Benihana Closed in Bev Hills, Craft Beer Bubble Rumors, and More A.M. Intel

Is a craft beer bubble on the way?

LA Mag seems to think so. Or at least they're floating the possibility, based on the still small (but growing massively!) market segment for craft beer in Los Angeles, combined with an increased need for upfront cash, and the worry of a shortened lifespan for newcomers trying to find their footing.

Benihana Beverly Hills has truly closed

Rumors have floated since before Thanksgiving that Beverly Hills teppanyaki stalwart Benihana was down for the count, but it looks now as though the place truly has sunk for good. Yelp has the place listed as closed, and according to a few diners their existing reservations have been rerouted to other locations. Sad news for everyone who took their out-of-town parents there when they didn't know what else to do with them.

An early look at LocoL's menu

Roy Choi dropped a first glimpse at the menu for Watts' upcoming LocoL, with this funky list of $1 vegetable sides. Beef and onion gravy, anyone?

Small little peak into the menu at #LocoL Yah-chae means vegetable in Korean so as we were thinking about this little sides section of the menu being focused on fruits and veggies this word popped in my head and the slang of it sounded so fresh. Yotchays. One buck. Peace.

A photo posted by L.A. Son (@ridingshotgunla) on Dec 9, 2015 at 2:15pm PST

What it takes to cook at the James Beard House

This featurette from the Life & Thyme folks follows Michael Fiorelli and his Manhattan Beach Love & Salt team as they prep for and execute a night at New York City's James Beard House. It's a harrowing look at the extra effort that a cross-country dinner takes — even as Fiorelli and the others continue to run their own successful restaurant in the South Bay.

Koreatown is on a CottonHi

LAist talks up a new K-town spot known for putting organic house-spun cotton candy on top of their ice cream. Called CottonHi, the 6th Street newcomer apparently launched in late October.

Sugarfina pops up at the Viceroy

Candy company Sugarfina is doing a small residency inside the library room at Viceroy Santa Monica, which includes cocktails from on-site barman Anuar Chavez. There are also some Sugarfina details included in the Viceroy suites, and anyone throwing a holiday party at the hotel can also book the Sugarfina candy cart for use.