Fresh posts
Wolfgang Puck opens a new steakhouse in the notable Regent
Beverly Wilshire hotel, where luxury overflows. Lee Hefter is
at the helm of this Richard Meier-designed space, and both the
menu and the atmosphere are clean and structured. The menu consists
of main cuts of steak (even the pure Kobe flown in from Japan)
with sides that are extraordinary, including carmelized corn and
onion rings. The flavors of the dishes are pure -- from the first
courses to the steaks. If you can't get a reservation, try the
firsts in the adjacent bar, which is prime people-watching space.
9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills 310.275.5200
Fellow food-loving couple finally finds a spot for their wine
bar. This casual spot in boystown offers small plates and an extensive
and impressive wine program. Try the fries. That and a bottle
of '78 Chasse Spleen makes a perfect Sunday afternoon.
8945 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood 310.550.8945
LA-Favorite-Chef Neal Fraser (Grace) opened a bistro in the former
Opaline space on Beverly Blvd. Named for the three most important
meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, this eatery offers top of
the line food in a casual atmosphere. It's what Grace would serve,
if it was open for breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, try the
Brioche French Toast and for lunch, my choice would be wagyu beef
burgers.
7450 Beverly Blvd, 323.930.9744
When dining out, there is a certain level of exposure to uncleaniness,
dirt, vermin, etc... one eats at its own risk. The following restaurants
were closed in August due to vermin infestation: Buffalo Club,
Beverly Hilton, Juliano's Raw, Primitivo, Roscoe's Chicken &
Waffles, Schatzi On Main. To read the most recent report, go to:
www.lapublichealth.org
Bringing the European sensation to the States, Opaque is a dining
concept that has patrons relying on all senses except sight. The
stage is set for dining in the dark where guests choose from a
choice of fish, chicken or vegetarian three-course meals.
8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, 310.546.7619.
www.darkdining.com
Proof that there's a child in all of us, Sprinkles, a bakery that
that features mini cupcakes, has opened on Little Santa Monica
in Beverly Hills. With 20 flavors in all, the shop offers a little
sugar rush for cynical angelenos. The cupcakes are made of high-quality
ingredients, including Callebaut chocolate. Preciously small,
immaculately decorated, and perfectly nostalgic
9635 Little Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, 310.274.8765.
www.sprinklescupcakes.com
Spago Beverly Hills still brings home the accolades. Chef Lee
Hefter won the James Beard (the "Academy Awards" of
the Dining Industry) American Express Best Chef (California) Award,
while Spagos' service team won the James Beard Smithfield Foods
Outstanding Service Award. After all these years, Spago maintains
its excellent dining experience.
Micro-brewery and Wine Bar, the OtherRoom, has opened on Abbot
Kinney. The Venice version is sister to ones in New York and Miami,
and much larger. Its the perfect lounge to meet friends after
work, where you can choose from over 60 beers. The brick walls
and soft sofas makes you feel at home, while the sound bouncing
off the tin ceiling makes it the "right scene to be at".
1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, 310.396.6230
Former chef of L'Orangerie, Christophe Emé, and restaurant
partner Jeri Ryan (Star Trek) team up together to open Ortolan
in the former Linq space on 3rd. Named after a small game bird,
the menu features french bistro cuisine including delights such
as roasted squab with gratin of macaroni and blini sandwich with
a scallop and lemon confit.
8338 W. Third St. 323.653.3300
Brooke Williamson (formerly at Zax Restaurant) and Nick Roberts,
of local favorite Amuse Cafe in Venice, opened Beechwood restaurant
in the former Menemsha space off Abbott Kinney. Both a lively
bar scene and a serious foodie dining space, Beechwood offers
the best of both worlds. You can choose to sample the selective
wines by the glass with crispy baby octopus and other delectable
items on the bar menu, or sit in the dining room, where you can
taste the best of Brooke Williamson cooking. American classics
with farm-fresh ingredients are the foundation to the menu, with
items such as fresh John Dory and pulled beef shortrib pot pie.
Visit Beechwood, either for the typically-Venice atmosphere of
laid-back hipsters, or go for the cuisine. Either way, you should
just go..
822 Washington Blvd., Venice 310.448.8884 www.beechwoodrestaurant.com
The much-anticipated collaborations between chef David Lentz (formerly
of Opaline) and wife, Suzanne Goin (AOC and Lucques), is now open
off Sunset + Vine. The menu is mainly seafood and features a raw
oyster bar.
1555 N. Vine St. Hollywood, 323.462.2155
Dublin's on Sunset Blvd is currently being renovated by the team
that also created PEARL (West Hollywood). A 300-seat, small-plate
menu, restaurant/bar/lounge should open by February. The decor
will be in line with the name, with wood chairs, waterfalls, aquariums,
and white floors.
8240 W. Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood
Brentwood's Montana Avenue continues to flourish as more bars,
restaurants and shops are added to this quaint neigborhood "main
street". Yu, a Pan-Asian restaurant, opened in November in
the formers Wolfgang Puck Café. Its chef, Andrew DeGroot,
was formerly at Avenue and Casa Del Mar.
1323 Montana Ave. Santa Monica 310.395.4727
Boule, a new home for Michelle Myers' (of Sona) superb pastries.
420 N. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles 310.289.9977.
www.boulela.com
Barfly on Sunset Boulevard has
closed.
Balboa Steakhouse in The Grafton Hotel is now called BOA Steakhouse.
There are plans to open other BOA posts in Santa Monica and Las
Vegas.
The famed duo of Bob and John Long, formerly of the Roxbury and
Atlantic, plan to open The Central, a two-story bar/restaurant
on the Sunset Blvd. Remember Monday night bar dancing at Atlantic?
(or if you're a bit older, think the Roxbury before it became
Myagi's). Well, expect the same glamorama. Madonna's brother,
Christopher Ciccone, will design the space (he designed Atlantic
space for them as well).
8590 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood. 310.659.0092
