SHAMBRA RESTAURANT CONSULTING-News

Summer Food Festivals to Drool Over

John Shambra — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 16:00:00 +0000

One way to beat the summer heat is to avoid cooking at home and let someone else do it for you. Preferably some of the best, most notable, and up-and-coming chefs in Los Angeles.

If you're in the mood for some summer temptations, here are a few food festivals to consider. Get out of the kitchen, catch some sunshine, and avoid dirty dishes at home.

LA Food Fest

June 10, 2PM - 7PM
LA Memorial Colisseum
3911 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90037

LA Dessert Festival

June 17, 12PM - 6PM
Cooper Design Space
860 South Los Angeles Street
Floor 11
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Orange County Food, Wine, & Music Festival

June 24, 12PM - 7PM
Sea Terrace Park
Dana Point

Culver City Centennial Food & Wine Festival

July 2, 4PM - 8PM
Courtyard by Marriott LA Westside Hotel
6333 Bristol Parkway
Culver City, CA 90230

LA Bacon Fest

July 22, 12PM - 3PM, 4PM - 7PM
Los Angeles Center Studios
450 South Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Taste of Ecuador Food Festival

August 6, 10AM - 6PM
Placita Olvera
425 N Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA

Katana to open soon in Chicago

John Shambra — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 16:00:00 +0000

Innovative Dining Group (IDG) is set to open a new Katana outpost soon in Chicago. A welcome addition to the mid-west, Katana already has a presence in Scottsdale, Arizona, Abu Dabi, and Dubai.

As posted here in Eater Chicago, restaurant equipment provided by Shambra Restaurant Consulting has already arrived on site. Over 13,000 square feet, the space will feature a stand-alone robata bar, a sushi bar, and a premium sake bar. The back of house kitchen includes a 25-foot long custom stainless steel chef's counter in addition to the full cookline.

Here's a sneak preview of the chef's counter.

Food and Restaurant News from Shambra Restaurant Consulting

John Shambra — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 17:00:00 +0000

A little design with your dessert?

If you're craving something more, well, architectural, when it comes to the sweeter things in life, you can't go wrong with the amazing—and edible—creations of pastry chef Dinara Kasko.

She's featured on BoredPanda.com, including a video where she assembles, cuts, and displays fantastically-shaped and exquisitely-designed desserts. Visit her Instagram page for more incredible edibles.

Keep it simple, please

On the other hand, there are times when simple is better. Case in point: restaurant plates. Honestly, we don't want anything more complicated than a simple white plate for our food to perch on. Some restaurants, however, think otherwise, and decide to serve their offerings on the weirdest items.

We Want Plates is a funny twitter account showcasing the disastrous plating choices restaurants make, from the juvenile . . .

"Would you like some bread while you wait?"

*five minutes later*

"I'M FORTY-EIGHT YEARS OLD."

(Pic: @megoizzy) pic.twitter.com/OKajYfWSl1
— We Want Plates (@WeWantPlates) June 9, 2016

. . . to the possibly unsanitary . . .

No tasting menu is complete without some meat on a clipboard.
(Pic: @LilMissCakes) pic.twitter.com/nuGesFcWrp
— We Want Plates (@WeWantPlates) November 12, 2015

"Chef, we can't keep charging people so much for some bits of fruit on a plate."
"FETCH THE MUG TREE AND A DRILL."

(Pic: @Aunty_Marianne) pic.twitter.com/63h3uIiuFp
— We Want Plates (@WeWantPlates) November 15, 2016

. . . to the potential lawsuit. Eyepatch, anyone?

Bottlefish, from the creators of CPK, opens in Brentwood

John Shambra — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 17:30:00 +0000

Shambra Restaurant Consulting recently completed work on the newly-launched Bottlefish restaurant. The brainchild of Rick Rosen and Larry Flax, the founders of CPK, the restaurant opened last week on the second level of the Brentwood Gardens complex located at 11677 San Vicente Boulevard.

The restaurant features a display kitchen with full view of the 25-foot custom-made stainless steel chef's counter, as well as a separate raw bar display window.

To transport and install the counter, Shambra Restaurant Consulting hired a crane and a flatbed trailer to haul it on site and lift it to the second level.

SRC wishes the best of luck to Bottlefish!
11677 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 200, Los Angeles, 90049

It's National Pi Day . . . Where to Fill Your Piehole

John Shambra — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 22:00:00 +0000

So it's Pi Day today, although we never need an excuse to eat one of our favorite desserts any day of the year. So here are a few places to grab some [pi]e of your own.

LA Times is celebrating these places to buy some pie . . . . or you can bake your own. With these 52 recipes, you can have your pie and eat it too, every week of the year.

Join the discussion on Eater LA and put in your own two cents where to get the best pie in LA. House of Pies, Cake Monkey, Four 'N 20, and Republic of Pie seem popular . . . .

Show some love to the American Pie Council (yes, there is such an organization) and get some tasty pie making tips.

Or if you just want to enjoy your pie at home, Whole Foods is offering a discount today. Yep, $3.14 off any pie.

Food and Restaurant News (and Fun) from Shambra Restaurant Consulting

John Shambra — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

SRC NEWS:

We've been super busy since the start of the new year! SRC is working on several projects, most notably the new Katana restaurant by IDG in Chicago. Several new Sweetfin Poke locations will be coming to various locations around LA. Red O is opening another outpost in La Jolla. And finally, another Hanjip Korean BBQ restaurant will make an appearance in downtown LA.

NEWS AROUND THE 'NET:

Who doesn't love a good pancake now and then? Take a few and watch these pancake videos posted by Eater LA. We have a soft spot for turtles (who doesn't?) and that pancake in a rice cooker idea looks pretty nifty!

Speaking of breakfast items, Eater LA also lists some spots around town where you can grab a few. No matter where you live, there's a place on the list nearby.

Ever tried to brew your own beer but without success? Well, maybe you should have gone to school, and now you can. UCLA Extension is offering a course called, "A Class of Beer: An Overview of the Craft Brewing Renaissance." If you've ever wanted to learn more about beer, or considered opening your own beer-themed business, this class is for you.

Say it ain't so, Joe! Joe's in Venice closing after 24 years.

John Shambra — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Photo from Joe's Restaurant Facebook page.

One of our long-term clients, Joe Miller, is closing his eponymous restaurant after 24 years on Abbot Kinney in Venice. Bar Pintxo, Joe's spot in Santa Monica, will remain open.

The restaurant will close its doors February 14, so stop in before then and show Joe a little love for his hard work and dedication to exceptional cuisine.

We'll miss you, Joe, and best of luck in your next adventure!

Joe's on Facebook

Poké is hot right now! SRC-designed Sweetfin Poké expanding thru LA.

John Shambra — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 22:00:00 +0000

Poké bowl by Sweetfin Poké

Poké may be the next big trend in fast-casual, Chipotle-style, restaurant dining. Shambra Restaurant Consulting is designing the soon-to-come newest outposts of Sweetfin Poké on Larchmont and in Westwood. Their second location, in The Village at Westfield Topanga, will soon open.

Read these Eater LA articles for info on the new locations as well as an in-depth look at the poké trend.

Can Poké Be the Next Fast-Casual Trend?

Sweetfin Poké Plans Five Store Expansion

Food and Restaurant News from Shambra Restaurant Consulting

John Shambra — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Say Whee!

Now this beats all. A new concept in the UK will deliver your food to you--wait for it--by rollercoaster. Seems like each table orders via tablet and then your food shoots down from the ceiling to your table. Just don't order the hot soup.

How about an aphrodisiac dinner for two for Valentine's Day?

Daniel Rolnik Gallery / John Kilduff - Artist

Like food? Like art? How about some tasty art. John Kilduff artist and TV-/internet-host will be featured at this month's LA Art Show, at "Kilduff's Bakery." He'll be painting up "made to order" art in his faux bakery kiosk. So if you like to look at food as well as eat it, order up a cookie or croissant to hang on your walls at home.

Picture from the Daniel Rolnik Gallery.

A video posted by Claudia Chan (@compulsivecook) on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:57am PST

And lastly, if you like playing with your food, check out this Instagram post. Featuring custard dumplings made in a Hong Kong restaurant, the diner proceeds to demonstrate the funnier aspects of eating such a confection.

Two SRC projects awarded LA Magazine's "best new restaurant" in 2015

John Shambra — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 16:08:00 +0000

Shambra Restaurant Consulting is pleased to congratulate two of its clients selected by LA Magazine as best new restaurants in 2015. Jon & Vinny's as well as Love & Salt (gotta love an ampersand!) took the number 10 and 8 spots respectively. Congrats to both on a successful 2015 and looking forward to a prosperous 2016!

LA Magazine: The Top 10 Best New Restaurants of 2015

HopSaint Brewpub soon to open in Torrance

John Shambra — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Shambra Restaurant Consulting provided a hand in getting this new brewpub up and running. Working with owner, Steven Roberts, SRC provided equipment purchasing and custom stainless steel designs for the beer- and meat-centric restaurant. Take a look at the ceiling-mounted custom shelves we designed.

Eater LA has a little article on the new spot, and you can visit their Facebook page as well. The HopSaint website should be up and running soon.

ROKU, another SRC project, opening soon

John Shambra — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 17:00:00 +0000

The news is already out that Sushi Roku on Third has closed, and the former Rivabella space was transformed into Innovative Dining Group's newest concept, titled simply ROKU. The space underwent a revamp to include new teppanyaki grill and a new sushi bar, while the amazing outdoor dining will still be available for those with a eye to a view.

Wonho Frank Lee

Read up on more ROKU developments, and be sure to check out some of the new artwork. Hans Haveron designed it, and the photograph is (probably) by Wonho Frank Lee.

Food and Restaurant News

John Shambra — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 16:00:00 +0000

We always knew it, of course. Cheese (like chocolate, potato chips, wine, and well, crack) is, as we thought, just like crack. Well now you have proof that your cheese addiction is real.

Need restaurant inspiration? Try out quirky Baroo, a no-frills, no-sign little Korean joint, serving up lots of vegetarian and vegan dishes (don't worry, there's meat too). The name? It's the word for the bowl from which Buddhist monks eat.

Just because summer is nearly over, you shouldn't give up on great fruits and veg. Here's what's in season now.

Lists of people who shouldn't stop for lunch: firetrucks on the way to a three-alarmer, police driving to a bank robbery, and yeah, human tissue transport drivers in downtown LA.

These aren't the mignardises you're looking for... #starwars #theforceawakens

Finally, for you Star Wars fans, don't miss Faith & Flower's off-menu dessert item. The treats are hand-made by pastry chef Josh Graves, just in time to celebrate the December 18 release of Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. Check out more mouth-watering pics at HuffPost.

Picture from Faith & Flower on Instagram.

Hanjip is getting LA's attention, soon to open in Culver City

John Shambra — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:00:00 +0000

If you're into Korean barbeque (and who isn't?) you'll want to keep an eye on Hanjip. Backed by chef Chris Oh, and Stephane Bombet (Terrine, Viviane) this spot is garnering multiple posts on sites like Eater LA.

"Consider the meat selection, which will be fully prime in the beef department. . . . Perhaps the biggest impact Hanjip will have is taking top-flight Korean barbecue out of Koreatown and into places like the Westside, Downtown, and beyond."

Need a little food porn to liven up your day? Here it is, also courtesy of Eater LA. Keep an eye out for future information about Hanjip locations, hint hint.

Get rebates and save on your next restaurant project

John Shambra — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 18:00:00 +0000

California is offering gas, electric, and water rebates for selecting approved commercial kitchen equipment. These rebates can result in significant savings not only in your utility bills, but also in equipment costs and installation.

Visit our newest page Energy Rebates to learn more about how SRC can save you money in your next project.

Trois Familia in Silver Lake just about ready to open

John Shambra — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 +0000

Shambra Restaurant Consulting assisted the Trois trio with a slap-bang switcheroo of the former Alegria space into Trois Familia, set to open shortly.

We knew the place would focus on being a Mexican-French brunch spot. Now the LA Times writes they will heavily feature eggs everyday, calling it a "Mexican-French egg joint." So now we know.

Read up on the newest Trois installment here.

Animated cake fun to kick start your Monday morning!

John Shambra — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 16:00:00 +0000

Check out this incredible “animated” cake by Alexandre Dubosc. Pacman, popcorn, and coffee. How else would you start your day?

Coming in under the radar, Trois Familia, another Jon/Vinny/Ludo rest

John Shambra — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 22:10:00 +0000

Fast and stealthy. The trio’s latest spot, touted to be a French-Mexican brunch spot, opens in Silver Lake very soon. SRC provided some new and updated equipment to get the guys up and rolling quickly. And indeed, Trois Familia has certainly turned around the former Alegria spot lickety-split.

Look for more info soon, meanwhile read up on Eater LA’s blog.

SRC Client News: IDG closes Sushi Roku on Third to focus on ROKU

John Shambra — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 19:01:00 +0000

Innovative Dining Group is switching things up a bit, and decided to close the Third Street location of Sushi Roku. The team is focusing on their new concept, ROKU, coming to the former Rivabella space soon. Read the blog post from LA Magazine.

SRC is currently working with IDG to bring the new yakitori ROKU concept to Chicago.

Shambra Restaurant Consulting signs new projects across the US.

John Shambra — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:00:00 +0000

Well, it’s still early October and yet we know what that means (no, not this, hopefully!). We’re looking ahead to new and upcoming projects!

On deck we have new projects near and far. In Los Angeles, we are excited to be working on a Korean BBQ restaurant located downtown. This new location will be taking over a former bank space and backed by a restauranteur already operating a successful restaurants in Los Angeles.

Malibu will see another outpost of a beloved taco/seafood spot, which already has three locations sprinkled throughout the Westside and West Hollywood.

A little further afield, SRC is developing a kitchen for the fourth location of a family-owned and operated American-style restaurant and bar near San Francisco. In Orange County, we will be providing services for a new restaurant concept, melding Japanese and Taiwanese cuisines.

And last but not least, SRC will provide design and equipment supply services for a new Chicago location of a yakatori restaurant. Look for updates on these and other new projects soon.