Cockroaches Forced Studio City’s Umami Burger to Close for Two Days

Another bug

Looks like another infestation-related restaurant closure in Los Angeles, with Umami Burger in Studio City shuttered because of a bug problem. That’s per LA Daily News, who lump in the casual burger chain with a trio of other spots that also got shut down by the health department recently.

As is common in scenarios like this, Umami was forced to shutter for two days while figuring out how to remedy the cockroach issue. They eventually reopened, and now carry a B grade — still better than the C that Canter’s was left with when they got hit by the health department last week.

Greek by the beach

Playa Vista’s in line for a Rodini Park restaurant, says FoodGPS. The casual Greek option should stock mostly to the staples, but also has room for fun stuff like baklava cheesecake.

Katsuji Tanabe to Chicago

Mexikosher chef Katsuji Tanabe is taking to his new home in Chicago well. The Top Chef star opened a restaurant called Barrio there last month, says Bravo, and is starting to fit right in with the pace (and size) of the locals.

No more Soda Pop’s

It’s the end of the road for long-running La Cienega sandwich shop Soda Pop’s. The popular eatery says in a goodbye note on their Facebook page that yesterday was their “last day in business at this location,” though they do not offer a new restaurant space for the future (or a reason for the shutter).

Felix does wine

It’s high time for Felix in Venice to start getting into the wine dinner game, where the restaurant partners with a winery for a one-night ticketed feast. This first go-round features wines from Emidio Pepe to be paired with food by Evan Funke that circles around the Abruzzo region of Italy. Tickets for the September 7 event are $250 a head, and there will be two seatings.

Jason Fullilove never left

It takes a certain amount of perseverance to survive life as a pop-up, but that’s exactly what made chef Jason Fullilove and his Barbara Jean restaurant concept ultimately find a home. Now they’re stationed in the former Mare space behind Melrose Umbrella Co., and Fullilove tells the LA Times that, while it was hard, he’s happy to be in a place that works.

The Kombucha stigma

Health-Ade Kombucha is now found on store shelves and takeaway restaurant coolers all over the place, but the company started as a small operation based right in Los Angeles. They’ve obviously grown exponentially since then (to the tune of two million cases sold this year alone), but the Torrance-based manufacturing facility still has room to boom. As LA Weekly wonders, what will it take to bring kombucha truly mainstream?

Brunch on the Eastside

Newcomer The San Fernando is starting up brunch this Sunday, just in time for the long weekend. Raul Campos will be DJing on site and there are $18 bottomless Aperol spritz options to boot. Expect Saturday/Sunday brunch to follow weekly.