, each consisting of a three course prix fixe. On the menu tomorrow night (March 21st): Farmers’ Market Bitter Greens Salad with dates and parmesan, Crispy Anson Mills’ Polenta and slow cooked free range chicken confit with farm egg, roasted artichokes, and asparagus, and Fresh Strawberry Tart. They will do a vegetarian option as well. Cost is $30 (kids under 12 are half off, under 5 are free), no reservations, seating begins at 6pm and ends at 9pm. huckleberrycafe
Wow, that was fast… Kreation Juicery is now officially open in Beverly Hills at 9609 Little Santa Monica Blvd. (formerly Menchie’s) , just inches away from perpetually swamped Sprinkles cupcakes. And yes, the rumors are true, they do have a juice ATM. Read more about the rapidly expanding chain at: kreationjuice.
Toddrickallen 