Areal, Erbe Matte Now Serving; Fukuburger Opens Today

1) Santa Monica: After a soft run this weekend, Areal officially opened for public consumption yesterday at 5PM. General Manager Joseph Ramaglia is a key player running this contemporary farm-to-table establishment with Rich Andreoli of Harvard & Stone working out the cocktails. Helping him behind the bar one will find bartendress Mia Sarazen, also of Harvard & Stone.

In sync with west side palates, Areal focuses on seasonally, locally sourced product without extra butter and/or fats. However, as previously mentioned, there is a wood-fired pizza oven ready to churn out Neapolitan pies. In addition to pizza, one will find sandwiches on the menu for lunch, with pastas, proteins, and entree salads for dinner. Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday. Tentative hours of operation run Sun-Thu, 11AM-2:30PM, 5-11PM; Fri-Sat, 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM to midnight. 2820 Main St.

2) Beverly Hills: The transformation from Tiger Sushi to Erbe Matte is complete. Yesterday chef Louis Kim soft opened his Canon Drive Italian-Korean fusion space with a casual patio out front and white tablecloths in the back. The simply designed dining room is covered in panels of stained wood with splashes of white on opposing walls. Out of the kitchen come Italian staples, Korean staples, and some hybrid mashups. Apps cost $10-$14, pasta/risotto $16-$20, and entrees $18-$34. Menu here. 340 N. Canon Drive.

3) Hollywood: Today at 11AM Harry Morton launches the first non-mobile branch of Fukuburger, the Japanese-American burger-slinging truck which flips patties flavored with the likes of soy, pickled ginger, and wasabi. Alongside Morton are the truck's founders Colin Fukunaga and Robert “Mags” Magsalin, together they've created this loud and colorful Hollywood haunt in the Cahuenga space that previously lived as Vinolio. There's beer, wine, and sake to drink, and those who plan to stay out later can pop by Fukuburger until 4AM. 1634 N Cahuenga Blvd.