News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
January 2020 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - JANUARY 2020 Archive

OPENINGS

In Lincoln Heights historic spot The Airliner,which first opened nearly a century ago in 1923, has relaunched with a massive transformation from new owners Sean Kelly and Monica Blair. The swank restaurant, bar and lounge offers 4,500 square feet of space over two floors, a long bar, and a large back patio. Chef Gabriel Cappelli (The Edmon) helms the stoves, offering luxe bar bites like tiny deviled eggs with crispy ham and spicy tomato jam, and larger plates including eggplant caponata with wilted arugula, roasted Mary’s half chicken, and Creekstone Farms chuck steak with chimichurri. Look for creative craft cocktails, and a short, mostly French and Spanish, curated wine list. The Airliner, 2419 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031, 323-987-0444.

A fourth location of Lucifers Pizza is now open in Studio City. Design highlights include white subway tile, funky artwork, and an earthy modern rustic environment with indoor and outdoor tables. House specialty pies include roast pumpkin and prosciutto with roasted garlic, spinach and mozzarella; Greek lamb and rosemary with caramelized onions, feta cheese, kalamata olives, rosemary and garlic; and unique to the Studio City location, fan favorite “The Growler” is back, with fresh mozzarella, salmon, arugula, capers, cream cheese and fresh chili. Vegan cheese (feta cheese excluded) and gluten-free dough can be substituted on all pizzas, and the new ultra-low-carb keto-friendly cauliflower crust is available in personal size pizzas. Lucifers Pizza, 11266 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91406, 818-691-3201.

NY chefs Macks Collins and Bryan Kidwell (Mad Pambazos food truck) have opened their first restaurant in Culver City, Piccalilli. California, Asian and regional Southeast lowcountry influences shape a menu featuring Thai banana hush puppies with charred onion aïoli, beet salad and seasonal honey; miso pork jowl with tiger salad and house ponzu; and snapper crudo with grapefruit, Sichuan peppercorn, glazed peanuts and cilantro. The cocktail program, offering drinks crafted with seasonal ingredients, is complemented by a curated selection of local beers and eclectic California wines from small-scale producers. Piccalilli, 3850 Main St., Culver City, CA 90232, 424-298-8540.

Kismet chefs Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer have opened a fast casual eatery called Kismet Rotisserie a few doors down from their hit Los Feliz spot. Look for whole, half and quarter rotisserie chickens, sandwiches, salads and savory veggie sides like curried cauliflower. To drink try a carrot gingerade. Kismet Rotisserie, 4666 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027, 323-400-3700.

Atwater Village's Palette Food + Juice focuses on simple, affordable and nourishing foods made without the use of refined sugar, additives and oils. The restaurant's bowls and soups offer a variety of grains, beans and meats, along with raw, cooked, and fermented seasonal vegetables from local farms where all their ingredients are sourced. Through Palette, owners Melissa Nester and Molly Keith see a daily opportunity to awaken peoples' consciousness to health, wellness, and a responsibility to the earth. Sustainability is at the core of the restaurant's values, and Palette is a low waste venue that produces less than one garbage bag of waste per day. Palette Food + Juice, 3193 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039, 323-426-9171.

Restaurateurs Matt and Marissa Hermer have opened Olivetta in the former Au Fudge space in West Hollywood. Chef Michael Fiorelli, previously of Love & Salt, draws inspiration from Italy, Greece, France and Spain for the Mediterranean menu. Olivetta, 9010 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-307-3932.

Chef Dave Woodall and Alexis Martin Woodall have opened an elegant new incarnation of their former Eagle Rock restaurant Red Herring, now located in DTLA at the Eighth & Grand complex. Look for an American menu featuring grilled mackerel with preserved lemon gremolata, steak tartare, duck confit, crispy quail with buttermilk waffle, and a Wagyu bavette steak. Red Herring, Eighth & Grand, 770 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90017, 213-375-3290.

In Century City, a new upscale brasserie, Lumière, will open this spring at the revamped luxury Fairmont Century Plaza. Chef Jason Franey will be at the helm. Lumière, Fairmont Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, no phone.

Death & Co. has opened a new location in the Arts District.

New York’s famous East Village bar Death & Co. has opened a new location (it’s third) in the Arts District. Look for a changing seasonal menu of 25 sophisticated and creative cocktails alongside luxe bites like Wagyu beef with chanterelle mousse, uni toast and West Coast oysters. Death & Co., 810 E. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, No phone.

Santa Monica welcomes back chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger with Socalo

Santa Monica welcomes back chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger as they open a new all-day Mexican gastropub called Socalo in the Gateway Hotel. Look for indoor and outdoor seating, Tijuana regional inspired cuisine including breakfast burritos, ceviches, tortas and tacos, a wide tequila selection, Mexican microbrews on tap, and other Latin-themed beverages. Socalo, Gateway Hotel, 1920 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404, 310-451-1655.

NEWS BYTES

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele Launches Full Cocktail Menu & Aperitivo Hour
Hollywood’s L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele recently got its liquor license and has launched a new bar program with a full cocktail menu and an Aperitivo Hour. Fresh, seasonal ingredients and house-made juices and syrups are incorporated in drinks such as the “L.A. Woman” (Amass gin, egg white, sage, lemon, and homemade peach reduction). Aperitivo Hour offers classic cocktails, beer and wine with a selection of dishes and appetizers including da Michele’s signature Margherita and Marinara pizzas, available Monday-Friday from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, 1534 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-366-2408.

Toscana Under Renovations
Toscana plans to fully remodel the kitchen with design consultation from executive chef Luca Crestanelli. For this project, Toscana is temporarily closed as of January 2020, but next door Bar Toscana will remain open. Toscana, 11633 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049, 310-820-2448.

Musso & Frank Grill Uncorks New Signature Red Wine Label “2018 Peake Ranch Syrah”
Musso & Frank Grill has just added the restaurant’s 2018 signature Peake Ranch Syrah to the menu to help welcome the new year. The addition of the new wine signals Musso’s ongoing efforts to expand and embellish its wine program. The restaurant’s General Manager and Wine Director, Andrea Scuto, who blended the new vintage of the wine, says, “Musso’s Peake Ranch Syrah is deep red with purple reflections, shiny in the glass, and shows the concentration typical of a long ripening season. The nose is powerful, with a burst of black fruit and purple flowers accented from the cardamom and baking spices generously imparted by the French oak barrels used to elevate the wine. Tannins are sweet and smooth, working together with the natural acidity of the Syrah, to give great structure to the wine in order to pair it with our famous steaks.” Musso & Frank Grill, 6667 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-467-7788.

Jason Neroni to Take Over A-Frame Space
Chef Jason Neroni (The Rose) will take over the former space of A-Frame on LA's Westside. The restaurant name and concept have yet to be announced. A-Frame, 12565 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, no phone.

Twice-Annual dineLA Restaurant Week Returns
dineLA Restaurant Week returns January 17-31, 2020. This event offers diners the opportunity to indulge in specially priced menus from a variety of Los Angeles area restaurants. For more information, visit the official website

CHEF SHUFFLE

Andreas Roller has left his role as the executive chef of Patina

Andreas Roller has announced his departure from the role of executive chef of Patina, the flagship restaurant of Joachim Splichal's Patina Restaurant Group and one of GAYOT's 2019 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. Taking over is Fernando Darin, most recently executive chef of Ray's & Stark Bar. Patina, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 141 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-972-3331.

After more than 14 years with the restaurant, executive chef Tetsu Yahagi has moved on from Wolfgang Puck's Spago Beverly Hills. Ari Rosenson, previously of Puck’s CUT steakhouse, has been named executive chef. Spago Beverly Hills, 176 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-385-0880.

CLOSINGS

Hollywood's Spoonfed closed its doors after service on January 30, 2020. Spoonfed, 959 Seward St., Los Angeles, CA 90038, no phone.

In Malibu Mr. Chow has closed in the Malibu Country Mart. The Beverly Hills Mr. Chow and its other locations remain open. Mr. Chow, Malibu Country Mart, 3835 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu, CA 90265, no phone.

South Bay’s beloved restaurant Chez Mélange has said goodbye after 37 years. Chez Mélange, 1611 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277, no phone.

Roy Choi’s popular Westside restaurant A-Frame has closed after nearly a decade. Chef Jason Neroni (The Rose) will open a new restaurant in the space later this year. A-Frame, 12565 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, no phone.

Chef Andre Guerrero has closed his Highland Park Italian eatery Maximiliano. His neighboring Eagle Rock spot The Oinkster remains open. Maximiliano, 5930 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042, no phone.

Chef-restaurateur Michael Mina has closed Cal Mare at the Beverly Center

Chef-restaurateur Michael Mina has shuttered Cal Mare at the Beverly Center. Italy’s coast and California inspired the restaurant. Cal Mare, Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, no phone.

Celebrity dining spot AGO in West Hollywood has closed. AGO, 8478 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323-655-6333.

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.

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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles January 2020 Archive

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
January 2020 Archive