Hatfield's
For dineLA.com
In the past few months, some of our most popular establishments have decided to undergo revamps, remodels and menu redesigns. In some cases, this involves a simple redecorating and a tweak to the old menu – while in other situations this means moving across town or bringing in a new chef altogether. Here are a few updates on some of the city’s favorite eateries.
In the case of popular culinary duo Quinn & Karen Hatfield, relocating to a larger space on Melrose was needed to showcase their Michelin-starred talent and California-French menu.
The new space is twice the size and includes a full bar-lounge, conservatory, private area, plus the show-stopping open-air main dining room to watch the creation of vegetarian and tasting menus. New items include hand-cut papardelle carbonara with smoked parsnip ‘bacon’ and a roasted sunchoke salad with French feta and fava bean falafel crumble. Old favorites are back such as the Croque Madame with prosciutto; deserts include almond dried apricot crunch and coconut custard macaroon with tapioca sauce and passion fruit- elderflower sorbet.
- Hatfield’s, 6703 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, 323.935.297, www.hatfieldsrestaurant.com
In opening the new large indoor-outdoor corner space, BOA launched an updated menu, artistic design, and they finally have a restaurant with several areas for private parties.
According to Lee Maen, one of IDG’s partners, “While we loved the original Grafton location, we felt with the current onslaught of steakhouses, the time was right to launch the 2.0 Version of BOA Steakhouse. After finding an amazing location with enormous outdoor space, it was an easy decision to make.”
“Our regulars have really taken to the new spot and continue to dine with us. However, the recent press has brought a new group to BOA for the first time. So far it was the right decision to make and we are thrilled with the new BOA.”
- BOA, 9200 Sunset Blvd., 210.278.2050, www.boasteak.com/balboa
After 15 years, tucked away by the Century City shopping center, La Cachette morphed into a casual bistro on Ocean Avenue across the street from Loews Hotel in Santa Monica. According to Chef-owner Jean Francios, “We wanted to look for another location to do a bistro and not close the original, but after we found the location at the beach, they closed the access to La Cachette off of Beverly Glen, so we decided to move.” While they did keep some of the old menu, new items like steak frites, house made pate and charchuterie have been added. “It’s a little more casual, but the customers love the new place and 80% of our old customers are still coming. We have a happy hour and it’s a bit more fun for me,” laughs the chef.
- La Cachette, 1733 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, 310.394.5888, www.lacachettebistro.com
Longtime hidden celebrity hangout Sunset Marquis’ new RESTAURANT was the final stage in the property’s $25 million dollar expansion. Now guests can dine alfresco or sink into chocolate colored velvet booths under Swarovoski globe chandeliers. Also sparkling, is the 5-star, 5-diamond rated Chef Guillaume Burlion serving French contemporary cuisine. Seasonal dishes include fresh spiny lobster sausage with crisp phyllo noodle, white asparagus and julienne of Asian vegetable in a sweet and spicy red mustard oil; braised rack of antelope with seared foie gras and wild mushroom in black truffle sauce; or carpaccio of bison.
- Sunset Marquis, 1200 North Alta Loma Rd, West Hollywood, 310.657.1333, www.sunsetmarquis.com
This property is a truly historic hotel dating back to the 1920s, and was recently completely revamped. Let’s not also forget that this was Thomas Keller’s first kitchen in LA. Now it’s an upscale California fusion restaurant, receiving accolades under the direction of talented young Executive Chef Todd Allison. “It is an honor to walk in the footsteps of the great Chef Thomas Keller, who brought Checkers to fame,” said Allison. “I consider the challenge of creating something special and unique in this space particularly compelling given its history.” Highlights such as pan roasted loup de mer with braised Underwood Ranch vegetables and romesco sauce, and Gilroy roasted garlic and fava bean agnolotti with chanterelle mushrooms, crispy pancetta and English pea coulis are insuring that Allison has his own place in history.
- Hilton Checkers Los Angeles Hotel, 535 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, 213.624.0000, www.hiltoncheckers.com
In some cases things are better in small packages. La Petite Chaya is a new bar lounge menu being featured at the Beverly Hills location which is also celebrating 25 years. And, sometimes this means taking a step back to your original French roots to a brasserie style setting with blackboards and posters; and a menu that includes plenty of fromage, free-range chicken liver mousse, escargot cocotte and pommes frites.
- Chaya, 8741 Alden Dr, West Los Angeles, 310.859.8833, www.thechaya.com
Enter the lobby restaurant area and you’re immediately whisked into a calming sea-foam green-blue color palate. The popular alfresco lounge-restaurant by the pool has also had a face-lift, and new Chef Mirko Paderno has injected his Italian flair to the menu. Think truffle pizzetta, braised veal tortellini and grilled octopus with a Campari cocktail on breezy spring evening.
- Oliverio, 9400 West Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310.277.5221, http://www.avalonbeverlyhills.com/index.html
This transformation was so dramatic you will not recognize the old flagship hotel dining space. Now you can linger over small plates and wine at the crudo bar, dine in the garden or on 200-year-old magnolia table in the modern main room.
Chef Victor Casanova makes pastas and crispy, paper-thin pizzas in-house and slices salumi to order. Other standouts include the burrata di Stefano served with peperonata, “Manni” extra virgin olive oil from Tuscany (considered one of the world’s finest); and a modern take on polipo (baby octopus) cooked sous vide style, then grilled and served with frisee; or the guanciale (pork jowels). Casanova’s signature dish is lombatina capricciosa (breaded veal chop) coated with ciabatta crumbs and lightly crisped.
- Culina, Modern Italian, 300 South Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, 310.860.4000, www.culinarestaurant.com
After 20 successful years, this Los Feliz favorite spot became a trio of entertaining choices with the main restaurant, cabaret bar and tapas driven Rockwell in the back of the house.
They also welcomed back original Executive Chef Stephane Beaucamp’s contemporary California, seasonal menus. Scarborough Farm beet salad; five spice roasted chicken with a hoisin chicken au jus and branzino served atop Peruvian purple potato mash. At the bar, warm Medjool dates stuffed with goat cheese and spicy tuna tacos with guacamole, cumin-jicama, micro cilantro in a taro root taco shell are not to be missed.
- Vermont, 1714 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, 323.661.6163, www.vermontrestaurantandbar.com
Quite a few things at this Old Town Pasadena wine bistro have changed, besides the décor remodel, since opening four years ago. Manuel Mesta, former GM and co-owner at Vermont Restaurant in Los Feliz, has taken over as the sommelier and will pair any dish with a wine to suit your taste. Along with new Executive Chef Doug Weston, this is the perfect marriage of gourmand and oenophile.
- Vertical Wine Bistro, 70 N. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, 626.795.3999, www.verticalwinebistro.com
For one of the top Santa Monica Beach restaurants, a new wine bar and menu focusing on small plates and family-style options was the ticket. The bar has been redesigned to accommodate a relaxing evening of sipping wines by the glass or carafe and grazing from ‘market fresh’ menu from Chef Michael Reardon. “The beauty of the newly designed wine bar and our re-concepted menu, is that the choice is left up to each guest,” says Reardon. From the lamb sliders, wild mushroom crostini, smoked turkey cobb or lobster risotto, the choices are plentiful and tasty.
- Catch, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, 310.581.5533, www.hotelcasadelmar.com
New management and new chef Michelle Francis reflect a different spin on the cuisine and customer service at this retreat from the city on ‘Billionaire’s Beach.’ The food is light and organic with crab cakes, Greek salad, BBQ shrimp quesadilla and lobster club; the views and ambiance are spectacular. The larder is ‘imported’ from Tavern in Brentwood.
- Carbon Beach Club, 22878 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, 310.456.6444, www.malibubeachinn.com
