Highly Anticipated Italian Newcomer Etta Arrives in Culver City Soon

Upcoming Italian destination Etta is almost ready to serve in Culver City. The long-awaited project, first announced back in 2019, is the work of one of Chicago’s most prominent restaurant groups, known as the What If Syndicate. Celebrated chef Danny Grant and company — who are also expanding to nearby Beverly Hills with steakhouse Maple & Ash — are taking reservations for the pizza and pasta-focused spot now, with the first evening of full service slated for September 2. Former NoMad LA pastry chef Brad Ray is on as executive chef, meaning he’ll be running the day-to-day operations for the restaurant at the Ivy Station development. The group has further plans to expand Etta across Los Angeles, with a second location in West Hollywood coming sometime in 2023. The opening menu can be found here.

In other news:

• The Westin Anaheim has a whole new culinary team to know about, including executive chef Mark Timms (formerly of Accor in London) and pastry chef Andy de La Cruz. The group will oversee seven total restaurants and bars across the resort.
• Speaking of staff adds, there’s a whole new bar program in place at Playa Provisions right now, thanks to incoming bar manager Liam Odien, previously of the Corner Door in Culver City.
• Meanwhile, in Huntington Beach, the California State Parks system is working on overhauling its on-the-sand concessions, bringing in local restaurant group the Prjkt to oversee four new vendor areas along the three-plus miles of coastline. Similar beachfront update efforts have been underway for years in Long Beach and Malibu, with the latter restaurant being spearheaded by none other than Wolfgang Puck.
• Nossa in Los Feliz has a new happy hour to know about, running Wednesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The snacky menu is here.
• Longtime San Luis Obispo pop-up Bread Bike is now moving into a storefront space. The bakery, which used to be literally delivered door to door by bicycle, is under construction now.