Philz Coffee hits Pasadena today
Bay Area import Philz Coffee is heading for Pasadena today, setting up shop at 146 South Lake Ave. There’s a party going on too (just like with the Hollywood iteration) where from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Philz team will be doling out free coffee and pastries.
And The Poke Shack hits Melrose
Yep, more poke — this time on Melrose. The place is called The Poke Shack (formerly Big Daddy's Poke Shack) and they're actually an expansion of a Venice poke option, set down just west of La Brea. Expect lunch through dinner hours. 7257 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles.
The Commons closes in Santa Monica
Back in 2012, The Commons Ale House stepped in to take over the defunct Broadway Ale House. Now it too is gone, says Toddrickallen, pointing to a handwritten closure notice posted on the restaurant's shuttered front door.
Chaya’s beer garden is back
One of the better places to drink Downtown in the summer is at Chaya’s beer garden, a sort of leafy side patio filled with cheap frozen beer and accompanying Japanese eats. The spot kicks off tonight from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and moving forward will keep hours during the week from 4 p.m. to close.
Michael Cimarusti cooks alongside the LocoL team
Providence’s Michael Cimarusti is doing a big blow-out dinner ($200 per person) on July 19 with the likes of Daniel Patterson and David Beran (formerly of Chicago's Next). The multi-course affair will also include the team from LocoL in Watts, which should make for a pretty fun evening for all involved. Call the restaurant to make reservations.
Salted Eats brings local chefs home
You may recall Salted, a technique-driven local online alternative to, essentially, culinary school. The site relied on lots of local faces to help kitchen novices master basic skills, and is now turning those same chefs — like Fabian Gallardo of Petty Cash — into direct recipe correspondents under the Salted Eats banner. The idea is to deliver all the ingredients for a single dish (one served in a local LA restaurant, no less) to your door, and then give you access to a video of the chef behind that dish actually putting it together. Gallardo, Eric Greenspan, Ori Menasche, Nyesha Arrington, and Neal Fraser will all be doling out recipes eventually.
The Springs resets in Arts District
Healthy-eating all-day option The Springs in the Arts District is retooling, bringing in some heavyweights like Jasmine Shimoda and Chase Elder from New York City to oversee an all-new menu. The place will still be plant-based, but offers a more expanded menu and wine list than before. The new full menu is below.