Tai Tong Food & Beverage Group, one of Taiwan’s most prolific publicly traded restaurant groups, is expanding to Los Angeles in 2024. Thai Town Cuisine, which is the restaurant group’s most popular chain, is opening in Century City next July, with plans to expand to five additional locations in Southern California by the end of next year and 100 U.S. locations by 2030. Founded in 1990 by Charles Hsu, the restaurant group currently operates 145 restaurants in Taiwan under various names including Very Thai Restaurant, 1010 Hunan Cuisine, Very Thai Noodles, Ten Ten Hunan Bistro, and Shann Rice Bar.
Thai Town Cuisine is known for its best-selling shrimp pancake, grilled pork neck, water spinach, and a deep-fried fish named after a prince from the Chakri dynasty. Relatedly, Mini Yeah, a chain of Thai restaurants from China, opened a location in Temple City this past August.
Little Tokyo’s newest culinary shop
The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) debuts Mise 店 on Saturday, October 28. The retail shop and exhibition space dedicated to Japanese cooking is curated by the JACCC’s director of culinary arts Jane Matsumoto and CEO Patricia Wyatt and sells Japanese-imported pantry items, kitchen and gardening tools, and serving ware. Mise is hosting the Tsubamesanjo Artisan Fair on October 28 to 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a full slate of tastings, workshops, and activities.
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A tasting menu that’s over a century in the making
Montecito’s San Ysidro Ranch is celebrating its 130th anniversary with a special menu inspired by popular dishes from its history. Executive chef Matthew Johnson researched old menus and newspaper clippings to compile the four-course, $160 menu that includes leek and potato soup, salad, veal chop with Madeira sauce, and a limoncello souffle. The menu is available at the Stonehouse Monday to Friday through the end of the year.
Fun, fabulous fusion
Journalist Diana Ruzova explores the uptick in fusion cooking in Los Angeles restaurants for LAist. Places like Pijja Palace, Amiga Amore, and the recently opened Saucy Chick Goat Mafia are leading the charge.
Celebrate Día de Muertos in Highland Park
Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher & Deli is serving a special vegan menu in honor of Día de Muertos on Sunday, October 29 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On the menu are flautas, a butternut squash and chorizo soup, esquites, and of course, pan de muerto. Reservations are available on Eventbrite.