Verve Coffee Roasters located at 8925 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood is transforming into Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Cafe from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 15, 16, and 17 as part of a promotion with a fintech app. The space will be redesigned for the pop-up, drawing inspiration from Carpenter’s latest album. If the Los Angeles event is anything like the one that took place in New York City in late September, attendees can anticipate an all-blue color palette, plenty of heart motifs, and even photo opportunities outside the coffee shop for those waiting in line.

The beverage line-up includes drinks like the Dumb & Poetic latte, made with lavender, honey, a double shot of espresso, and oat milk, and the Common Sense chai, a tea-based riff on a PSL with pumpkin syrup, oat milk, and an optional shot of espresso. Carpenter merchandise like mugs, hoodies, and T-shirts is also available to purchase. Cash App Visa cardholders receive 30 percent off when using their card for one transaction, with a maximum discount of $40.

Short n’ Sweet Cafe

Kind of, sort of, Taiwanese breakfast

Former Los Angeles Times columnist Frank Shyong visits the Monterey Park restaurant Morning Summit and files a report on his “Lunch Box” Substack. “Morning Summit is not a Taiwanese breakfast place, but it serves Taiwanese breakfast dishes, many of which are northern Chinese dishes,” he writes. Shyong’s closer examination of the complexities behind Taiwanese breakfast is a fun and winding read that may or may not leave readers craving danbing or pork baozi.

Ggiata in the Valley

Ggiata Delicatessen opened its fifth location on Monday, November 4, at 2080 Ventura Place in Studio City. The new outpost offers both indoor and outdoor seating and the same menu that diners have come to expect from the New Jersey-inspired deli, including the Spicy P sandwich and the TikTok-famous “perfect” chicken Caesar wrap.

Attention afternoon tea aficionados

The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo is teaming up with chef Laura Ochikubo (formerly of the French Laundry, Providence, Gusto Bread) to offer afternoon tea this holiday season on December 7 and 8 and December 14 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The menu borrows from Japanese and British traditions with Japanese tea sandos, kabocha squash scones, and shoyu caramel bonbons. The cost is $110 per person and includes a glass of sparkling sake.

A new Hollywood Mediterranean spot with superb cocktails

Ever Bar inside the Kimpton Everly Hollywood is going by a new name, Written Hand, starting November 8. Behind the new California Mediterranean concept are chef Ashley Thompson and bartender Naomi Schimek (formerly of the Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt). The menu includes tinned fish, braised lamb neck, and a grilled bluefin tuna collar. Written Hand is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Written Hand