MID-CITY/BEV CTR: After permitting delays, grapples with homeowner's associations, construction issues and we're sure many other things, Joan's on Third finally lifts up the black plastic tarp and unveils the expanded marketplace this weekend. Blackburn and Sweetzer snaps the signage claiming it will open tomorrow, Friday, September 7 (after being closed all week), but another tipster wrote in to say they heard it won't happen until Saturday. After a visit a couple weekends ago, we finally realized first-hand that the extra space couldn't happen soon enough. [8350 W. Third St., 323.655.2285]
GLENDALE: Those who found the charming Bistro Verdu in what's technically Glendale (just shy of Montrose) lamented its loss. In an email about closing the restaurant after four years, owner Michael Ruiz said he wanted the space to go to someone like-minded, so he sold it to Nadav Bashan. Bashan was executive chef at Michael's for three years and sous chef at Providence, and brings his seasonal market-friendly cuisine to the foothill nabe at Bashan Restaurant, which opens this Saturday, September 8. A peek at the menu doesn't show prices but does show promise. [3459 N. Verdugo Rd., 818-541-1532]
