Jessica Koslow

Chef Daniel Holzman is a walking encyclopedia of pizza. On July 17, the opening day of his Westwood location (his second but first standalone), the New York native is greeting customers and slipping back into the kitchen to make sure everything is coming out just right. 

A little after noon, he takes a minute to sit, relax and dish pizza history.

First, he spins the tale of how Italian immigrants supported each other in setting up pizza shops when they arrived in America at the turn of the 20th century. Because they faced xenophobia, they stuck together and taught each other how to make dough and do business. It is the reason why New York pizza is so uniform. . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

Playa Vista is fun for families all year round. With its outdoor play structures and parks, the summer season ushers in more activities that pair perfectly with a picnic from one of the Runway’s restaurants.

In July and August, catch a flick on the big screen at Movies Under the Stars at Runway on select Thursdays at 8 p.m., or live music every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Runway Summer Concert Series. Each week features a different genre — country, jazz, reggae and rock.

For both series, families can bring blankets and chairs. Although buttery popcorn will, of course, be available at concession stands during the films, below are a selection of to-go meals that will delight taste buds and bellies while the eyes and ears are being entertained. . . .

Read the full article at Playa Vista Magazine.

In 2022, Elizabeth Levitt was in an unusual predicament. She was a graphic designer in the alcohol industry and her husband decided to stop drinking.

“My job no longer aligned with my lifestyle,” she said.

Levitt eventually stopped drinking alcohol, too. She decided it was time for a change, which led her to develop Dri/kit. She launched the mocktail kit company online in March 2023.

“I started the online company just as I was adjusting to my personal lifestyle,” Levitt, who lives in El Segundo, said. “I was seeing these amazing non-alcoholic brands gaining popularity and the industry taking off. The non-alcoholic space is having a moment.” . . .

Read the full article at Playa Vista Magazine.

Last month, Tartine Bakery opened its sixth LA spot on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. Exclusive to this location are three dishes: French toast made with Tartine’s croissant bread; a soft scramble with labneh, white cheddar, smoked trout roe, and horseradish; and a croque madame with gruyere, black forest ham, bechamel, and dijon topped with a sunny egg. 

“My favorite dish on the menu is the croque madame,” Brian Bertelsen, Tartine’s culinary director, said. “I could eat it every day.”

When Bertelsen and his Venice team were developing special items for their menu, they wanted to add dishes that appealed to everyone. . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.