If we've got our calendar right (and if there are no delays), we're about to be
semi-inundated by a tsunami of new restaurants, with Alain Giraud set to open
his Anisette Bistro in Santa Monica at the end of April, at the same time as the
American bistro and wine bar called Brix @ 1601 gets going in Hermosa Beach, and the
long-awaited branch of Father's Office in the Helms Bakery Building in Culver
City. The first week in May, New York's Wolfgang's Steakhouse is due to open in
Beverly Hills – somewhat confusingly situated just down the street from Wolfgang
Puck's Cut Steakhouse at the Beverly Wilshire. Also opening the first week of May, the various restaurants at mega-developer Rick Caruso's
Americana at Brand shopping center, with a list that includes Katsuya, Frida
Mexican, Cheesecake Factory, Jody Maroni and Richie's Pizzeria, among others
(yes, Virginia, there'll be a Pinkberry, a Jamba Juice and a Coffee Bean & Tea
Leaf as well). Recession? What recession? We're too busy eating for there to be
a recession.
– Merrill Shindler