Via Veneto Takes Over Ortolan, 4 LA Restaurants Named in Bon App's Nominee List, More!

— The LA Times reports that DCR coffee company has been quietly popping up inside Tortoise General Store on Abbot Kinney, with the last one slated for August 23. Beans are occasionally available at Tortoise, for anyone interested in trying.

— Ortolan, which has been defunct on West Third for years now, is finally getting a new operator, per this ABC report. According to reports, Fabrizio and Diana Bianconi, who are afiliated with Santa Monica's Via Veneto, are taking over the former fine dining spot from Christophe Eme. The working title for the new concept is called L'isola Opco, though that mouthful might change in the next few months as details leak out. Until then, the prime location on West Third might finally have something other than a "for lease" sign in front of it.

— Bon Appetit likes to get everyone's hopes high by nominating a slew of restaurants, then only selecting 10 to actually win. Well, four LA spots have been nominated for best new restaurant, including Petit Trois, Jon & Vinny's, Alimento, and Gjusta. Which one of these will actually bring home the prize? Petit Trois has already landed on Eater's own 21 best new restaurants.

— iPic in Westwood has a new series touting dishes from local chefs in its theaters. For August, Eric Greenspan has a fried chicken sandwich you can order while watching a movie. It comes loaded with pimento cheese, pickles, red hot mayo, and slow cooked greens on a challah. Imagine your fellow movie goers, chomping on popcorn, enviously eyeing your piping hot fried chicken sandwich.

— Whether or not you're a believer in Matthew Biancaniello's innovative drinks, you can't deny how inviting and tasty this cocktail looks. The barman returns to The Fat Dog in North Hollywood for four Wednesdays starting tomorrow from 6 to 11 p.m. There "might" be uni puree waiting for you in a cocktail.

4 more weeks of the EAT YOUR DRINK POP UP starting tomorrow from 6-11pm at the Fat Dog North Hollywood, 11050 Magnolia Blvd. the return of the uni purée from @maru_santamonica

A photo posted by Matthew Biancaniello (@eatyourdrink) on Aug 4, 2015 at 9:28am PDT

— Koala Tapioca, which opened not too long ago in Westwood, is undergoing a quick facelift, probably so that they can upgrade the menu and offer "enhanced services," whatever that means. Does that mean neck massages while you wait for boba? [Toddrickallen]