You can say it's just another overly conceptualized mall restaurant, but the RockSugar buzz just won't die. The huge space feels a little Vegas-y, like one of those ginormous resort restaurants that make you feel like you're not in Vegas; except at RockSugar, unless you're sitting on the patio overlooking the Westfield Mall entrance, you might feel like you're in Vegas. The menu was created by New York chef Mohan Ismail (Spice Market, Tabla, Blue Hill), with specialties from Thailand, Singapore, Malayasia, India and Vietnam. From a preview we surmised it might be a little toned down for those used to eating in the ethnic spots around LA, but not bad. Huge portions, all served family-style; everything comes out when it's ready so expect a feeding frenzy. There's a large bar and a patio lounge for people who will undoubtedly wait for a table. It is owned by the Cheesecake Factory after all: There will be lines. Previous coverage here.
RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen Buddha's, flash, tofu cheesecake
10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Century City, 310.552.9988 Lunch, dinner daily
We had a little preview taste at RockSugar, the Cheesecake Factory's new pan-Asian restaurant about to debut at the Westfield Century City Mall, over the weekend. It's unfair to criticize any restaurant during mock service or even in the first couple days, so we won't weigh heavily on the food---decent at best, very global (Thai green curry, Vietnamese pho, Malaysian laksa, Indian tikka, kaffir lime tofu cheesecake), a huge menu, super sweet cocktails, everything you'd expect an Asian version of the Cheesecake Factory to be. The room is big, extremely ornate, with elements that remind us of Tao in Vegas, and it was packed to the high wood-beam rafters (the kind that just aches for a Hidden Dragon-type fight scene), which is probably what it will be like on a regular basis. The most important lesson learned: Parking at that mall on a Friday night absolutely blows. The server was shocked to hear all four of us complain that it took 20-30 minutes to find a parking spot anywhere (the valet line was no better) and even, slightly patronizingly, asked if we're "from LA." Um, yeah, that's why we were bitching---it redefined parking ridiculousness for LA. RockSugar opens for dinner on Thursday, June 19.
· RockSugar Revealed: Like Vegas at the Mall [~ELA~]
Over at the Westfield Century City this weekend, RockSugar was teeming with managers, chefs, servers-in-training and potential staffers. A few things to note about the new pan-Asian restaurant from the Cheesecake Factory: The design and decor is over-the-top, like Vegas over-the-top, from the doors to the first dark foyer to the open-air waiting area, to the ornate column-filled bar and dining room; there will probably be a strong staff-to-customer ratio because they've been advertising on Craigslist for weeks; on the plus side, they're training for weeks. Expectations are high for the food---Singapore-raised, New York-trained chef Mohan Ismail (Spice Market, Tabla, Blue Hill) created a family-style menu with specialties from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and India---but even if it's Cheesecake Factory-quality, it will still give next-door neighbors Houston's and Gulstream a run for their money. According to signage, dinner starts June 19, lunch June 21.
· New Asian Concepts Launch in Century City [~ELA~]
· Plywood Update: A Closer Look at RockSugar [~ELA~]
· Will Centuy City Have a Taste for RockSugar? [~ELA~]
The LAT takes a look at RockSugar, the new Cheesecake Factory-owned, pan-Asian mega-restaurant that's anchoring a corner of the Westfield Century City mall. Even with chef Mohan Ismail's "shaking beef," table reservations, and an enormous ornate restaurant featuring Burmese Buddha statues, dragons and intricately carved teak panels and beams, there's no gaurantee Cheesecake's (which they'll also have, made out of tofu) new concept will work. Plus, there's the economy---analysts say CF needs to raise prices, not launch a new brand. Pfft on the naysayers: RockSugar opens June 19. A company rep told Eater there were no immediate plans to take RockSugar national, but this is the Cheesecake Factory we're talking about, here. Chief executive David Overton says Vegas will most likely be next.
· Cheesecake Factory to feed a growing taste for Asian cuisine [LAT]
· Cheesecake Factory needs higher prices on menu, experts say [LAT]
· Plywood Update: Closer Look at RockSugar [~ELA~]
Last week we established that the Westfield Century City mall has quickly become a testing ground for new restaurant concepts, especially those of the Asian persuasion: Dumpling newcomer Take a Bao and the Cheesecake Factory's pan-Asian offshoot RockSugar are both looking to open this summer. Thanks to one faithful reader, we now have snaps of the construction site. Plus bonus renderings! A RockSugar rep says you'll be able to see the dining room from blocks away because of those 35-foot windows, and she shared a few more facts: Combined, the interior and patio measures almost 10,000 square feet, the design was in-house, and although we assumed this would be a new chain for the company, they have no plans to duplicate at this time "but that could change." We also learn that Singapore-raised executive chef Mohan Ismail trained at Kalustyan's Cafe, Blue Hill and Spice Market in New York, but finds inspiration from family meals for the menu. Opening date: June 19.
· New Asian Concepts Launch in Century City: Take a Bao, RockSugar [~ELA~]
We heard about Rock Sugar opening in the Westfield Century City mall months ago; in fact, we even called parent company, Calabasas Hills-based The Cheesecake Factory, for comment, but they must be too busy opening Cheesecake Factories in malls across America to return our calls. But it's coming. It's really, really coming. Today a tipster sends word: "The city finally posted a public notice outside of Century City mall (posted on a tree outside of Houston’s) depicting a public hearing for a new restaurant (Rock Sugar) in the empty space facing Santa Monica Blvd. This should be interesting – it’s a huge space 7500 sq. ft!" Yes, dear reader, 'tis true. It's a huge space, but interesting? Depends on how you define it.
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