BY KAREN YOUNG
Sammy's staff is waiting to serve you when they officially open their doors to the public tomorrow, May 10. Photo: Courtesy Sammy's Woodfired Pizza
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill is opening tomorrow, May 10, in Studio City at Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd in the old Louise’s location on the second floor of the corner strip mall that also houses the Daily Grill , Loteria Grill and Total Woman Gym (working out and eating out has never been easier!). The restaurant has been busy this week offering the community free lunches as a “welcome to neighborhood” hello. This is the 18th location for the San Diego based restaurant that also has locations in Nevada, Palm Desert and El Segundo. According to owner Sami Ladeki all the locations look different based on where they are located. The 818 location has a mod, urban feel with warm colors and accomodates approximately 140 people, including patio seating. In addition to three types of pizza cooked in a woodfire stone oven (in an open kitchen), Sammy’s menu reads like a palate pleasing fusion of offerings, including a wide range of tapas, grilled and sauteed items, entrees and more — at very moderate prices. The recipes are globally inspired with a good choice of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. There’s also a bar area, as well as waiting area for take-out. Free parking. 12050 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 762-3330
Deep dish pizza is one of the many choices at Crust. Photo: crust.com
Following a few days later on Monday, May 14, Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar will open just down the block (next to Kiwami). It’s a hugely popular Australian brand with over 150 stores—and growing daily. The Studio City location is the first Crust to open in the U.S. (with more to follow soon). It’s not just any pizza place. This one is sleek—from the lounges on the streetside patio to the ultra modern black and red decor mixed with stone and marble, a flat screen television encased in a tufted wall surrounded by low slung tables and couchy stools. Even the restroom is jazzy. Place your order at the counter and bring it back to your stool or lounge in a pizza box. Crust’s unique menu includes a choose your own toppings pizza bar, plus a roster of gourmet pizzas with various mixes of toppings including pesto chicken, white proscuitto, angus beef, prawns and more. There’s also gourmet salads, plus calzones, including two for dessert—rocky road and the hokey pokey (like a caramel cake). The menu offers choices for gluten free and vegetarian diets. Beer, wine and a full bar coming soon. Call ahead for take-out or get it delivered in a pimped out Smart Car with a full stereo system and a flat screen in back. Free valet parking. 11928 Ventura Blvd Studio City, (818) 859-7780.
Lunar Cheesecake Ice Cream
In honor of “Men in Black III,” Baskin-Robbins just brought back its “Lunar Cheesecake.” The flavor made its first appearance in 1969 to commemorate the original moon landing. B-R also introduced two new sundaes for the occasion — the “Lunar Lander” (marshmallow and yellow cake) and the “Agent 31″ (brownies and hot fudge).
Umami Dog is the first of its kind at the newly opened Umami in Thousand Oaks.
Umami Burger opened its 9th location in Thousand Oaks at The Lakes last week. Special to this Umami is the first Umami hot dog— a Akaushi Kobe beef dog topped with housemade relish, mustard, caramelized onions and cilantro. In addition to all the Umami stops, owner Adam Fleischman also partnered to open Umamicatessen, 800 Degrees and Red Medicine—and soon, Umami Ko, a fast casual joint.
Tony Yanow Photo: Collaboration
Tony Yanow’s Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank, as well as his Golden Road Brewing in Glendale and Mohawk Bend in Echo Park, are currently serving special $10 Bicykillers Flights, a portion of which will benefit the Bicykiller crew as they fundraise for the upcoming AIDS/LifeCycle charity ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco, which kicks off June 3rd. Beers in the flight will rotate but a sample flight includes: Golden Road Hefeweizen, Old 38 Irish Dry stout, Smog City XPA and Hangar 24 Columbus IPA. $2 from each flight at Tony’s Darts Away and $1 from each flight at Golden Road and Mohawk will go toward the Bicykillers’ efforts. The fundraiser runs through June 3.
Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find. Got ideas? Got a find? Email her: karen@mydailyfind.com
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