Food culture in the San Fernando Valley is starting to grow at a steady pace with numerous restaurateurs from over the hill staking claim in brick and mortar ventures, while popular chains seem to be moving into the West Valley.
Many have asked about the whereabouts and the opening of Umami Burger in Studio City. According to owner Adam Fleischman, the new ETA is November 20. All the Umami locations have different concepts. This valley outpost, located adjacent to Mexicali in an area formally used for private parties, will have an old Hollywood theme with a full bar that extends to the sidewalk. With Counter Burger (one of the first MDF faves) just a few doors down, burger wars are about to be fired up.
The wait is almost over for one of My Daily Find’s most beloved baked goods company, Xtreme Desserts (who can forget the original red velvet sandwich cookie?), which will be opening adjacent to Trader Joes (and next to another MDF recent fave, the pop up Georgio’s Cucina) in Studio City this December.
Sweet Butter Kitchen, Café and Market will open in Sherman Oaks in a couple weeks, according to Leslie Danielan, who is partners in this venture with her husband, Rick Berge. Danielian started Sweet Somethings Catering Company on the Westside. For all of you valley-ites who might remember Mary’s Lamb (now Zach’s Italian Café), she’s the one who supplied all their baked goods. Sweet Butter will serve breakfast and lunch with egg dishes, soups, salads, sandwiches, baked goods, and take away dinners daily – and will also have a gourmet retail area. Sweet Butter’s signature breakfast sandwich is Sunny-Side up Farm Eggs on Grilled Country Bread with Nueskes Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, Roasted Tomatoes, Arugula with homemade Dijon Aioli. Also, for you caffeine hounds, they’ll serve Intelligentsia coffee!
Sherman Oaks’ Senor Fred is expanding west and opening its second location at the end of 2010 at The Summit Shopping Center in Calabasas (the first publicly funded green center in Calabasas). The brand new shopping center already has Jersey Mikes. Also, coming soon is Maddy’s Markets (opening November 8) and the Wolfcreek Restaurant & Brewing Company(end of 2010). And speaking of Jersey Mike’s, it also just opened a new location in Woodland Hills.
Fresh Brothers Pizza is growing rapidly having just opened new outposts at the Calabasas Commons and the Westlake Promenade. In addition to pizza, salads, sandwiches and pastas, Fresh Brothers is known for their unique selection of gluten free pizza.
Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of My Daily Find. Email Karen@mydailyfind.com