February was a big month for restaurant openings: Umami Burger continued to grow its empire with a $20 million dollar acquisition and a 14th location in Pasadena. On a smaller scale, Josh Gil and Daniel Snukal opened Tacos Punta Cabras in Santa Monica. The tiny taqueria replaces Utopia Cafe.

After nearly two years of construction, Caffé Vita finally opened in Silver Lake, next to Rudy's Barbershop. Founded in Seattle in 1995, Caffé Vita is one of the most prominent independent coffee shops in the Pacific Northwest; the Silver Lake location is the cafe's first outpost in California.

In more opening news, pop-up Barbershop Ristorante Italiano from chef Walter el Nagar (La Botte) and partner Mario Vollera (Piccolo Venice) found a permanent home in the former A.O.C space on West Third Street.

Sadly, there will be no more tea sipping tea or macaron munching at Jin Patisserie. Sunday, March 24 is Kristy Choo's last day in business. So, soak up the charm of Jin's Abbot Kinney patio while you still can. Also closing this month is Bahooka Ribs & Grog, a Tiki-themed restaurant in Rosemead. Others to add to the recently departed list are Papaya King in Hollywood and Pici Enoteca and El Torito Grill in Beverly Hills. Read on for a full February list of openings and closures:

R.I.P Papaya King in Hollywood; Credit: Photo by K. Robbins

R.I.P Papaya King in Hollywood; Credit: Photo by K. Robbins

Openings:

Allumette: 1320 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles.

Angel City Brewing: 216 S. Alameda St. Los Angeles; (213) 622-1261.

Barbershop Ristorante Italiano: 8022 West Third Street, Los Angeles.

Barnyard: 1715 Pacific Avenue, Venice.

Big Al's Halal Pizzeria: 6044 Atlantic Blvd., Maywood; (323) 771-3030.

Bludso's BBQ: 609 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles.

Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Co.: 4459 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 661-6535.

Cafecito Organico: 3800 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank.

Carmela Ice Cream: 7920 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles.

Casa Nostra Ristorante: 825 W 9th St., Los Angeles.

Chaumont Bakery: 143 S Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.

chi SPACCA: 6610 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 297-1133.

Circa 55: 9876 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills; (310) 276-6345.

FEED Body & Soul: 1239 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; (310) 450-5550.

41 Ocean: 1541 Ocean Ave; (310) 566-3870.

King Hot Dog: 151 N Western Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 460-4744.

L.A. Spice: 4357 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City; (424) 500-2130.

Michael's Pizzeria: 5616 E 2nd St., Long Beach.

Mon Amour Cafe: 927 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles.

Oo-Kook: 5405 Rosemead Blvd., San Gabriel. (opened in January)

P Gators: 11049 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood; (818) 761-3111.

Spicy City: 140 West Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 280-0186.

Stall 239: 239 S Vermont Ave., Los Angeles; (213) 380-2399.

Tacos Punta Cabra: 2311 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 917-2244.

Tsurumaru Udon: 333 S Alameda St., Los Angeles.

V Wine Room: 903 Westbourne Drive, West Hollywood.

WildCraft Sourdough Pizza: 9725 Culver Blvd., Culver City; (310) 815-8100.

Closings:

Code: 80 Windward Ave., Venice.

El Torito Grill: 9595 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

Mishima: 8474 W. Third St., Los Angeles; (323) 782-0181.

Papaya King: 1645 Wilcox Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 871-8799.

Pici Enoteca: 212 S. Beverly Dr. Beverly Hills; (310) 274-7424.

Did we miss any? Please write us in the comments or email squidinkdnewsletter@gmail.com.

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