Celia SoudryWith the new year approaching, we reflect on all things 2010: upscale Mexican restaurant Red O opened with a tweet war; the short-lived Test Kitchen experiment opened with big name chefs; the nation's first kosher food truck, Takosher, rolled out; and jeggings became a trend … for better or worse. After closing abruptly in August, Les Deux, once a hot nightclub, reopened in December as a low key gastropub. Small business owners adapted to the economic downturn by slashing menu prices, shrinking staff, and re-branding their image.
New restaurants are on the horizon. Ink, a restaurant serving American cuisine on Melrose, is set to open in the coming months (tentatively March) with Top Chef Michael Voltaggio. Freebirds, a UCSB Gaucho favorite, famous for stuffing 7-pound burritos, is expanding to the downtown area in early 2011 and is opening 16 locations throughout California. However, a few mom-and-pop operations, such as Tacos Guanajuato, couldn't keep afloat. We've also rounded up a list of San Gabriel Valley comings and goings for 2010. Turn the page for this year's L.A. openings and closures. If we've missed any notables, please let us know in the comments.
Formerly Test Kitchen & soon-to-be Italian eatery, Sotto; Credit: Elina Shatkin
Restaurants That Opened In 2010
A-frame: 12565 Washington Blvd., Mar Vista; (310) 398-7700.
Anarbagh 2: 17312 Ventura Blvd., Encino; (818) 907-7100.
Ajisen Ramen: Westfield Century City Shopping Center, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd.; (310) 556-1188.
Bao Dim Sum House: 8256 Beverly Blvd., L.A.; (323) 655-6556.
Bar Toscana: 11633 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood; (310) 820-2448.
Black Cat Bakery: 519 S. Fairfax Ave., L.A.; (323) 932-1500.
Bru's Wiffle: 2408 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 453-2787.
Bar210: Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 887-6060.
Benny's Tacos: 427 Lincoln Blvd. Venice. 310-396-8749.
Box Café: 2117 Sawtelle Blvd, West L.A.
BevMo!: 10984 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 473-9600.
Bistro Laurent: 3936 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City; (310) 398-7443.
Café Habana: 3939 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu; (310) 317-0300.
Cafecito Organico: 534 North Hoover St., Silver Lake; (323) 666-1950.
Cellar 55: 7455 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 951-1555.
Coffee Fudge and Choco: 6361 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Chicken Dijon Hollywood: 6282 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 463-4050.
Cookie Munch: 18641 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana; (818) 457- 4493.
The Cheese Store of Pasadena: 140 South Lake Avenue #107, Pasadena; (626) 405-0050.
Covell: 4628 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 660-4400.
Chick-fil-A: 3758 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles; (213) 747-8721.
Chi Dynasty: 12229 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, 91604 818-753-5300.
Cleo (at The Redbury): 1717 Vine St., Los Angeles; (323) 962-1711.
Cookbook: 1549 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles; (213) 250-1900.
Darioush: 111 N La Cienega, Beverly Hills; (310) 289-0300.
Delphine: The W Hollywood, 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 798-1355.
DG Burger: Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; (714) 361-4264.
Diana Sproveri Designer Bake Shop: 18641 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana; (818) 344-4900.
Dog Haus: 105 N Hill Ave., Ste 104, Pasadena; (626) 577-4289.
Earl's Gourmet Grub: 12226 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista; (310) 313-1717.
Elements Kitchen: 37 S. El Molino St., Pasadena; (626) 440-0044.
Eveleigh: 8752 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; (424) 239-1630.
FarmShop: 225 26th St., Santa Monica.
First & Hope: 710 W. 1st St., Los Angeles; (213) 617-8555.
Forage restaurant: 3823 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; (323) 663-6885.
Freshii: 11740 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 826-5833.
Gelatovino: 5940 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles.
Green Bee: 3800 Wilshire Blvd. Koreatown.
Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop: 1888 Century Park E. Los Angeles; (424) 239-8700.
Hatfield's: 6703 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 935-2977.
Hemingway's: 6356 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 469-0040.
Hostaria del Piccolo: 606 Broadway St., Santa Monica. (310) 393-6633.
Intelligentsia: 55 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; (626) 578-1270.
K2: 3916 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 662-7698.
L.A. Creamery: Westfield Topanga Shopping Center.
La Monarca: 1300 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 451-1114.
LA Market: 900 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles; (213) 765-8930.
La Sandia Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica; (310) 393-3300.
La Vida Restaurant and Lounge (replacing Pinot Hollywood and eat. on sunset.): 1448 Gower St., Hollywood; (323) 962-0880.
Lemonade: 3607 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles; (213) 740-6285.
Les Deux Cafe: 1638 N. Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 467-0200.
L'Epicerie Market: 9900 Culver Blvd., Culver City (310) 815-1600.
Little Spain: 6333 West Third Street, Los Angeles; (323) 634-0633.
Loaded: 6377 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles.
Lotería Grill: 12050 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; (818) 508-5300.
Lunch: 3829 Main St., Culver City, 90232. (310) 837-6200.
Libra: 3833 Main St., Culver City; (310) 202-1300.
Mac & Cheeza: 223 West 8th Street, Los Angeles; (213) 622-3782.
Mad Bull's Tavern: 14649 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.
Magnolia Bakery: 8389 W 3rd St., Los Angeles; (323) 951-0636.
Maison Richard: 707 North Stanley Avenue, Los Angeles; (310) 275-5707.
Mani's on Maple: 345 North Maple Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 247-0009.
Manja Malaysian Cuisine: 8165 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 656-9000.
Mignon: 128 E. Sixth St., Los Angeles; (213) 489-0131.
Mission 261: 261 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel; 626-588-1666.
Mix n' Munch: 1005 Mission St., South Pasadena; (626) 441-8808.
Mixt Greens: 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Mooi Vegan Food: 1700 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (213) 413-1100.
Mr. Beef: 1809 Ocean Front Walk, Venice; (424) 228-2141.
Naresh's: 2420 Main St., Santa Monica.
Native Foods: 9343 Culver Blvd., Culver City; (310) 559-3601.
Nice Cream Vegan Ice Cream: 3701 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City; (818) 308-6758.
Night Market: 9041 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.
Nothing Bundt Cakes: 927 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica.
Obikà (Westfield Century City Mall): 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles; (310) 556-2452.
Obika Mozzarella Bar: Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., Suite K604, Los Angeles; (310) 652-2088.
Ozumo: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica.
Pal Cabron: 3337 ½ W. 8th Street, Los Angeles. (213) 427-0601.
Pal Cabron dos: 3337 1/2 W. 8th St., Los Angeles.
Paper or Plastik: 5772 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 935-0268.
Pa2gh: 11033 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles; (310) 444-0088.
The Parlour Room: 6423 Yucca St., Los Angeles; (323) 463-0609.
Pavich's Brick Oven Pizzeria: 2311 S Alma St., San Pedro; (310) 519-1200.
Pizza Antica: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica; (310) 394-4080.
Pizzeria Olio: 8075 West 3rd Street., Suite. 100, Los Angeles. (323) 930-9490.
Plate 38: 2361 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; (626) 793-7100.
Ramen Jinya: 11239 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 980-3977.
Ramen Mottaiani: 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Suite 9, Gardena; (323) 538-3233.
Ramen Yamadaya: 3118 W. 182nd St., Torrance, (310) 380-5555.
Red O: 8155 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 655-5009.
Robata JINYA: 8050 W 3rd St., Los Angeles; (323) 653-8877.
Rocket Fizz: 111 West Green St., Pasadena; (626) 449-7632.
The Royce at the Langham: 1401 S Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena; (626) 585-6410.
Saffron: 230 S. Beverly Dr. Beverly Hills; (310) 248-5211.
Salt's Cure: 7494 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 850-7258.
Savory: 29169 Heathercliff Road, Malibu; (310) 589-8997.
Scarpetta: 225 North Canon Dr. Beverly Hills; 310-860-7970.
Scoops Westside: 3400 Overland Ave., Los Angeles.
Shaky Alibi: 7401 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles.
Silver Lake Natural Food Market: 2829 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles.
Smoke City Market: 5242 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys; (818) 855-1280.
simplethings sandwich & pie shop: 8310 W 3rd St., Los Angeles.
Sonoma Wine Garden: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica; (424) 214-4560.
Sprouts Farmers Market: 39 N. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena; (626) 696-1290.
Spumoni Italian Cafe & Pizzeria: 1714 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles.
SugarFISH: 600 West 7th Street, downtown Los Angeles.
The Surly Goat: 7929 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 650-4628.
Sweet Butter Kitchen: 13824 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks; (818) 788-2832.
Sweet E's Bake Shop: 1417 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 422-8885.
Sweet Lady Jane: 1631 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica.
Sweet Rose Creamery: 225 26th St., Suite 51, Santa Monica; (310) 260-CONE (in the Brentwood Country Mart).
Swill Automatic: 1820 Industrial St., Los Angeles; (213) 239-9088.
The Tap Room (in The Langham Hotel): 1401 S. Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena.
Tender Greens: 6290A West Sunset Blvd, Hollywood; (323) 382-0380.
Test Kitchen: 9575 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles; (310) 277-0133.
Tiato Market Garden Café: 2700 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 866-5228.
Tinga: 142 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles.
Toddy G's: 2019 East 7th Street,
Los Angeles; (213) 627-1430.
Tony's Darts Away: 1710 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank; (818) 253-1710.
Twenty Six by Shiloh's: 8657 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 246-1326.
Villains Tavern: 1356 Palmetto St., Downtown L.A.; (213) 613-0766.
Vintage Enoteca: 7554 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 512-5278.
Vu Restaurant: 14160 Palawan Way, Marina del Rey
Wally's Cheese Box: 2107 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 475-0606.
Waterloo & City: 12517 Washington Blvd., Culver City; (310) 391-4222.
Xai Verandah Lounge: 7677 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 969-0090.
Xandros: 50 N La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 854-1001.
Xino: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica; (310) 755-6220.
Xoia Vietnamese Eats: 1801 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; (213) 413-3232.
Yogo Kosher Frozen Yogurt: 7350 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 951-0008, 7901 Santa Monica Blvd #106, West Hollywood; (323) 822-7992, and 8946 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.
Zengo: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica; (310) 899-1000.
And for those that closed…
Restaurants That Closed in 2010
AAA Thai Market, 11127 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles.
A Thousand Cranes: Kyoto Hotel and Gardens (formerly New Otani Hotel)
Abby's Diner: 4862 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles
Anna's Italian Restaurant: 10929 West Pico Boulevard, West L.A., (310) 474-0102.
Anisette Brasserie: 225 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 395-3200.
Asakuma: 11701 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Atlantic Bar & Grill: 1624 N Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 207-6218.
**closed temporarily** Axe Restaurant: 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice.
Bite Bar & Bakery: 3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.
Blue Dahlia Cafe 738 E. 3rd St.
Botanas Mexico: 11104 Rush Street, #2, South El Monte.
Brick Dome Pizza 7901 Santa Monica Blvd.
Broadway Deli: 1457 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica; (310) 451-0616.
Caché Restaurant: 3110 Main Street, Santa Monica; (310) 399-4800.
Coco's Burger: 4433 S Alameda Street, Los Angeles
Cookie Munch: 18641 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana
Ciao Trattoria: 815 W. Seventh St. 815 W 7th St., Los Angeles; (213) 624-2244
Citrus: 6525 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles; (323) 337-9797
Del's Saloon: 12238 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 207-1978
The Dip: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles.
Dukes Sweet Potato Pie Factory: 1311 130th St., Gardena
El Apetito: 2125 E Cesar Chavez Ave., Los Angeles.
Fleur De Lys Patisserie: 440 S Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park; (626) 282-4040.
Gourmandise: 156 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.
Grace Restaurant: 7360 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles; (323) 934-4400.
Hana Sushi: 11831 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 473-6828.
The Hump: 3221 Donald Douglas Loop,
Santa Monica.
Islands Restaurant: 350 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 556-1624.
Jacopo's Pizzeria: 326 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.
Jian BBQ: 8256 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles.
Kiss My Bundt: 8104 West 3rd St., Los Angeles; (323) 655-0559.
Kay 'n Dave's Cantina (West LA location): 10543 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.
Koo Koo Roo: 11066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 473-5858.
Le Croissant: 9622 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills.
**Reopened** Les Deux: 1638 North Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 462-7674.
Lety's Bakery: 2957 S Sepulveda Blvd and National Blvd., Los Angeles.
Marche Restaurant: 13355 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.
Meet Market: 3206 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 667-0116.
Melrose Bar & Grill: 8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood.
Mexico Restaurante y Barra: 8512 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (310) 289-0099.
Mike's Tavern: 2667 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles; (213) 385-6715.
The Must: 118 W Fifth Street, Los Angeles.
Sham: 716 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.
Shu Feng Garden: 140 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 211, San Gabriel.
Snack Pop: 529 E Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 288-2291.
Sona: 401 N. La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood; (310) 659-7708.
Sonamu: 3600 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Terried Sake House: 11617 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 477-9423.
Test Kitchen: 9575 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles; (310) 277-0133.
Thai House: 8657 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.
**Reopened** Ti Georges' Hatian Chicken
Tokyo 7-7 Diner: 3839 B Main St., Culver City.
Zeke's: 7100 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 850-9353.
Next: Food Truck Openings and Closures
The sausage Tornado Potato with cheddar cheese powder.; Credit: Guzzle & Nosh
Food Truck Openings in 2010
Ahn-Joo: Korean pub food truck by Chef Debbie Lee.
The Dim Sum Truck: (Twitter: @dimsumtruck)
Knock Out Tacos: Food truck by Bottega Louie chef Chris Goossen.
Sky's Gourmet Tacos Truck: 5408 W. Pico Blvd.; (323) 932-6253.
The Manila Machine: Filipino food truck.
Reggae Chicken: (Twitter: @reggaejerkchick)
Food Truck Closures in 2010