Jessica Koslow

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.

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.