Category: Food & Drink

Yoga-urt brings plant-based soft serve to Santa Monica By Kamala Kirk Plant-based soft serve shop Yoga-urt launched a soft opening on October 9 followed by a grand opening celebration on October 16 for its third and newest location in Santa Monica. The new location is twice the size of its Echo Park store and will feature seven to 10 rotating flavors on tap for customers to choose from. “Aside from being close to the ocean, I am really looking forward to simply being connected with the people that make up this beautiful community,” said Yoga-urt founder Melissa Schulman. “Something that I love about having Yoga-urt is that I get to meet so many new individuals every day.” Yoga-urt was founded in 2015 by Schulman, who decided to take a sabbatical from her corporate position as a project manager and began a yoga teacher training to focus on her health and yoga. At the time, she fell in love with her practice and also learned that there weren’t many frozen yogurt alternatives that were plant based and carried the nutritional probiotic benefits of yogurt. “I wanted to create a healthier soft serve that could be enjoyed with one’s community and tasted great,” Schulman said. “After doing a lot of research and seeking guidance, I found myself inspired to create a space that embodied the same peaceful vibe you get when...

Beach & Brew serves good food and a variety of drinks in a cozy setting By Sebastian Lipstein Longtime Westside residents and husband-and-wife-team Daryl and Gade Dishluk recently opened Beach & Brew, Venice’s first self-pour tap room. Located two blocks from the beach and Venice Fishing Pier, Beach & Brew’s menu is headed by Chef Jason Fullilove, featuring local ingredients and fresh seafood. A rising star in his own right, Fullilove has been featured on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay” and previously worked for Michelin-starred Patina Restaurant Group and as executive chef for the late Beard-Award winner Mark Peel’s Los Angeles restaurants The Tar Pit and Campanile. “Our chef and his team like to use fresh ingredients and to prep and cook from scratch,” Daryl said. “The customers like that the food is fresh and sourced locally when possible.” Replacing Japanese restaurant Kifune, Beach & Brew underwent a complete renovation. The space features a fresh and contemporary look with the addition of open windows in the front and exposing the high open-wood ceiling with cement floors for an open, urban loft feel. “Beach & Brew was positioned from the start to cater to the local customers,” Daryl said. “We wanted this location to be a go-to spot and a comfort zone for the locals.” Beach & Brew has a full-service liquor bar along with a self-serve 40 tap system,...

Trejo’s Tacos opens new location in Santa Monica By Kamala Kirk Actor Danny Trejo’s popular restaurant franchise, Trejo’s Tacos, recently opened a new store in Santa Monica. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard and adjacent to the Third Street Promenade, Trejo’s Tacos serves a wide range of dishes including organic tacos, burritos, bowls and plates with a selection of vegan and vegetarian-friendly options. Menu highlights include the beef barbacoa tacos, blackened salmon bowl and the breakfast burrito, the latter of which has scrambled eggs, cheese, bean dip, tater tots, salsa and tortilla strips. “When we first launched Trejo’s Tacos in 2016, I wanted a place where our friends, family and customers could gather, have a great time with delicious Mexican food and not be worried if someone in the group had special dietary needs,” Trejo said. “We’ve taken some traditional Mexican recipes and added our own spin. We’re a crazy mash-up of the sometimes healthy, Mexican-adjacent, but always delicious food.” The longtime actor, who is known for his roles in movies such as “Machete” and “Desperado,” is also the owner of Trejo’s Cantina and Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts. He founded Trejo’s Tacos in 2016 and the restaurant chain has since expanded locations across Los Angeles, including Hollywood and La Brea, in addition to ghost kitchens in Chicago and Miami. “We are a small local brand, so finally getting to open...

Restaurants across the Westside are participating in the highly anticipated culinary event By Kamala Kirk Dine LA Restaurant Week is back to showcase hundreds of Los Angeles’ most beloved restaurants and highlight the city’s global variety of cuisines and diversity of dining styles. The 15-day event will continue to build upon the successful Spring 2021 iteration of the program, offering specially priced menus available for lunch and dinner with a focus on supporting dine-in service, both indoor and outdoor, and takeout dining. Participating restaurants across the Westside include Beachside Restaurant at Jamaica Bay Inn, Dear John’s, Maple Block Meat Co., UOVO, HiHo Cheeseburger, SUGARFISH, Tallula’s, and Terraza Restaurant, among others. “It’s fantastic to see Los Angeles’ restaurant industry rebounding in the face of such continued adversity,” said Stacey Sun, executive director of Dine LA. “We’ve witnessed the eagerness of LA’s dining communities to support their favorite restaurants as well as discover new culinary vibes to enjoy with friends and loved ones. Dine LA Fall 2021 Restaurant Week represents an opportunity to encourage locals and visitors alike to continue to support the city’s restaurants with more special meals out.” Beachside Restaurant at Jamaica Bay Inn. For breakfast and lunch, enjoy dishes like a delicious Beachside scramble, fried chicken and French toast, and crispy avocado tacos for $35 per person along with a dinner menu that features heartier Mongolian beef short...

Limited-release beer offers a new level of deliciousness By Kamala Kirk Santa Monica Brew Works unveiled a new addition to its series of limited-release beers celebrating local businesses. The locally owned and operated craft production brewery has teamed with Venice-based Groundwork Coffee Co. to create Breakfast Brew, a Golden Mocha Porter made with cocoa nibs, vanilla bean and organic cold brew coffee. “Some things are just better together,” said Scott Francis, SMBW co-founder, president and chief executive officer. “It’s no secret that coffee and craft beer can complement each other exceptionally well. But adding chocolate takes this brew to a whole other level of deliciousness. It’s more than just producing a quality beverage. Our aim is to connect with our community through products that people are passionate about.” Bundles of cocoa nibs were brewed with Vienna malt and finished with vanilla bean and a touch of chamomile for a smooth finish. Groundwork’s certified oganic classic cold brew adds a hint of nutty character. The final product, which clocks in at 5% ABV, contains only a small measure of caffeine, less than 1/10 the amount contained in full-strength cold brew coffee. “This isn’t a traditional coffee porter,” said SMBW head brewer Avery Colomb. “We had some fun playing with unexpected ingredient combinations. The original milk chocolate flavors combine with the Arabica coffee to create rich dark chocolate truffle notes. And...