(Credit: Red Seven)
Summer crop
The hottest months bring out a slew of new restaurants
By Jiyeon Yoo, Metromix
August 13, 2007Honda-Ya
333 S. Alameda St., Los Angeles213-625-1184
Honda-Ya’s original outpost in Tustin has long claimed a rabid, yakitori-obsessed following. The newer Little Tokyo location was met with the kind of anticipation and excitement to be expected of such a place. Items on skewers are especially popular, from chicken hearts to batter-wrapped octopus to bacon-wrapped asparagus to plain ol’ beef. There’s also an extensive sake menu perfect for aficionados and newbies alike.
Takami Sushi & Robata
811 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles213-236-9600
Don’t worry about the food—people come to Takami for the view. Looming 21 stories above Downtown LA, Takami focuses on Japanese-influenced dishes and drinks. Wasabitini and Bloody Sake are among the signature cocktails, and the chef likes to create artful dishes such as the Tropical Avocado Bowl, made with sashimi, mango, and (surprise) avocado, or the Sweet Scallop Present that includes wine-infused Jell-O along with the tempura scallops.
Intelligentsia
3922 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles323-663-6173
In the eve of Sunset Junction’s glorious all-weekend music party, Intelligentsia opened its award-winning, socially-conscious-before-social-consciousness-was-hip counter to the caffeine junkies of Silverlake. Fans of the Black Cat espresso are legion while expertly micro-roasted coffee is coaxed from not one but two Clover machines. Very smart coffee indeed.
Nonna
8256 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles310-270-4455
Il Sole's former owner/chef has expanded his Italian operations to include the new Nonna. In Italian, nonna means grandma, so it’s no surprise that the menu veers toward Italian comfort classics: risotto and other cheesy delights. Italian specialties are flown in every week, so guests are treated to very authentic truffles and mozzarella.
Kiichi
8351 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood323-656-1735
This is a new, upscale space in the heart of West Hollywood. The menu is a collection of small plates; mainly Japanese but with a pan-Asian spin. As with any good izakaya restaurant, there’s an extensive alcohol list that tends toward beer and sake.
Vanilla Bake Shop
512 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica310-458-6644
We dare you to drive by the romantic damask awning and not get a tinge of temptation to stop on by. Six standard flavors anchor the cupcake menu while five additional specials rotate on a daily basis. Trust us, go on Meyer Lemon Raspberry days.
Lark Cake Shop
3337 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles323-667-2968
On an unlikely Sunset stretch (next to a bikini waxer called Stark, of all things) sits the pristine facade of L.A's latest sweets boutique. The baked goods are not only delightful, but reasonably priced. Plus, they give out cupcake samples.
Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles323-297-0100
Part due of the Silverton-Batali collab is as sardine-packed as its next-door predecessor. At Osteria's literal center is the much ballyhooed mozzarella bar where Silverton will hand-create, to our hearts' delight, dishes from fresh Italian cheeses. Word of advice: if you've got a speakerphone and redial, use it.
Craft
10100 Constellation Blvd., Los Angeles310-279-4180
Herewith, Craft Los Angeles is born of the award-winning Craft empire. The menu, like its NY sibling, is pricey ($94 for wagyu ribeye) and a la carte—build-your-own meal each $3 oyster and $10 side dish at a time. Expect a jam-packed room of agents from the neighboring ICM and CAA offices and be sure to get your camera phone ready.
Tanzore
50 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills310-652-3838
Restaurant Row’s latest resident, Tanzore revolutionizes the Indian dining experience with crimson and sleek décor coupled with thoughtful-fusion takes on traditional dishes. The marble-lined, gorgeously-blue lounge is a destination spot unto itself.
The York
5018 York Blvd., Highland Park323-255-9675
New to the Highland Park scene, The York is the perfect neighborhood pub. Get there early before the fish and chips run out and chat it up with owners Gabe Byer and Ryan Ballinger—former bartenders who still like to mix it up behind the bar once in a while.
Tracht's
111 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach562-499-2533
Chophouse expert Suzanne Tracht of Jar heads south to Long Beach. The eponymous restaurant is situated in the newly-renovated Renaissance Long Beach Hotel and recreates a similar menu of her trademark braised steaks, roasts and chops.
Bar Hayama
1803 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles310-235-2000
It was only a matter of time before self-taught Chef Sugiura-san, founder of the California Sushi Academy, would open a sushi restaurant. Located in Little Osaka (that beloved stretch of Sawtelle), the best seats in the house may just be in the front yard by the fire pit.
Pink Taco
10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles310-789-1000
Third-generation restauranteur (and former paramour to Lindsay Lohan) Harry Morton is spreading his franchise with the third installation of Mexican kitsch and cuisine. If your idea of rock 'n' roll is hanging out amidst the bric-a-brac of a gringo-ized cantina on the top floor of a mall, then Pink Taco is open for you.
ONE Sunset
8730 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood310-657-0111
For the West Coast outpost of their New York restaurant, partners Celeste Fierro and Erica Cohen have turned the former Barfly space into an elegant restaurant/lounge that incorporates Spanish, North African and Asian influences. The one-room concept (hence the name) features four distinct yet continuous areas for dining and lounging in style.
Red Seven
700 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood310-289-1587
Wolfgang Puck's continues his good restauranteuring fortunes with a lucky number seventh venture in the original Spago's old stomping grounds of West Hollywood. The restaurant takes a page from its space in the Pacific Design Center and boasts a modish interior that would inspire its own design-worthy conversation.
Larkin's
1496 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles323-254-0934
After much wrangling with city permits and licenses, Larkin's Joint finally opened its doors to the delight (and relief) of its Eagle Rock neighbors. The staff is not lacking in Southern (California) hospitality as they greet us with genuine charm and offer up the comfort of good ol’ fashioned food, pure and simple.
Salades de Provence
1040 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood310-657-9696
With a très francais name and West Hollywood location, salads are gussied-up affairs, dressed to the nines with roasted vegetables, smoked salmon, shrimp and lamb. The steep prices and the moderate portions may seem appealing to some, but birth-neighborhood of Pinkberry is bound to eat it up with gusto.
Banchan a la Carte
141 N. Western Ave., Los Angeles323-465-2400
The quaint, newly-appointed restaurant takes a page from neighborhood gourmet shops, like Joan's on Third, creating side dishes (banchan) such as traditional kimchi and marinated dishes from farmers' market products—and charging comparable prices, to boot.
Qusqo
11633 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles310-312-3800
Fill your belly with fresh Peruvian food at Qusqo, a bistro and art gallery in West L.A. whose name means “navel of the world” in quechua, the native tongue of the Incas. The kitchen serves up fresh and light variations on traditional Peruvian staples, including ceviche and quinoa salads.
Zu Robata
12217 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles310-571-1920
Shochu is the star at this Westside robatayaki restaurant—and the prominent display of shochu jars with fruit and spice infusions add brilliant color to the stylish and moody room. Whether your meal skews more traditional-raw or hot-with-fusion, the tempura banana dessert is an absolute must.
Ads by Google
RELATED LINKS
PHOTO GALLERY
PHOTO GALLERY
Fall crop
Autumn's new kids on the restaurant block
