News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
July 2012 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - JULY 2012 Archive

OPENINGS

September 2012 should see the opening of the second location of Hostaria del Piccolo. This branch of Santa Monica's casual Italian restaurant Hostaria del Piccolo will be part of The Frank, a new apartment complex in Venice. For more information, visit www.hostariadelpiccolo.com. Hostaria del Piccolo, 512 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291, no phone available.

Patina Restaurant Group has opened C+M in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Patina Restaurant Group has opened C+M (Coffee and Milk) in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. This artisanal coffeehouse offers baguette sandwiches, pastries and treats made with C+M's signature "Milk Sorbet," which features Straus Family Creamery cream and milk, organic sugar and Tahitian vanilla bean. C+M, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-857-6180.

In West Hollywood, the chic new Laurel Hardware rises out of the sawdust of a former hardware store, with chef Mario Alberto (Freddy Smalls, Lazy Ox Canteen) helming the stoves. Expect haute gastropub grub like kale salad with quinoa-crusted feta, mussels in Thai coconut sauce, merguez sausage and dandelion green pizza, or pork cheeks with pea tendrils. The artisan cocktail list is designed by Cole Apodaca (Hotel Shangri-La), and weekend brunch features oysters and fried chicken with biscuits. Laurel Hardware, 7984 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-656-6070.

Ari Taymor's former culty pop-up Alma has happily settled into a home in downtown L.A. on South Broadway. His menu includes squash blossom beignets with burnt citrus; green chickpea panisse; beet gazpacho with crab, fennel and preserved lemon; seared mackerel with quinoa, peach and cucumber; and suckling pig with corn, black garlic, maitake and holy basil. Alma, 952 S. Broadway Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-444-0984 .

Link N Hops is a new gastropub in Atwater Village dishing up gourmet sausages and 24 international craft beers on tap. Exotic grinds include crocodile andouille, smoked ostrich with pistachio, duck and bacon, lamb merguez, wild boar and rabbit. Vegan sausages are also available. Lunch and Dinner daily. Link N Hops, 3111 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village, CA 90039, 323-426-9049.

Pitfire Artisan Pizza now has a stylish fifth location, located in West Hollywood. Designed by architect Ana Henton, expect airy mid-century design, an open kitchen and gourmet wood-fired pizzas including the likes of the burrata pie and the popular "greens, egg and ham," which blends rapini, farm egg and proscuitto. Find specials like grilled peach and gorgonzola salad, and summer crab spaghettini, as well as a pork belly panini. There's also a good list of craft beers. Lunch and Dinner daily. Pitfire Artisan Pizza, 801 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323-544-6240.

Silver Lake's Silverlake Wine, one of L.A.'s favorite wine shops among dedicated oenophiles and foodies, has opened a second location in Pasadena, at the site of the former Heritage Wine Company, called Everson Royce. Tastings will be held Tuesday and Friday evenings, plus Saturday afternoons. Everson Royce, 155 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103, 626-765-9334.

The Parish, delivering an innovative take on traditional British pub food, opened its doors to Los Angeles on Friday, July 27. Executive chef Casey Lane of The Tasting Kitchen uses seasonal, fresh ingredients --- including whole pigs which butchered in-house --- to inspire dishes such as poutine pigs feet with tallegio. The gastropub set in L.A.'s fashion district also boasts an impressive wine list and craft beer selection. The Parish, 840 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014, 213-225-2400.

FigOly opened at the Luxe City Center Hotel on July 27, 2012. (The unique name comes from the venue's location at Figueroa Street (Fig) and Olympic Boulevard (Oly). Executive chef Alex Reznik, a former "Top Chef" contestant, offers a contemporary Californian menu with Northern Italian influences. FigOly, 1020 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-748-1291.

Osteria Drago, the latest venture of prolific chef/restaurateur Celestino Drago, occupying the former Il Sole space on the Sunset Strip, has opened. The kitchen, led by chef de cuisine Evan Gotanda, turns out starters like venison carpaccio with white anchovies and raspberries, and sea urchin panna cotta. Entrées include veal with lentils and gnocchi, or bone-in New York steak with a red wine reduction. A wide variety of pastas is also offered. Chic Italian lighting, finishes and appointments reinforce a stylish, contemporary mood. Dinner nightly. Osteria Drago, 8741 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-657-1182.

Café Fiore, a popular Ventura Italian restaurant and martini lounge, has opened a second location in Woodland Hills. The menu offers Caprese and Caesar salads and beef carpaccio for starters, pastas and pizzas, and main courses such as osso buco and a two-pound fiorentina porterhouse for main courses. Inventive cocktails include an avocado martini and pineapple-basil drop. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Lunch & Dinner daily. Café Fiore, 21550 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills, CA 91367, 818-888-4514.

Story Tavern, named after a hardware store that once operated on the site, opened July 8 in downtown Burbank by owner Brian Slaught. Modeled after a classic Irish pub, with a clubby décor that celebrates Burbank history, the Tavern offers 22 craft beers, four hard ciders and 12 wines, all on tap. A non-traditional farm-to-table menu --- unlike most pubs, there's not even a fryer in the kitchen --- is currently under development. Expect burgers, pastas, risotto, chicken satay and pulled pork crostini. Dinner Tues.-Sun. Story Tavern, 150 S. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502, 818-567-4200.

Bow and Truss has opened in North Hollywood

From Morgan Margolis and Knitting Factory Entertainment, also behind The Federal Bar, now comes the "Spanish taverna" Bow & Truss in the NoHo Arts District. The menu features dishes such as mushroom empanadas, piquillo peppers stuffed with crab and cheese, tacos and paellas. Bow & Truss, 11122 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601, 818-985-8787.

Copenhagen Pastry is now open in Culver City on Washington Boulevard. Danish baker Henrik Gram, originally from the Downtown Hygge Bakery, offers a variety of rye breads, fruit-filled danish, kringle, spandauer, almond rings and more. Breakfast & Lunch daily. Copenhagen Pastry, 11113 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-839-8900.

Trattoria Neapolis, which bills itself as "the best of Italy and California," has opened in Pasadena in a handsome two-level space on South Lake Avenue, clad in Old World marble, tile, wrought iron and wood. A 7,000-pound Neapolitan wood-burning pizza oven takes center stage in the kitchen of chef Bryant Wigger. Diego Meraviglia designed the wine list, Vincenzo Marianella created the cocktail program, and "Beer Chick" Christina Perozzi has assembled a list of craft beers. Starters include panzanella salad, wood-grilled baby octopus with potato torta, and poached salmon with Chianti vinaigrette. Various pastas are offered, and main courses range from osso buco to veal scaloppini. The restaurant is open for dinner nightly, with lunch service coming shortly. Dinner nightly. Trattoria Neapolis, 336 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101, 626-792-3000.

Wilshire Boulevard is now home to the sibling of the Huntington Beach sushi restaurant SLOWfish. Amid chandeliers and modern design, expect sushi, a special black rice selection, and a long menu of small and large plates ranging from volcano shrimp and gyoza to grilled pork belly and sautéed black sea bass. Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. SLOWfish, 5406 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-930-0170.

Thanks to Innovative Dining Group (BOA Steakhouse, Sushi Roku) Soleto Trattoria & Pizza Bar has emerged in the former Zucca space downtown, with Sascha Lyon (Delphine) overseeing the menu. Expect Southern Italian dishes including traditional antipasti, fancy salads, pastas, branzino and aged New York steak. A selection of Italian wines and beer, as well as craft cocktails, is available. Soleto Trattoria & Pizza Bar, 801 S. Figueroa St. , Los Angeles, CA 90017, 213-622-3255.

Restaurateur Steven Arroyo has opened a new taqueria, La Otra Taqueria Escuela, in his old Cobras and Matadors space on Beverly Boulevard, right around the corner from his original Escuela Taqueria. Expect tacos, of course --- from braised beef shank to Maine lobster --- but also tostadas, tamales, burritos and large plates with steak and green chile stew. Lunch and Dinner daily. La Otra Taqueria Escuela, 7615 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-932-6178.

In Westwood, Luc Alarie (Soleil Westwood) has opened a new poutine restaurant called P'tit Soleil, serving one of Quebec's signature dishes, French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. Quebecois offerings include 10 variations of the popular dish poutine, such as Poutine Malik (merguez sausage with harissa sauce) and Poutine du Prince Edward (mussels au gratin). The bar will mix up Canadian cocktails like the "dirty French Canadian" (Crown Royal, Grand Marnier, ginger ale and a dash of bitters), and Canadian wines and beers. The TVs will show hockey year-round. Lunch and Dinner daily. P’tit Soleil, 1386 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024, 310-441-5384.

The new Thomas Schoos-designed Duplex is housed in a former residential building that dates back to the early 1900s. Executive chef Lauren Cartmel offers seasonal New American cuisine that also draws inspiration from her French culinary training. Expect items such eggplant agnolotti made with ricotta, young heirloom squash, bell pepper confit and plum tomato sauce; grilled peaches with Di Stefano burrata, pine nuts, and Italian salsa verde; and a Meyer lemon tart with almond crust, fresh raspberries and toasted meringue. There's a seasonally driven cocktail program, and a wine list of domestic and international labels with a strong emphasis on California producers. Dinner nightly. Duplex, 8722 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-276-6223 .

Former Culina Modern Italian chef Victor Casanova has opened his own trattoria, Gusto, on Third Street. Expect appetizers to include veal sweetbreads Milanese and salt cod croquettes. Pizza and pastas join entrees like pork braciole and quail Treviso; the wine list is all Italian. Gusto, 8432 West Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323-782-1778.

NEWS BYTES

Café Stella Debuts Bar Stella at Sunset Junction
Silver Lake's favorite Gallic haunt, Café Stella, has debuted a new Moroccan-themed bar attached to the restaurant named Bar Stella. Find craft beers on tap, French wines and aperitifs, and a new high-end cocktail menu spanning the classics to new creations. Cafe Stella, Sunset Junction, 3932 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029, 323-666-0265.

Playa’s Homegrown Rooftop-to-Table Urban Latin Cuisine
John Sedlar has unveiled Cielo Verde, his new vertical rooftop garden atop Playa, which will supply rare edibles to new menu items at the restaurant, as well as ingredients for the mixology program. The aeroponic system, based on 35 compact, drip-irrigated towers, offers a new kind of "rooftop-to-plate" experience and features wild arugula, pac choi, Tuscan black kale, Great White tomatoes, Black Cherry tomatoes, Peaches and Cream corn, Manar cucumbers, Padrón peppers, borage flowers, Swiss chard, and fresh black garbanzos, among others. Chef de cuisine Kevin Luzande and the entire Playa kitchen brigade join chef Sedlar on a daily basis in tending to Cielo Verde. Playa, 7360 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-933-5300.

WP24 Lounge Offers Special “Go For Gold” Cocktail
In honor of the Olympics, WP24 Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is offering a special "Go For Gold" cocktail through the end of August. Created by beverage director Klaus Puck, the drink features English Oxley gin, rosemary from the hotel's on-site rooftop cocktail garden, lemon and 24K gold flakes. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the $24 cocktail will be donated to the Special Olympics charity. WP24 Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, L.A. Live, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., 24th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-743-8824.

Dining room of Petrossian Boutique & Restaurant

Petrossian Launches New “La Boutique” Menu Of Rustic Shared Plates
Petrossian Boutique & Restaurant is now offering a new menu in the boutique on the patio, Monday through Saturday, from 5 p.m-11 p.m. The La Boutique Menu features a variety of dishes including a farm egg with morels, fava beans, peas and baguette; fig and brie with walnut bread, honey and arugula; prime flat iron crostini with watercress, caramelized onion, Point Reyes blue cheese and garlic aioli; and a blini sampler with trout roe and salmon roe caviar. Petrossian Boutique & Restaurant, 321 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-271-0576.

CHEF SHUFFLE

Walter Manzke is currently working on opening République in downtown Los Angeles. He was most recently interim chef at Milo & Olive, and before that helmed Church & State and Bastide. République, 1330 Factory Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90013, no phone available.

Jeremy Fox, former chef of the Bay Area's Ubuntu and Manresa, is preparing to launch Barnyard Venice sometime this summer. The restaurant will offer a menu of "peasant cuisine" reflecting Fox's personal culinary journey. Barnyard Venice, 1715 Pacific Ave., Venice, CA 90291, no phone available.

CLOSINGS

Yujean Kang's Chinese restaurant in Old Pasadena, which offered some lighter, innovative takes on classic Chinese fare, has closed after more than 20 years in business. The influential, highly regarded establishment will be missed. Yujean Kang’s, 67 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103, no phone.

Downtown's idiosyncratic Starry Kitchen closed July 31; owner Tri Tran reports that the restaurant may reopen in the same downtown building in a different space in the fall. Starry Kitchen, California Plaza, 305 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071, no phone.

San Fernando Valley restaurateur Frank Leon (La Loggia) has transformed his Bokado tapas lounge into The Village, an Italian-oriented small plates concept featuring a variety of mozzarella renditions, Thai-spiced mussels with coconut milk, miso-glazed Jidori chicken wings, and inventive pizzas from an oven situated on the patio. Reclaimed materials combine with bold colors and sleek lines to create a stylish lounge-like environment. Specialty cocktails, craft beers and wine are offered. Dinner is served daily, and the establishment stays open late. The Village, 12345 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604, 818-752-9222.

Breakfast and lunch spot Kokomo has closed. Kokomo, 7385 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, no phone.

Vu, which featured creative, progressive comfort food from chef Kyle Schutte, has shuttered. Vu, Jamaica Bay Inn, 14160 Palawan Wy., Marina del Rey, CA 90292, 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.

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News for Restaurants in Los Angeles July 2012 Archive

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
July 2012 Archive