Birdie flies, Shack shakes
From queso in North Hollywood to a new speakeasy in Highland Park, here’s what’s happening in the Los Angeles food and drink world this week:
Hello Birdie: There’s a new cafe in Highland Park called Cafe Birdie, opened by executive chef and partner Joey Booterbaugh (formerly of the Hungry Cat), Friends & Family Hospitality Group and restaurateurs Wade McElroy and Russell Malixi (Horse Thief BBQ and, opening later this year, Bar Angeles). In the front, there are Moroccan-spiced fried chicken and Manila clams with chorizo. And in the back, there’s a speakeasy called Good Housekeeping with drinks by Bestia alums and Courage and Craft proprietors Nicholas Krok, Ryan Duffy and Jeremy Simpson. 5631 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, (323) 739-6928, www.cafebirdiela.com.
More Shake Shack: The New York City-originated burger chain has opened a location in Glendale, across from the Americana at Brand. The restaurant is serving the classic Shake Shack menu, along with some items exclusive to the location, including Caruso’s Crunch (chocolate custard, marshmallow sauce, Larder Baking Co. salted peanut butter cookie and chocolate toffee); Market Pie Oh My (vanilla custard with a slice of seasonal pie from Rucker’s Pie); and the Invictus (vanilla custard with Compartes Coney Island chocolate chunks). 252 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, (818) 858-1612, www.shakeshack.com.
The nice girl: The h.wood Group crew behind the Nice Guy, the reservation-only restaurant and bar on La Cienega Boulevard, is launching a new restaurant called Delilah, scheduled to open Oct. 7 in West Hollywood. Chef Rudy P. Lopez will serve a menu inspired by “classic American cuisine.” Expect filet mignon, deviled eggs and a couple of modern items in the form of vegan spaghetti squash primavera. Matt Seigel, who was a bartender at Eleven Madison Park and the Nomad in New York City, designed the cocktail menu. 7969 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood.
Taiwanese street food in Chinatown: Lao Tao, a Taiwanese street food restaurant in the Far East Plaza in Chinatown, is now open, just up a flight of stairs from Chego,
Howlin’ Ray’s and Unit 120. David Wang, the chef and owner, left a corporate job to open the restaurant. He now spends his days serving five-spice-braised pork belly; milk-steamed buns; and knife-cut noodles in a 10-hour beef marrow sauce. And the name Lao Tao? According to the restaurant, in Taiwan, the lao tao refers to people who seek out good food, otherwise known as foodies. 727 N. Broadway No. 207, Los Angeles,www.laotaostreetfood.com.
Irish nachos for everyone: Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub opened in the Financial District downtown on Flower Street on Monday. Rock & Reilly’s, with locations on the Sunset Strip, in New York City and in Park City, Utah, is known for its Irish nachos (potato chips covered in beer sauce) and extensive selection of whiskey and beer. 615 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, www. rockandreillys.com.
Pata Salada opens in the old Luna Park: A new regional Mexican restaurant called Pata Salada Cocina y Bar has opened in the former Luna Park space on La Brea Avenue in Hancock Park. The name translates to “salty foot,” the term used to describe people who spend a lot of time on the beach along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Chef Joe Jack’s menu features seafood-focused dishes including ceviche; Baja-style fish tacos; and sopa levanta meurtos, a hearty spicy fish stew. Along with beer and wine, the restaurant will feature a list of tequilas and mezcals. 672 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 9883744, www.patasaladala.com.
Chilaquiles in Noho: El Tejano, a new Tex-Mex restaurant in North Hollywood, is serving Frito pie, queso and tacos. The restaurant recently started serving breakfast, so you can now get chilaquiles, breakfast burritos and breakfast tacos on the weekend. And outside? A game of cornhole. 11122 W. Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 985-8787, www.eltejanotexmex.com.
More news
Still hungry? Ar Cucina, Akasha Richmond’s new Italian restaurant, has opened in Culver City. Every Monday is now food truck Monday at Minibar in Hollywood. Estrella has launched a Sunday movie night series with weekly screenings.