Restaurants: Hidden Patio Dining in the San Fernando Valley

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Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga Canyon

BY KAREN YOUNG Summertime means dining al fresco. But what does that mean for the San Fernando Valley?  The sidewalk patio is indeed making a comeback with a sprinkling down Ventura Blvd, but where are the  patios you can't always see?  We … [Read more...]

New Restaurant: Peasant Wine Bistro Opens in Tarzana

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BY KAREN YOUNG     Tarzana has a new neighborhood restaurant — and from what I could tell in just one visit, it might just be around awhile — that is — if people can find it.  Restaurateur Greg Woodbury opened Peasant … [Read more...]

Welcome 2013: The New Years Eve Dining Guide for the 818

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Dining in the 818

BY KAREN YOUNG Still looking for a special New Years Eve dinner in the 818? Here’s some select restaurants with festive menus, a variety of cuisines, entertainment, times and budgets. Click on the links for more … [Read more...]

Tasty Tidbits: Wine/Beer Meals and Special Deals This Week in the 818

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BY KAREN YOUNG TONIGHT (Sept. 25): The Local Peasant in Sherman Oaks is celebrating LA Beer Week  with German chef specials with beer pairing suggestions featuring Stone Brewery. Beer flights are available. Loteria Grill is offering a … [Read more...]

Mulholland Grill Restaurateur Opens Osteria Coppola in Sherman Oaks

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BY KAREN YOUNG Restaurateur Tino Coppola has come down from his well respected perch at  Mulholland Grill in The Glen Centre  to open  Osteria Coppola—a more casual and lower priced  eatery in Sherman Oaks, replacing the former Panini Café … [Read more...]

Restaurant: Four Seasons Westlake’s “Mercato Italiano” Redefines Italian Market Dining

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BY GERRY FURTH-SIDES My Sunday "find" often includes the sprawling, sumptuous brunch at the Westlake Four Seasons.  Now I add their madcap, high-energy “Mercato Italiano” smack in the middle of the usually serene lobby dining area on … [Read more...]

The Weekend Cocktail: Dine on Italian Cuisine Paired With Jazz and Cocktails Tonight at Cafe Aldente

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Dine and listen to jazz at Al Dente in Studio City on Fridays.

BY GWEN KENNEALLY What would a couple of attorneys do to chill out after a long day in court? They would get together at their favorite casual eatery and play a few sets, of course!  And they are doing just that—The Bill Hochberg and Bob … [Read more...]

Pizza Maven Tonino “Toto” Morra Moves to the Valley

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BY GERRY FURTH-SIDES How's this for an introduction? Pizza maven, Tonino "Toto" Morra,  has been honored by Gourmet Magazine as “making the best crust in America” — and he's located right here in the 818. Morra makes his own … [Read more...]

Tasty Tidbits: Restaurant News in the 818—and Beyond

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The Daily Grill offers entrees under 600, such as this chicken meatball and angel hair dish for 590 calories.

BY KAREN YOUNG The Cheesecake Factory now has competition for their SkinnyLicious menu. The Daily Grill is now offering a Simply 600 Menu made up of meals that are 600 calories or less. Choose from salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, seafood, … [Read more...]

Ombra: A New Italian Restaurant with a Creative Twist

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Ombra is offering a special three course dinner on Monday evenings.

BY KAREN YOUNG A new Italian restaurant quietly slipped into Studio City (actually more on the way to Universal City) earlier this month turning what was once a tired Thai BBQ into a sleek, urban restaurant called Ombra, which is Italian slang for … [Read more...]