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New Restaurants

New Nightspots

Coming Soon

La Cantina

The latest in an increasing number of hyper-trendy late-night destinations in (finally!) born-again Hollywood, this "easy Mexican" (6301 Hollywood Blvd.) with a sprawling outdoor patio will serve until four in the morning; scheduled to open in late February.

Ummba Grill

Situated between the new multiplex and the new food court in Century City's Westfield Shoppingtown mall (10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, 310-277-3898), this Brazilian churrascaria should satisfy whatever needs shoppers have for protein, with a sizable salad bar for those looking to try on designer jeans, and lots of meat for those happy to throw caution to the wind; scheduled to open in late spring.

Wilson's

With edgy design by architects from Studio Pali Fekete, and equally edgy food from chef-owner Michael Wilson (formerly of 5 Dudley), this Eclectic adds to the fast-growing Culver City restaurant community (8609 Washington Blvd., Culver City) with a menu of venison strudel, sweetbreads flavored with curry and lobster wrapped in pear; scheduled to open in late March.

Good Deals and Other News

Bastide

Has closed for remodeling. It will reopen in late spring with a new name, a New American menu and a more casual look; chef Ludovic Lefebvre will continue to run the kitchen.

Cucina Paradiso

It's "Dinner and a Movie" on alternate Thursday nights (February 9th and 23rd) at this Palms Italian, with a three-course "chef's choice" meal served for $35 per person (which includes two glasses of Niebaum-Coppola wines), matched with showings of films by Francis Ford Coppola and his daughter, Sofia Coppola; movies begin at 8 PM sharp.

Food Court at Westfield Shoppingtown in Century City

Only in Los Angeles would a new food court be the talk of the town, but ever since the food court at this upscale shopping center moved from the north end of the complex to a second-floor location on the south end, it's been all the rage thanks to its glass box design and seemingly limitless choices. Dining options include Japanese eateries like Mr. Hana and Seiki-Shi Sushi, a casual branch of Brentwood's Coral Tree Café (called Coral Tree Express), a Korean BBQ and Asian noodle eatery called Sorabol, Gulen's Mediterranean for kebabs and the Red Rock Chili Co. for, well, chili (10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, www.westfield.com/centurycity/).

Ocean & Vine

Leading the return of fondue to SoCal, this Loew's Hotel New American is offering "Fondue Fridays," with classic cheese fondue served every Friday from 6:30–9:30 PM for $20 per person.

French 75

A bigger, more upscale branch of Orange County's romantic French fallback has opened in Burbank's Pinnacle entertainment complex (3400 W. Olive Ave., 818-955-5100); the sprawling, Toulouse-Lautrec–inspired space features a sizable bar/lounge and a menu of bistro classics.

Water Grill

This special-occasion Downtown seafooder now offers a $40 four-course dessert menu by pastry chef Koa Duncan, constructed to progress from "light and fruity to rich and intense"; though desserts change with regularity, expect dishes like her ruby grapefruit Napoleon, kabocha squash flan, warm equatorial chocolate cake and sea-salted pepita brittle.

• Nonya
• Ozumo (Orange County)
• Paladar
• Rockenwagner