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Pizza on the move
There’s a new food truck crawling through Los Angeles called Vivace Pizza, and it’s got more than a few things going for it. First there’s the rig itself, a converted shipping container built to handle a wood-burning pizza oven and all the kitchen accoutrements needed to push out blistered Neapolitan-style pizzas (much like SF’s long-running Del Popolo). And then there’s Vivace’s owner/operator: Erik Vose, a former early Sotto employee who learned how to make pies under Steve Samson and Zach Pollack (who himself is slinging again at Cosa Buona).
Vose has only been up and running for about a week, but he tells Eater that he’s prepping to spend time crawling around the Arts District as well as bars like Bigfoot West while figuring out his route. Vivace will also be available for catering, which is no surprise given the beautiful new truck. Plus, the pizza looks even better.
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UberEats x Starry Kitchen (again)
Fresh off the unveiling of the new Starry Kitchen cookbook, Nguyen Tran is partnering up again with UberEats to actually give away 100 copies through the app. Literally all anyone has to do is dial up UberEats sometime between noon today and tomorrow-ish and pay the delivery fee (assuming the user lives in a qualified area), and that’s it. There’s even a chance to win a free roundtrip ride to the book release party on Thursday.
Goodbye M Cafe Brentwood
The Brentwood location of The Market at M Cafe has closed, reported Toddrickallen, who show off a photo of the shuttered notice clung to the front door. They list it as a “move” while citing other outlets on Brighton Way in Beverly Hills and the Melrose location as the next closest alternatives.
La Frite Cafe continues
Sherman Oaks stalwart La Frite Cafe is turning 45 this weekend, and to celebrate the restaurant is doing a prix fixe menu for $19.72, with the price reflecting the year they opened. Stop in and say congrats to bar manager Sheba, who has been at the restaurant the whole time.
Oli’s Tacos wins
Ontario option Oli’s Tacos has won the Montclair Place search for a new casual restaurant concept. The Inland Empire mall has been looking for someone to take over a portion of their food hall, and now Oli’s will get the chance to move and expand.
The Verlaine story
Chef Diego Hernandez is starting to open up more about his new place Verlaine, telling New Worlder all about his connection to the sea and land of Baja, and how the West Hollywood restaurant has become an extension of his lauded Valle de Guadalupe dinner destination Corazon de Tierra.
More Nick Barainca
Former Liason chef Nick Barainca is doing his own Santa Monica pop-up at The OP Cafe Thursdays through Saturday, with a tasting menu running $47 a pop. The longtime Santa Barbara chef is now running his Gargantua project as an exploration of produce from farms “no farther than Santa Barbara County”. Reservations requested, but not mandatory.
Free ice cream in Thai Town
Today’s the day for ice cream at Friends & Family, the new all-day restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard. The casual spot has opened up its ice cream wing, and is giving away free Compartes chocolate scoops for the first 50 folks who stops in at or after 11 a.m.
