BY KAREN YOUNG
Mini Duck Tacos Photo: Courtesy Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and Grill
The Studio City restaurant scene just keeps growing. Yesterday I caught a “hard hat” glimpse of Sammy’s Woodfire Pizza and Grill which is currently under construction, but set to open May 10. This is the 18th location for this San Diego based restaurant that also has locations in Nevada, Palm Desert and El Segundo. Sammy’s replaces Louise’s on the second floor of the Laurel Canyon/Ventura Blvd. corner mall that also houses the Daily Grill and Loteria Grill. According to owner Sami Ladeki all the locations look different based on where they are located. The 818 location will have a mod, urban feel with warm colors and accomodate 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.
Cafe Bizou in Sherman Oaks is having their annual Lobster Fest through the end of April (with the exception of Saturday evening), featuring a three course prix fixed lobster menu. Lunch $18 and dinner $28.
This Earth Day, April 22, Chipotle Mexican Grill will reward eco-friendly customers with a free burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos if they purchase a Chipotle-branded repurposed billboard bag from Chipotle’s online store, www.chipotle.com, between now and April 14. Chipotle will donate all of its proceeds from the sale of the bags to the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation. Each lunch bag purchased through April 14 will include an eco-friendly card with a unique barcode that a customer can redeem for a free menu item on Earth Day. For every 20,000 lunch bags made from retired Chipotle signage, landfills are spared some 78,000 square feet of billboard vinyl — enough material to cover 2.7 Olympic swimming pools.
What most recently housed Pomodoro and Panini Cafe in Sherman Oaks (Ventura and Cedros) is now going to be Osteria Coppola and owned by Agostino Coppola who is also a partner in Mulholland Grill.
It’s Burrito Madness at Hugo’s Tacos on Wednesdays from 7 – 10 p.m. Just say the secret word “Mundo” before you order for 1/2 off burritos with fillings. Also, don’t miss the $3 Breakfast Burrito Hour, Monday- Friday, 10-11 a.m.
To celebrate their 2nd anniversary, Tony’s Darts Away will be more than doubling their size for the day by adding an extended outdoor deck and bar and hosting an all-day beer festival on Saturday, April 21 from 11a.m.-close. While they won’t be serving their regular brunch menu in the morning, the kitchen will be cranking out a selection of menu favorites from Chef Randal St. Clair all day long, including their Jailhouse tacos (vegan or non-vegan chili ladled over Fritos, jalapenos, salsa, Daiya or Tillamook cheddar, sour cream optional) and popular vegan and non vegan sausages. Of course, a celebration of Tony’s Darts Away would be nothing without beer – and beer champion Paige Reilly will be tapping some extremely rare specialty brews throughout the day, including Cuvee de Tomme, Supplication, Sucaba, 4 Calling Birds and MUCH more.Admission is $30 (includes 5 generous taster pours and a commemorative glass).Note: additional tasters can be purchased on site (5 for $20). A limited number of presale tickets are available for purchase at Tony’s Darts Away.
The Barney’s Beanery special of the week is The Avocado Melt for $6.75. It’s composed of jack cheese, tomato, grilled onions and of course, avocado served on marbled rye bread and with your choice of side.
Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of My Daily Find. Got news? tips? Email: karen@mydailyfind.com
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