In honor of its 25th anniversary at its second-story location and October’s National Seafood Month, The Lobster offers a special $25 anniversary menu with four of its signature dishes for $25 each.
Located at the top of the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster has been open for 25 years under its current ownership, but some incarnation, beginning with the Seafood Shack, has been in operation in its current location since 1923. . . .
Read the full article in The Argonaut.
In 2022, Secret Walls toured the United States with its “Support Your Local Artist” Tour, visiting 30 markets in 60 days.
“It was like a rock ‘n’ roll bus tour,” stated Kevin Collins, the three-year CEO of Secret Walls. “We would battle and drive overnight to the next city. It was one of those post-pandemic moments. We wanted to go everywhere and remind people what we do. But what we learned is that we want to stay longer in each city.”
Secret Walls produces competitive live art events. It began in 2006 in bars and warehouses in Shoreditch, East London, and over the past 18 years the Secret Walls Universe has hosted 2,000 battles in more than 100 cities in 50 countries. The featured contemporary artist performers include graffiti writers, muralists, illustrators, cartoonists and digital artists. . . .
Read the full article at LA Downtown News.
Whiskey is Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder’s drink of choice, and when they decided to make their own brand to sell, they knew exactly what they wanted to put in the bottle.
“We knew how we liked to consume whiskey,” von Schroder said. “It needed to be something that worked well, neat and with a rock in it. It should not water down too quickly and has enough character and backbone that it will stand up to other ingredients in a cocktail.”
As cousins and business partners in the music and film world for more than a decade, the two women already knew that they loved working — and worked well — together. When the film and music worlds came to a screeching halt during the pandemic, they looked at each other and made a quick decision: Step away from work and pivot to try to make whiskey for people like them. . . .
Read the full article at The Argonaut.
Upon entering the Los Angeles Ninja Academy, guests are greeted by the Mega Wall, Triple Salmon Ladder, Pipe Coaster, Spider Wall, and Devil Steps, obstacles that may look familiar from the reality TV show, “American Ninja Warrior.” The 7,000-square-foot facility filled with black and red obstacles on Jefferson Boulevard in the Del Rey section of Culver City is the first ninja warrior training facility in Los Angeles. Owner Madelyn Scarpulla is hoping to turn the West Coast into a hotspot for ninja warrior training.
“On the East Coast, ninja warrior is popular as a sport for kids,” said Scarpulla, who traveled hours with her son from her home in New York to train at ninja warrior gyms before opening her own in New York City. “Kids compete in the World Ninja League, which is prominent in New England and the Northeast and is growing in the Southeast. My goal is to bring awareness to the sport for kids and adults and to help grow the league.” . . .
Read the full article at Playa Vista Magazine.
Hotel Dena’s Agents Only restaurant is celebrating National Guacamole Day (Sept. 16) all weekend long.
According to Asher Siles, the hotel’s director of food and beverage, the celebration felt natural now that Agents Only serves modern Mexican cuisine. The shift from a more American menu happened in March 2024, when celebrity chef Pablo Salas joined executive chef Raul Martinez’s culinary team. Salas brought his guacamole recipe with him.
Salas has gained recognition for his brand of “Mexiquense cuisine” in his hometown of Toluca, Mexico, and Fort Lauderdale. Various publications have named his first restaurant, Amaranta, as one of the best restaurants in Mexico. Agents Only is Salas’ first partnership in Los Angeles. . . .
Read the full article at Pasadena Weekly.
Entrepreneur David Zhao was not even 21 when he opened his first restaurant, Chubby Cattle Hotpot Las Vegas. Ten years later, Zhao has grown his Asian food empire to include 30 restaurants, with another 10 opening before the end of this year and an additional 60 planned for 2025.
Chubby Cattle BBQ Little Tokyo, which opened on Aug. 23, is Chubby Group’s 30th location.
“We are very excited to bring yakiniku, a true Japanese BBQ experience usually offering Wagyu beef, to Little Tokyo,” Zhao said. . . .
Read the cover story at DTLA News.
Hotel Erwin is revving up to celebrate 50 years of hosting Venice Beach tourists and neighbors.
Throughout the past half century, the property has watched restaurants come and go. In September 2023, Springboard Hospitality, a hotel management company that owns 47 properties in 13 states, acquired Hotel Erwin. The Sokol family, including 89-year-old Erwin Sokol, still owns and operates it.
Springboard has set out to reimagine, refresh and revolutionize the culinary options in Hotel Erwin’s three eateries: a reopened Barlo Kitchen downstairs, a reimagined High Rooftop Lounge and the first brick-and-mortar location of Pizza Girl in the lobby.
Read the cover story at The Argonaut.
Check out who Lovin’ Life readers voted Best of Lovin’ Life 2024. I wrote short bits for the winners.
Read the entire issue.
Alejandro Meza is passionate about the simplicity of good food and good ingredients.
He shares that at Joliet Café & Bar, which opened its doors three years ago in Runway Playa Vista’s Free Market. The eatery celebrated its anniversary on Aug. 17
“I love the concept we have created here,” said Meza, who goes by Alex. . . .
Read the full article at The Argonaut.
A new restaurant debuted inside The Grayson Bar on South Broadway on Aug. 1. Where Fabby’s once served up sandwiches showcasing Mexican ingredients and a French technique now sits Temaki Society, featuring handrolls made in Los Angeles.
Temaki is a Japanese word for handroll.
“I am excited to be starting my business in downtown LA,” said Hoon Kang, the Korean-born owner/chef. . . .
Read the full article at LA Downtown News.
Jessica Koslow 