PASADENA: The Dena House proudly announces that it finally opened in Old Town, but just as initially expected, the "everything for everyone" concept might not be the right tack: Some Yelpers found the space odd, the music bad, the use of paper napkins a complete offense, and the menu all over the place (burgers to pork chops with red beans and rice to sushi). It's going to take a lot more than that to last longer than previous tenants. (42 S De Lacey Ave, 626.405.9114)
HOLLYWOOD: New resto-lounge Stork half opened this week. Owners name-dropped in the Guide include Grace Fernandez, Loyal Pennings, John Terzian, DJ AM, with Steven Arroyo overseeing the menu. Stork is described as "postindustrial chic" with exposed brick, concrete everywhere, windows "sourced from New York," indoor/outdoor bi-level lounge, and will have a "tight door." Everything a Hollywood resto-lounge would be. The restaurant side supposedly opened this week---no menu descriptions yet---the lounge later this month. ***UPDATE*** The Guide jumped the gun: Reps confirm the restaurant is still in friends & family phase, not open to the public yet. By the time it is, hopefully we'll know what they're serving, too. (1738 N Orange Dr, 323.462.3663)
MANHATTAN BEACH: We checked out the Sashi Sushi + Sake table at the Concern Foundation Block Party last weekend and one of the very tan, well-coifed owners told us the restaurant will open in the Metlox Center by early August (previously Plywooded here. Chef Makoto Okuwa plated up some not-groundbreaking but very tasty tuna tartare tacos and jidori chicken cigars at the event, but we expect something more at the restaurant: Okuwa made manyIron Chef appearances with Morimoto, his mentor. [EaterWire]
LOS ANGELES: Citrus at Social and Asia de Cuba aren't enough for Jeffrey Chodorow: Grub Street reports that El Chod wants to bring Kobe Club out here sometime soon. Yes, another freakin' New York-transplant steakhouse. Apparently Chodorow is eager to compete with Wolfgang Puck's Cut, but hasn't found a space yet, and Kobe rep Karine Bakhoum said: “L.A. loves things that are upscale, and you can’t get any more upscale than the Kobe Club.” Ah. NYT critic Frank Bruni gave the New York steakhouse zero stars, so Cut probably has little to worry about. [Grub Street]
Here we have some bonus weekend Dish. Got a little debut dish dying to get out? Window #2, please.
CULVER CITY: Cafe, shop, art space all in one, Royal/T opened its doors for LA Art Weeekend. The menu is "influenced by Tokyo's Akihabara district"; they call it "Japanese comfort food with a California twist" i.e. rice bowls, sandwiches with wasabi mayonaise, green tea desserts. And it's true: The servers wear maid outfits. (8910 Washington Blvd., 310.559.6300)
MID-CITY: The former Soul Vegetarian is now Vegan Village Internet Cafe, still owned by Jewel Thais-Williams but under new management. The menu sticks to non-meat, no-dairy fixin's but includes BBQ dumplings, "hot wings," tostadas, burritos, tacos, "faux shrimp and fries," smoothies and ice cream. (4061 W. Pico Blvd., 323.766.9377)
HERMOSA BEACH: A tipster sent some cellphone snaps of progress at Brix@1601 in the Hermosa Pavilion, just north of Hermosa Pier. "Looks huge with many private rooms. Also a retail wine space next door." Supposed to open late April. In previous Plywood, we learned it also have a private wine cellar, rooftop lounge, "lots of chandeliers, leather booths and bricks all over" but no one mentioned the tree columns.[PLYWOOD]
MANHATTAN BEACH: We reported earlier this year that DeliBoys in the Metlox Center was closing, even if it was still open when we called to confirm. But it's officially dunzo. Brad Metzger tells us Sashi, a "high-end, Koi-type" Japanese restaurant, will be moving in, with Makoto Okuwa as executive chef. Okuwa worked with Masarahu Morimoto for several years and even appeared on Iron Chef with the Iron Chef. Owners are Jeff Benson and Greg Harris, a couple of South Bay real estate guys; KAA Design Group is in charge of design. They're shooting for a late summer/early fall debut. [PRE-PLYWOOD]
WEST HOLLYWOOD: Gone is the colorful exterior of Cha Cha Cha on Santa Monica Boulevard, primed for the Davis brothers' (Art and Allan) restaurant and nightclub, which should open this spring. No word on the names or concepts yet. [EaterWire Inbox]
ENCINO: Marty Katz opened Ate18 in 2006, but he changed the name to Pasto about a month ago. The restaurant is still the same, the menu is mostly the same, and even the web address is still the same, but when you get there, it's called Pasto. [Chowhound]
MANHATTAN BEACH: We hear that DeliBoys in the Metlox Center, where the Shade Hotel and Petros also live, has been sold. A tipster tells us it's going to be a sushi/robata spot with a chef coming to LA specifically for the new (unnamed) restaurant. DeliBoys, at least today, is still open. [EaterWire Inbox]
Here we have The Dish, the latest openings from one end of the city to the other because that's just how we do. See something pop the cork in your neighborhood? Go ahead, slip it under the tree.
MANHATTAN BEACH:Darren's Restaurant & Bar debuted today. This is chef Darren Weiss' replacement for Avenue, which closed in September. The room is still pretty intimate, now with a tall divider to keep lounge and dining more separate. The menu is seasonal California with global accents, so expect things like duck confit salad with spinach and mache, eggplant rolls with Moroccan tomato sauce, Thai peanut-crusted salmon with sticky rice and lemongrass beurre blanc. Open for dinner Tue-Sat. [1141 Manhattan Ave., 310.802.1973]
ARCADIA: For the San Gabriel Valley holiday shoopers, a reader tipped us off that Tokyo Table opened its second LA location in the Westfield Santa Anita mall (previous Plywood here). How such a swank looking restaurant and outdoor lounge will do in middle-of-the-road mall is a head-scratcher, but for those who need a cold bottle of sake or a Citron martini while sitting along silk pillows, it's the only place like it in the mall. A Cheesecake Factory just opened a few doors away, so there's that challenge. A peek at the menu, and a quick look inside after the jump. [400 S. Baldwin Ave., 626.445.4000]
Let's stay on the beach for a bit, shall we? Some news from the South Bay makes it way to our inbox today. Got something to share from this, or your, side of the 405? Lay it on us.
MANHATTAN BEACH: They said it would open in November, and what do you know: Mucho Ultima Cantina opens this Sunday in the former Michi space (903 Manhattan Ave.). Here's a sample menu, without prices, but you get the idea. This is a Mike Zislis, owner of nearby Shade Hotel, project. [THE DISH]
HERMOSA BEACH: We've seen some breadcrumbs about Brix@1601 coming to the Hermosa Pavilion, but now hear the restaurant is delayed until February "due to construction issues." More about the space from our tipster: "It is going to be a cafe, a dining room, a private wine cellar underground for people to store wine, and a rooftop private lounge. The chef used to work for the Goodalls at Dakota at the Roosevelt Hotel. They are spending a ridiculous amaount of money, something like 25 million, or so is said by the two gentlemen who own it. Expect lots of chandeliers, leather booths, and bricks all over." Lots of bricks at Brix. Clever. [PLYWOOD]
Got some news, some goss, some random thoughts to share? Lay it on us.
MANHATTAN BEACH: Official word is trickling in about Avenue's replacement on Manhattan Avenue. Chef Darren Weiss plans to open Darren's Restaurant and Bar in early December. Darren's slightly upscale (it is a beach community, after all), with small plates at the bar, daily happy hours, specialty cocktails, the works. The dining room will be more fine dining, with we suspect a seasonal menu. Remodeling is underway. [EaterWire Inbox]
WEST HOLLYWOOD: An industry insider heard potential buyers have expressed interest in Deathwatchee Hadaka Sushi. We're not saying Hadaka is officially on the market, but the vultures are circling. [EaterWire]
WEST HOLLYWOOD: We felt slighted when Daniela Danilovic stopped returning our emails and calls about Kumo. She's been so helpful with getting us info about the restaurant before and when it opened, and answered our queries with urgency. Now we know it's not us: Danilovic is no longer involved with the Kumo operation. It's surprising because she was the voice and face for Kumo since we heard about it January, although the last time we spoke, she wouldn't label herself a manager or partner, but said she's "developing the brand." Not sure if this was an amicable split, but we suppose owner Michael Ovitz is used to drama by now. With early staff changes, the dining room not at capacity, and Comme Ca about to open across the street, looks like a bumpy start for Kumo. [EaterWire]
MANHATTAN BEACH: When Michi Takahashi packed up earlier this year to go back to Japan, it was rumored that his popular pan-Asian Michi restaurant went through a bidding war between the brothers who own Blue 32 in Hermosa Beach and Mike Zislis, who owns MB's trendy Shade Hotel and Rock 'N Fish restaurant. Looks like Zislis won: He's opening Mucho Ultima Mexicana, a "high-end Mexican restaurant," in the former Michi spot on November 14 if all goes as planned. [EaterWire]
We were forwarded this note from Avenue's owners, Christian and Tedde Shaffer:
We have enjoyed operating in Manhattan Beach and hate to say good-bye. However, after much consideration we have decided to close Avenue on Friday, October 5, 2007. We would love the opportunity to say farewell to all of our fabulous guests who have supported us over the past three years. Septembers' menu is wonderful with subtle hints of fall. Come in and enjoy...one last time. Many thanks and fond farewells."
Sad news for Manhattan Beach. Avenue was one of the more grown-up yet still very casual and cool spots for seasonal fare. Yelpers liked it. The Shaffers closed another well-liked spot, Chloe, in Playa del Rey after only a few years, and they were recently involved with Auberge at Ojai but sold to the other partners. Chloe and Avenue were both successful, but it sounds like the couple wants to put the restaurant business on hold for now. We hear the new owners of Avenue are Bernie Weiss and his son Darren, currently a chef at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas; no news on their plans for the space yet. [1141 Manhattan Ave., 310.802.1973]
MANHATTAN BEACH: So few restaurants pass the quarter-century mark these days, and then there's Cafe Pierre, which celebrates its 30th this year. Guy Gabriele opened a creperie in 1977, but transformed it into a cafe and rode the waves of 80's and 90's cuisine like a pro surfer. This month he unveils an updated interior and menu (thank goodness we all don't need a nip and tuck at...cough...30) that pairs old-school favorites like steak au poivre with contemporary seasonal farmer's market-inspired dishes. The wine special nights (buy wine at retail prices Sun-Wed) are tres popular. Let's all raise a glass and toast. [EaterWire Inbox]
SANTA MONICA: It's not totally confirmed that NY restaurateur Jonathan Morr is opening Bond Street at the new Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills, but we do know that he's overseeing the new guest-only restaurant at the renovated Hotel Oceana. Read that again: Guest. Only. [EaterWire Inbox]
HOLLYWOOD: LA.com reports that Chris Breed will finally unveil Ritual, which replaces White Lotus on Cahuenga, on June 1. The space has several different rooms (dance floor, two full bars, a lounge), red and gold décor, and chef Andrew Pastore will serve Pacific Rim cuisine with a California twist. So we have to ask: Other than the new paint, what's really different here? [LA.com]
WEST HOLLYWOOD: A press release came across the inbox that Empress, which we thought opened last summer (even tickled the fancy of S. Irene Virbila), had a "grand opening" on Wednesday. The man behind Citizen Smith, Andrew Belchic, took over, redesigned it, and put Chris Goosen in charge of the menu. Once a private chef to stars like Mark Whalberg, Goosen serves food "that takes from Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and over 20 other Asian cuisines." Wow. That's a lot of cuisines. [EaterWire Inbox]
There are some sneaky shenanigans going on down there in the South Bay. We just got an email from a very reliable source who says there's more to the Michi sale than meets the eye:
"From what I hear Michi did not renew his lease, and his lease ends in four months. And the Blue 32 guys bought it. But there's a rumor that Mike Zislis (Shade, Rock 'N Fish) has done a deal with the landlord of the property and the landlord has not approved the sale to the Blue 32 guys. Intriguing no?"
Um, very, but we geek out on stuff like this. We know nothing about restaurant and property sales (Big brother Curbed, you listening?), but this seems like a lot of tricky maneuvering to get one very hot property. We'll have more as the story unfolds.
· Michi Leaving Manhattan Beach? [Eater LA]
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CULVER CITY: Cafe, shop, art space all in one, 
MANHATTAN BEACH: We 
ARCADIA: For the San Gabriel Valley holiday shoopers, a reader tipped us off that 
WEST HOLLYWOOD: An industry insider heard potential buyers have expressed interest in Deathwatchee 
There are some sneaky shenanigans going on down there in the South Bay. We just got an email from a very reliable source who says there's more to the Michi sale than meets the eye:
