A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

Roy’s Announces Winter Prix Fixe Menu

It looks like dineLA is coming a little early, and lasting all Winter long at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion.  In an e-mail sent out this past week, they announced a $35 per person prix fixe menu that will last presumably throughout the entire winter, as no other expiration date was given.

A quick glance at the dineLA site confirmed my suspicion  that it’s the same food offering as the dineLA Winter 2010 event.  However, that will be $34 per person.

Roy’s writes on their site:

Winter is finally here, and we’re celebrating this beautiful new season with our indulgent 3-course Winter Prix Fixe. We’ve brought together a host of fresh, savory ingredients to create amazing new preparations inspired by the weather outside. Three decadent courses for just $35; it’s one of the ways we’re helping you stay warm this winter.

And the menu:

Winter Prix Fixe Menu
Available Winter of 2010 — $35 per person

APPETIZER (choice of one)

Maine Lobster Bisque

Brandy & Cream

Rock Shrimp Tempura

Shishito, Shimeji, Malaysian Curry Aioli

Vietnamese Lumpia & Bibb Lettuce Wrap

Green Papaya, Mint, Basil, Citrus Nam Pla

ENTRÉE (choice of one)

Dynamite Crusted Salmon

Tempura Vegetables, Happy Rice, Drunken Nori Sake Sauce

Pulehu Smoked Sirloin Steak

“Loaded” Red Bliss Potatoes, Shiitake Mushroom Pan Sauce

Lemon Basted Tiger Shrimp

Macadamia Nut Gremalata, Spiced Coconut Pumpkin Sauce

Tender Braised Beef Short Ribs

Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Natural Braising Sauce

DESSERT (choice of one)

Leslie’s Warm Strawberry Guava Tart

Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé

Popularity: 6%

Pomodoro Woodland Hills Signage Removed, Transformation Continues

In the midst of another beautiful sunset in Woodland Hills, the former Pomodoro Woodland Hills location sits empty, silently waiting for its new life as Panini Cafe.

The interior is still bare, undergoing a total gutting.  I don’t expect Panini Cafe to open anytime within the next 30 days.

Popularity: 6%

Will The KB Homes Condo Project On Erwin Ever Be Finished?

I drive by the KB Homes Ascent condominium construction project at 21301 Erwin Street every day on my way to work, and while it seems that there usually is some sort of work going on (at least a few days a week), no real progress ever gets made.

I actually watched the place catch on fire from the chair at my dentist’s office (Dr. Rosen DDS on Ventura Blvd) back on Monday March 24, 2008.  There’s a great blog entry about this fire on the LAFD’s official blog. (See some more pictures of the fire here).

An interesting, if bitter, article was posted on a blog called Union Organizer about 6 weeks after the fire:

Work has resumed on the problem plagued Ascent at Warner Center project at 21301 West Erwin Street. This is the location of a construction fire that caused major damage to two floors. Representatives from White Residential and KB Homes refused comment on Friday when asked if corners were cut in an effort to speed up construction. Industry experts have speculated that the structure might be condemned due to shoddy workmanship. When asked about the status of the project, management referred all comments to their legal staff. A sign remains on the gate that reads “Limited Entry; Off limits to unauthorized personnel by order of the Dept of Building and Safety, City of Los Angeles. Warning: this structure or site has been damaged and may be dangerous to occupy. Further damage may occur at any time. Enter at your own risk. This facility was inspected under emergency conditions on 03-24-08, 10:30am”. No Helix Electric employees were seen on Friday. Two men believed to be from Withee Malcolm Architects were on site briefly. A banner on the building directs the public to the KB Homes/Ascent Sales Gallery at 21101 Oxnard Street just far enough away to mask the smell of burnt lumber.

Curbed LA wrote almost a year ago (see their fire images and blog entry here):

Here’s a different type of ghost building: It was last March that Ascent at Warner Center, developer KB Homes’ 191-unit condominium project went up in flames, the blaze sparked by a welding tool. A reader recently wondered about the status of the five-story project, and it turns out the development has been sitting there unfinished since March. Since at least last July the sales office has been closed, according to the Union Organizers blog. Here’s the statement KB Homes gave us: “While KB Home has temporarily suspended construction at Accent at Warner Center we remain optimistic about the future of the community. KB Home has been in business for over 50 years and will remain focused on building quality homes and providing superior customer service to all of our home owners in the Los Angeles area.” According to the Daily News, which also recently did a story on the project, KB Homes reported a net loss of $307.3 million in their most recent quarter.

I’m just wondering when this project will be finished.  Looking at some of those pictures, you can really see how that particular area is so densely packed with housing.  Pretty frightening in an emergency, to say the least.

Popularity: 13%

A Little More Breakfast At BJ’s In Woodland Hills

This morning I stopped into BJ’s again in Woodland Hills to watch the first half of the Georgia Tech (my alma mater) vs UNC college basketball game.  The last time I was here, a friend of mine had the Baked Italian Omelette and he said it was pretty good, so I decided I’d give it a try.

Baked Italian Omelette Three scrambled eggs, Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, red onion, mushrooms and tomatoes, baked and topped with mozzarella cheese and parsley. Served with seasoned country potatoes and your choice of whole wheat or sourdough toast. $7.95

I really like the country potatoes at BJ’s, they have a great texture and flavor.  And the baked Italian Omelette itself is also very good – it’s almost like have an omelette and a sausage pizza combined.  Which is probably a little misleading because the dish itself is actually pretty light and healthy tasting.

When I left at halftime, the Yellow Jackets were dismantling UNC.  Somehow, in the second half they ended up blowing a 20+ point lead, but thankfully still ended up winning 73-31.  Go Jackets!

Popularity: 6%