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Bank on it
Chef Tim Hollingsworth has confirmed his expanded role at the upcoming LA Football Club food hall attached to Banc of California Stadium near Downtown. While a number of big names have been rolled out recently in conjunction with The Fields food hall, Eater has learned that the Otium and former French Laundry chef will indeed run a restaurant known as Free Play. The project isn’t slated to come online until later in the fall, but (as the name suggests) will feature everything from games to live entertainment, a DJ booth, and more. There will also be a full bar, lots of open air, and a party vibe to match the rollicking supporters section in the north end of the stadium itself. Look for Free Play to open sometime this fall.
Late shift
LA Times has a great story out on the late shift over at Pacific Dining Car, where things can sometimes get delightfully weird.
Getting close
Simone is almost ready down in the Arts District. So much so , chef Jessica Largey is beginning to staff up both in the kitchen and front of house.
Newport news
This year’s Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival goes down October 4 to 7, and the lineup is stacked. Expect chefs from Nobu Matsuhisa to Jet Tila to Tin Vuong to Sprinkles co-founder Candace Nelson. Tickets for some of the events are already sold out, but the big feasts are still available.
Fair game
The Daily Pilot tackles the rough and tumble world of making it onto the midway at the Orange County Fair. There’s a lot of competition among food vendors just to get in the door, let alone sell the most creative food to thousands of daily diners.
Kalman cooks
Bruce Kalman is cooking again, this time at Feastly in Venice. The $100 meal goes down on Sunday, August 12, and features (of course) lots of Italian favorites.
Tiki love
Thrillist gives some love to LA’s enduring tiki bar scene, from Tonga Hut in North Hollywood on down. In many ways, they argue, these throwback bars are keeping the spirit of old Hollywood alive.
Paloma flips
Hollywood tequila bar Paloma has changed hands. Now Ryan Sweeney, Adolfa Suaya, Matthew Robb, and the Goat Group team are heading up the clubby space, bringing on chef Eddie Garcia to help oversee a casual Mexican menu as well. Expect a relaunch party later this month.
