Culinary Delights at 88 Club and New Dining Experiences in Los Angeles
88 Club
88 Club, a new culinary venture by chef Mei Lin, introduces a refined take on traditional Chinese banquet dining. The restaurant features a vibrant selection of dishes served on elegant marble lazy Susans, including artfully prepared shrimp toast, chewy mung bean jelly noodles, and aromatic mapo tofu.
Lin, known for her accolades on “Top Chef” and “Tournament of Champions,” partners with Francis Miranda to re-enter the full-service restaurant arena after five years, following the success of her previous contemporary Chinese restaurant, Nightshade, and the fried chicken sandwich shop, Daybird.
In the elegant ambiance of Beverly Hills, Lin presents dishes closely tied to her upbringing, embellished with a modern touch. The menu is characterized by its straightforward approach, featuring familiar flavors, such as cha siu made from Iberico pork served with hot mustard, and fried whole sweet-and-sour fish with tableside sauce presentation.
For dessert, offerings include seasonal almond tofu paired with local produce, jasmine milk tea custard buns, and mango coconut sago with pops of pomelo. Lin’s culinary team, including chef de cuisine Nick Russo, maintains the bar area with a simplified menu showcasing signature dishes.
The restaurant’s wine program, curated by Diana Lee, complements the aromatic cuisine, while Kevin Nguyen’s cocktail creations offer a Chinese twist on traditional favorites.
Operational Hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM; Friday and Saturday: 5:30 PM – 11 PM
Location: 9737 S. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA | 88clubbh.com
New Vendors at the Original Farmers Market
The Original Farmers Market has welcomed a series of new eateries that enrich its long-standing culinary landscape. One standout is Stara Pierogi & Sausage, run by Kamila Zymanczyk, who brings her Polish heritage to Los Angeles.
Zymanczyk, who learned traditional Polish cooking from her family, offers handmade pierogi, fresh paczki, and griddled kielbasa sausages. She aims to fill a gap in the local Eastern European cuisine scene.
Another new addition is Savta, which, originally from New York City, features a menu of wood-fired pizzas and other California-inspired dishes. Adjacent to it, Sora Temaki Bar specializes in sushi hand rolls, highlighting fresh ingredients with unique flavor pairings.
Just around the corner, Theía, Mediterranean cuisine reopens under new ownership, offering grilled lamb skewers and lobster cavatelli along with live entertainment events.
Operational Hours for New Vendors:
- Stara Pierogi & Sausage: Daily from 9 AM – 9 PM
- Savta: Sunday to Thursday from 11 AM – 9 PM; Friday and Saturday from 11 AM – 10 PM
- Sora Temaki Bar: Sunday to Thursday from noon – 9 PM; Friday and Saturday from noon – 10 PM
Kurrypinch
Chef Shaheen Ghazaly has reopened Kurrypinch in East Hollywood, offering authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in a lively atmosphere. Ghazaly prepares fresh dishes daily, utilizing his roots to showcase the rich culinary landscape of Sri Lanka.
The restaurant offers coconut milk risotto, signature mashed potatoes, and flavorful biryani on weekends. The venue includes a chef’s table that allows patrons to view the cooking process closely.
Operational Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 5 PM – 10 PM; Saturday and Sunday from noon – 4 PM, then 5 PM – 10 PM
Location: 5051 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA | kurrypinch.com
The Evangeline Swamp Room
Located next to the Little Jewel of New Orleans, the Evangeline Swamp Room has opened its doors, offering patrons a selection of quintessential New Orleans cocktails and a small menu of favorites from the adjacent restaurant.
Co-owners Marcus Christiana-Beniger and Eunah Kang-Beniger have crafted a space reminiscent of a French Quarter watering hole, featuring signature cocktails like the Ramos gin fizz and po’boys alongside charbroiled oysters and skillet crawfish mac and cheese.
Operational Hours: Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 PM – midnight; Friday and Saturday from 5 PM – 1 AM
Location: 701 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA | swamproom.la
Angel’s Tijuana Tacos Bricks-and-Mortar
After seven years of successful street vending, Angel’s Tijuana Tacos has established its first brick-and-mortar location in Anaheim. Known for great tacos, the restaurant features an indoor seating area adorned with colorful murals and offers a host of beloved menu items including tacos, quesadillas, and fresh meat-stuffed baked potatoes.
In addition to its classic offerings, the new location features exclusive items such as micheladas and loaded French fries.
Operational Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 10 AM – midnight; Friday and Saturday from 10 AM – 1 AM
Location: 3436 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA | Angel’s Tijuana Tacos Instagram
Heavy Handed Silver Lake
Heavy Handed, a popular smashburger concept, has expanded to Silver Lake, taking over a previous establishment with its signature offerings. Known for its short rib smash burgers and specially crafted tallow fries, this location aims to cater to the local community with new retail products and a thoughtfully curated natural wine list.
Operational Hours: Daily from 11:30 AM – 10 PM
Location: 3200 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA | heavyhanded.la