Tiki tipples, garden bites and more
From dinner in a garden to bottles of liquid goo in downtown, here’s what’s happening in the Los Angeles food and drink world this week:
Clifton’s goes tiki: The cafeteria, which reopened last year after a long hiatus and is known for its lemon meringue pie and taxidermy, will open a tiki bar called Pacific Seas (the name of the now-closed first cafeteria of the old Clifton’s chain) in October. The bar will serve tiki cocktails, as well as Polynesian food from chef Andrew Pastore. Highlights include bluefin tuna in a pineapple shell with compressed watermelon; crab cakes with dynamite (spicy mayo sauce) and avocado; and a crispy whole red snapper. The bar will be accessible through a “secret” staircase and feature a handpainted mural by Sammy Beam as well as thatchwork from tiki craftsman “Bamboo Ben” Bassham. And while you sip that rum drink, there will be live entertainment by Polynesian performers. Pacific Seas will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays. 648 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 627-1673, www.cliftonsla.com
Mud Hen Tavern is closing: Susan Feniger and Kajsa Alger’s restaurant will hold its last night of service Oct. 11. “In this ever-changing restaurant world, in order to welcome new growth we must sometimes let go of the beloved and familiar,” reads a statement released on the restaurant’s website. Feniger and Alger also operate Blue Window, a takeout shop known for its vegan and vegetarian food that shares a kitchen space with Mud Hen Tavern. Blue Window will remain open. 742 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, www.mud hentavern.com
More chicken and rice: The Halal Guys, the New York City street carts known for their overflowing foil bowls of chicken and rice with red and white sauces, has announced plans to open three more locations in Southern California. A Halal Guys in Cerritos and a location in Glendale are expected to open by the end of this year. There are also plans to open a location in downtown L.A. next year. 11435 South Street Suite A9-B, Cerritos | 201 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 110, Glendale | 510 W. 7th St., Los Angeles. www.thehalalguys.com
Dinner in the garden: If you plan to visit Descanso Gardens this fall, you’ll find a new place for brunch. Joachim Splichal, founder of the Patina Restaurant Group, is opening a restaurant called Maple. Splichal and the Patina Restaurant Group are also responsible for Descanso Cafe, the gardens’ existing restaurant, and all of the catering operations at the gardens since 1995. The menu at Maple, by executive chef Mark Salazar, is inspired by the seasonal changes at the garden and will include Latin flavors. Brunch highlights include huevos rancheros; and fried chicken and beignets. Maple will open for weekend brunch Oct. 1 and offer seasonal dinner service nightly between Nov. 25 and Jan. 8, 2017, as part of the new Enchanted: Forest of Light experience at the gardens. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada, (818) 949-4200, www.descansogardens.org
Dinner by the beach: Shade Hotel Redondo Beach will introduce a new restaurant when it holds its grand opening this fall. Sea Level, helmed by executive chef Aaron Robbins, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Like many restaurants in this city, it’s being described as farm-to-table. The restaurant also will offer a view of the marina and occupies the first and third levels of the hotel’s 9,034-square-foot, stand-alone culinary building. 655 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, www.rb.shadehotel.com
Soylent’s new L.A. home: Soylent, makers of the meal replacement drink, have come up with a drink meant to replace your breakfast and coffee. It’s called Coffiest, and it comes with its own cafe, sort of. Soylent will open Coffiest Cafe, a temporary space in downtown L.A. where you can come drink your breakfast-and-coffee replacement drink like you’re eating breakfast and sipping coffee. The cafe features a custom Soylent arcade game. Because nothing says I’m-replacing-my-food-with-enriched-liquid-goo like an arcade game. The space is open to the public 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this weekend and will offer free Coffiest and Soylent Bar samples. Yes, Soylent is making meal replacement bars now too; it was only a matter of time. The company is already working on ideas for what to do next with the Coffiest Cafe space after Sunday: maybe a concert series or a cafe for new Soylent launches. 2010 E. 7th, St., Los Angeles, www.soylent.com.
More news Still hungry? Philz Coffee has opened a location at the Americana at Brand in Glendale. Hangar 1 Vodka has opened a visitor center and tasting room in Alameda. The Guild on Sunset Boulevard has a new Sunday Super series. E.P. & L.P. has a new brunch menu. Terrine has launched a monthly guest bartender series.