Tasty Tidbits: Top Chef at BookStar, Greek Food Truck, Morton’s, Bleecker Street in Tarzana

BY KAREN YOUNG

Here’s a gift for any true blue Top Chef fan — Fabio Viviani, the reality show sensation who was Fan Favorite on Season 5, and now the owner of North Hollwood’s new dining establishment, Firenze Osteria, will be at BookStar in Studio City this Saturday, December 19 from 3:30-5:30 pm. The occasion? Signing his cookbook, of course. Co-written with long time friend and business partner Jacopo Falleni, the book is appropriately titled Cafe Firenze Cookbook, Mangia & Bevi: Food and Drink Recipes from the Tuscan Sons. Bookstar 12136 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 505-9528.

Eat Greek on Wheels! Check out the Louks to Go Food Truck at Tina’s Trees at Ventura Blvd and Moorpark in Sherman Oaks through December 20. Louks, which is the nickname for Loukamades, are Greek donuts that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside — and here you can get them covered with Nutella. Beef and Chicken Gyros ($5), Honey Feta Fries…insane! ($3), full salads — Chicken ($5), Watermelon ($5), Tomato ($5). They’ve even got veggie versions of the Gyros. Check out their Twitter link for times. www.twitter.com/loukstogo

Want a special lunch at a reasonable price? Morton’s The Steakhouse Burbank is offering a 3-course Prime Lunch special for $25 per person Monday -Friday (11:30 – 2 :30 pm). Start with your Choice of Soup or Salad (Lobster Bisque, Baked Five Onion Soup, Morton’s Salad, Caesar Salad or Mixed Field Greens Salad). Choice of One Entrée: Grilled Ribeye Steak served with Mashed Potatoes or Chicken Christopher served with Mashed Potatoes or Grilled Colossal Shrimp & Sea Scallops with Grilled Vegetables over Sautéed Spinach or Grilled Northwest King Salmon with Sautéed Garlic Green Beans. Choice of Dessert: Key Lime Pie or Double Chocolate Mousse. 3400 West Olive Avenue. Burbank, CA (818) 238-0424  www.mortons.com

New restaurant alert! Greenwich Village meets the 818 with a bit of lower Manhattan’s Little Italy and the Warehouse District mixed in at the new brick and wood designed Bleecker Street in Tarzana.  Chef Marcel Vinson is manning the kitchen using  fresh, seasonal cuisine with  Asian, Italian and French influences.  Specialties include pizza from a wood burning oven, kale caesar salad and truffle parmesan fries.  There’s also a full bar, 64 choices of wine by the glass and an 1800 square foot wine cellar.  Got a dog you don’t want to leave at home? Check out their patio which welcomes your canine friend with their own “doggy menu.” Happy Hour is 3-7 daily with half off select appetizers and wine by the glass.  Can’t get there in time? Reverse Happy Hour is 10-midnight, Sunday – Thursday and 11pm-2am Friday and Saturday. And here’s a new one! Bubbly Hour (half price champagne by the glass).  There’s TV for football too.18640 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana, Ca. 91356 (818) 996-3008.  www.thebleeckerstreet.com

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find.

Tasty Tidbits: Kings Road Cafe, Art’s Deli, Happy Hours, Free Apps at Blue Dog Tavern

BY KAREN YOUNG

After what seems like an gastronomic eternity looking at the Kings Road Cafe banner on Ventura Blvd and Rhodes in Studio City, we’ve finally been seeing construction and signs of life. Look for the iconic West Hollywood cafe’s valley outpost to open in the next few weeks.  Dreaming of breakfast, paninis and, oh that coffee. Can’t wait.

Art’s Top Chef?  Art’s Deli in Studio City was highlighted as one of the four best delis in the nation  by Canadian journalist David Sax in his book Save the Deli:  “This sun-drenched museum to oversized sandwiches is the go-to spot for CBS execs and Steven Spielberg, who favor its lox, eggs and onion scramble. Art’s secret? Onions are cooked for hours, turning them into edible caramel, then combined with lightly sautéed smoked salmon and fluffy eggs.”  The other mentions were The Bagel in Chicago, Gotllieb’s Kosher Delicatessen in Brooklyn and Zaidy’s in Denver.  www.artsdeli.com

Happy Hour at the Sherman Oaks Galleria:  The newly opened Townhouse Kitchen and Bar has two Happy Hours 4-7pm and Reverse Happy Hour 11pm-Close. $4 all draft beer (choose from over 30), $5 appetizers, $5 any wine by the glass and $5 specialty martinis and drinks.  El Torito Grill 4 – 7pm. Enjoy drink specials and $2 off select appetizers.

Halloween Eve at the Blue Dog Tavern: The new Sherman Oaks eatery is offering FREE appetizers all night long. 4524 Saugus Avenue, Sherman Oaks www.bluedogbeertavern.com.

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find

Tasty Tidbits: Freshcutt deals; New! Raphael comes to Studio City

BY KAREN YOUNG

The newest entry to dining in the 818 is Raphael in Studio City which opened its doors Tuesday evening, October 13.  Owner Alon Raphael says his restaurant offers a new fine dining experience, offering world cuisine with seasonal ingredients and an extensive wine menu, including 50 choices of wine by the glass. The menu details the specific country of origin next to each dish.  Some are even classified by region, such as Southern and Northern France. Each dish has a unique twist dedicated to the influential country, using specialty ingredients.

No stranger to the restaurant industry or Studio City, Raphael’s family owned the Bel Air Bar and Grill, and he attended Carpenter Elementary and Walter Reed Middle School. Helming the kitchen at the 60-seat restaurant is chef Stephen Burkalis who worked at the Water Grill downtown. Prices range from $13-$19 for lunch and $18-$24 for dinner (with two entrees at $32 and $35).  Raphael is located at  11616 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 505-3337. www.raphaelonventura.com

Sherman Oaks’ Freshcutt Carving Grill, which was recently featured in My Daily Find, is offering FREE food today, Thursday October 15, from noon to 6 pm The restaurant, a new concept in fast, fresh, and affordable dining, will serve its signature chicken, tri-tip and vegetarian sandwiches, plates, bowls and salads. The day will also benefit the LA Regional Food Bank – all tips will be donated to feed those in need.

Fresh Cutt will also offer uniformed police, fire and EMT’s 50% off from October 15-November 15 and 20% off thereafter.

Freshcutt is located at 14622 Ventura Blvd, #103, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (at Cedros Ave). Validated parking behind building, or metered on-street parking. www.freshcutt.com

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