Los Angeles continues to thrive as a culinary hub with a variety of new restaurant openings, showcasing everything from upscale dining experiences to neighborhood favorites and pop-up ventures that find their way into permanent spaces. Here’s a roundup of some notable recent debuts across the Southland.
First up is Mojave Gold, which opened on May 31 in Yucca Valley. This expansive venue spans 7,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 500 guests, featuring a concert area, lounge, and a restaurant overseen by Beren Ekine-Huett, a former chef de cuisine at Workshop Kitchen and Bar.
At Mojave Gold, patrons can enjoy a sustainable menu crafted with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant menu features exciting twists on timeless classics, including lamb meatballs with chimichurri, steak frites, and a unique smoked date sticky toffee pudding.
The bar also aligns with this philosophy by offering thoughtfully crafted cocktails, such as the gin-infused Wildflower Sour. The design of Mojave Gold combines elements of 1970s glamour with the natural tones of the desert, adorned with art that complements its Western theme.
Moving to Big Bear, the De La Nonna team expanded their Italian restaurant concept with a new location that opened on June 4. This outpost, found inside the recently revamped Hotel Marina Riviera, boasts stunning views of Big Bear Lake.
Like its Arts District counterpart, this location features fan-favorite dishes, including focaccia sandwiches, whipped eggplant dip, and thick Sicilian-style pizzas. Guests can savor additional menu items, such as tin fish with crackers and a selection of rotating soft serve flavors, all while enjoying a glass of biodynamic or organic wine or refreshing frozen cocktails designed for the summer season.
On the same day, June 4, Sogo Roll Bar made its debut in a new location, transforming the former Holcomb space. This hand roll and donburi haven retains its popular dishes, including cucumber salad, all coming from the collaborative efforts of renowned restaurateurs Kiminobu Saito, David Gibbs, and their esteemed partners Sarah Dietz and Dustin Lancaster.
June 6 marked the opening of Happies Hand Made in the Arts District, a fast-casual venture from Chef Joshua Skenes, known for his achievements at Saison and Angler. With a focus on heavily seasoned, crunchy fried chicken tenders served alongside waffles or salad greens, Happies offers a contemporary twist on comfort food.
The menu also features beef tallow fries, fruit-infused tea drinks, and unique soft serve options, all served in a vibrant atmosphere.
In Palm Springs, June 6 also saw the launch of Bar Issi, a restaurant inspired by HBO-Max’s The White Lotus. Situated inside the Thompson Hotel, this 180-seat venue brings Marissa and Matt Hermer’s culinary vision to life, celebrating the flavors of California-Italian cuisine.
A highlight of Bar Issi’s menu includes a selection of casual yet sophisticated dishes that pay homage to its initial inspiration, Issima, found within the La Peer hotel in West Hollywood.
Diner Antonette opened on June 18 and aims to evoke the warmth of classic American bistros. Located in what was once Ingo’s Tasty Diner on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, this restaurant also features a unique retail wine shop and gift boutique, complementing its spacious hidden back patio.
Bob Lynn, the restaurateur behind Diner Antonette, has created a menu that emphasizes seasonal ingredients, featuring dishes like poached baby artichokes and pan-roasted Scottish salmon with braised Tuscan kale, along with delightful offerings like peaches with scratch-made ricotta and sorrel pesto.
Men & Beasts, a vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant by Minty Zhu and Chef Alex Falco, opened its doors on June 18, taking residence in the former Cosa Buona location at Sunset Boulevard and Alvarado Street. The name is derived from a thought-provoking quote by Confucius, highlighting the restaurant’s dedication to sentiment and respect for all beings.
Guests can enjoy creative dishes such as seitan char siu and plant-based chicken tenders, along with an engaging tea ceremony held in a cozy lounge setting that can accommodate 24 guests.
Lastly, Chef Danny Grant launched a new California coastal dining experience at Marisella, which started serving dinner on June 26 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta, just north of Santa Barbara. With extraordinary ocean views, Marisella sources much of its menu from local vendors.
The name, meaning ‘star of the sea’ in Latin, reflects the focus on seafood. Highlights include roasted prawns accompanied by salsa verde, raw oysters, and exquisite pasta options, as well as larger mains like coal-fired chicken piccata.
Also opening on June 26 was Bar Bacetti, which repurposed the former Tilda space adjacent to Bacetti Trattoria in Echo Park. Designed for ease of dining, Bar Bacetti features a sweet menu of spritzes, Italian wines, and zero-proof cocktails to enjoy with plates of pizza and refreshing charcuterie-inspired spreads.
The transformation of Tilda has resulted in an inviting interior that boasts rich green hues and a captivating stone bar that resembles finely crafted mortadella, juxtaposed with the warm natural wood frames that enhance the intimate vibe of the space.
As these new restaurants continue to pop up across Los Angeles, both residents and visitors alike have an array of dining options to explore. Whether in search of a casual bite, a romantic dinner, or a fun night out with friends, there’s sure to be something for everyone in the City of Angels.
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