Did Benitora close? Partner was having a craving for giant gyoza, so we drove over for dinner… only to find that it was closed. The glass of the front door is boarded up, but perhaps that’s just b/c there was some damage? Partner tried calling, but it sounded like a generic cell phone voicemail response (not a good sign)…
Bachi Burger has now been renamed “Ohana Burger,” which is kind of confusing b/c it still has the same menu (but there’s apparently an Ohana Burger in Hawaii). Bachi Burger website simply says that the location is under new ownership.
Was Hurry Curry ever good? I recall trying it once after reading on CH that it had good karaage and thinking that, at the time, it was indeed good. Today, it was oily, wasn’t fully breaded/floured, and there wasn’t much crunch. Curries weren’t spicy (we ordered medium) and were kind of sweet. Everything was under salted. Total waste of calories.
Weird. I was just at Benitora last week. Business was slow (only 3 tables at prime time dinner window), but it was my first time there.
Hurry Curry: I never was a fan. Like you maybe a long time ago, I thought it was OK, but subsequent trips made me realize it wasn’t that good (or it went downhill).
Crazy about Benitora. Like @Chowseeker1999, I was just there a week ago. It was quiet at lunch but there was no indication of any impending closure.
I’ve actually been to the revamped Ohana Burger. The menu and recipes are basically the same but with different names. The Lonelybird is now the Doublebird, etc.
Haven’t been to Hurry Curry in a while, but I personally like(d) them better than Curry House, which makes their curry from the box mix they sell IIRC. The saki-marinated karaage was a particular favorite at Hurry Curry. So sad to hear it’s gone downhill.
Thanks for the addt’l info, everyone. I was last at Benitora maybe 2 wks ago (I only go on Fri or Sat), and the place was quite busy (as it normally is). In fact, that was kind of the prob w/ our last few visits (too many customers, not enough wait staff). I drive up pretty frequently, so I’ll see if there’s anything to update…
I actually really like Curry House but, since the curry really does taste exactly like the box mix, I normally get the spaghetti bolongnese when I’m there.
I was so distraught after eating the karaage chicken yesterday that I actually stopped the hostess to ask if there were any recipe changes. Not to her knowledge…
@J_L: I will have to give 2117 another try! If it’s not closing, I’ll have some time… The pasta at Malbec, while totally different, is awfully good (and quite close to me)…
I was at Beni Tora last week and they were about 1/2 full, at about 6:30 on a Tuesday. Was there the previous week and they were jammed inside and out about the same time, can’t remember what day.
ROC Kitchen (corner of Mississippi & Sawtelle) has closed. Signage indicates that XLB slinger Dan (with sister location on Lake Ave. in Pasadena) will be taking over. I feel lukewarm about this turn of events.
Any of you catch the week-long “secret” chicken sandwich run at Marugame Udon? I just found out about it on the last day. Did not have time to go.
Another update - looks like Curry House in that plaza where Nijiya is, is permanently closed. They had a sign there that stated “re-opening soon” last year, but my last few visits I saw a “for lease” sign.
That’s sad to hear, although my last trip there (w/i the past yr) was so depressing that I can’t say I’m surprised.
Unrelated to Curry House, but related to Sawtelle… I saw some workmen at the former Flores location, and they appeared to be installing some lights. Does anyone have intel?
In the newly-remodeled complex on the northwest corner of Olympic & Sawtelle (also newly renamed as “The Block”, formerly known as the Olympic Collection), in the old Butcher’s Dog space now resides 7Kingdoms, an apparent eatery with a “Game of Thrones” theme. Time will tell how things play out here. Spring is coming…
And just a few doors down, next to Artelice Patisserie, La Crêpe Organic has taken over the old Project M Matcha Cafe space. A quick purchase of a standard butter & sugar here was okay. But no Grand Marnier (Dommage!)… I’m glad the previous tenant’s matcha and strawberry softserve machine survived the change of owenership, though.
Blockquote In the newly-remodeled complex on the northwest corner of Olympic & Sawtelle (also newly renamed as “The Block”, formerly known as the Olympic Collection), in the old Butcher’s Dog space now resides 7Kingdoms, an apparent eatery with a “Game of Thrones” theme.
I didn’t know to hope for these things and I’m grateful to the internet for bringing this to my attention.
The pasta at Malbec, while totally different, is awfully good (and quite close to me)…
