Market Watch, April 2016

mwRESTAURANT OPENINGS 16 MARKET WATCH MARKETWATCHMAG COM APRIL 2016Northern Italian Kitchen Opens In Downtown Los AngelesDesigned to evoke a contemporary culinary workshop Officine Brera serves Northern Italian fare in a modern warehouse space in downtown Los Angeles Arts District The venue opened in February and is managed by Factory Place Hospitality Group whose founders grew up in the Brera region of Italy The restaurants menu is inspired by classic Italian cucina povera recipes offering tartare rotisserie poultry and braised hunter style meats as well as risotto pasta and roasted fish entrées are 17 to 59 The venues space houses a wood burning grill oven and rotisserie Standout dishes include slow braised beef shoulder grilled veal chops roasted pork shank and John Dory filet in a clam and mussel broth Officine Brera boasts an extensive Italian wine list that spans more than 150 labels and is managed by Francine Diamond Ferdinandi a sommelier and the wife of Factory Place cofounder Matteo Ferdinandi Her list includes popular Italian varietals like Pinot Grigio Barolo and Brunello alongside lesser known grapes like Arneis Aglianico and Frappato 11 to 25 a glass 40 to 388 a 750 ml bottle Officine Brera also offers a handful of craft beers 8 to 10 a bottle and Italian themed specialty cocktails 12 to 15 The space features brick walls wood and steel dining tables and wood flooring as well as an exhibition kitchen and two outdoor patios Housed in a 1920s Los Angeles warehouse Officine Breras Northern Italian food menu is complemented by a list of Italian wines that features common and lesser known varietals Florida Chef CelebratesIsland Cuisine In MiamiEthnically diverse and seasonally driven island fare takes center stage at Zest a new restaurant from South Florida chef Cindy Hutson The venue opened in February in Miamis Southeast Financial Center and aims to expand on Hutsons popular Ortanique restaurant with a Caribbean inspired menu that ranges from surf and turf ravioli and curried octopus to conch scampi entrées are 24 to 55 Zests drinks program reflects its island theme boasting creative cocktails mixed with fresh juices and house made syrups and infusions specialty cocktails are 12 to 16 These are joined by a global roster of wines 9 to 35 a glass 39 to 1200 a 750 ml bottle craft beers 7 to 14 a draft pour or bottle and a variety of cigars that guests can enjoy on the terrace Zest has an indoor outdoor bar space and living walls covered in plants mwLaura Pelnerv Gina Stefani the daughter of noted Chicago restaurateur Phil Stefani opened her first restaurant in February in the Windy Citys West Loop Mad Social a global inspired contemporary venue has a varied menu that highlights authentic ingredients from Europe and Asia v Rappahannock Oyster Co unveiled the restaurant and market Rapp Session in February in Richmond Virginia The traditional oyster saloon serves raw and cured foods including 10 to 12 oyster varieties from around the world along with clams mussels shrimp and crab The venue boasts a creative cocktail menu craft beers and Virginia wines v Regional comfort food concept Jimmys Famous American Tavern expanded in March with a location in Brea California The venue serves burgers fried chicken and barbecue ribs as well as specialty cocktails domestic beers and West Coast wines v Atlanta based Farm Burger added its first unit in Alabama in February opening a location in Huntsville The restaurant serves grass fed beef antibiotic free chicken and pasture raised pork Its drinks program highlights local craft beers and small production wines The concept has seven units in the Southeast and California and will add three more this year mw L P Chicago Family Branches Out Oyster Saloon Debuts California Tavern Expands With a sister restaurant in Negril Jamaica Miamis Zest makes Caribbean flavors shine PHOTO BY LEFT RYAN TANAKAMW0416_