Melody Nazarian | January 5, 2012 6:45 amIs it me or is Hollywood getting hot again? Judging by wave of openings there — The Writers Room, Komida, Fukuburger, Papilles, and now Franklin & Company Local Tavern (5923 Franklin Ave., 323-463-1552) — it seems like it's on its path back to popularity. The latest debut is a cozy gastropub with specialty cocktails, and a sophisticated American menu (minus the high-brow price tag) makes it just the perfect place to fulfill your make-new-friends resolution.Read More
Melody Nazarian | January 3, 2012 9:20 amIt's a new year, time to look ahead to more fabulous times. But first, let's tie up some loose ends by quickly looking back at exciting year-end openings to try in 2012. There's everything from restaurant debuts in downtown, Hollywood, and Pasadena, to new clothing and interior design boutiques, to pop-ups that will fold soon.Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 27, 2011 9:48 amThey've got burgers down pat, and now the Umami Restaurant Group is getting down to business with pizzas. But not just any old pizzas; classic Neapolitan slices like the ones they made in Italy back in the day. With the debut of 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria (10889 Lindbrook Blvd., 424-239-5010) next Tuesday, Jan.Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 16, 2011 11:00 amIt's the weekend before Christmas, and there are tons of things you still need to do. Like, get on those last-minute holiday gifts if you haven't already. For that, there are plenty of amazing sample sales going on this weekend from the likes of Rebecca Minkoff and CC Skye to Glamhouse and Junior Drake.Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 15, 2011 10:05 amHollywood is filled with happening drinking and dancing spots, but what it's lacking is a cute bistro for those days when all you want to do is perch prettily, nurse a glass of wine, and indulge in a fresh meal without all the noise. Say bonjour to Papilles (6221 Franklin Ave., 323-871-2026). It's inspired by Parisian bistros and the French bistronomique movement, keeps its menu tight and simple, uses only locally sourced ingredients, and offers lots of sip-worthy wine.Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 12, 2011 11:45 amOne thing Los Angeles wasn't short on in 2011 was restaurant openings. Blink and you'd almost miss a new spot popping up from downtown to West Hollywood to Santa Monica and beyond. Everything from rooftop eateries with sweeping views to innovative burger joints to casual market-style spots to Michael Voltaggio's highly anticipated Ink burst onto the food scene this year, and are continuing to feed many.Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 5, 2011 10:20 amArtisan House (600 S. Main St., 213-622-6333) doesn't officially debut until this Thursday, but right now it's open for business in soft-opening mode. You would think with it being a restaurant-slash-bar-slash-deli-slash-market, it would be complete chaos in there, but on the contrary, every part has its space, and everything runs quite smoothly and beautifully.Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 2, 2011 11:05 amIf you were a fan of Tengu Sushi in Westwood, you're sorry to see it go. But don't be too sad, because debuting in its place is a lively Mexican restaurant that is sure to bring on lots of fun and delicious times. Casa Azul (10853 Lindbrook Dr., 310-209-0666), soft-opening today, is brought to us by Vicente Del Rio, the chef behind the two Frida locations.Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 1, 2011 7:35 amOctober wasn't too shabby, but November was a busy month in terms of restaurant and bar openings. Around 12 new spots popped up around town from Studio City to Santa Monica to Venice Beach to Bel-Air. Wolfgang Puck's highly anticipated new eatery debuted, a few restaurants got second locations, and The Original Farmers Market finally got a top-notch burger joint.Read More
Melody Nazarian | November 21, 2011 7:27 amThere have been so many new restaurant openings lately, it's been hard for my stomach and me to keep up! But this isn't the time to ignore all the cool spots that are popping up around town. There's Roy Choi's latest project in Venice Beach, The Six Restaurant's Studio City outpost, an Hermosa Beach Mexican eatery (pictured above) that's worth driving to just to check out the fancy decor, and a couple more newbies worth checking out.Read More
Melody Nazarian | January 5, 2012 6:45 am
Is it me or is Hollywood getting hot again? Judging by wave of openings there — The Writers Room, Komida, Fukuburger, Papilles, and now Franklin & Company Local Tavern (5923 Franklin Ave., 323-463-1552) — it seems like it's on its path back to popularity. The latest debut is a cozy gastropub with specialty cocktails, and a sophisticated American menu (minus the high-brow price tag) makes it just the perfect place to fulfill your make-new-friends resolution.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | January 3, 2012 9:20 am
It's a new year, time to look ahead to more fabulous times. But first, let's tie up some loose ends by quickly looking back at exciting year-end openings to try in 2012. There's everything from restaurant debuts in downtown, Hollywood, and Pasadena, to new clothing and interior design boutiques, to pop-ups that will fold soon.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 27, 2011 9:48 am
They've got burgers down pat, and now the Umami Restaurant Group is getting down to business with pizzas. But not just any old pizzas; classic Neapolitan slices like the ones they made in Italy back in the day. With the debut of 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria (10889 Lindbrook Blvd., 424-239-5010) next Tuesday, Jan.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 16, 2011 11:00 am
It's the weekend before Christmas, and there are tons of things you still need to do. Like, get on those last-minute holiday gifts if you haven't already. For that, there are plenty of amazing sample sales going on this weekend from the likes of Rebecca Minkoff and CC Skye to Glamhouse and Junior Drake.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 15, 2011 10:05 am
Hollywood is filled with happening drinking and dancing spots, but what it's lacking is a cute bistro for those days when all you want to do is perch prettily, nurse a glass of wine, and indulge in a fresh meal without all the noise. Say bonjour to Papilles (6221 Franklin Ave., 323-871-2026). It's inspired by Parisian bistros and the French bistronomique movement, keeps its menu tight and simple, uses only locally sourced ingredients, and offers lots of sip-worthy wine.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 12, 2011 11:45 am
One thing Los Angeles wasn't short on in 2011 was restaurant openings. Blink and you'd almost miss a new spot popping up from downtown to West Hollywood to Santa Monica and beyond. Everything from rooftop eateries with sweeping views to innovative burger joints to casual market-style spots to Michael Voltaggio's highly anticipated Ink burst onto the food scene this year, and are continuing to feed many.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 5, 2011 10:20 am
Artisan House (600 S. Main St., 213-622-6333) doesn't officially debut until this Thursday, but right now it's open for business in soft-opening mode. You would think with it being a restaurant-slash-bar-slash-deli-slash-market, it would be complete chaos in there, but on the contrary, every part has its space, and everything runs quite smoothly and beautifully.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 2, 2011 11:05 am
If you were a fan of Tengu Sushi in Westwood, you're sorry to see it go. But don't be too sad, because debuting in its place is a lively Mexican restaurant that is sure to bring on lots of fun and delicious times. Casa Azul (10853 Lindbrook Dr., 310-209-0666), soft-opening today, is brought to us by Vicente Del Rio, the chef behind the two Frida locations.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | December 1, 2011 7:35 am
October wasn't too shabby, but November was a busy month in terms of restaurant and bar openings. Around 12 new spots popped up around town from Studio City to Santa Monica to Venice Beach to Bel-Air. Wolfgang Puck's highly anticipated new eatery debuted, a few restaurants got second locations, and The Original Farmers Market finally got a top-notch burger joint.
Read More
Melody Nazarian | November 21, 2011 7:27 am
There have been so many new restaurant openings lately, it's been hard for my stomach and me to keep up! But this isn't the time to ignore all the cool spots that are popping up around town. There's Roy Choi's latest project in Venice Beach, The Six Restaurant's Studio City outpost, an Hermosa Beach Mexican eatery (pictured above) that's worth driving to just to check out the fancy decor, and a couple more newbies worth checking out.
Read More
