OUT AND ABOUT— More drama unfolds in the real Mr.Chow vs. Philippe "Chow" saga, now with Mr.Chow's attorney purporting that he has physical evidence which proves Philippe Chau purposely changed this name to "Chow" in order to dupe customs and profit from the "Chow" name. However, the lawsuit is certainly not holding Chau/Chow back. He is working on opening up his newest Philippe establishment in the shuttered Dolce space, and recently filed for a liquor license. [GS]
MID-CTY— In addition to 15 new microbrews now on its beer menu, Melrose Avenue's The Bungalow Club recently finished a series of renovations upgrading its outdoor patio and adding a full bar with balconies and a dance floor to its upstairs lounge. [EaterWire]
TV LAND— Meat Loaf will apparently do anything for love. Even sing about steak sauce. [YouTube]
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Though Lemonade isn't slated to open until later this month, starting tomorrow the eatery will offer a refreshing sneak peak via its Lemonade Girl who will be "squeezing" aka pedaling Lemonade's new juice bike up and down Abbot Kinney, handing out complimentary glasses of lemonade between 12 and 4p. Flavors include Ginger Peach, Watermelon Rosemary, and Blueberry Mint, and those who tweet their Lemonade Girl sightings will be sent a complimentary dessert voucher. For those who miss Saturday's festivities, the Lemonade Girl will also be cruising around Main Street in Santa Monica between 10a and 2p. [EaterWire]]]>
1) Church and State: "Saw Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore all eating and drinking together at Church and State on Saturday night. Fo realz." [Starwatch Inbox]
And in ever more Santa Monica Top Cheffer news, Chris "CJ" Jacobsen has taken over the kitchen at The Yard on Broadway. The season three chef has been onboard now for three weeks focusing on market-driven small plates. This week's specials include: grilled baby back ribs with apricot tomatillo bbq sauce, watermelon salad, mint; fried summer zucchini with shallot crème fraiche, herbs; saffron risotto stuffed Beatrice eggplant, spanish chorizo, cherry tomatoes, shaved manchego. [EaterWire]]]>
With it's debut this evening, Hakobe replaces steak with sake in the space that formerly housed the Lodge Steakhouse. Adolfo Suaya (Osaka, Boho) is still onboard with new partner Asako, a former model according to Urban Daddy. While much of the space still has that lodge feel, a handful of Japanese embellishments plus a sushi bar have been added, in addition to a medium-sized Asian fusion menu offering everything form traditional sushi to salmon with peach ginger teriyaki sauce. [EaterWire]]]>
VENICE— After many delays, Hash, located on the ground floor of the Hotel Erwin will open for dinner tomorrow. Look out for Chef Micah Fields menu of "twisted comfort food." [EaterWire]
Cedd Moses continues his takeover of Downtown with the opening of his ninth bar, a tequila and mezcal tasting room called Las Perlas. Located just across the street from Cole's, the bar is currently in early stages of construction with an opening slated for late 2009/early 2010. Inspired by the simple style of traditional Oaxacan mezcal houses, Las Perlas strives to do what Seven Grand did for Whiskey, but this time for the fermented and distilled juice of agave plants. As for stock, the tasting room will serve (no shocker) top of the line, handcrafted tequila and mezcal. [EaterWire]
A hybrid between San Francisco's Ferry Building Marketplace and Grand Central Market is in the works for the Douglas Building's indoor atrium. Though on a smaller scale, the 3RD + SPRING Artisan Market, will span 
MID-CITY— With it's website up and running and a preview menu to boot, B+S snapped some shots of Laurent Quenioux’s upcoming Bistro LQ which opens Tuesday. [B+S]
About three weeks old now, Candela Taco Bar & Lounge has made an appearance across the street from Umami Burger at 831 S La Brea Ave. A sexy, modern take on traditional Mexican, Candela boasts a moderately priced menu with entrees between $9-$13 from Chile Relleno to Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (shrimp in lemon garlic sauce). [GS]]]>
Another borderline review, this time SIV gives the 1.5 stars to renovated French caviar shop, Petrossian Paris Boutique and Cafe. After a four month remodel the retail/eating establishment recently reopened, now "going for casual elegance" with "a menu of updated French cafe classics." Running the kitchen is 27-year old Benjamin Bailly a former sous at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Vegas and, in fact, this is his first executive chef position. Which may explain why "the menu has its ups and downs" and "falters with some too-sweet dishes and a liberal dose of truffle oil." Though she gave the eatery a star and a half, SIV dotes on a handful of dishes, from the "delicious" belinis, to the "elegant white asparagus purée," to the "utterly French" Petrossian salad. She had fewer words of praise for the "bland" king crab salad and the Sturgeon confit in olive oil, and she called the scallops a la plancha outright "awful." Yikes. Overall, "the chef's cooking is clean and classic" and though the menu has a "few missteps...if you focus on the caviar, smoked salmon and such, you'll be fine." [LAT]]]>
THE ELSEWHERE: The Find tries savory pancakes at Michelle's Pancake, la.foodblogging goes for Hunanese at Xiang Wei Lou also in the SG Valley, ShopEatSleep dips at Cole's, Mattatouille finally makes it into LudoBites, Sinosoul cheaps out at Pho Ha, Kung Food Panda dines at The Park, LA and OC Foodventures get fresh at Tender Greens WeHo, and LAmag heads West to try Santa Monica Seafood. ]]>
It's all about the space for Sherry this week in her early report on the new Boa Steakhouse. "Wow and double wow" plus "glam in a steakhouse" describe SIV's first impressions, and she admonishes, "Don't even think about eating inside." Rather, opt for the "dramatic" and "futuristic" outdoor patio. After gushing about the design, SIV declares the menu to be made up of "mostly Boa's standards" with the New York strip dry-aged for 40 days at the head of the class. And, in closing, she is back to the design. "Boa is all about perceived luxe...And for me the luxury is that excellent outdoor space right in the middle of the city." [LAT]]]>
Hamptons restaurants are unfortunately not always up to par, so good news for those beach bound this August. The boys behind James Beard-nominated, Frank Bruni-reviewed restaurant Animal will open a pop-up eatery in Montauk at the country-chic Sole East hotel. From August 12 to 18 Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo will be on site serving signature dishes from their Fairfax abode. Hot. [GS]]]>
SANTA MONICA— Less than a month ago new signage was spotted at the old Holly's West location and according to Urban Daddy, Angel's is now open. Touted as a piano bar and supper club, Angel's (from the owners of Temple Bar, Zanzibar, Little Temple and Townhouse) was inspired by "hangouts of the 1930s and ’40s" so expect a dimly lit bar with red and cream hues, plush seating, and live music. As for food and drink, small plates make an appearance, as do both new school and old school cocktails. [Urban Daddy]
Santa Monica: Since the last Thyme update about a month ago, signage has been erected and the cafe/market/bakery interior is taking shape. Think lots of painted white wood, a white marble deli counter, a refrigerated case off to the left plus confirmed seating directly in front. [EaterWire]
Culver City: With sister locations in Atwater Village and San Francisco, Bigfoot West finally preps for an entrance into Culver City nightlife. The 2,000-square foot bar located at 10939 Venice Blvd. (old Rae's space) will specialize in "high-end spirits," specifically unique scotches and North American Bourbons, plus rare Belgian and German beers. Expect comfy booths, an Indian totem pole, and a hand-carved wooden bear all inside the woodsy lodge which commences service July 22. Fun facts: the bar top is made from naturally fallen trees of Big Bear, and the log walls were recycled from the Atwater Village Bigfoot Lodge set in the Jim Carey movie, Yes Man. 
CULVER CITY— French Laundry vet Jamie Cantor has added a small lunch menu to her homey bakery, Platine Sweets & Savories. Starting this week, the bakery offers simple grab 'n' go sandwiches like Heirloom Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil on Pretzel Bread, and Baby Pretzel Rolls stuffed with Turkey, Arugula and Cranberry Chutney. Call ahead for curbside service; Tues - Fri, 10a - 6p and Sat 10a - 4p. [EaterWire] —YI
Earlier this week we announced our Extravaganza for the Senses ticket giveaway and posted a couple amusing contenders. Thanks to everyone who participated, and before we announce the winners, some honorable mentions (sorry, no prize here): Michelle D, Valerie S, Truckulent, Jana'e H, and Alexis S. On to the winners.
After missing a 'Watch due to last week's holiday, we are back with more fun. You see them eating and they don't care if they see you. Want to submit an item for the StarWatch? Operators are standing by.
West Hollywood: NYC pizza fanatics, brace. Because...Joe's Pizza finally soft opens tomorrow, yay! The official debut of Giuseppe Vitale's second Los Angeles location at 8539 Sunset comes Monday and the new eatery is, in fact, slightly more upscale than its Santa Monica sibling, compliments of the shuttered Cristoni Pizzeria. Three round booths that seat eight span the left wall (these are sure to be a hot ticket), wooden barstool seating overlooks Sunset, plus an expanded menu takes the helm. Obviously, the pizza that made Joe's famous back on the East Coast will remain, but the WeHo spot, with double the room as the Santa Monica venue, will serve up heros and even pasta. Look out for spaghetti marinara with Joe's homemade meatballs, "I make them myself," he told us. Location two will be run by Joe's 22-year old son, Joe Jr., with the pizza ovens manned by Joe's "pizza man" from the Carmine Street eatery. Oh yes, and don't forget the outdoor seating with room for 16. Get hungry.
Apparently the Iowa State Fair is known for its...of all things...butter sculptures. This year organizers have decided to honor the Michael Jackson legacy by depicting the pop star on a block of butter, though many have expressed disapproval of the unctuous art. In response, the fair has opened the butter debate up to a public vote. In other news, PETA chimed in on the controversy calling for the buttery block to be made from dairy-free Earth Balance. [EMD]]]>
Venice: Back again with a few more words about Lemonade outpost #3 on Abbott Kinney. Though owner Alan Jackson estimated a mid-July opening, looks like there is still work to be done, and now the eatery is estimated to open within the next few weeks. Lemonade Venice features 2000 square-feet with indoor and outdoor seating plus free on-site parking. Nice. It will also be open seven days a week from 11:30a- 8:30p at first, but once their liquor license is acquired the hours will extend. As for food, the menu shall remain similar to the previous two locations, though this branch will feature a more seasonal menu (changing twice a week). Other additions include a larger variety of entrees, a “To Go” option with beach-ready picnic boxes, plus six to eight flavors of lemonade. Yo! Venice! also took a sneak peak inside, check out their computerized image of what the joint should look like when finito.