While we've been obsessing about the debut of The Bazaar and SLS hotel this week, the Montage Beverly Hills also opened on Monday. (It's so new even the website hasn't caught up yet.) Here we have some undercover snaps of Parq and a tipster's note from inside, and we guarantee it's not from someone who works for the hotel: "The place was already jumping last night. The bar feels destined to become the new 'in' hang. Exceptional food and service from day one. Coffee and donuts and short ribs for breakfast! Coffee from LA Mill. Special blend. They even come around with shawls for guests at dinner who are cold." Parq is one of three dining rooms at the hotel and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There's also a chefs table in the kitchen, which, as seen above, looks very welcoming. Muse, a more intimate dinner-only dining room, also opened this week.
· More Details About Montage Beverly Hills Restaurants [~ELA~]
Welcome back to The Dish, our weekly look at all the newest openings in town. See something debut or about to? Our tip jar awaits.
1) Venice: A call to the restaurant confirms: Conny Andersson's new AK Restaurant + Bar finally officially softly opens tonight (earlier tracking here). The space is very indoor-outdoor, with most of the tables on the patio, hardwood and cement floors inside, a fireplace, wrap-around bar, balcony. The menu will change seasonally and daily, "depending on what is just caught, newly harvested and freshly available from AK’s suppliers of small farms, fisheries and meat purveyors." [1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd, 310.392.6644; website]
2) Venice: Nearby, The Woodopened over the weekend. A partnership between Demetrios Mavromichalis (Venice Grind) and Laurent Triqueneaux (Cafe Laurent), expect fresh baked croissants and bread (said to be hot, fresh every hour), French toast, salads, sandwiches, fair-traid coffee and the like. [12000 W. Washington Blvd, 310.915.9663 ;website]
Welcome back to the Dish Report, where we track the recent openings around town. See something debut? Drop it in the tip jar. Ma Petit Bakery downtown via Angelenic
1) Downtown:Angelenic has been tracking Ma Petit Bakery inside the Douglas Building for much of this year, and it finally opened this week. "French countryside-inspired cafe...expect affordable breakfast, lunch and dinner options with baked goods and fresh bread filling a niche for Downtowners looking for options closer to home than Ralphs." [257 S Spring St, 213.625.3328; website]
2) Little Tokyo: The Daily Dish stumbled upon Toshi Sushi, which opened earlier this week in what was formerly Sharin across from Japanese Village Plaza. Chef and owner Toshihiko Seki promises simple classics. [359 E. 1st St, 213.680.4166]
It's been a little light in the Dish department this week, but here are few recent openings. See something debut in your neighborhood? Do let us know.
1) Beverly Hills: Fulfilled starts serving imagawa-yaki---a filled pancake-like pastry filled handcrafted on a cast aluminum grill---to the tony shopping set today. The shop was designed by the same firm who did Wolfgang's and Crustacean, it's just a stone's throw from sugar-bomb Crumbs and Sprinkles, and has flavors like banana and Nutella, or prosciutto, parmesan and basil if red-bean paste isn't your thing. [9045 S. Santa Monica Blvd, 310.860.0776;website]
2) Downtown: According to Angelenic, South Park residents finally have a froyo shop to call their own: Florida-based Caliyogurt. And if a frozen yogurt chain from Florida coming to the Swirly Capital of the U.S. isn't enough of a twist, they have pink grapefruit flavor. [816 S Grand Ave; website]
With password in hand, we checked out the preview for Stinkers Truck Stop, the new Silver Lake bar from the 1933 Group (Bobby Green and the folks behind Bigfoot Lodge, Little Cave, Saints & Sinners). The former Johnny's dive bar is now a kitschy ode to trucker chic: an extensive and impressive beer can collection lines the walls; a Trans Am hood hangs in the back; we spied a photo of Fred Sanford holding a Colt 45; lots of Burt Reynolds everywhere. But it's really all about the skunks. Yes, the ones that emit fog when a bartender pulls chains that make a truck horn blow are hilarious, but the skunk tableaus really make it (we're fond of ones in trucker hats playing poker with mini Coors cans on the table). Expect loud classic rock, cocktails with names like Diesel and Large Marge, and the obligatory Stella Artois. For the hipsters, PBR is passe; here it's all about regionals like Iron City, Olympia, and cast-ffs like Champale. More from Thrillist and Urban Daddy, and previous Plywood here. Opens softly this Thursday.
Stinkers Truck Stop Coors, Smokey and the Bandit, Skunks
2939 W. Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake, 323.661.6007 Opens Nov. 6; 5pm nightly
HOLLYWOOD: For those braving Hollywood Boulevard tonight, Jimmy Shaw will reward you with a four-course tasting menu at Loteria Grill. Reservations are mandatory for the seatings (8pm, 10pm, 12am) and it's $55 per person with the tequila or cocktail pairings; $30 without. The regular menu is available as well. At 2am, there's some sort of chilaquile special, but no full details on that...just know Loteria will be open until 3am. (323.465.2500) [Dig Lounge]
ECHO PARK: That six-day changeover at 15 actually happened: The restaurant reopened at 5pm today. The menu is short and sweet, we assume, for the soft debut—all small plates, all priced around $6-$8.[Eatsider LA]
To add to our earlier sneak peek, opening date and hours are confirmed for Riva, Fraiche's new Santa Monica sibling: Debuts Tuesday (10/28) at 5pm. For the first two weeks hours are 5pm-10pm Sun-Thu (until midnight Fri-Sat); after it will open 11:30am to midnight seven days a week. Let's focus on that pizza menu just for a moment: meatballs, pignoli, potatoes, oh my. (312 Wilshire Blvd, 310.451.7482)
· Eater Sneak Peek: Riva [~ELA~]
DOWNTOWN: You Downtownizens just got more caffeine options: As reported last week, the new Urth Caffe at the Barker Block opened today. Will this be the new hangout for Entourage and Hills film crews? Doubtful given its location (the Arts District is no Melrose), but surely the loft dwellers who will be frequenting the joint want it that way. According to flackage, unlike the other Urths, this one has windows to the kitchen, interactive tastings and courses, coffee-roasting classes and a “test” program where guests can sample the cafe's "innovations." It does not, however, have wifi. [7am-5pm daily; 451 S Hewitt St, 213.797.4534; website]
· Plywood Report: Fio, Guy's, Urth Caffe, More [~ELA~]
BEVERLY HILLS: As promised, the CPK guys opened their second LA Food Show outpost today, smack dab in the heart of the Golden Triangle. On one hand, it's kind of like Disney's California Adventure: Bringing some of LA's greatest hits in one place so people don't need to drive all over town for things like Chinese chicken salad, fried chicken and waffles, garlic noodles, seafood enchiladas, or a burger with sweet onions and bacon. On the other, the tourists eventually filling the Montage hotel across the street will probably appreciate that. [252 N Beverly Blvd, 310.550.9758; website]
BEVERLY HILLS: Just a few blocks west, Andy Hewitt and Co. open Luau tomorrow night (10/24). Pu-pu platters and tropical tikified drinks served in pineapples for all! [369 North Bedford Dr, 310.274.0090]
Welcome back to The Dish, our weekly opening report. See something sprout in your neighborhood? Tips (and photos) are always appreciated.
FAIRFAX/THIRD: An Eater operative alerts us that the Breadworks stall opened at the Farmers Market. Owner Seth Silverman was really pushing for a summer debut but we all know how it goes. In addition to all of Breadworks sweet, savory and bready treats, they'll continue to sell the Hungarian cinnamon loaf that the previous tenant, J&T Bread Bin, was known for. [6333 W 3rd Street, 323.936.0785; website]
HOLLYWOOD: The plywood is down around the Hudson Bistro, which looked very open over the weekend but we're told it's just a soft open. It was supposed to be a "New York sports bar" for every day and late night, but the hours/days are still being worked out; so far, only open a few days a week. We'll have more details soon. [6533 Hollywood Blvd]
LARCHMONT: The day finally arrived: The villagers finally have a Le Pain Quotidien and communal dining table to call their own. The restaurant opened in the beloved La Luna space last week. [113 North Larchmont Blvd, 323.461.7701; website]
HOLLYWOOD: Although a few outlets announced it opened a few weeks ago, Bardot (the former Spider Club above the Avalon theater) needed to be retooled and finally debuts this Saturday. Jared Simons, the chef/owner of now shuttered Violet, worked the small plates menu (what he calls "Promiscuous Dining"). Steve Adelman and John Lyons partnered with the people who brought jazz and rock nights to the Green Door. We're not sure if it still has that whole Moroccan thing going for it, but it will probably have the same vibe: Exclusive lists to get in, loungey, lots of celebrities and Hills filming. [1737 N Vine St., 323.462.1307; webstie]
DOWNTOWN: A new outpost of Johnnie's New York Pizza opened at the Water Park at Cal Plaza this week, per Angelenic. And remember: Just because a pizza place puts "New York" in the name, doesn't necessarily make it real NY-style pizza. [350 S Grand Ave, 213.613.9972; website]
This pretty little number is the Laurel Tavern, the new Valley gastropub that opens today. It takes over the Sapphire spot, still owned by Will Shamlian and Mark Leddy, but now it's all reclaimed wood, exposed brick, Edison light fixtures, and windows that open wide to the street. As one commenter put when we tipped you off last week, it sounds like the York, Village Idiot and the Other Room all rolled into one, but that's kind of OK considering Studio City doesn't have anything like those. The menu is short and sweet: burger with hickory sauce and caramelized onions, pork belly skewers, chorizo fondue (if this sounds similar to the Library Bar's new menu downtown, it's the same chef, same owner). The kitchen is only open until 11pm nightly, but a full bar, 16 beers on tap, and wines should round things out.
Laurel Tavern Gastropub, more burgers, beer
11938 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818.506.0777
Mon-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat-Sun 12pm-2am
Welcome back to The Dish opening report, where we try and hit the most recent debuts around town. See something we missed? Feel free to drop us a line.
1) Just in time for the Abbot Kinney fest (and shooting), Yo! Venice went to grand opening of N'iceCream Gelato and Sorbet this past weekend. N'ice is right next to Pinkberry, but it couldn't be more different: They use organic (as much as possible) ingredients, make all the product on premises daily, and change flavors regularly. (1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd)
2) We told you about The Fix gourmet burgers opening in Silver Lake last week, and Robata-Ya opening on Sawtelle yesterday, so UrbanDaddy and Thrillist (respectively) followed up accordingly. Verrazano's Pizza on La Brea also opened this weekend, definitely a new contender for the West Coast's East Coast pizza wars. (The Fix, 2520 Hyperion Ave, 323.661.8494; Robata-Ya, 2004 Sawtelle Blvd, 310.481.1418; Verrazano's, 612 N La Brea Ave; 323.933.1744)
MID-CITY: More New York-style pizza hits LA this weekend when Verrazano's officially opens on Saturday (9/27). Correction. Co-ower John Monaco says it's not just New York-style pizza, it's a "New York pizza experience." Both Monaco and business partner Michael DeVincenzo worked in East Coast pizza parlors for years, and now they're bringing their thin-crust pizzas—all dough made in house, fresh—calzones, salads and sandwiches to the former Pig space. (612 N La Brea Ave; 323.933.1744)
Welcome back to The Dish, our look at some of this week's restaurant debuts. Did we miss something? Send it our way.
LOS FELIZ: Maybe the giant lit rose at Desert Rose is supposed to act as a beacon for diners because we witnessed the "art" in all its nighttime glory on Friday, and come Saturday, there were people dining on the patio. The restaurant is officially open for business—lunch and dinner (daily) for now, breakfast to come in a few days. The menu sounds extensive, Mediterranean (French, Italian, etc.), chicken, pastas, salads. [1700 Hillhurst St, 323.666.1166]
DOWNTOWN: A tipster spotted an investor's dinner at Church & State over the weekend, and sure enough, Steven Arroyo's new brasserie finally opens on the ground floor of the Biscuit Lofts today. This isn't much of a shock: Last week's Fall Tracking revealed subway tiles, furniture and filament light bulbs in place, and we heard they breezed through final inspections and would open any day. It's a boon for the neighborhoood, but as Angelenic points out, it's going to take more than the locals to fill the space on a regular basis. Expect the classics: frisee aux lardon, steak frites, cassoulet, plus a full booze spectrum (not just beer and wine). Dinner only for now. [1850 Industrial Street, Arts District; phone TBA]
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HOLLYWOOD: For those braving Hollywood Boulevard tonight, Jimmy Shaw will reward you with a four-course tasting menu at 
HOLLYWOOD: Although a few outlets announced it opened a few weeks ago, Bardot (the former Spider Club above the Avalon theater) needed to be retooled and finally debuts this Saturday. Jared Simons, the chef/owner of now shuttered Violet, worked the small plates menu (what he calls "Promiscuous Dining"). Steve Adelman and John Lyons partnered with the people who brought jazz and rock nights to the Green Door. We're not sure if it still has that whole Moroccan thing going for it, but it will probably have the same vibe: Exclusive lists to get in, loungey, lots of celebrities and Hills filming. [1737 N Vine St., 323.462.1307; 
1) Just in time for the Abbot Kinney fest (and shooting), 
MID-CITY: More New York-style pizza hits LA this weekend when Verrazano's officially opens on Saturday (9/27). Correction. Co-ower John Monaco says it's not just New York-style pizza, it's a "New York pizza experience." Both Monaco and business partner Michael DeVincenzo worked in East Coast pizza parlors for years, and now they're bringing their thin-crust pizzas—all dough made in house, fresh—calzones, salads and sandwiches to the former Pig space. (612 N La Brea Ave; 323.933.1744)
