Domino's Driver Stabs Customer in Covina, The Return of Howlin' Rays, and More A.M. News

When tipping turns violent

A Domino’s pizza delivery man stabbed a customer in Covina late Saturday night, in part due to what police say was a disagreement over a late pizza and a stiff on the tip. KTLA says the fight between driver and pizza-eater broke out near midnight when the customer tried to tip $3 on a $45 order, complaining that his pizzas had been severely delayed. After an argument things turned physical, and now the driver is being held on $300,000 bail while the victim received several non-life threatening stab wounds and was treated at a nearby hospital.

The things you have to eat in L.A.

GQ dropped in for a quick look at the ‘must eat’ dishes in L.A. right now, and they include some of the usual heavy hitters. Petit Trois makes the cut for its omelette, while Birch’s pork shank gets a nod alongside the clams & lardo taco from B.S. Taqueria.

Welcome back, Howlin' Rays

Missing your Nashville hot chicken since the shutter of the Howlin’ Rays truck in anticipation of their upcoming Chinatown location? Well good news: they’re back… ish. You can catch the team slinging fried chicken at Chinatown After Dark on January 7, right at their future home inside the Far East Plaza.

Bear Coast roars to life this spring

One of Orange County’s most impressive coffee bars, Bear Coast in San Clemente, is still gearing up for its own dedicated space down by the pier, after spending more than a year as a pop-up nearby. As you’ll see, Spring 2016 is the anticipated arrival timeline, though of course these things take time.

HERE GOES NOTHIN' Read that wall, tag a friend and then do a little dance. You guys are awesome, if all goes well... We open March. This whole process has been an adventure to say the least. But with a little design change, the city has approved our plans and my family's dream of opening a little coffee shop is now even closer to happening. Thanks for your support guys, spread the word and I'll keep you updated. Also, what I lack in graffiti skills, I make up for with dance. #bearcoastcoffe #sanclemente

A video posted by Bear Coast Coffee (@bearcoastcoffee) on Jan 2, 2016 at 10:41am PST

2016’s most anticipated restaurants

Per TimeOut LA, the most anticipated restaurants coming in 2016 include a whole slew of existing concepts that are just now reaching the city’s shoreline. That includes Shake Shack, Slanted Door, Craftsman & Wolves, and Mikkeller Bar, though Curtis Stone’s Gwen also makes the anticipated list.

Brouwerij West is almost ready in San Pedro

Here’s a fun interview on the run-up to the opening of Brouwerij West in San Pedro. The longstanding craft beer team is still in process of converting an old war-era warehouse down at the Port, which will ultimately comprise some 120,000 square feet of usable brewing and drinking space. Craftbeer.com talks with owner Brian Mercer about his brewing past, his obsession with Belgian beer, and the future of Brouwerij as a brand itself.

An epic pastrami sandwich in Koreatown

Oh yeah...Pastrami Reuben with house cured and smoked brisket, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, and rye bread. #nomnom #cassells #eeeeeats

A photo posted by Cassell's Hamburgers (@cassellshamburgers) on Jan 2, 2016 at 5:01pm PST

Christian Page is finally done curing a three-week old brisket that he's smoked and turned into some of the city's best pastrami. Currently available this week as a special, the pastrami reuben at Cassell's in Koreatown will go for $12.99. Hopefully it's popular enough that it becomes a menu mainstay. Also, the Koreatown restaurant is now serving breakfast all day long, which means hungover patrons can get a breakfast burrito to help get through the day.