Sawyer’s New Chef, Oh Man! Ramen Starts Cooking, and More A.M. Intel

Oh Man! Ramen launches for lunch

Encino’s next new star is sure to be Oh Man! Ramen, launching soon next door to Scratch Bar in the Valley. The Luke Reyes and Phillip Frankland Lee-backed spot is entering into lunch-only previews at Scratch Bar on November 1, with weekday hours from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. plus a menu that includes a karaage chicken sandwich, pork belly steam buns, and tonkotsu pork ramen.

Le French Butcher arrives

There’s a new upscale butcher in town, says a tipster, as yesterday marked the official opening of Le French Butcher on W. 3rd St. The former Atticus Coffee & Dessert space is now turning up quality chops and charcuterie, with a focus on technical classes as well.

Sawyer’s new chef switcheroo

There are some kitchen shakeups afoot at Sawyer in Silver Lake. The popular spot on Sunset Boulevard is bringing chef Sydney Hunter III over from Kettle Black to manage both kitchens, and in turn crafting an almost entirely new fall menu that includes an octopus potato salad, loup de mer, and all new cocktails to boot. The full fall menu is below, with sous chef Alejandro Galan helping to oversee its execution. Expect all these new dishes to drop tomorrow.

Cafe Birdie grabs brunch by the horns

It’s brunch time at Cafe Birdie, with the Highland Park newcomer running weekend menus starting this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef/partner Joey Booterbaugh is doing a menu that runs from scrambled eggs and bacon to avocado toast and spicy fried chicken.

Skirball’s big dining night

A bunch of great LA chefs are turning up at the Skirball Cultural Center on Sunday, November 13 to talk about their process and show off their skills. Steve Samson from Sotto will be there alongside Mei Lin, Kwang Uh from Baroo, Wes Avila, Rose Lawrence of Red Bread, and Badmaash’s own Pawan Mahendro. Tickets and info, right this way.

Remembering Don the Beachcomber

Peek inside the old Don the Beachcomber thanks to Food Republic, who tracked down quite a few cool shots of the old Hollywood space that gave rise to the modern Tiki bar. The narrative of the place is well represented too, with a full look at how the rum-focused bar became a global icon in its heyday.

Even child actors love Park’s Finest

Popular Filipino barbecue option The Park’s Finest makes the grade with child actor Hudson Yang. Yang is the young one playing Eddie Huang on Fresh Off the Boat, and he’s apparently starting a new online food show called Taste Test, where he tries out his hand working at some awesome restaurants. First up: The Park’s Finest.