Zagat Survey Discussions

New Restaurants

Coming Soon

Danny's Venice Deli

This "Modern California Deli" (pastrami with guacamole on rye?) is the latest entry from the team responsible for James' Beach and the Canal Club; it's set to open in Venice (23 Windward Ave.) by mid-August.

Minx

With modern design by Peg O'Brien (of Republic fame) and "global cuisine" by Joseph Antonishek (formerly of O-Bar and Raffles L'Ermitage Hotel), this Glendale fast-laner (300 Harvey Dr.) should attract some attention. In addition to offering several dining spaces on different levels, there will be an outdoor patio, private cabanas and a dance floor; expect an opening in early September.

Weeneez/Red Dot Gallery & Bistro

At this combination upscale hot dog eatery, New American bistro and art gallery (but of course), you'll be able to chew on a sausage, then consider a new work for your living room; slated to open in a historic Downtown building (Security Building, 500 S. Spring St.) in mid-September.

Good Deals and Other News

blue on blue

The new executive chef of this Beverly Hills trendy is Gabriel Gabreski (formerly of La Folie in SF and Daniel in NYC), who's building his seasonal menu with ingredients from the local farmer's markets. Current dishes include sunchoke soup with sunflower seeds and a turbot-and-braised-beef combination with salsify and Meyer lemon.

Caffe Roma

This old-line Beverly Hills Italian cafe has gotten a new lease on life thanks to its recent purchase by Ago Scaindri (Ago and Sor Tino), who's brought in chef Piero Topputo (formerly of Toscana) to do an overnight makeover (350 N. Canon Dr.; 310-274-7834).

Chez Melange

Having decided it's time to get serious about cheese, this South Bay Eclectic is offering a collection of 10 artisanals, including the wonderfully named Purple Haze from Cypress Grove and Bella Sorella from Three Sisters (both from California), and Rogue River Smoky Blue from Oregon. A plate of three runs about $10.

Fish Grill

This kosher seafooder has a new branch in Brentwood (12013 Wilshire Blvd.; 310-479-1800).

Gladstone's Malibu

There's free live music every Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on the beach deck of this ocean-adjacent seafooder: the weekly "Good Vibrations" show, based on the songs of the Beach Boys, runs throughout the summer.

Greta Tunisian

This kosher North African has closed on Melrose, with plans to reopen in several months in a new space on Pico (where kosher restaurants abound). In the meantime, the Melrose space will be taken over by Busaba, a vegetarian Thai restaurant.

Katsu-ya

Designed by Philippe Starck, the new high-style Brentwood branch – rumored to cost somewhere between $7 and $8 million – is the talk of the sushi world, and it's a dazzler, resembling a bento box with its floor-to-ceiling blond wood (11777 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-207-8744).

L'Orangerie

After 29 years (many of them as the Survey's top-rated French restaurant), this Classic Gallic will serve its last dinner on December 31st. Immediately after, Nobu Matsuhisa will take over the property and begin a five-month-long remodel to turn it into the flagship of the Nobu chain, to be called Nobu Matsuhisa. When the new branch is ready, the original Matsuhisa will close – leaving a culinary void on La Cienega's Restaurant Row.

Luna Park

New Trader Vic's–style menu additions at this kitschy American include a quasi-Polynesian pupu platter featuring pork satay, beef "cho cho" (read: more things on sticks) and Szechuan chicken wings ($10.50), as well as "dessert dim sum" served in a bamboo steamer ($7.50). There's also a "volcanic" scorpion bowl for two for $22.

Matteo's

David Slay (formerly of David Slay on Beverly Drive) has been hired to give this Italian-American warhorse a major makeover, including a new look and a menu that brings the kitchen somewhat closer to the 21st century. However, chicken Beckerman and veal Clint Eastwood will stay on the menu.

Mélisse

Until the season ends (October, or even later), chef Josiah Citrin will serve a nightly "Heirloom Tomato Menu" – six to eight courses built around what's available at the moment (ranging from $87–$145 per person). Dishes might include Maine lobster seviche with green zebra tomato gazpacho, Hudson Valley foie gras poached in heirloom tomato consommé and a confit of heirloom tomatoes with balsamic ice cream.

Providence

For those who'd like to cut to the chase, executive pastry chef Adrian Vasquez is offering an all-dessert menu (five courses for $30 per person) that changes nightly but typically includes outré sweets like yogurt-cucumber sorbet with cantaloupe soup and chocolate cremeaux with raspberry foam.

Tengu

In mid-September, this trendy Westwood sushi lounge is opening a branch in the Santa Monica space formerly occupied by Ivy at the Shore (1541 Ocean Ave.). Expect the same formula that made the original a hit – high-style sushi rolls, exotic sake cocktails and a DJ who likes to crank it up.

Tower Bar

Sundays are "Burger Night" (6–11 PM) at this Sunset Strip Modern French, when chef Piero Morovich flips a variety of patties – from a tuna burger with wasabi-flavored aïoli ($25) to a duck burger topped with a poached egg ($25) to sirloin ($23) and turkey ($21) versions with Dijon crème fraîche – that come with a choice of white cheddar or Brie, skinny french fries or onion rings. Other guilty pleasures include mac 'n' cheese ($9), a foot-long hot dog ($9) and a hot fudge sundae ($10).

• Citronelle (Santa Barbara)
• Greek Island
• Lincoln