Orange County’s Longstanding Indian Restaurant to Downsize Due to Landlord Dispute

Irvine’s 36-year-old Clay Oven Indian Cuisine will close its physical retail location on Thanksgiving and move operations to a commercial space in Costa Mesa beginning December 1, reports the Los Angeles Times. Clay Oven is largely credited with introducing modern Indian to Orange County, and plans to shift to takeout and delivery.

The reason wasn’t by choice. Co-owner and chef Geeta Bansal’s lease expires at the end of November, but a renewal also meant her landlord would tack on a rent increase. Bansal and her husband Praveen told the Times that the change is temporary, and they looking for another permanent location.

In other news:

• The LA Regional Food Bank and LA County is hosting a food assistance event today. Volunteers will provide fresh produce, pantry items and more for anyone who needs it, so head to the the First New Baptist Christian Church in Westmont near the 105 and the 110 Freeways today between 9 a.m. and noon. There’s other locations as well, use the Food Bank’s locator tool to find one near you.

• L.A. Taco published an eating guide to the San Gabriel Valley, from Hong Kong-style breakfasts to Vietnamese to Chinese barbecue.
• Sawtelle’s Hermanito is launching a new brunch menu starting Saturday.
• Silver Lake’s Vinovore will drive its Vinovan to both Café de Leche locations in Atladena and Highland Park. This wine pop-up runs today and Saturday.

• Echo Park’s Lowboy and The Window will reopen this weekend. A staff member tested positive on November 11, forcing both to shutter temporarily, according to The Eastsider.
• Next Wednesday, Cadoro Bakery will deliver parker rolls, English muffins, baguettes, sourdough loaves within 10 miles of Inglewood. Make sure orders over $20 are placed between Saturday and mid-Tuesday. Order at cadorobakery.com, and expect delivery between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

• Goodboybob Coffee Roasters opened at Culver City’s new Citizen Public Market. The coffee makers have Thanksgiving in mind, with a coffee combination pack featuring four blends for $75, and a wine basket filled with three wines for $70.

Courtesy of Goodboybob Coffee Roasters

• Clay Oven Indian restaurant to move to takeout and delivery-only space after 36 years [LAT]