Kitchen Reopening at Father’s Office

Daddy’s at Work: Chef Sang Yoon, who just left Michael’s in Santa Monica, has purchased a little Santa Monica bar named Father’s Office. “I’ve been coming here for 10 years,” says Yoon--but not for the food, because the bar’s kitchen has been closed for about 10 years. Yoon plans a sort of world bar cuisine menu: tapas, German sausage plates, French mussels with fries, American burgers. He’ll also add more microbrews to the taps, and he’s building a wine bar. You may wonder why this guy didn’t buy a bigger restaurant, but Yoon said he wasn’t interested in that kind of commitment. Of reworking his little bar, he said, “I think I’m having a good time right now.” Yoon will begin serving food this month.

* Father’s Office, 1018 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 393-2337.

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Wild Palmas: The Hollywood landmark Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant is about to resurface after a seven-month renovation. It reopens for dinner April 15 as Las Palmas, a supper club and lounge with live music. (You can already stop by for cocktails and appetizers nightly.) The new owners include Loyal Pennings, former general manager at the Garden of Eden; Chris Pike, owner of Sangria and the Side Door in the South Bay; and members of the band Pennywise. Pennings said: “We have an original Mexican restaurant and we’re fusing Asian into it.” The partners have hired James Park, who specializes in Asian cuisine, to head the kitchen. Park has been working with the original Las Palmas sous chefs and line cooks to learn about Mexican cooking.

* Las Palmas, 1714 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood; (323) 464-0171.

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Did Somebody Say Brunch? Pooch’s at the Portofino Marina will begin serving an Italian Sunday brunch starting this weekend. Guests can order small plates of appetizers (antipasto chopped salad, pizza margherita, roast mussels), entrees (Belgian waffles with Mascarpone cheese, eggs Florentine with pancetta and Hollandaise, grilled salmon) and desserts (chocolate cake, tiramisu and risotto pudding bru^lee). Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; $24.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 6-11 and free for children 5 and under.

* Pooch’s, in front of the Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club, 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach; (310) 372-1202.

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Fire and Water (OK, Wine): Spark Woodfire Cooking in Studio City throws its first wine dinner Tuesday at 7 p.m. Chef Lucio Bedon has created a four-course dinner to go with six Ravenswood merlots; winemaker W. Reed Foster will be on hand to chat up his wines. Courses include smoked duck on Belgian endive, risotto with guanciale and beef tenderloin. Seating is at 7 p.m., tab is $48.

* Spark Woodfire Cooking, 11801 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; (818) 623-8883.

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Happy Songkran: The Thai New Year is being celebrated by two local Thai restaurants. Both will have waiters in traditional Thai costumes; both will feature a hand-washing ritual with fragrant water.

On April 14, Chan Dara in West L.A. serves menu specials from 5 to 11 p.m. Dishes include Cornish game hen with coconut rice and papaya salad, grilled jumbo prawns with garlic noodles and green chile beef curry with coconut milk; 11940 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles; (310) 479-4461.

On April 16, Talesai serves a four-course meal paired with wines for $75 plus tax and tip. Dishes include angel hair with spicy crab sauce, Sonoma lamb and pumpkin custard. The cocktail reception (included in the price) begins at 6:30 p.m., dinner is at 7:30. Talesai is at 9043 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; call (310) 275-9724 for reservations.

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Congrats, Tim: Tim Goodell of Aubergine in Newport Beach was named one of the 10 best new chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine in New York.

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Angela Pettera can be reached at (213) 237-3153 or at pettera@prodigy.net