Michele StuevenChe Peña, the former General Manager of Pace Restaurant in Laurel Canyon, has opened Unidos Restaurant & Wine Bar in Studio City, his first solo venture. Unidos, meaning “together” in Spanish, draws on Peña’s time living in Spain, with a menu developed in collaboration with Chef Rafael Torres, featuring flavors from Valencia, Sevilla, San Sebastian, and Barcelona. There are traditional pintxos and large-format shareable plates, alongside Spanish classics and jamón ibérico boards, including 5J jamón aged for 15 years.
Other highlights include Gambas al Ajillo, sizzling garlic shrimp cooked in olive oil with fresh herbs; traditional seafood paella with saffron-infused rice and fresh local shellfish; a vegetarian option; grilled steak cooked over an open flame; and plenty of tapas.
There are also nods to Peña’s Mexican heritage with dishes like his mother’s Cinnamon Brioche Capirotada, a rich twist on a traditional Mexican bread pudding, made with layers of soft brioche soaked in a warm piloncillo syrup infused with cinnamon and cloves and studded with raisins.
There’s an extensive selection of wine personally selected by Peña, focusing on Spain, California, France, and Italy, showcasing both established and emerging producers from Rioja, Priorat, and beyond, as well as a thoughtful offering of Spanish vermouth.
Unidos Restaurant & Wine Bar (Stan Lee)
The glamorous French brasserie La Monique has opened, tucked inside the Oceana boutique hotel in Santa Monica, and is helmed by Chef David Fricaud, a Top Chef France semi-finalist whose career spans two decades across Michelin-starred kitchens worldwide.
The restaurant’s menu is anchored by a dedicated steak program featuring A5 wagyu and dry-aged cuts, abundant seafood towers, and signatures like La Monique’s Le Grand Poulet with truffle jus. Additional menu highlights include linguine vongole with little neck clams and white clam sauce, A5 Wagyu Ichibo Cut from Yamaguchi, Japan, and Le Plateau Royal featuring New Orleans shrimp, raw oysters, raw clams, lobster, shrimp cocktail, crab cocktail, and caviar. Lighter fare includes tuna carpaccio with lemon, parsley, and garlic; escargot poppers with garlic herb crème fraiche; and mini French onion grilled cheese featuring brie, Tomme de Savoie, and mushroom brioche.
Escargot Poppers (Courtesy La Monique)
West Hollywood Breakfast Company, the newest Los Angeles concept from Rise & Shine Hospitality Group, will open its doors with a two-day soft opening on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26.
During the soft opening, 100% of all food and beverage sales (including alcohol) will be donated to Project Angel Food, the LA-based nonprofit organization that “nourishes the health and spirit of vulnerable people facing critical and life-threatening illness, by preparing and delivering medically tailored meals with love, care and dignity.”
To attend the soft opening, reservations are required and can be made by filling out one of the following two forms with respect to the desired date: Saturday, Oct. 25, or Sunday, Oct. 26. You can also email [email protected] to reserve a spot.
Menu highlights include breakfast and brunch favorites like chilaquiles suizos, fried rice bennie, Cali burrito, Japanese spicy chicken sando, and sweet chili shrimp and grits. All eggs are sourced from Vital Farms, where each hen is pasture-raised with at least 108 square feet of space.
Waffle options include S’mores, orange thyme, and buttermilk cornmeal, while pancake flavors feature banana bread and tiramisu. French toast selections include churro, peach almond, and crème brûlée. Mix and match any three waffles, French toasts, and pancakes with The Breakfast Co. Flight. Gluten-free pancakes and vegan options like a vegan Benedict, vegan breakfast Sammie, and seven seven-grain bowl are also available.
The drink menu features Bloody Marys, bubbles, and breakfast cocktails, including the Rise & Shine with vodka, lime juice, orange juice, bitters, ginger beer, and the Wake Up with coffee whiskey, vanilla, chocolate oat milk, and cold brew coffee.
Creme Brulee French Toast (Courtesy West Hollywood Breakfast Co.)