Sushi at UCLA, CoCo Fresh at Pershing Square, and More Recent Openings Around LA

There’s a slew of late summer openings to discuss, from Italian chophouses in the deep Valley to casual Japanese on the UCLA campus. Here’s what’s new:

Kikka

Right smack dab in the middle of UCLA’s Ackerman Union comes Kikka, a fast casual Japanese option offering rolls, noodle bowls, and more. There’s even a separate section of the menu exclusively for mazemen ramen, with each option priced conservatively for the college contingency. Ackerman Union A-Level, 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024

CoCo Fresh

CoCo Fresh has made its way to Pershing Square, offering a clean new space right on Olive Street. The Taiwanese boba tea and milk juice bar rocks locations across New York and Los Angeles, as well as internationally with destination points across Southeast Asia. 521 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Caruso’s

Calling itself a cocktail bar, Italian kitchen, and steakhouse, Caruso’s up in Tujunga is meant to satisfy all. The well-lit bar is good for grabbing a cheap drink and watching a game, while the dining area rocks large format plates like eggplant parmesan and handmade pizzas. Caruso’s takes over the former Al Read’s, where prime rib was the order of the day. 10504 Mt. Gleason Ave., Los Angeles, CA 91042

The Paan

Another Ktown contender is here, working the all-too-familiar KBBQ format with preselected mix plates featuring everything from pork belly to short rib on down. Luckily, the tables seem large enough to hold lots of banchan and still leave elbow room for guests. 3732 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020