Popular Japanese mochi shop Warabimochi Kamakura will open its first U.S. location at The Shops at Santa Anita on October 31, 2024. While Angelenos are likely familiar with the kind of mochi made from glutinous rice flour sold at longtime shops like Fugetsu-Do in Little Tokyo and Gardena’s Sakuraya, warabimochi is made from bracken starch coated in sweet toasted soybean flour. According to the brand’s social media, warabimochi was historically consumed by members of Japan’s elite class, like Emperor Daigo.
Warabimochi Kamakura will serve a slate of matcha, coffee, and warabimochi drinks in addition to its signature warabimochi. With this latest opening, the Arcadia location joins Japanese stores in Tokyo and Osaka and over 60 outposts internationally, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
A new menu at Caruso’s
Michelin-starred Caruso’s at the Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito just started serving a new tasting menu called “The Land,” which focuses on meat to complement its seafood and vegetable tasting menus. According to a press release, the $285 eight-course menu sources “more sustainable proteins” like quail, duck, and guinea fowl.
Some of LA’s best breakfast burritos are now available in Venice
Breakfast burrito purveyor the Rooster, a favorite of former Eater editor Farley Elliott, just opened a second location on the Westside at 401 Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. The new outlet is tucked inside the cloud kitchen collective Colony Cooks.
Sustainable sushi in Beverly Hills
Journalist Gab Chabrán files a report for LAist on the more sustainable sushi menus served at Rockpool in Beverly Hills. Chef-owner Yasu Ouchi’s ever-changing omakases feature a mix of fish from Southern California and Japan. The lunch special includes 10 pieces of sushi for $38, while the most expensive dinner option tops out at $78.
Thrifty Ice Cream x Chuck E. Cheese
Thrifty Ice Cream recently introduced a new birthday cake flavor in collaboration with Chuck E. Cheese featuring cake batter ice cream with confetti sprinkles and purple swirls. The limited-edition flavor is available in scoops and pint- and quart-sized containers at California Rite Aid stores. Every container purchase of the new flavor includes 500 free e-tickets that can be redeemed at participating Chuck E. Cheese locations.
Vegan pastry alert
Crossroads Kitchen is selling vegan viennosserie on the first Saturday of every month starting at 10 a.m. from its West Hollywood restaurant. The Crossroads Sweet Stop pastry pop-up features croissants, macarons, banana pudding, and whole apple pies to-go, along with coffee drinks.