By Laura Eckstein Jones By Laura Eckstein Jones | December 1, 2021 | Migration,
We wanted it to feel like you were walking into your stylish grandmother’s living room,” says Cobi’s co-founder and partner Cobi Marsh ETTA PHOTO BY WONHO FRANK LEE
From a fresh take on Southeast Asian cuisine in Santa Monica to a multilevel Hollywood hot spot, the City of Angels’ highly anticipated new restaurants will electrify every sense.
Cobi’s nasi goreng COBI’S PHOTO BY KATRINA FREDERICK STUDIO
Cobi’s pork and shiitake dumplings. COBI’S PHOTO BY KATRINA FREDERICK STUDIO
COBI’S Melbourne-born and Bali-bred Cobi Marsh and her partner, New Zealand-born chef Lance Mueller, spent years traveling the world in search of their favorite dishes, developing recipes based on their global adventures and passion for Southeast Asian food. After moving to L.A.—and eventually losing their jobs due to the pandemic—the duo launched Cobi’s Curries, a delivery-only pop-up focused on curries made from scratch with the absolute best ingredients. Angelenos quickly caught onto the concept. “We gained traction and a loyal fan base for our dishes, which then fortuitously led us to the incredible opportunity of opening a brick-and-mortar in the heart of Santa Monica,” Marsh explains. Now, the newly opened Cobi’s—located on Main Street—is one of the hottest reservations in town, not only for the incredible food—think devil curry, beef rendang, curry puffs and more—but also the smart wine list, warm service and welcoming atmosphere. “We want our guests to feel as though they’re coming into our home for dinner,” Marsh explains. “The experience at Cobi’s is meant to be intimate, warming and a bit nostalgic. The uniqueness really lies in the unabashed design, since that’s the first element you’re met with upon arriving, as well as the fact that the menu is a confluence of Lance and my upbringings.” Santa Monica, cobis.la
An indulgent spread at the newly opened etta restaurant in Culver City PHOTO BY LAURA HUERTAS PHOTOGRAPHY
ETTA While many restaurants are quiet on a Monday night, etta—the Culver City outpost of chef Danny Grant’s popular Chicago restaurant that recently opened at The Shay hotel—is absolutely bumping. Whether it be groups of girlfriends clinking cocktails or happy couples marking an anniversary, every table is filled and the atmosphere is nothing short of celebratory. “The wood-fired hearth is the heart of the menu, matched with the abundant selection of fruits and vegetables from our local farms,” says executive chef Bradley Ray. “Our pasta and bread program is meticulously made in-house; the orecchiette is pressed by hand; the focaccia, pizza dough and naan are made from scratch.” Standouts include the bubbling shrimp with ginger, chiltepin chile and mint; the orecchiette with crispy sausage, cavolo nero, tomato jus and fennel pollen; and the Bad & Boozy and Clarified Pina Colada cocktails. For an extra-fun experience, try the Porrón and Polaroid, where guests are given a porrón of wine and a Polaroid camera to document the memories. Culver City, ettarestaurant.com
The look, feel and menu at Belles—the new restaurant from restaurateur Nick Mathers—is inspired by his travels through the South Pacific. PHOTO BY LAURA HUERTAS PHOTOGRAPHY
BELLES BEACH HOUSE Wish You Were Here Group founder Nick Mathers has made a name for himself with the wanderlust-inducing restaurants he’s created. Élephante in Santa Monica has Southern European flair, while Kassi Club (which has since closed) boasted Greek Island vibes. Mathers’ latest project, the recently opened Belles Beach House in Venice, leans on his love of the South Pacific. “Hawaii has always been an idyllic restorative experience for me, and as a child I spent a lot of time traveling and surfing throughout Fiji and Tahiti,” he says. “These island destinations and their approach to hospitality and life have always appealed to me, particularly from a culinary sense. From a beverage perspective, the history of tiki and California has always fascinated me and I wanted to pay homage to iconic venues such as Trader Vic’s, but with a modern approach that reflects the new sensibility of California guests.” The name pays homage to neighborhood legend Larry Bell, while the space’s multiple outdoor dining spaces take advantage of L.A.’s perfect weather. Mathers’ menu picks include the barbecue chicken with coconut jus, the miso maple salad or the loco moco spring rolls. “For the drinks, you can’t miss the Maui Waui mango frozen slushie or the Abbot Skinny made with fresh pineapple, cucumber and celery juice,” he says. “All of the cocktails are made from fresh-pressed juice daily that’s then converted into syrups to ensure no waste—the natural flavors of the fruit stand alone without the need for any added sugars so you can feel good knowing your cocktails are as healthy as can be.” Venice, bellesbeachhouse.com
Masa’s Dream Box from Soko at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
GRANDMASTER RECORDERS The latest restaurant from The Botanical Group (E.P. & L.P. and Strings of Life) is quite an undertaking. Located in Hollywood at a former recording studio of the same name, Grandmaster Recorders is a 15,000-square-foot multilevel space featuring three distinct experiences: 71 Studio Bar, the restaurant and the rooftop. “This is a very exciting and important project for us as Grandmaster Recorders has history you just can’t manufacture,” says co-owner Grant Smillie. “When you inherit a space that was home to icons the caliber of Bowie, Blondie, the Foo Fighters, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder and many more, it automatically evokes a sense of nostalgia and informs the way you think about the place.” Expect a unique style of new-world coastal Italian cuisine from culinary director Monty Koludrovic, including spaghetti al burro with homemade pasta, dashi butter and Cantabrian anchovy; standout cocktails from mixologist Milosv Cielslak; desserts like hot and cold panna cotta from executive pastry chef Jaci Koludrovic; and much more. Hollywood, grandmasterrecorders.com
the Shake Your Money Maker cocktail from Grandma Recorders. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Grandmaster Recorders’ insalata di pesce PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
SOKO Along with a recent renovation of its lobby came the opening of Soko, the new eight-seat sushi bar located at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Carved out of a former storeroom, the small space offers big flavors via uberfresh, carefully prepared, authentic Japanese sushi and an intimate dining experience mere steps from the Pacific. “Our goal was to create an elevated, convivial atmosphere tucked away within a stunning luxury beachside locale that was comfortable for a date night, family meals, birthday celebrations and more, embodying a simple and warm vibe,” says chef Masa Shimakawa. Per chef’s suggestion, go for the bluefituna platter, the sashimi assortment or the nigiri. Santa Monica, fairmont-miramar.com
Cobi’s pork and shiitake dumplings. COBI’S PHOTO BY KATRINA FREDERICK STUDIO
Photography by: