SANTA MONICA: The GM for the The Foundry on Melrose is leaving, and it's not because chef Eric Greenspan is a screamer. Andrew Steiner, the cheese whiz (sorry) from Patina plans to open a cheese and gourmet shop on Montana Ave. near Lincoln (728 Montana Ave, to be exact). In addition to cheese, Steiner tells us he'll "carry other specialty items as well like truffles, caviar, designer coffees, etc." The target date is sometime in November. [EaterWire Inbox]
FAIRFAX DISTRICT: A tipster sends this: "Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook aka the "Food Dudes" have a catering company and are opening a restaurant at 435 N. Fairfax. Soon." That's the former T on Fairfax location, which closed in January. Pressing the anonymous tipster for more more, they reveal that there was a private party in the space recently but unsure "if that means they're almost ready to open, or if they're using the gutted space and renting tables and running their catering service out of the kitchen." Inquiring minds want to know. [EaterWire Inbox]
WEST HOLLYWOOD: A few months ago, we were inundated with calls about the splashy new Boule picture windows near the original, and came to find out that it will be Boule Atelier, a production facility and café. PR confirms that after the Atelier opens, the original will close move to the Beverly Hills locale we gossed about last month. It's all supposed to shake down late this month, but that might be generous. And David Myers Comme Ca will open shortly after, probably early September, which is really only weeks away. [EaterWire]
CENTURY CITY: The Deathstar gets more food: Cuvee is opening soon in the CAA building at 2000 Avenue of the Stars. This second outpost of the wine bar and restaurant on Robertson and Third is at least three to four weeks out. So with Piknic and Habanero Grill, which opened a few weeks ago, all five restaurants that we heard would feed the soulless Aramani-suit circuit are now open. [EaterWire]
MID-CITY: Tasha at Blackburn and Sweetzer found out that the Little Next Door was denied permits to open for dinner. Commenters explain that some neighbors were reluctant to have it stay open, which happens a lot in that neighborhood, no? [Blackburn and Sweetzer]
