Nieghborhood Watch

Michael Cardenas Plans Toranoko in Little Tokyo; Gjelina Opening Take-Out Pizza Joint

Native Foods is taking over for the shuttered M Cafe de Chaya in Cuver City
Native Foods is taking over for the shuttered M Cafe de Chaya in Cuver City Photo: Tatiana Arbogast

Beverly Hills: Picci, a new Italian restaurant from Jeff Vespa and Jason Harley, is opening in December with a design by Spacecraft. [Eater]
Culver City: M Cafe de Chaya will become another location of Native Foods. [Eater]
Hollywood: The Yamashiro market is closing for the season until March 2011. [Squid Ink]

Little Tokyo: Lazy Ox owner Michael Cardenas plans a new, neighboring concept called Toranoko, with help from some Nobu vets. Expect “real” Japanese cuisine driven by California growers of Japanese vegetables and smartly sourced seafood. [Eater]
Pasadena: Dog Haus opened for six types of sausage, hot dogs, tater tots, and the “Freiburger” on Hawaiian bread, stuffed with fries, cole slaw, fried egg, and cheese. [Squid Ink]
Rancho Park: Downtown’s former Olive Tree will replace Kay and Dave’s. [Feast]
Venice: Gjelina is eventually opening a take-out pizza place next door to the restaurant. [Yo Venice]
West Hollywood: Designer Thomas Schoos is teaming with Masaharu Morimoto on yet another project, this one the Saint Tropez-inspired Café Beach at Sweetzer and Santa Monica Blvd. Expect coffee, tea, sandwiches, and salads on a corner complete with a heated sand pit, wooden deck, beach chairs, and palm trees. [Feast]

Michael Cardenas Plans Toranoko in Little Tokyo; Gjelina Opening Take-Out Pizza