Grub Street Los Angeles

Federal Bar Grand-Opens In Long Beach

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:40:00 GMT

New Federal Bar in Long Beach]]> The Knitting Factory's Federal Bar gave a gloss to North Hollywood's Arts Districts when it opened in early 2011, endowing The Valley neighborhood with a farmers market-y gastropub of its own, along with live music and variety acts. Yesterday, Federal Bar stretched out to its second location, taking over the space that used to be Madison Steakhouse in Downtown Long Beach.

]]> Spacecraft lent a hand on design, along with Beth Holden of New Theme, adding a stately Scotch-bar feel to this grand 1924 building, which will also include a stage for performances. In addition to beer floats and a long list of drafts, expect Shad Davis' menu of creative comfort, with dishes like IPA-braised short ribs, burgers, dogs, and Hulk Smash! potatoes, which do not have a summer tie-in with Marvel, but might be made out of soylent green for all we know. Doors open daily at 11:30 A.M., with the full menus right here.

https://www.facebook.com/thefederalbarlongbeach">The Federal Bar Long Beach, 102 Pine Ave. Long Beach; 562-435-2000.

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Filed Under: openings, empire building, federal bar, knitting factory, long beach

Stevie Wonder Celebrates Birthday At H.O.M.E.; Denzel Detoxes at M Cafe

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:20:00 GMT

Denzel]]> When it comes to celebrity sighting schadenfreude, everything fails in comparison to seeing Kanye West slam his already swollen head on a metal sign outside of 9021Pho this week, shortly before someone scratched up his $750,000 Lamborghini. Nonetheless, we are duty-bound to report the latest in where stars eat and just have to soldier on. This week, Robert Pattinson caught forty winks in the car after a night out at Chateau Marmont, Puffy had his ride pulled over outside of Soho House, Stevie Wonder stopped by H.O.M.E. to celebrate his special day, Denzel detoxed with a visit to M Cafe, and Bullworth mates Warren Beatty and Halle Berry narrowly missed each other at Rivabella. For all this and more, check out this week's celebrity restaurant sightings.

]]> Beverly Hills: That Real Housewives lady, Lisa Vanderpump, scouted locations for her new restaurant you're never going to go to. [Daily Mail]

Chateau Marmont: Robert Pattinson proved just how nice it must be to have a driver. [Hollywood Life]

Hakkasan Las Vegas: Vanessa Hudgens, J. Lo, Axl Rose, and Kelsey Grammar were all raging here on Saturday for Tiesto's show. [HLV]

H.O.M.E.: Stevie Wonder celebrated his birthday with a night out in Beverly Hills. [VS]

Kate Mantilini: The celebrity hangout got a shout-out in one of the best lines of the Glee season four finale. [Daily Mail UK]

M Café: Denzel Washington came in for a detox juice, tuna salad, and dilled tofu salad, with theories that he was coming from a big workout. [GS]

Rivabella: Halle Berry ate for two last night.Warren Beatty showed up as well. Could a Bullworth sequel be in the works? [Daily Mail UK]

Soho House: Sean "P. Whateverthefuckyoucallhimnow" Combs had his ride pulled over after stopping to enter the club, with some snitch reporting a gun in the car. The driver and bodyguard were let go when LAPD found nothing. Welcome to Los Angeles. [LAist]

Stanley's: Kim Kardashian and her baby wore clear heels this week. [The Grio ]

Whole Foods: January Jones apparently purchased a small human child at the grocery store. [Celebuzz]

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Filed Under: celebrity settings, axl rose, chateau marmont, denzel washington, h.o.m.e., hakkasan, halle berry, january jones, jennifer lopez, kate mantilini, kelsey grammar, kim kardashian, lisa vanderpump, m cafe, rivabella, robert pattinson, sean combs, soho house, stanley's, stevie wonder, tiesto, vanessa hudgens, warren beatty, whole foods

Brian Malarkey Taking Gingham Off The Rack, Bringing Searsucker To L.A.

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:30:00 GMT

Malarkey]]> Gingham, the Western-themed San Diego meat palace that formed the fourth fabric-named concept in Brian Malarkey's pork-pie crown, is closing. La Mesa Patch learns that "closed for repairs" signage on Gingham's doors won't be coming off, contradicting earlier objections from Malarkey partner's, James Brennan, that the place was never on the chopping block. In a statement this week, Brennan is now saying that Gingham, which was reportedly never as packed as Searsucker or Herringbone, is closing so the company can concentrate on the existing concepts. On the plus side, their efforts will land a Searsucker location in Austin and right here in Los Angeles by the end of this year. Check out the New American menus right here and someone tell all the other Top Chefs to dust off the welcome mat. [Patch; Earlier]

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Filed Under: closings, brian malarkey, gingham, imports, san diego, searsucker, top chef alumni newsletter

Of Course There's Going To Be A Bacon Fest, June 16 In Del Mar

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:15:00 GMT

Help us.]]> It was only a matter of time. On June 16, Farmer John is presenting The Big Bite Bacon Fest at The San Diego County Fair in Del Mar. Organizers are now courting competitive home cooks and pro chefs to vie for the $5,000 pot. $55 also buys the general public access to one of two sessions, spread with crazy bacon dishes from local chefs and restaurants.

]]> Additionally, there will be lots of San Diego craft beer on hand. Also, for ~~zoophiles~~ VIPs, something called the "Porklover Lounge."

And speaking of lovers, the production is looking for couples who want to marry amid "Bacon Bliss" before being escorted on their "Hog Honeymoon," which is really just a trip to Baltimore. Tickets available online.

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Filed Under: foodievents, bacon, bacon fest, farmer john, san diego

Fatty Cue's Robbie Richter Previewing Roadhouse L.A., Next Week In Hollywood

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:40:00 GMT

Robbie Richter, for the night is dark and full of terrors]]> Robbie Richter, the original pit master at Zak Pellacio's South Asian-kissed Brooklyn barbecue spot, Fatty Cue, and Manhattan's Hill Country, is currently conceiving a new concept on the West Coast called Roadhouse L.A. Last month, we learned that Richter would continue to put an original spin on the genre with odd cuts, international influences, and unexpected techniques aiding his ease with a smoker. (Case in point, Punjabi poutine with goat curry and short rib randang fajitas). The plan is to open the restaurant this summer at Hollywood's Improv. In the meantime, Richter will let L.A. in a few things he's been working on through a four-night preview at This Is Not A Pop-Up, whose principals are partners with the pitmaster on this new venture, along with Adam Fleischman of Umami. Come check out the menu, Jamaican jerk cupcake chicken and all, below.

]]> Robbie Richter
Roadhouse Preview
at This Is Not a Pop-Up
May 23-26
$50
Reservations through email.

MENU

TEJAS SAUSAGE TEMPURA mustard, queso, bock, lap cheong aioli

BRISKET SHABU SHABU smokey bone broth, cured lean & barbecued deckle

JAMAICAN JERK FRENCHED CUPCAKE CHICKEN curried black eyed peas, drunken grilled pineapple salsa

HAND-PULLED MOROCCAN LAMB SHOULDER central asian plov

DESSERT TBD

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Filed Under: look who's popping up, barbecue, fatty cue, hill country, hollywood, roadhouse l.a., robbie richter, this is not a pop-up

Stella Rossa Now Also Called Stella Barra

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:50:00 GMT

Stella Barra]]> Last week, chef Jeff Mahin opened Stella Barra, the Hollywood sister to Santa Monica's Stella Rossa. He must love the new restaurant, as Mahin and his corporate overlords, Lettuce Entertain You, are changing the name of the original Westside restaurant to Stella Barra as well. Reps for the restaurant say the move is intended to "maintain consistency and streamline this brand," and not just from the hopes that Barra's sheen will rub off on the older restaurant. So there you have it. Now there are two Stella Barras and no more Stella Rossa.

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Filed Under: the name game, hollywood, jeff mahin, santa monica, stella barra, stella rossa

Watch Eric Greenspan Sweat It Out In The Innner Sanctum Of Jitlada

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:15:00 GMT

Greenspan at Jitlada]]> What is Eric Greenspan working on now that The Foundry is closed for surgery? Instead of opening that damned grilled cheese restaurant he's been talking about for the better part of this decade, the Bar Rescue and Next Iron Chef alum is starring in his own YouTube show on the Tasted channel called The Melt Master. This week, it's Greenspan himself who melts after bringing it on down to Jitlada, L.A.'s titanic Thai champion.

]]> The chef blows his mind and tastebuds on the piping hot "Dynamite Curry" of Suthiporn Sungkamee and Sarintip "Jazz" Singsanong, feeling like he's been pepper sprayed from merely standing next to the chef. Then he takes a couple of brave bites. Describing the painful result, Greenspan says, "It was like swallowing razor blades...Then the chilies just declared war on my tongue, and I knew my colon was next." Fortunately, the segment doesn't get that far, but does show this animated L.A. chef tackling one of the city's spiciest dishes, sweat, agony, and—of course—a Thai grilled cheese to follow. Take a look!

Thai Attack! Grilled Cheese Revenge - The Melt Master [YouTube]

Earlier: Watch Chef Greenspan Sling Seafood Grilled Cheese Sandwich [GS]
How Eric Greenspan Overcame The Urge to Punch Rocco Dispirito in The Face [GS]

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Filed Under: video feed, eric greenspan, hot stuff, jitlada, the foundry

Seven Sublime Chef-Driven Taquerias, And Seven More Honorable Mentions

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:40:00 GMT

Wes Avila's beef tongue taco and kanpachi and uni tostada]]> Before we begin gushing about how cool L.A. chefs are for embracing tacos, we must first acknowledge that even Vince Neil has his own taco joint these days. Now that that's out of the way, we can exult in the spreading scene of professional chefs who are committing themselves to the tortilla these days, engineering tacos with clever techniques, heartfelt regional research, and gourmet ingredients.

]]> News broke this week that Walter Manzke, formerly of Bastide and Church & State, is teaming up with Tijuana's Tacos Kokopelli to bring Pretty Cash Taqueria to John Sedlar's former Playa space on Beverly. Which got us thinking, nowadays you're almost as likely to find a great taco in a chef-driven restaurant as you are on the side of the road. Without further ado, check out our guide to L.A. taquerias being run by chefs with .formal restaurant backgrounds.

Guerrilla Tacos: At Downtown's "Taco Madness" event, Wes Avila employed the fattest asparagus we've ever seen for his market-driven tacos (and you know what they say about the size of a chef's asparagus). It seems like this former Le Comptoir chef has no limitations as to what he'll put in a taco, using ingredients like uni and kanpachi, lamb, pork belly, sweet potatoes, wild mushrooms, and leeks to create stand-out tacos with stunning salsas. Until Avila hatches that brick and mortar he's dreaming of, you can find him Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at Handsome Coffee Roasters. 582 Mateo St. Downtown.

Tacos Punta Cabra: Former BLT Steak chef Josh Gil and Daniel Snukal, known to L.A. for their ongoing work as Supper Liberation Front, paint a sublime, superior tribute to Baja at this tiny Santa Monica taqueria where everything is made by hand. Fat, popping shrimp, lightly battered fish, and uber-fresh scallops mark some of the best new tacos in town, equally amazing in cocteles and tostadas. They even serve vegans with cauliflower tacos. 2311 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica; 310-917-2244.

Cacao Mexicatessen: Tapping the culinary school education of one of its daughter, Andrew Lujan and family's Mexican restaurant in Eagle Rock features a short but impressive "taqueria" menu featuring such contemporary classics as duck carnitas and chicharrones, Merlot-braised lamb, and vegetarian hibiscus tacos. 1576 Colorado Blvd. Eagle Rock; 323-478-2791.

Escuela: Steve Arroyo, famous for foreseeing the small plates craze at his popular Cobras and Matadors, turned his attention to tacos in 2011 and opened Escuela. Using all natural ingredients, you'll find cheffy (and pricey) contents like branzino, Maine lobster, pork ribs, and Baja-battered Langoustines in your tortillas. In addition to vegan and gluten-free tacos, you'll even find a take on the gringo hard-shell using braised beef shank. 7615 Beverly Blvd. Mid-City; 323-932-6178.

Loteria: Chef Jimmy Shaw's homage to Mexico City's street and stall tacos still stands as one of the city's O.G. destinations for chef-driven tacos. The tiny tacos, with strongly spiced and authentic ingredients, including regional favorites like cochinita pibil, carnitas en salsa Morita, chicken in pipian rojo, and veggie-driven tacos like mushrooms and epazote, and papa con rajas. 6333 W 3rd St. Mid-City; 323-930-2211.

B.P. Taco: After finding success with Blue Plate and B.P.Oysterette, Jennifer Morton's Blue Plate team hatched this dressed-up taco spot on Downtown Santa Monica, adding to a rising tide of South Beach style to the waterfront. You'll pay a premium for lobster and truffle oil tacos and they actually charge you for salsa, but housemade tortillas with fillings like brisket and grilled Mahi Mahi are worth a taste. 1515 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica; 310-458-1515.

Tinga: Inspired by the flavor profiles of places like Super Rica Taqueria, chef Jerry Baker and his wife, Chris, spawned the tight and tidy Tinga on Hollywood, serving a well-curated menu of tacos featuring spice-rubbed pork, lemon-brined chicken, vegan papas bravas, and his titular chipotle-steeped chicken tinga. 142 S La Brea Ave. Hollywood; 323-954-9566.

Honorable Mentions:

Bar Ama: For Josef Centeno's puffy tacos.
Kogi: For Roy Choi's short rib Korean taco, the living legend that launched a thousand ships.
Fig: For Ray Garcia's wonderful tacos during Sunday brunch.
Rivera: For John Sedlar's flower petal tortillas, one of the city's most stunning things to eat/gaze upon.
Spirit House: For Johnny Lee's sous-vide Kurobuta pork chasu tacos that Jonathan Gold recently put everyone on to.
Jar: For Suzanne Tracht's once-in-a-blue-moon "Taco Nights," returning May 22 with four tacos and Peligrosa Tequila cocktails. Reservations at 323-655-6566.

In Memoriam:

Komida: Though Yamashiro chef Brock Kleweno hatches a new concept at the restaurant's farmers market each spring, we still pine for his balls-out approach to tacos with Japanese flavor profiles at Komida.

Earlier: Salt's Cure And Bludso's Both Staging "Taco Nights" [GS]
Ricardo Diaz Planning Colonia Taco Lounge [GS]

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Filed Under: grub guide, bar ama, bp taco, cacao mexicatessen, escuela, fig, jar, johnny lee, kogi, komida, loteria, petty cash taqueria, rivera, spirit house, taco town, tacos punta cabras, tinga, walter manzke, yamashiro

Shaved Ice, Stinky Tofu, and Ba-Wan At The Taiwanese Heritage Festival, Sunday In Monterey Park

Hadley Tomicki — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:45:00 GMT

Stanky tofu]]> The smell of fried, fermented, stinky tofu will be wafting through the air on Sunday, as Monterey Park holds its 15th Annual Taiwanese American Heritage Festival. Though the all-day festivities include such things as ho-lin lion dances, hand puppets, a beauty contest, and the raffling off of a Jeremy Lin-signed basketball, you're really here for the snacks, which will include such stuffs as shaved ice, ba-wan, pork rice, peddler's noodle, and griddle cakes ringing Barnes Memorial Park from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Entrance is free at 300 W. Newmark Ave.

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Filed Under: foodievents, chinese, monterey park, taiwanese

Kroger Converts Unsold Groceries Into Alternative Power

Hadley Tomicki — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:20:00 GMT

Does this mean we still have to eat all our vegetables?]]> Losing sleep over food waste? Kroger, the supermarket giant behind Food 4 Less and Ralph's 359 SoCal locations, is turning 40% of the groceries people don't buy into alternative power. Kroger's Compton-based distribution center is using something called an anaerobic digester system to convert organic matter into methane gas that fuels the facility's energy grid. The company tells The L.A. Times that its annual power production could power over 2,000 homes and is helping to reduce waste by 150 tons of day. As more grocery giants cut back on inventory to avoid waste and consider dabbling in alternative energy sources, it appears Kroger is already doing both with its fancy new toy.

A Powerful Use For Spoiled Food [LAT]

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Filed Under: gone green, compton, food 4 less, kroger, ralph's

Fishing With Dynamite Now Open Seven Days A Week For Lunch

Hadley Tomicki — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:15:00 GMT

LeFevre's Peruvian scallop crudo]]> Fishing with Dynamite, M.B. Post chef and owner David LeFevre's brand-new seafood-centric restaurant next door in Manhattan Beach, is now open for lunch. This doubles your opportunity to get your hands on the chef's raw bar, as well as the menu he just debuted for dinner, broken down into sections like "old school," "new school," and "no school" seafood dishes. Potentially appropriate lunchtime fare includes Maryland blue crab cakes, crispy calamari, Albacore tartare, house fries, and a farro, feta, and beet salad with oranges. Fishing with Dynamite is now open seven days a week at 11:30 A.M., and is taking reservations for a table at 310-893-6229.

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Filed Under: let's do lunch, david lefevre, fishing with dynamite, manhattan beach, seafood

Micky's Sued In West Hollywood Over Lewd Conduct

Hadley Tomicki — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

It's very hard to play penis ring toss under this lighting]]> If you ever had any doubt that someone is having way more fun than you in this city, consider Micky's, West Hollywood's hard-partying gay bar. Alleged activities such as a "penis ring toss," public masturbation, and drinking shots out of a male stripper's butt crack are landing the venue in court. Nine former employees are suing Micky's over civil rights violations that include lewd conduct, racial and sexual discrimination, and creating a sexually hostile work environment.

]]> The nine ex-employees, whose sexual orientations are mixed, claim that working while hardcore gay pornography was playing is proof that they "were forced to work in a sexually hostile environment," with one staffer even spying his own roommate performing in one of the films.

In another incident documented by the plaintiffs' lawyers, a stripper was photographed moseying around the club with semen on his face and chest. Straight staffers and one African American plaintiff also claim that they were fired for racial and discriminatory reasons.

And the problems don't end there for Micky's. The state of California is also investigating the place for fourteen counts of lewd conduct, with the latest lawsuit marking the eleventh time the bar has been sued over labor issues (eight of which were previously dismissed).

The salacious accusations run on and on, and you can read all about them on WeHoVille today. And if it sounds like a pretty good time, you're free to find the bar, or avoid it entirely, at 8857 Santa Monica Blvd.

9 Former Micky’s Employees Sue Gay Bar; Lawyer Goes Public With Graphic Details [WehoVille]

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Filed Under: lawsuits, gay, micky's, west hollywood

Japanese Chef Killed in Germany Over Apparent Noodle Dispute

Hadley Tomicki — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:45:00 GMT

Not worth it.]]> Miki Nozawa, a 57-year-old Japanese chef, was killed this week after having an argument with two customers over a bowl of noodles. Nozawa, a supposed specialist in the world of Italian-Japanese fusion, was cooking on the German island of Sylt when two unidentified customers began griping about the fried noodles and beef they'd been served. The local paper claims that the suspects, believed to be day-laborers, demanded their money back, while German gossip site Bild says that the two guys left without paying. Tragically, the incident didn't end there. Nozawa later ran into the two men at a strip club that night, where the argument resumed. After requesting money from the two men, the heated talk turned into a full-on fight, with Nozawa being savagely beaten and rushed to the hospital with brain injuries and internal bleeding. The chef died from his injuries in the hospital on Monday, while German authorities are still searching for the two assailants. [The Local; Nine MSN; SHZ]

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Filed Under: crime scenes, germany, japanese, miki nozawa, r.i.p.

Carson House Replacing Delfini Citta With New American Menus

Hadley Tomicki — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:05:00 GMT

Ooh, "classy."]]> Steve Fowler & Scott Paletz, the founders of Platinum Events and past principals at Hollywood's Vice nightclub, are opening a new upscale pub next week called Carson House. Johnny Messina, the culinary consultant and former executive chef at Conga Room Downtown and Kip's in El Segundo, will head up the kitchen at the new project, replacing the short-lived Delfina Citta on Wilshire in Beverly Hills.

]]> The menu concept will be geared towards new and traditional American cooking, with menus featuring burgers, sandwiches, seafood, fondue, and sandwiches over lunch and dinner. Messina is keeping Delfina's pizza over for a small, constantly changing pizza menu. Patrick Brady, a veteran of New York's Jekyll & Hyde and more recently the head mixologist at Crescent Hotel, will design the cocktails, while San Diego's Kevin Olson lends a hand as the bar's dedicated beer director.

Carson House, which will four main rooms including a den, dining room, bar, and living room, intends to have a private preview this coming Wednesday night, followed quickly by an official opening to the public.

Carson House, 8635 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills; 310-289-2800.

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Filed Under: coming soon, beverly hills, carson house, delfini citta, johnny messina, openings, patrick brady, scott paletz, steve fowler

What's New For The Fourth Annual L.A. Street Food Fest, Returning June 29 To The Rose Bowl

Hadley Tomicki — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:15:00 GMT

Mariscos La Guerrerense, the champion at last year's Street Food Fest]]> Shawna Dawson's annual L.A. Street Food Fest is returning next month for the fourth year, coming back to The Rose Bowl on June 29. The event is being held a month earlier than years past to beat the summer heat while organizers are announcing the prospect of even more food tastings this go-around. Thrilling inclusions among the varied international eats on hand will be El Coralense, Bigmista's BBQ, Badmaash, Corazon y Miel, The Ceviche Project, and a new concept from Tiara Cafe's Fred Eric called D'elish.

]]> Though it doesn't yet sound like the Baja restaurants that formed the best part of last year's festival are all returning, Tijuana's Javier Plascencia and San Diego's Aqui es Texcoco will both make it, along with T.J.'s Mariscos El Mazateño.

In addition, all of the Taste of Mexico restaurant members, including Frida, Guelaguetza, La Monarca, and La Casita Mexicana, will rally for Street Food Fest, along with Pablo Moix and Steve Livigni on drink duty. Also returning to the event this year after a short absence will be live music, with bands to be announced in the coming weeks over social media.

Tickets to the day-long feast are limited to 5,000 and have always sold out before the day itself. Tickets are now available by pre-sale on Eventbrite, priced at $50 for general admission and $75 for VIP, which allows for early entry and a VIP lounge.

Look for the full lineup of the day's participants and get your tickets online.

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Filed Under: foodievents, badmaash, corazon y miel, el coralense, javier plascencia, pasadena, shawna dawson, street food fest, the ceviche project, the rose bowl