A yoga studio meets cafe, brunch seven days of the week, and a hip Kosher cafe
Here now, Eater LA compiles some of the more notable openings scattered throughout Los Angeles. Every week we'll be tackling new places to check out in various neighborhoods. Any new spots that we might've missed? Hit the tipline.
July 13, 2016:
Koreatown— Los Angeles does not lack for outstanding Thai fare, but newcomer Thai Angel brings a whole new experience to the table. After originally opening on Sunset and Vine back in 1996, the restaurant bounced around the Hollywood area before opening up its newest location in Koreatown. Boasting a full bar, happy hour, Thai bar bites, karaoke, and sports-playing TVs, it sounds like a one-stop shop for a quality night out. 149 N Western Ave, Los Angeles
Pico-Robertson— Finding a hip Kosher restaurant isn't always the easiest of tasks. Luckily Origin Cafe has opened with plenty of Israeli favorites like shakshuka to satisfy morning hunger pains. With a nice coffee program and solid brunch menu, this may just be your new weekend go-to. 8532 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles
Downtown— Are you one of those people who think brunch is the best meal of the week? Thankfully BrunchDTLA has arrived to satisfy egg-and-waffle cravings every day of the week. The aptly named brunch specialist located in, well, DTLA, offers brunch fare from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily including Sundays, which is a rarity in the area. Think mashup items like bibimbap breakfast burritos and Indian-spiced chicken sandwiches. 718 S Los Angeles St Ste A, Los Angeles
Beverly Grove— Love coffee and yoga? Want to enjoy a coffee and yoga class at the same time? Hyperslow, a new yoga studio on Fairfax has opened with a cafe for all your caffeine needs. There's everything from cold brews to chai lattes, with kombucha and raw juices to make you feel extra healthy post workout.
Encino— The fourth location of Kopan Ramen has opened, this time in Encino. Expect standard fare pork ramen with a selection of sushi rolls and poke bowls. 17547 Ventura Blvd Ste 108-109, Los Angeles
July 6, 2016:
Echo Park— Still need more juice? Glowing Juices has finally opened with cold-pressed options, along with a growing vegan market. Pick up everything from vegan jerky to crystals to go with your green smoothie. 1559 Echo Park Ave.
Roaming— There's a new food truck in town with a mashup you probably have never had before. Keep It C'asian, the aptly named truck that blends Cajun and Asian cuisines, has opened serving everything from good ol' red beans and rice to yakamein, a dish composed of noodles, stewed beef, beef broth, and egg. There's also Asian-meets-Cajun egg rolls and potstickers, if you're into that sort of thing. Check Twitter for locations.
Pasadena— Pasadena denizens have a new spot to satisfy that sweet tooth. Moyo, a bakery on Lake Avenue, has opened with sweets that range from triple berry cake to macarons to panna cotta. There's even Bicycle coffee to wash it all down for a one-stop afternoon pick-me-up spot. 1373 N Lake Ave, Pasadena
Koreatown— Another day, another Korean barbecue joint popping up in K-Town. This time it's Janggun BBQ, an a la carte grilled meat mecca that serves all your favorite cuts of beef and pork, along with side dishes like steamed egg and kimchi stew. The move here might be lunch though, where specials like bulgogi and naengmyun ring in under eight bucks. 698 S Vermont Ave Ste 111, Los Angeles
East Hollywood— Everyone loves a good wood-fired pizza and pasta joint, and now Eastsiders have a new one to their name. The Sit-Down offers Italian-American favorites that range from antipasti platters to spaghetti carbonara that can be enjoyed in the restaurant's quaint back patio. 4518 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
June 30, 2016:
East Hollywood— There's a cool new slice joint nearby Hel-Mel (Heliotrope and Melrose) called Gracie's that sports New York-style thin crust pizzas by the slice that took over neighborhood icon Pizza Paul. Not only do they serve pizza by the slice, they have beer and wine, in case you want to make a date out of it. 4330 Melrose Avenue.
Koreatown— A swanky new coffee bar called Balcony Coffee is now open on the northern edge of Koreatown. With colorful desserts, well-pulled espresso shots, and whimsical neighborhood feel, it's a nice departure from the tacky Koreatown coffee shops in the area. 314 N. Western.
Sun Valley— More casual coffee and bites, this time at Brioche Cafe in northern borough Sun Valley. With fresh juices, coffee, burgers, and sandwiches to please the local crowd, it's nice to have something that isn't a chain restaurant. 8141 Sunland Blvd.
Sherman Oaks— C&M Cafe has opened their second location (their first one in Palms is down for the count, though they're re-opening a few blocks away). The friendly spot serves sandwiches, salads, and juices, perfect for a hungry local crowd. While the fare can be a bit over the top, who can fault the BAM, a cinnamon french toast sandwich with bacon, sausage, cream cheese, egg, and maple syrup? 12924 Riverside Dr. Sherman Oaks
West Hollywood— Tocaya Organica has opened their second LA location in the massive former BLT Steak/Rare by Drai space after debuting their concept in Venice. With a healthy modern Mexican menu of burritos, bowls, salads, and tacos, think of it like a fast-casual Gracias Madre, except not exclusively vegan. 8720 W. Sunset Blvd
June 24, 2016:
Venice— A new poke spot called Wild Poke has opened in Venice right on the Boardwalk. It's also a window shop, just like Boardwalk mainstay Poke-Poke, which was serving the Hawaiian chopped fish years before the trend took off. At Wild Poke, find much of the same new school poke you'd find around town. So far the reviews have been stellar. 1301 Ocean Front Walk
Koreatown— Former late night hotspot Mountain Cafe has turned into a new Korean barbecue specialist Yimat, except that instead of table-top 'cue, it's all prepared in the kitchen and presented ready to eat. Makes sense since the place is pretty tiny. Try that pan-broiled spicy squid for something different. 3064 W. 8th Street
La Canada Flintridge— The ice cream sandwich trend has landed in this sleepy bedroom community north of Glendale. The Baked Bear officially opened offering colorful ice cream sandwiches and cookies. Sandwiches start at $4.50. 965 Foothill Blvd, La Canada
West Hollywood— The fast casual pizza trend will not die. And in comes The Pizza Press, a populist build-a-pizza option that just opened along Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. Nice thing about this spot is that it's open until 1 a.m., all the better to accommodate the nightlife scene nearby. 7100 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood
Pasadena— A colorful new sweets shop called Oh My Pan has opened in Pasadena. Originally from San Gabriel Valley, this toast specialist loads red beans, ice cream, and fruit atop plush toast. But the place also offers plenty of Asian-style pastry and desserts for anyone with a killer sweet tooth. 238 S. Arroyo Parkway Suite 110 Pasadena, CA
June 15, 2016:
Westwood— Sugarfish offshoot KazuNori has officially opened the doors of its second location in Westwood. The 18-seat, counter service-only restaurant offers the same sleek look that has come to define the Nozawa family of restaurants and an extraordinary price-to-quality ratio. With the priciest option being a $23, 6 hand roll set menu, it's an indulgence even college students will be able to afford (occasionally).
Koreatown— It seems Angelenos can't get enough Korean barbecue. A new competitor, Ong Ga Nae, has opened up on Vermont right off Olympic. Expect quality a la carte options that shouldn't break the bank.
Hollywood— Koreatown's late BrewWell has reemerged in Hollywood, this time as a tiny coffee window. It's a boon for the myriad office workers on Sunset, as the coffee shop will offer well crafted espressos and afternoon pick-me-ups like elevated pop tarts.
El Segundo— The South Bay has a new retailer that combines all the trends of the past year. We're talking poke and acai bowls, of course. Bowlology will be a one-stop shop for four flavors of poke bowls, a slew of acai options, and cold pressed juices.
Gardena— Timeout Cafe has opened on Western offering South Bay denizens a quaint new sandwich shop with early favorites that include Korean cheesesteak and apple tuna.