For those that lament the fact that LA really has nothing like the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco, hopefully by 2010, we'll have the Westside Market Hall. Backers of this 60,000-square-foot compound for food artisans and vendors, restaurants, farmer's stalls and other purveyors are David Paris and Dave Reiss, investor and owner, respectively, of The Brig, Beechwood, The Del and the Alibi Room. From the project website:

Using a smart environmentally-sustainable design, we envision the Westside Market Hall as a place where singular vendors can come together under one roof to sell high quality products. The idea is to target local vendors that are best in their category. This may include a top echelon purveyor of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, a bakery, and various vendors selling locally and sustainably grown produce. In addition, select purveyors of diverse and international product lines will complement the local farmers and artisans. These outstanding tenants will be situated on either side of a central corridor within a high-ceilinged market hall flooded with sunlight from the street-facing windows. We will construct and maintain an attractive courtyard and plaza area for casual dining and community events.

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WEST HOLLYWOOD: Driving past last week, we noticed that Amoon Ra near the corner of La Cienega and Santa Monica Boulevard had it's grand opening on Friday night, and we e hear it was pretty packed with friends, family and curious locals. In case you didn't see all those hookahs lining the wall, yes, it's a hookah bar and Egyptian/Middle Eastern restaurant. The owners are awaiting the full liquor license, but maybe all that flavored tobacco will do something for you. (980 North La Cienega Blvd., 310.854.7777) [EaterWire]

MARINA DEL REY: Looks like the "sushi nazi" is taking it west. According to the Waterside shopping center website (a Caruso property, if you didn't know) Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa should open this summer. Although they aren't giving many details yet, we understand Kazunori Nozawa will be the president of this new concept, which will have "the best attributes of the original restaurant with some new things added." Look for a June debut. [EaterWire]

SILVER LAKE: The short-lived Italianate Fritzie's, which replaced Giannino's, has closed on Hyperion. It didn't last but a year. The website says "temporarily" but adds, "We'll see you again soon," which pretty much means it's dunzo, at least at this location. Eating L.A. notes that this is the second closure in the same strip mall, plus an empty Blockbuster across the street. What gives: Is it the location or the restaurants? [Eating L.A.]

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CULVER CITY: Per a tipster: "Akasha starts lunch next week. Was in there while they were shooting the final ep for her TLC show. Food was great, although I wish portions were bigger. Love her baked stuff." By the way, that TLC show is Flip That Restaurant and debuts on March 8 at 9pm. [EaterWire Inbox]

WEST HOLLYOOD: We got an email to reserve for a special pinot noir wine tasting at One Sunset, which is intriguing on its own (not the first place that comes to mind for multi-course wine dinners). More interesting is that the exec chef is now Jason Marcus. A quick Google tells us Marcus was the chef at Red Pearl Kitchen in San Diego. We're told opening chef Chris Ennis left in January. [EaterWire]

MARINA DEL REY: (Or is it Venice?) A reader sends word about Lido Grill on Washington Boulevard: "They've used the last few weeks for their soft opening. Grand Opening is set for March 1. Chef/Owner Michel (French North African) has history in opening restaurants and clubs from Japan to Tunisia and isn't afraid to use a lot of flavor. Flamenco, Sevillianas and other Spanish dancing is featured on weekends." Some pics for your viewing pleasure on Yo Venice!. (417 Washington Blvd.) [EaterWire Inbox]

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MARINA DEL REY: We got a few emails late last week about two long-standing restaurants on Admiralty Way closing without much notice. According to The Argonaut, the Harbor House and Edie's Diner closed on Sept. 5 because of the pending Waterfront mixed-use development. The Harbor House was often used for events, so anyone who had something planned in the next few months is SOL. There's all sorts of innuendo in the community---why did the parent company close the restaurants without warning? Why, if they were getting free rent, did they close at all? If there's no develpment yet, why did they close? There aren't a whole lot of answers, at least from the restaurants' parent company, MDR Restaurants. There is, however, a public auction on Tuesday, September 25 at 10am for restaurant equimment and 1950s memorabilia. While many locals think it's a shame that a place like Edie's closed, there's no love lost with the Yelpers.
· Harbor House, Edie's Diner close their doors [Argonaut]

Some restaurant milestones are worthy of celebration like a 10 year anniversary, a redesign, or a new chef and menu. But Cafe del Rey, which has a new manager (Michael Morrisette), chef (Jason Niederkorn) and menu ("less Asian-inspired"), fetes its new sign.

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You know how Steve Martin goes crazy when the new phone book arrives in "The Jerk?" Yeah, that's how we feel with the Dish. See something debut? Let us know.

PASADENA: Well finally, a concept that isn't a chain. Porta Via Foods just opened this week near the corner of Fair Oaks and California. A reader sends word (and a pic): "It looks quite good. They have a great selection of panini, antipasti, pastas, and main courses (examples - Osso Buco, Baked Halibut, Lamb Shank, Bakes Scallops). Take-out and eat-in available. They have a nice shaded patio for dining. I forgot to ask the hours." Well we didn't. Here's the story: Owned by Pasadena restaurateur Victor Ciulla, who was the CEO of Twin Palms until recently among other things, and New York transplant John Weithas, whose wife is a fourth-generation San Marino-an (talk about built-in clientele). The Patina Group's former corporate exec chef Octavio Beccera consulted on the menu. Weithas told us it's been busy these first few days, especially at lunch when Italian-American classics like meatballs, eggplant or chicken parm, and manicotti are the big hits, but the high-end stuff like osso bucco is popular for dinners. There's something about paying per pound. The café is currently open 11:30am to 7pm, Mon-Fri, and will be closed for the next two weekends. By August 20, it will be 7am to 7pm and open on weekends. [1 California Blvd., 626.793.9000, www.portaviafoods.com]

HOLLYWOOD—We hear from our sommelier friend Jonathan Mitchell that the very short-lived Sideways, née Sterling Steakhouse, officially closed this past Saturday. As we wrote earlier, a promoter by the name of Johnny Zander will take over the space from Chris Breed and turn it into something else (the Green Door idea seems to have been dropped) sometime soon. Breed's next project is Ritual, the reincarnated White Lotus space, which opens in May. As for Mitchell, visit him at the Pacific Dining Car downtown. Tell him we sent ya. [EaterWire Inbox]

EAGLE ROCK—We got an email from the owner of Larkin's, who has created his own sort of soft opening by serving "private dinners" to a "select few" from the newsletter list (brilliant idea, if you think about it). Pending final inspections, the restaurant will open on Friday, April 13. There can only be good luck in that. [EaterWire Inbox]

BEVERLY HILLS—Someone drops a tip: "I received word from an industry friend that Tanzore in Beverly Hills is aiming toward a mid-May opening. Gaylord will continue to serve Indian cuisine in their adjacent banquet room (I believe they're open only for dinner currently), while the main restaurant is becoming Tanzore, upscale modern Indian cuisine. Think Tabla in Manhattan." [EaterWire Inbox]

Bree at Triplecreme snapped a pic of yet another new Pinkberry, this time in Marina del Rey. Will the deluge ever stop? Does the city really need that much froyo? Has anyone ever heard of TCBY? No? We rest our case.
· Pinkberry Marina del Rey--Opening Soon [Triplecreme]
· Dish: Pinkberry, Gelato Bar, Vinum Populi, More! [Eater LA]
· Is Pinkberry Multiplying or Mutating? [Eater LA]