News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
April 2016 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - APRIL 2016 Archive

OPENINGS

SHUHARI Matcha Café will open in Summer 2016 in Venice

SHUHARI Matcha Café will open in Summer 2016 on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. At this authentic Japanese green tea café, patrons can pick from more than 40 handcrafted tea beverages. In addition, the food menu will offer “onigirazu” (a take on the traditional Japanese rice ball) and ice cream sundaes featuring Japanese flavors such as matcha, ginger and black sesame, as well as a variety of Japanese sweets. SHUHARI Matcha Café, 1522 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, no phone.

Chef Evan Funke (Bucato) will open Felix in the former Joe’s Restaurant space in Venice on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Expect exceptional house-made pastas, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and other seasonal Italian specialties. Felix, 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, no phone.

In Highland Park, The Greyhound Bar & Grill owners James Bygrave, Ryan Julio and Matt Glassman have opened a chic cocktail lounge on Figueroa called ETA. Expect fresh, creative craft cocktails from mixologist Mauricio Canales (Bar Ama, Mercado), as well as beer and wine and bar snacks. ETA, 5630 N. Figueroa Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90042, no phone.

Southern fried chicken takes center stage in La Cañada at Honeybird. Diners can buy chicken pieces à la carte or as combo meal alongside the likes of watermelon salad with cucumbers, mint, jicama and jalapeno; collard greens with applewood smoked bacon, brown sugar and cider vinegar; and rainbow kale and quinoa salad. There’s beer and wine to drink, plus a slew of pies from pecan to Key lime for dessert. Lunch and Dinner Tues.-Sat. Honeybird, 714 Foothill Blvd. , La Cañada, CA 91011, 818-415-0489.

DTLA’s former Cucina Rustica has become miro, now open in the Financial District. It features two levels, a mid-century design, a dramatic soaring ceiling with a skylight framing city skyscrapers, and a dedicated whiskey room with 400 bottles. Executive chef Gavin Mills offers a modern Cal-Med menu with the likes of bacalao and potato croquetas with piri piri, roasted bone marrow, strozzapreti with morel mushroom and fava bean, a lamb kofta tagine, and dry-aged porterhouse with truffle potato gratin. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner Mon.-Sat. miro, 888 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017, 213-988-8880.

KazuNori, chef Kazunori Nozawa's sushi concept specializing in hand rolls, has opened a location in Westwood. A Santa Monica branch is also reportedly in the works. KazuNori, 1110 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024, 310-935-3974.

Chef Chris Oh and restaurateur Stéphane Bombet will open a second location of their modern KBBQ restaurant Hanjip in downtown L.A. Hanjip, 716 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014, no phone.

Phillip Frankland Lee (Scratch Bar & Kitchen, The Gadarene Swine) is teaming up with Luke Reyes to open Oh Man! Ramen in Encino in late Summer 2016. The menu will offer cold and hot shareable plates, hibachi-grilled proteins, and traditional ramen bowls with vegan and gluten-free noodle options. Every item will be made from scratch, including an all-natural version of "MSG." Oh Man! Ramen, Encino Place, 16101 Ventura Blvd., #242, Encino, CA 91436, no phone.

Chef Ludo Lefebvre announced plans to open a second location of Petit Trois in the San Fernando Valley. No word yet on where exactly the French bistro will be situated. Petit Trois, 718 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-468-8916.

Chef Johnny Zone and his wife, Amanda Chapman, previously with La Poubelle, found Nashville hot chicken so inspired that they launched a food truck that featured the dish. The couple retired their truck in order to open Howlin' Ray's at Chinatown’s Far East Plaza. Get angry bird on the bone at spice levels from "country fried" (mild) to "howlin’ hot" (incendiary). Howlin' Ray's, 727 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-935-8399.

Roy Choi, who skyrocketed to culinary fame with his Kogi Truck’s famous Korean/Mexican fusion tacos, has brought them to Kogi Taqueria, a brick-and-mortar spot in Palms. Kogi Taqueria, 3500 Overland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034, no phone.

Westwood’s Tacos Tu Madre has opened a second location on Vermont Avenue in Los Feliz, adjacent Los Feliz 3 Theater. The venue is tiny but patio tables on Russell Avenue are good for people-watching and noshing on gourmet tacos full of carne asada, lamb birria, duck mole and ahi tuna. The eatery is open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tacos Tu Madre Los Feliz, 1824 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027, no phone.

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop’s sixth location is now open on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. Expect the fast-casual, grab-and-go salads and entrées the other locations are known for. What’s new at this spot is a unique cocktail program utilizing fresh ingredients like lavender (pulled from an on-site garden), bee pollen and activated charcoal. Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, 1239 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, 310-399-9400.

The Guild offers progressive California cuisine, including dishes like wild mushroom bruschetta with quail egg, crimini & oyster mushrooms; bone marrow with braised beef tongue, caramelized onions, gremolata, and crispy shallots; and striped bass with ginger, scallion and peanut miso sauce, plus corn, edamame, bell pepper, and bread crumbs. Owner Diego Leporini is also the restaurant’s wine director. Expect an extensive list of wines by the bottle and glass, including varietals from international boutique producers and a robust collection from California. The Guild, 8741 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 424-279-9601.

Los Feliz will be home to a cozy new drinking spot on Vermont Avenue as of this summer. Bukowski’s will offer a selection of craft beers, wine and snacks, as well as assorted books and décor that pay homage to the writer the venue is named after. Bukowski's, 4650 Kingswell Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027, no phone.

French-Mediterranean restaurant L'Ami has replaced The Little Door in Santa Monica. Parisian owner Marc-Antoine Rambaud presents two Mediterranean-inspired open-air terraces, arched passageways and blue ceilings in the 4,500-square-foot space that includes a bar with a fireplace. Chef Francis Bey (Lilly's French Restaurant) helms the kitchen, and menu items include Maine lobster salad, foie gras au torchon, day boat scallops, and filet mignon tournedos. The restaurant offers a full bar, daily happy hour from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a weekend brunch. L'Ami, 246 26th St., Santa Monica, CA 90402, 310-310-8064.

At Firestone Walker Brewing Company, on the corner of Lincoln and Washington boulevards, visitors will find a restaurant and lounge, a retail space, and a rustic-ales program in the barrel-aging cellar. Expect menu options like 18-hour smoked brisket, pork belly tacos, pizzas, and vegetarian offerings such as tempeh banh mi, plus ideas for beer pairings. Firestone Walker Brewing Company, 3205 Washington Blvd., Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, 310-439-8264.

NEWS BYTES

The Guild Launches Weekend Brunch
West Hollywood’s The Guild has launched weekend brunch, served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Executive chef Charles Cho presents a luxe array of specials that include steak and eggs with ropa vieja-style braised short rib, rice, black beans, a fried egg and plantains; chilaquiles with braised pork belly, tortillas, scrambled eggs and tomatillo salsa; and Korean beef tartare Benedict, composed of Prime filet mignon in Korean marinade, homemade brioche, a poached egg, hollandaise and gochujang sauce. Fruity libations feature an orange cranberry pineapple mimosa. The Guild, 8741 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 424-279-9601.

Baltaire Debuts BBQ, Blues & Brews on Monday Nights

Baltaire Debuts “BBQ, Blues & Brews” Monday Nights
Brentwood steakhouse Baltaire has launched “BBQ, Blues & Brews,” a weekly event featuring a new Southern-inspired menu by executive chef Travis Strickland, craft brews, whiskey flights and live blues music every Monday night. Look for jalapeño cornbread with bourbon pecan butter; blue cheese fondue dip with house-made salt and vinegar chips; Santa Maria tri-tip with tomatillo salsa verde; and the Southern burger with fried green tomatoes, pickled ramp aioli and smoked onion jam. American canned craft brews ($6) from 21st Amendment Brewery and Oskar Blues Brewery are available, while spirit enthusiasts can sip on beverages from the East and West sides of Kentucky’s legendary “Bourbon Trail.” Local blues band The Way Gone sets the mood with a live set from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-serve. The barbecue menu is only available in the bar and lounge from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Baltaire, 11647 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049, 424-273-1660 .

Manhattan House Debuts Brunch in April
Manhattan House head chef Diana Stavaridis will introduce brunch offerings in mid-April. The new fare will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Expect “seed-to-plate” dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Options include Shakshuka, an Israeli-Tunisian inspired dish comprised of cage-free eggs poached in a sauce of saffron-braised tomatoes, bell peppers and chili herb yogurt; short rib pastrami hash with sunny side-up eggs, Yukon potatoes and caramelized onions; and cornflake-crusted French toast made with a brioche base, coconut curd and citrus marmalade. Mimosas and house Bloody Mary’s will be among cocktail choices. Manhattan House, 1019 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, 310-574-2277.

Officine BRERA Launches Spring/Summer Cocktails
To usher in spring and summer, Officine BRERA mixologist Luigi Capasso has invented a few fresh cocktails to sip during the warmer seasons. Capasso, who hails from Sant’Antimo, Italy, includes Italian aperitifs in concoctions like the “Caprice” (Bombay, Aperol, Suze, lemon, rhubarb bitters and egg whites), the “Sta’ Schisc” (Ocho Tequila, Aperol, lime, Fresno chili, rhubarb, and agave syrup) and “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” (Plymouth Gin, Carpano, chocolate bitters, grapefruit foam). Officine BRERA, 1331 E. Sixth St., Los Angeles, CA 90021, 213-553-8006.

CHEF SHUFFLE

Fernando Darin has stepped in as executive chef at Ray's & Stark Bar at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Highlights from his new menu include black kale grapefruit salad with shaved ricotta salata, golden raisins and white balsamic vinaigrette; black sea bass with spinach vichyssoise, asparagus and English peas; and a dark chocolate tart with caramel, sea salt and gold flakes. Ray's & Stark Bar, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-857-6180.

Daniele Turchetti has taken over as executive chef at Locanda del Lago

Daniele Turchetti is now the executive chef at Santa Monica's Locanda del Lago. A native of Porpetto, a town in Italy situated in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, his skills include preparing house-made burrata and sausage. Locanda del Lago, Third Street Promenade, 231 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-451-3525.

Larry Monaco has taken over executive chef duties at Viceroy Santa Monica, which includes the globally-inspired restaurant CAST. CAST, Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-260-7511.

CLOSINGS

Yamashiro, the Japanese restaurant housed in a replica of a Japanese palace in the Hollywood Hills, will close its doors in June 2016. The new owners of the property have not yet announced their plans for the edifice. Yamashiro, 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Hollywood, CA 90068, 323-466-5125.

Hollywood's "freestyle experimental kitchen" Baroo is temporarily closed through May 2016. Baroo, 5706 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-819-4344.

One of Santa Monica’s most popular vegan haunts, Real Food Daily, has closed. The restaurant plans to re-open within the next year in another Santa Monica location. Other Real Food Daily venues in West Hollywood and Pasadena remain open, as does the location at LAX. Real Food Daily, 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, no phone.

Chef Bernhard Mairinger will close BierBeisl Imbiss on April 16, 2016. Until then, the restaurant will offer specials, including $5 sausage sandwiches, $3 sides, $7 all other sandwiches (schnitzel, sloppy George, pork belly, etc.), $3 beer, $8 wine and more. BierBeisl Imbiss, Spring Arcade Building, 541 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-935-8035.

Status Kuo is temporarily closed for renovations. Chef David Kuo's Mar Vista restaurant expects to re-open in Summer 2016. Status Kuo, 3809 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, 310-574-7610.

Scarpetta at the Montage Beverly Hills has closed

Scarpetta at the Montage Beverly Hills closed April 2, 2016. In its place, New York restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian will make his West Coast debut with Georgie and The Garden Bar. The former will be an American restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Scarpetta, Montage Beverly Hills, 225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, no phone.

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Los Angeles

Discover the top restaurants in Los Angeles for various cuisines and categories like sushi, steakhouses, pizza, happy hours, romantic dining and even gourmet food trucks. Find the best restaurants in LA here!

BEST SPRING BEERS

Check out GAYOT's list of Best Spring Beers to find crisp brews, wheat ales and American IPAs.

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BEST SUPERFOODS

GAYOT's list of the Best 10 Superfoods covers the most health-promoting fruits, veggies, and more.

Read the article.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDS

Over the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles April 2016 Archive

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
April 2016 Archive