Another restaurant with a 100-mile focus is joining the restaurant scene: ~LOCAVORE~. The 49-seat restaurant at 3215 Mission Street (near Valencia) is a project with chef Jason Moniz (Flora, Tres Agaves, Nectar), Mario Duarte (he owns the building, and his parents formerly had El Bramadero restaurant in there), and Cesar Ascarrunz (of the former Cesar’s Latin Palace, now Roccapulco’s). In case you’re wondering what was in there last, it was Bella Venezia.
The weekly changing menu will focus on farm-fresh, organic, local, and seasonal ingredients (did I forget anything?). Moniz will be doing whole-animal cooking, and he’s especially fond of making sausages, so look for that on the menu. What’s nice is most dinner entrées will be under $20 (and lunch below $10), so look for more pork and goat instead of steak. The interior will be clean, open, and minimalist, but still homey. The beer and wine list will probably stretch beyond California to include some Oregon and Washington choices, and Moniz mentioned he wants the bar staff to be very educational about what’s being poured. There are plans to serve beer and wine after the kitchen closes on Fridays and Saturdays, with some late-night snacks and music. They’re targeting a September opening. And one more cool detail: Moniz is currently cooking for St. Anthony’s until the restaurant opens. He said, “I’m really enjoying it. It’s good to give back. And it’s reminding me of the importance of cooking—to feed people.” Nice.
