Atwater Village Newbie, Flickr

ATWATER VILLAGE: For those of you wondering what's going on at Asia Los Feliz, there are new owners, a new name (now called Asia Bistro), a new chef, and new menu. Well, the menu is different but it's still Asian-European-Californian fusion and may still be suffering an identity crisis. [EaterWire Inbox]

MID-CITY: You know how the owners of Sonora Cafe on La Brea were just waiting for the right buyer before they shuttered the 20-year-old restaurant for good? Well, this just in from a reader: "The site has been leased to a operation called Yummie's (upscale grocery operation) whom I understand will sell some food items." Consider this the first unconfirmed, unresearched breadcrumb. Follow up to…follow. [EaterWire Inbox]

DOWNTOWN: Everyone's favorite pirate-themed Redwood Bar added weekend brunch for the downtownizens. Steak and eggs, French toast, sliders, omelets, crab cakes and the like, Sat-Sun 11am-2pm. Arrrrgh. [Angelenic]

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The original Tender Greens in Culver City, via Triplecreme

WEST HOLLYWOOD: We're tipped off that the Tender Greens boys (David Dressler, Matt Lyman, Erik Oberholtzer) will open a location in the Hancock Lofts on Hancock Avenue and SMB. Look for a summer debut. [EaterWire Inbox]

LOS FELIZ: Eating L.A. has it that Cruzer Pizza is taking over the Cap'n Cork space on Hillhurst and Prospect. Please recall that this was going to be Desert Rose, and apparently it's not as attractive as another pizza place. That rose-looking thing over the entrance wouldn't have looked good covered in graffiti anyway. [Eating L.A.]

SILVER LAKE: Adding to the Eastside pizza heap (Andiamo and Tomato Pie both recently opened) a tipster writes: "I hear through the grapevine that coming soon is a new pizza joint called Garage Pizza. Owner is a local Silverlake bartender? Location is in the mini-mall across from Akbar, next to Saito sushi and a few doors over from the Indian place Agra. Looks like they are doing some work on the space." We don't know much more than the address (4339 W Sunset Blvd). Anyone else? [EateWire Inbox]

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We slipped into Little Dom's last night for a little preview, and our first impression is that Warner Ebbink is an ace at making an entirely new space feel like its been there forever. This was previously LA Belle Epoque, sure, but the space was gutted and rebuilt with recycled goods---the curved wooden bar comes the Midwest, glass block for windows and light fixtures were salvaged from previous lives, and who knows about the mounted fish over the door---so that it feels as comfortable as a well-worn pair of jeans. It just fits. The MENU is classic Boudet, approachable Italian fare, fresh, priced right, tasty; different enough from Dominick's, but similar, plus a pastry chef (budino, anyone?) This could only mean good things to come. Look for a soft open tonight for dinner; breakfast and lunch will be added down the road.

Because it's so very in her 'hood, Eating L.A. took a gander around the space this morning.

LOS FELIZ: A reader sends word: "Just passed by Little Dom's in Los Feliz. Apparently, they're opening to the public on Thursday. This is news, as I've heard they've been trying to open for a long time now." Really...wherever did you hear that? But yes, 'tis true, the Warner Ebbink and Brandon Boudet Dominick's offshoot will oh-so-quietly open for dinner at 6pm tomorrow. Only PM hours for the first couple weeks, breakfast and lunch will eventually be thrown into the mix. Expect similar vibe and menu to big Dominick's: Mostly Italian fare, wood-fired pizzas, meatball sub and other sandwiches, salads, chicken cacciatore, chickpea fries, hangar steak. [2128 Hillhurst Ave.]
· Fall Tracking Report: Little Dom's [~ELA~]
· Winter Tracking Report: Little Dom's [~ELA~]

LOS FELIZ: The last we heard, the graffiti-strewn former Cap N Cork at the corner of Hillhurst and Prospect was to become the Desert Rose restaurant (rendering below). There was a hearing for an alcohol permit in September, but no word since. We don't see much construction, but found out building permits are still in limbo. But there are trucks! Seriously: What the hell is going on? **UPDATE: Per a tipster: "Construction workers said construction has started." OK, but more deets please.

· Prospect & Hillhurst Rose Restaurant: Early Candidate for Ugliest Building 2008 [Curbed LA]

Mes Amis, Alen Lin, 11/19/07

Can two French restaurants exist on one Los Feliz street? Mais oui. Here we have Mes Amis, which opened a few weeks ago (November 8 to be exact). The difference between it and Figaro nearby: According to owner Salvatore "Chip" Garamella, everything. He and his wife Laurence ran Figaro for a few years, but Mes Amis is a bit more high-end, slightly more refined. Totally still Eastside, though. The space was part of Tiger Lily next door, and after three months of lightening and brightening (via custom-made French doors, country-yellow walls and amber light fixtures), it quietly opened with these booths, a small wine bar, sidewalk and patio seating. The chef, simply knowns as Chef Charbel, worked with the couple at Figaro; here he's creating a "clean" approach to French fare. We think that means fresh ingredients, polished presentations. See for yourself: dinner, lunch, brunch.

EAGLE ROCK: Booze Alert: Senor Fish just got a full liquor license so you can now get a margarita with your fish tacos. (4803 Eagle Rock Blvd.) [Eaterwire Inbox]

SILVER LAKE: A reader queries: "Any word on the LA Mill Coffeehouse? Wasn't it suppsed to open this month?" Why, yes, last we checked, it was October. According to PR, there's still no firm date, but maybe mid-November. [Eaterwire Inbox]

LOS FELIZ: There seems to be a lot of chatter about when Dominick's off-shoot Little Dom's will open, but the owners will not pin down a date. Could be November, could be before Thanksgiving and it just might be after. We'll go with after, by about two weeks. Just guessing, here. [Eaterwire]

ATWATER VILLAGE: Franklin Avenue has details on the still unnamed wine shop opening in the same complex as Starbucks, Crispy Crust and H&R Block. And Eating L.A. has word on the forthcoming Soy Café; the owner's sister-in-law owns Pho Café nearby. [Franklin Ave./Eating L.A.]

For this round of the Wire, two things: Number one, we're going with a drink-only theme. Number two, we're playing our form of Jeopardy where we hope to get answers to these questions in the form of questions. Do play along.

HOLLYWOOD: Opened since 1963, could the storied dive/gay/sports bar The Spotlight be closing? A reader queries: "I heard from a friend that the Don the owner of The Spotlight on Cahuenga has sold the place. Wouldn't surprise me b/c he's older and he's earned a well deserved well paid retirement. But it would be a shame to see another great vintage place go away just for the sake of bring more B&T (bridge and tunnel) into the already crowded Cahuenga Corridor. Know anything?" We do not, but surely someone out there does. Lay it on us. [EaterWire Inbox]

LOS FELIZ: We've got nothing on this, but we're sure some Eastside Eater/Drinkers know the answer: "I was walking down Sunset between Tiki Ti and Rudy's and noticed that a bar of some sort is being built next to El Chavo. Any word on its name and expected opening date? They have cut a space in the wall for a window and you could see some interesting chandeliers and a long bar. Thanks and go Red Sox!" Go Red Sox, indeed. [EaterWire Inbox]

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LOS FELIZ: Above is a rendering for the Desert Rose restaurant proposed for the vacant Hillhurst/Prospect. Our brothers at Curbed note the hideous glass rose at the front of the building claiming it the first entry for next year's Ugliest Building Contest. Thoughts? [Curbed LA]

LOS FELIZ: Eating L.A. has it that Tiger Lily---a restaurant surprisingly not on the Deathwatch---will split in two, and a new French restaurant (backed by someone from Figaro across the street) will take over one spot. Yes, too much space was the issue. [Eating L.A.]

SANTA MONICA: A weeping Hound found Musha closed "for renovations" this week, which we all know could mean any sort of shut down from the Department of Health. Or it could really be a renovation. But good news: The owner told us the izakaya will reopen by Wednesday. [EaterWire/Chowhound]

LOS ANGELES: In addition to the Wolfgang Puck mega smorgasbord going on at Red Seven and Universal Studios this weekend, the James Beard Foundation will also be in the house with a special dinner by Michael Cimarusti and Michel Richard on Friday night at Providence, and a Nancy Silverton cooking demo and book signing at Williams-Sonoma in Beverly Hills on Saturday. Chef spotting will reach all-time highs this weekend. [EaterWire]

Oh, yes. Fine watering holes have opened all over town, just in time for the weekend. Please, don't drink and Lindsay. Got a new spot to dish on? Let's hear it.

Courtesy Dave Bullock, Flickr

DOWNTOWN: Stuck at our computer for the last 72-hours straight, we had to miss the grand opening party for Elevate Lounge the other night. Bum-mer. But blogdowntown went and has some smashing pictures of the place. We love seeing the evolution from this to this. Elevate opens to the public tonight at 9pm; its sister restaurant, Takami Sushi & Robata, opens next Saturday, August 18. Those afraid of heights (21 floors up), need not apply. [811 Wilshire Blvd., entrance on Lebanon St., between Flower and Figueroa, 213.236.9600]

WEST HOLLYWOOD: The Boi From Troy alerts us that after a DOH closure, months of renovations, and several delays, Hugo's finally reopened---with a B rating. Hopefully it's not for the infestation that shut it down in the first place. Boi says it "looks remarkably similar" to the way it looked before. [Boi From Troy]

STUDIO CITY: After only a few months, the Russian-themed Romanov Restaurant has a new chef at the helm. A reader sends word that opening exec chef Mark Murillo and some of his crew walked off the job possibly because of pay issues. PR confirms that Murillo is no longer with the company, and that Arturo Paz is the corporate executive chef of Romanov (and Republic), and Manuel Medina is the sous. [EaterWire Inbox]

MID-CITY/GROVE: A little birdie tells us that Shereen Arazm's Terroni, the Canadian-import Italian spot taking over the Authentic Café, will open by the end of the month. Shereen is one busy, busy lady. [EaterWire Inbox]