New Restaurants
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| BIN 8945 |
8945 Santa Monica Blvd. |
West Hollywood |
310-550-8945 |
| Farm Stand |
422 Main St. |
El Segundo |
310-640-3276 |
| Hatfield's |
7458 Beverly Blvd. |
Los Angeles |
323-935-2977 |
| Simon LA |
8555 Beverly Blvd. |
West Hollywood |
310-278-5444 |
| Su Casa |
403 Main St. |
El Segundo |
310-524-9985 |
| Tasca Winebar |
8108 W. Third St. |
Los Angeles |
323-951-9890 |
| Tender Greens |
9523 Culver Blvd. |
Culver City |
310-842-8300 |
| Three on Fourth |
1432-A Fourth St. |
Santa Monica |
310-395-6765 |
| Upstairs 2 |
2311 Cotner Ave. |
West LA |
310-231-0316 |
| West |
170 N. Church Ln., 17th fl. |
Los Angeles |
310-476-6411 |
| Wilson |
8631 Washington Blvd. |
Culver City |
310-287-2093 |
New Nightspots
Coming Soon
Argent Hotel
Mozza Bar: For those who have been suffering hunger pangs waiting for the opening of this Nancy Silverton–Mario Batali project at the corner of Melrose and Highland avenues, word is that construction is under way, and that the crew is already beginning to taste the food; expect an early 2007 debut.
Good Deals and Other News
For those heading to the Hollywood Bowl (or just about any place that has a patch of grass), this top-rated Mediterranean offers a trio of pre-set picnic baskets for one – the Jazz ($35 for a chicken Cobb, grilled wild king salmon and a fruit tart), the Concerto ($37 for a Caesar salad, trenne pasta, crisp flattened chicken and a fruit tart) and the Symphony ($50 for a lettuce and herb salad, grilled vegetables, grilled flat iron steak, three cheeses and a fruit tart). Sadly, they don't offer a Mosh Pit of chili, mac 'n' cheese and sliders.
From now till Labor Day, this American cafe is celebrating "Summer BBQ Fridays" from 11:30 AM–7:30 PM, which means 'cue and more 'cue, along with Frito pie, Sheboygan-style bratwurst and, to wash it all down, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate-banana shakes.
Sang Yoon, the master of this Santa Monica artisanal brewpub's hamburger sine qua non, is the latest chef to head for the Helms Bakery complex in Culver City (8800 Venice Blvd.), opening a branch office in the space next to antique dealer H.D. Buttercup before the end of 2006.
This upscale bistro chain has added local jazz to the mix, with live music Thursday–Saturday from 7:30 PM on. It's also introduced an early evening "Bubbly Hour" (Monday–Friday from 5–7 PM ) featuring carafes of wine for the cost of a glass, half-price champagne cocktails and complimentary appetizers.
For as long as the tomatoes last, chef Sal Marino will offer his yearly Wednesday night "Sagra del Pomodoro" – an à la carte feast built around the more than three dozen types of heirloom tomatoes he grows in his own garden. Expect dishes like Green Zebra tomato gazpacho, oxtail and Cherokee tomato tartare with grilled Santa Barbara prawns and chilled Early Girl tomato soup with Hama Hama oysters; dishes range in price from $6 to $15.
This celebrity-saturated Sunset Plaza Italian has jumped on the special-night bandwagon, offering a fixed-price ravioli tasting on Sunday evenings, with diners choosing three types from a selection of six (lobster, pumpkin, porcini, potato truffle, four cheese or spinach) for $24; antipasti is extra.
Put on your best Tommy Bahama shirt and head to this Santa Monica Polynesian for a Hawaiian luau every Sunday from 3–7 PM. Platters for four cost from $40–$45, and feature slow-roasted pork, BBQ ribs, poi, ginger chicken, pineapple-coconut rice and other dishes. Complimentary hula lessons round out the fun.
This Beverly Hills Cal-Asian offers elegant three-tiered "Bento Boxes to Go" – three levels of small tastes for $60. The black or red lacquer box is yours to keep (though you get $10 off if you bring it back for a refill); available Tuesday through Saturday with 24 hours advance notice.
Wednesday nights are "Lobster Bake Special Nights" at this La Cienega Californian; the $23.95 meal consists of New England clam chowder or Caesar salad followed by a one-and-a-half-pound Maine lobster with corn on the cob. Chef Wayne Elias jokes, "Better get cracking because our supply of designer bibs is limited."
For the record, this spin-off of old-line Matteo's is now known simply as "Hoboken."
From now till the end of September, this La Brea Boulevard Southwestern is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a $20 three-course prix fixe menu (served Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Those diners who make their 20th visit to Sonora Cafe before the end of the year will be thanked with a complimentary bottle of Dom Perignon – a good reason to save those credit card receipts.