Freebies at Valerie Confections, Chipotle Founders Develop Asian Concept, Grant Achatz Visits LA, MORE!

FREEBIE ALERT— November 8-13 hit up Valerie Confections for gratis tastes from the new fall menu. Each day the the shop will offer up a different treat from 10AM-6PM, get ready for Pumpkin Seed Toffee; Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake; cookies and hot chocolate; chocolates, truffles, and toffees; Valerie at the Market Jam, and finally on Saturday "Highlights of the Week." [EaterWire]

AROUND TOWN— According to the WSJ, those behind Chipotle Mexican Grill are developing a new Asian chain concept slated to launch in 2011. [WSJ]

'BUCKSWIRE—A 76 year-old New York woman has lost a lawsuit against Starbucks she filed after burns resulting from spilled tea served in a double cup required a skin graft. Her attorneys argued that serving tea in a double-cup changes its center of gravity; they claim Starbucks ran an "old lady knocking over her tea" defense. [Reuters via Eater National]

SHERMAN OAKS— Feast reports that M by Midori with replace Yoshi’s Shabu Shabu on Ventura. [Feast]

AROUND TOWN— Chicago's wunderchef Grant Achatz of Alinea hits LA next Friday to cook at a downtown loft as part of Absolut's Sensory Analysis Workshop (who's scoring that invite?). Grub Street catches up with the chef to find out where he plans to eat while in town, on the menu: Animal, and perhaps The Bazaar and The Varnish for cocktails. [Grub Street]