Blog: One of LA’s Most Celebrated Pastry Chefs Strikes Out on His Own

Moving on

Shannon Swindle is moving on from Craft. The popular pastry and bread maestro has held his role at the upscale Century City restaurant run by Tom Colicchio for some 13 years, but he’s walking away from the paycheck at the end of the month. Instead, in a personal email sent around, Swindle says he’ll be using 2019 to focus on his own bakery-slash-restaurant somewhere in Los Angeles. More news as it comes.

Best news

Los Angeles Magazine has released its annual list of best new restaurants, and it features a lot of usual suspects (Bavel, Majordomo, Somni) as well as a couple of cool surprises.

A new look

Maple at Descanso Gardens has a brand new look. The brunch-only destination up in La Canada Flintridge is now rocking a decidedly fall look, with darker woods complementing the lighter architectural touches inside the tall space. Stop in for eggs, stay for the foliage.

Descanso Gardens

Russian eats

Ventura Blvd. Magazine is on the case of Sandwich Shoppe in Studio City, an unassuming spot for large Russian-style sandwiches. Be sure to bring an appetite.

More Love

Chris Feldmeier has some help on the line down at Love & Salt in Manhattan Beach. The South Bay spot has brought on Tracey Harada as chef de cuisine, following stints at places like Osteria Mozza and Cassia. They’re collaborating on new menu items for 2019 now.

Veggie placement

Veggie Grill has a new location at 523 W. 6th Street in Downtown as of yesterday. The popular plant-based spot is now doing lunch through dinner daily. What’s more, this new location will offer a collaboration with Cena Vegan, the popular meatless street food spot, on a faux barbacoa torta.

Calle comes

Here’s the signage for Calle Tacos, opening soon on Spring Street in Downtown. The casual taco truck-inspired setup first landed a location back in 2012 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Farley Elliott