Long-Awaited Josie, and Meals Fit for a Snake

Finally, an Opening: Josie, the Santa Monica restaurant project from chef Josie Le Balch (of the Beach House, Saddle Peak Lodge and Remi before that), is close to its opening night. Le Balch has been remodeling the space for more than a year, and Josie will finally be open for dinner Jan. 31. Expect food influenced by Le Balch’s background in Italian, French and Californian cooking, such as her classic wild mushroom tart, a fennel salad with kaki persimmons in lemon and olive oil and whole trout in lemongrass nage. For vegetarians, Le Balch is working on a black barley risotto with butter and Parmesan. There will be game entrees, such as wild boar with flageolet beans and fried rapini. Josie will be open for dinner Monday through Saturday and is now taking reservations.

* Josie, 2424 W. Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 581-9888.

It’s Lounge Time: Allan and Art Davis, co-owners of the nightclubs the Gate and La Masia, have revamped the latter. They bought in in January 1999 from Josie Prado, who had run La Masia for 27 years. Even back then, the Davis brothers knew they wanted to rename it the Latin Lounge and refashion it for a younger crowd. Chef David Lentz hails most recently from China Grill in Las Vegas. Before that he worked at the Blue Door at the Delano Hotel in Miami Beach. The food is more Caribbean now than Spanish: crispy fried oysters with green herb emulsion ($8), achiote-marinated pork chop with mashed plantains and parsley chimichurri ($18) and a steamed corn tamale with mushroom sofrito ($14). For entertainment there’s a DJ on weeknights and rotating Latin bands on the weekends. The Latin Lounge is open Monday through Saturday for dinner and dancing from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

* The Latin Lounge, 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (310) 888-8811.

An Italian Star Visits Brentwood: Celebrated Piedmontese chef Cesare Giaccone will cook two guest dinners at Vincenti on Wednesday and next Thursday. Giaccone, of the famous Ristorante Del Cacciatore in Albaretto Torre, is accompanied by his young son Oscar. Both dinners will be paired with Italian wines and cost $165 plus tax and tip. A vertical tasting of three vintages of Gaja Barbaresco will also be available both nights for an additional $100. Cesare and Oscar will team up with Vincenti’s new chef, Nicola Mastronardi, and departing chef Gino Angelini.

* Vincenti, 11930 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood; (310) 207-0127.

Menu Action: Up in Napa Valley, La Toque begins its annual black truffle extravaganza this week. Longtime L.A. restaurant star Ken Frank will serve a truffle menu in addition to his regular prix-fixe menu through Valentine’s Day (or as long as the fragrant fungi are available). La Toque is at Rancho Caymus Inn, 1140 Rutherford Cross Road, Rutherford; (707) 963-9770. . . . Didier Poirier has introduced regional French specialty dishes at Ventura’s 71 Palm. This week he features bouillabaisse until Saturday; next week it’s choucroute garnie, and after that comes couscous royale (Jan. 29-Feb. 3) and cassoulet (Feb. 5-10). These a la carte dishes are served at lunch ($19.95) and dinner ($29.95) Monday-Saturday. 71 Palm is at 71 N. Palm St., Ventura; (805) 653-7222.

Wednesday is Chinese New Year: Chinois on Main celebrates the Year of the Snake on Sunday and Monday. The nights feature live performances, party favors and music, as well as a six-course meal that includes Peking duck and imperial lobster, for $80.

* Chinois on Main, 2709 Main St., Santa Monica; (310) 392-9025.

Yujean Kang’s two restaurants have two choices for celebrating Chinese New Year, both with a prix-fixe menu, a lion dance and red envelopes to open for good luck. The Pasadena location will party on Jan. 26, the West Hollywood location on Jan. 27 and 28. The special menu includes dim sum, a main course, vegetables, soup noodles and dessert. Main course choices include green jade prawns, lamb loin with glazed walnuts, chicken with black mushrooms, duckling with steamed buns, crispy whole fish and gold coin tofu. The price is $38.

* Yujean Kang’s, 67 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena; (626) 585-0855 and 8826 Melrose Ave., W. Hollywood; (310) 288-0806.

Chang’s of Brentwood celebrates the Chinese New Year for one week. The Year of the Snake will be honored from Saturday through Jan. 28 with a four-course meal of won-ton soup, appetizer plate, sesame shrimp, beef with asparagus, crispy orange chicken, string beans with shiitake mushrooms, rice, fruit and cookies. The meal is served family style for a minimum of two people. The $18.95 New Year’s meal is available at lunch and dinner.

* Chang’s, 11726 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood; (310) 207-2295.

Angela Pettera can be reached at (213) 237-3153.