The big news this week comes from El Segundo, where several restaurant projects were announced. The most interesting is Sausal, which history enthusiasts will recognize as this area’s name during the Spanish rancho era. Chef Anne Conness, formerly of Tin Roof Bistro, will serve a menu derived from Early California recipes. The flavors of the early 1800’s were based on Spanish dishes, though contemporary Mexican items will also be available. This is easily the most adventurous concept in the South Bay in years, and is unmatched in greater LA. El Segundo will have a new destination restaurant the day Sausal opens – watch for announcements within two months…
The other downtown newbie will be Kagura Tonkatsu in the former Crush Bistro space. I liked Crush – it was a delightful space for wine and appetizers, but somehow didn’t catch on. The new restaurant will be the third branch of a well-regarded mini-chain specializing in fried pork cutlets and fresh udon…
More news comes from The Point, which has some surprising names among the expected chain operations. Most are upscale small franchises like Hopdoddy burger bar, Mendocino Farms, NorthItalia, True Food Kitchen, and ShopHouse. Superba Food & Bread will have their first restaurant outside Venice, but the real surprise is the new restaurant by the Simms Brothers. Craft Shack is described as “a fast casual sibling to Simmzy’s.” I don’t think anybody puts on a jacket and tie to go to Simmzy’s, so how much more casual this place can be is an open question. The Simms Brothers already have a hit with the mall-ready Lazy Dog Café chain – is Craft Shack their next mass-market concept or a one-off? Either way it will be good to see a local outfit competing with national chains…
Event Alerts… Justin Winery’s vintages will be featured at Fleming’s on June 3rd. The tasting menu is less meat-heavy than is typical from Fleming’s, and there is one unusual and interesting wine pairing. Price is $110, reservations are at 310-643-6911… At the more modest and higher proof end of the scale, Hey 19 in Torrance will be offering a rum dinner on June 9th, which happens to be the anniversary of the death of Charles Dickens. A talk on rum will be presented and Dickens’ favorite rum punch served, along with other libations. Dinner and drinks are a mere $45 – reservations may be made at 310-378-8119…
Raw Fish For Charity…From May 25 to 31, 100 percent of the proceeds from popular items at Ra Sushi will be donated to St. Jude’s Hospital to benefit cancer research. It’s an annual tradition at Ra, memorializing the nephew of one of the company’s founders who died of cancer a decade ago. You love sushi, so go this week and your tab will support a good cause…
Coming Attractions…Kiraki West bakery will probably be open by the time you read this, serving gluten-free Japanese-style baked goods. It’s a timely development in an increasingly health-conscious area, and they are likely to attract a lot of attention… Curious diners are hovering near Arthur J’s and Manhattan House, both of which are close to opening. Arthur J’s has a classic interior with mid-century modern features, including a lovely wooden screen and outsized globe lamps. Manhattan House doesn’t evoke any particular era, but the glimpses I’ve had inside show that money hasn’t been spared in sprucing up the place. Watch for openings soon… There will be a longer wait for I Shabu Shabu, opening on PCH in Redondo next to Ocean Tava. This spot was announced as a Chicago-style pizzeria over a year ago, but that deal has fallen through. Workers are renovating the space, but it will be a while before beef starts swishing in broth here…
Coffee Hounds Take Note…It’s difficult to see Green Roast Coffee from the street – they’re at the back of a strip mall on PCH in Redondo, and the sign doesn’t stand out as you whiz by. This new coffeehouse is worth a visit because it’s only the second place in town to roast their own. I’d give a comparative evaluation of all their products with those of Catalina Coffee, the other fresh roaster, but I have to sleep later this week. Meanwhile, Coffee Cartel is still open in Riviera Village, though you wouldn’t know it from their phone habits. I had heard a rumor they had closed and called to check, but nobody returned calls on two successive days. I stopped in and asked the person behind the counter, who was dishing out lattes just like usual. He explained that some days they don’t check their voicemail, and he seemed to find it humorous that I actually expected a return call…
Any new restaurants I should know about, any culinary events? I’m at Richard@richardfoss.com…
