News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
March 2018 Archive

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LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT NEWS - MARCH 2018 Archive

OPENINGS

In Koreatown, look for uni (sea urchin) all day long with the new casual food court spot Uni Luv. There’s uni donburi, uni al bob and uni bibim bob, as well as uni cream pasta. The donburi offers options of uni by the gram (60, 80 or 100 gm from $14.99-$21.99). Soda and tea are available, too. Lunch & Dinner daily. Uni Luv, 928 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90006, 213-908-5889.

The former Got Kosher? Café space on Pico has morphed into a new Tunisian kosher restaurant, Harissa Restaurant + Events. Look for Tunisian street food to start, like an avocado egg roll with cashew tamarind sauce, egg and tuna brik, a beef cigare with cumin and harissa, chicken and almond b’stilla, and Merguez sausage. Mains include lamb kebabs, assorted tajines (one with olive and preserved lemon chicken) and “Tunisian couscous feasts.” For dessert there’s a warm Belgian chocolate bread pudding. Expect a wide selection of global kosher wines, many from Israel, as well as an ample beer list. Harissa Restaurant + Events, 8914 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035, 310-858-1920.

A sister restaurant to Love & Salt called Gabi James has opened in Redondo Beach, in the former Zazou space. From chef Chris Feldmeier (Mozza, Moruno), look for Mediterranean flavors inspired by Spain, coastal France and North Africa, with dishes featuring anchovy and olive lollipops, citrus-quince salad, “all day” oxtail ragù, tuna escabeche, pomegranate lamb chops and filet mignon au poivre. Dinner nightly. Gabi James, 1810 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277, 310-540-4884.

Kasih offers a contemporary take on authentic Indonesian cuisine in downtown LA

Kasih, named after the Indonesian word for "love," offers a contemporary take on authentic Indonesian cuisine in downtown LA. Kasih, 200 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-266-8156.

French boulangerie pâtisserie La Tropézienne Bakery originally opened in 1992 in Saint Tropez, and it launched an outpost in Los Angeles (on La Brea). New locations are due to open on Melrose Place and in DTLA this year. Look for pastries like pistachio eclairs, raspberry tarts and the signature orange blossom brioche with vanilla cream. Also find viennoiseries (croissant, pain au chocolat and financier cake), and light fare including traditional French quiche and baguette sandwiches. La Tropézienne Bakery, 761 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90014, no phone.

Restaurateur Emanuele Romani and soccer star Alessandro Del Piero are behind a sophisticated new contemporary Italian restaurant on West Third Street, No. 10. Expect charcuterie, formaggi and crudo to start. Multi-regional seasonal dishes feature gnocco fritto with smoked steelhead; charred octopus with fava beans; black truffle, burrata and squash blossom pizza; paccheri with Maine lobster; and hanger steak with bone marrow. Dinner nightly. No. 10, 8436 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-924-2011.

Food innovator Adam Fleischman (Umami Burger, 800 Degrees Pizza) is debuting a new brand concept and flagship store, Cold Cocked Coffee Co., in Koreatown’s Platform 35 Markethall in June. The spin is that the haute coffees and teas (dubbed “cofftails”) are prepared in shakers like cocktails. Signature drinks will include the Danish Licorice, Mexican Mole, cardamom coffees and Matcha & Soda. Cold Cocked Coffee Co., Platform 35 Markethall, 3500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010, 310-273-5511.

The Standard Hollywood hotel’s new restaurant, Croft Alley, will be a 2.0 version of the WeHo café of the same name. Chef Phuong Tran will dish up popular café fare like chlorophyll yogurt with market berries and prosciutto grilled cheese sandwiches, alongside burrata salad, coconut risotto, honey ginger glazed duck breast and prime rib with celery root purée, and breakfast items such as shakshouka and eggs Benedict. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. Croft Alley, The Standard Hollywood, 8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323-650-9090.

Culver City’s trendy Asian tapas spot FIN has opened a second outpost in the former Larchmont restaurant space on Melrose. Besides a selection of sushi, sashimi, luxe rolls and assorted Instagrammable small plates, chef Miguel Oliver (Angelini, Morton’s) offers mains including filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes, grilled lollipop Ichimi lamb chops, ginger chicken breast and miso black cod. Dinner nightly. FIN, 5750 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-579-1501.

Chef Aitor Zabala, who collaborated with chef José Andrés on Somni

Somni, a fine-dining concept from chef José Andrés and chef Aitor Zabala, is now open at SLS Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills. The culinary journey of 20-plus courses draws inspiration from the chefs' childhoods in Spain, as well as the epicurean experiences they've collected in Los Angeles and on world travels. Tickets are available via Tock. Somni, SLS Hotel Beverly Hills, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-246-5543.

Encino seafood fans mourned the loss of Phillip Frankland Lee’s Frankland Crab & Co. (which made way for his expanded Scratch Bar 2.0). But the good news is that he will reopen the chic “seafood shack” in Woodland Hills later this year, at Westfield Topanga & The Village. Look for chilled white gulf prawns, wild-caught king crab legs and Maine lobster alongside the likes of branzino fish and chips, shellfish chowder and fried oysters and clams. Frankland Crab & Co., Westfield Topanga & The Village, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park, CA 91303, no phone.

Vivian Ku (Pine & Crane) has debuted Joy, her second Taiwanese restaurant in Highland Park. The former Ba space is expanded into an airy storefront dining room with tall plate glass windows overlooking York Avenue, exposed brick walls, rustic wood tables and benches, and a long counter. The menu reprises some Pine & Crane favorites like spicy shrimp wontons, sesame scallion bread, dan dan noodles, pork belly buns and forbidden rice pudding. Joy, 5100 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042, no phone.

Blind Barber is now open in Highland Park

Culver City’s popular bar Blind Barber (by way of NYC) has debuted a new location on the Eastside in Highland Park on Figueroa. In front, yes, there’s an actual barber shop; after a haircut look for the “hidden” sultry 70s bar and lounge featuring some groovy furniture, a stylish backlit bar and frequent DJs. Expect signature craft cocktails, craft beer, and a menu of a dozen gourmet grilled cheese sammies including smoked Gouda with Thai chiles and habanero. Blind Barber, 5715 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042, 323-739-0315.

The Sunset Strip welcomes Lazer Kat, a rockin’ new two-story bar that features loads of neon, an 80s soundtrack, a colorfully lit dance floor, video games and kitschy vintage art. Retro beachy cocktails, including a Jungle Bird and Blue Hawaiian, dominate the slushy drinks list. On tap find a good selection of craft beers alongside some house wines, and to nosh there’s New York-style pizza. Drinks & Dinner nightly. Lazer Kat, 8264 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-450-9478.

A sprawling outpost of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse will add a luxe new dining option to the recently renovated Westfield Century City mall this coming November. The 15,000-square-foot two-story restaurant will show off bars on both levels, including a Champagne Lounge upstairs. Windows opening out onto Santa Monica Boulevard should create an airy feel. Expect the likes of shellfish towers, foie gras, lobster and hand-cut, dry-aged steaks and chops, along with plenty of wine and cocktails. Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067, no phone.

Augustine’s David Gibbs and Nick Caballero have partnered in Valley Village on the new Mirabelle Wine Bar, located on Burbank Boulevard. Expect a fairly compelling global selection of wines by the glass, with popular California options alongside some rarer finds from more obscure corners. There’s beer on tap, too. Also available are select cheese and charcuterie and bar bites. Dinner nightly. Mirabelle Wine Bar, 12518 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village, CA 91607, 818-927-4241.

Silver Lake’s hip new neighborhood café and general store, Scout, is found on Sunset Boulevard. A fast-casual counter offers a coffee program from Portland-based Heart Coffee, smoothies, kombuchas, aromatic teas and pastries from Roxana Jullapat. Breakfast options highlight a grain bowl with peppered bacon, red quinoa, poached egg, red cabbage, radicchio, pickled red onion, roasted mushrooms and chimichurri. Sandwiches include a Spicy Fried Chicken and Jambon Beurre with French ham, French butter, French breakfast radish and cornichon spread on a fermented baguette; of course, expect a kale salad, too. Scout, 3707 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 323-451-9750.

NEWS BYTES

Howlin' Ray's Expands Service with New Evening Hours
In Chinatown’s Far East Plaza, cult Nashville hot chicken spot Howlin’ Ray's has expanded its hours to include evening service. It’s now open until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. One can only hope the wait might decline a bit! Howlin' Rays, Far East Plaza, 727 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-935-8399.

New Look for Crustacean
House of AN hospitality group has unveiled big changes for Crustacean, their Beverly Hills restaurant that has been serving Asian fusion fare for two decades. Crustacean continues to occupy the first floor, but with a revamped menu and floorplan featuring adjustable walls for more flexibility for private parties. The space also includes a bar and al fresco seating. Meanwhile, the second floor will be home to a new restaurant. Crustacean, 468 N. Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-205-8990.

CHEF SHUFFLE

Check back soon for more news.

CLOSINGS

Top Chef star Michael Voltaggio’s Sack Sandwiches (formerly ink.sack) has closed on Melrose. The chef may reopen the gourmet sandwich shop in a new location. Meanwhile, Voltaggio’s savory little sammies are still available at the ink.sack LAX in the Bradley Terminal. Sack Sandwiches, 8360 Melrose Ave., #107, Los Angeles, CA 90069, no phone.

Chef Diego Hernández’s first LA restaurant, Verlaine, has closed. Regular service has ended but the restaurant may remain open for private events. Verlaine, 8715 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, no phone.

Phillip Frankland Lee has closed Woodland Hills eatery Frankland Crab & Co. to expand his Scratch Bar 2.0 project, but the "seafood shack" will reopen later this year at the Westfield Topanga mall. Frankland Crab & Co., Encino Place, 16101 Ventura Blvd., #250, Encino, CA 91436, no phone.

After more than three decades, West Hollywood’s celebrity haunt Madeo closed on March 11, 2018. The Italian restaurant will reportedly be relocating to the former DOMA space in Beverly Hills. Madeo, 8897 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 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 March 2018 Archive

News for Restaurants in Los Angeles
March 2018 Archive