Mom's Bar Whets West LA, Obika Serves Cheese Mid-City, Vu Brings Molecular to the Westside

1) West LA: Urban Daddy reports that today (11AM) the transformation becomes complete over at 12238 Santa Monica Blvd. What was once Del's Saloon transitions into, not Backstage II, but rather Mom's Bar, a dubious name for an alcoholic abode. However, do note that those behind Culver City's Backstage are responsible for the intoxication sure to go down within Mom's and the two venues are actually quite similar. Same cheap drinks, assorted live entertainment, flat screens (for game days), juke box, pool table, and those good ol' Jell-O shots. On another note, Mom's offers a more spacious dance floor, longer bar, outdoor smoking patio, and has enlisted a slew of food trucks to serve outside the bar (best part is, you can brings the street food inside). 12238 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-820-6667

2) Mid-City: On Friday, that Rome-based mozzarella bar, Obika (ahem, inspired Nancy Silverton to open Mozza), launched its second location within the Beverly Center. While the two restaurants appear quite similar, the Beverly Center outpost is slightly larger and serves panini plus a few different pastas. Check it out. 8500 Beverly Blvd.; 310-652-2088

[Photo: Urban Daddy]

3) Marina del Rey: Today, opening within the retooled Jamaica Bay Inn comes Vu, the property's signature restaurant serving small plate molecular creations. In the kitchen one will find chef Kyle Schutte who has worked under Top Chef alum, also known for molecular cuisine, Richard Blais. The 150 seat restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there's both indoor and outdoor seating, don't miss the fire pits overlooking the beach. 14160 Palawan Way; 310-439-3032