Bel Air News
L.A. Restaurant Openings
By Charlie Golestani
Jul 27, 2012 - 10:36:54 AM

Several new eateries are set to or have already opened; some old and some brand new.

Bel-Air Bar and Grill's conceptualized new front, courtesy of their website

In Bel-Air, niece of cartoonist Walt Disney, Susan Disney Lord will renovate her Bel-Air Bar & Grill.  The restaurant closed last year in April, but Lord plans to reopen in November of this year. It should be interesting to see what new flavors the new BABG can offer over the old tuna tartar with wasabi caviar, calamari and shrimp and chicken potstickers with a sweet Thai-sesame sauce.  Lord also purchased the building next door to the old location, out of which she plans to operate the Roy Disney Family Foundation, which can act as overflow space for the restaurant.

LAX will soon receive formal fare from famed chef Wolfgang Puck. Despite the name Wolfgang Puck Express, the flair with which Puck has been known to throw down in the kitchen should spice up dreary air travel. The restaurant’s official opening is scheduled for September 13, though they have already done a “soft opening” as of July.

Umami's hatch burger, with four types of chiles and cheese. Photo from Yelp

Umami Burger is set to open what will become its flagship restaurant at The Grove Monday, August 6. Seating for 185 indoor and outside of the now closed Wonderland Bakery should make this niche hamburger kitchen a contender alongside other large scale operations in the mall like Cheesecake Factory and the two up-scale dining choices Morels French Steakhouse and Bistro and Italian La Piazza.

Daal with fried olives and chickpeas from Parish. Courtesy of Yelp

Newly opened Parish was well-received Friday, July 27. Some might say gastropubs are over-done, but menu consultation by Gjelina, featuring American cuisine, has this Venice eating house abuzz. Dinner is from 5:30 to 12:30, with bar open till last call.  Brunch and lunch are soon to come.