Betel Coming West, Hemingway Opens Tuesday, The Factory Sold, Taste of Abbot Kinney, MORE

AROUND TOWN— Earlier this year several Aussie restaurateurs debuted Thai eatery Betel in NYC's West Village. Next up, they plan to bring the chic restaurant right here to Los Angeles and are currently scouting locations. [EaterWire]

HOLLYWOOD— Looks like plywood vet the Hemingway is finally ready for opening night. Helmed by Johnny Zander whose resume boasts parties at Green Door, Teddy's, and Tropicana Bar, anticipate a starlet-studded launch on Tuesday night. No interior photos just yet (scroll above for old shots of interior ply), but the space has been modeled after a library with the addition of old couches, pillars, and a wall covered with vintage typewriters. [UD]

WEST HOLLYWOOD— Sandy Sachs, co-owner of the ill-fated Murano, has sold her second property, the Factory, a popular WeHo gay club. The title now falls to Araceli Avellaneda. [Curbed]

AROUND TOWN— Earlier this month Table20.com launched a contest to name LA's best bartender. The six mix masters who made the cut include Matt Biancaniello (Library Bar at Roosevelt Hotel), Joseph Brooke (The Edison), Max Diaz (Cicada Club), Devon Espinosa (Tasting Kitchen), Dee Ann Quinones (Street) and Alex Straus (Suite 700 at Hotel Shangri-La, Hemingway ). The winner will be judged by popular bloggers, writers, and industry professionals, to be announced October 4 at Takami downtown. [EaterWire] — YE

VENICE— On October 24 hit Venice for the second annual Taste of Abbot Kinney form 3-7PM. Score bites from Abbot’s Pizza Co., Beechwood, The Brig, , El Vino, French Market Café, Glencrest BBQ, Intelligentsia, Jin Patisserie, Joe's, Lemonade, Lily’s, French Café and Bar, Market Gourmet, Marla’s, N’Ice Cream, The Otheroom, Primitivo, The Tasting Kitchen, Three Square Bakery & Café and Wabi-Sabi. Taste tix cost $2 a pop. [EaterWire]

[Photo: Inside Betel, NYC.]