July 18, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Brentwood Beat: Chicken Pot Pie, Anyone?

It feels like some semblance of normalcy is returning to Brentwood as more and more people get vaccinated. 

Last month, I reported on getting my first shot over at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. I said I was very impressed with how efficient the whole process was. 

For my second shot, I was sent over to UCLA Ronald Reagan, in Westwood. It was the same, terrific, experience: Everything moved smoothly and quickly; the guy administering the shot was friendly, calming and informative. 

I also got fairly knocked out after Shot Two; I was moving at half-speed for the next two days, and I took a lot of naps. 

My wife was on a slightly different schedule; the week after my second shot, I drove her over to UCLA Ronald Reagan for her second shot. 

While driving into Westwood, I noticed lots of eateries were open, so while she was getting her shot, I zoomed over to Barney’s Beanery and ordered a big fat burger with bacon, bleu cheese, the whole bit. Plus some fries.

I ordered my gigantic burger with huge, delectable, steak cut fries to go. Sure enough, my wife texted me just as I was leaving the restaurant, bag in hand, telling me she was all done getting her shot. I picked her up, we drove home, opened the bag and wolfed down the burger and fries. 

She said she didn’t want a burger before I ordered it – she’s not much of a burger and fries type – but how could she resist? I gave her a third of everything, and since the quantities were so ample, there was plenty to go around.

I don’t think we’d consumed anything quite so wonderful in over a year. 

We are now getting adventurous. We took a long walk last Sunday, culminating in a rest stop at Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Brentwood Village. 

We both ordered a slice of pizza – I like the Boulevard, she prefers the Mediterranean – and we ordered beers as well. We ate outside and the sun felt great. People seemed chatty, happy to connect.

I hope the new outdoor dining setups we see on the sidewalks in front of places like Kreation, Katsuya and Mendocino Farms become a permanent feature of Brentwood life. I hope strangers keep talking to strangers. 

It occurred to me how much money we’d saved in the last year by not going to restaurants. I actually took up cooking in the last year, new for me. Every Friday night I try and surprise my wife with some new treat. 

But once in a while, one just has to have a burger from Barney’s Beanery or pizza from Maria’s. At least I feel that way.

I will miss Pizzicotto. That’s gone now. Same with The Brentwood, now Baja Norte. 

There was a cute little French place we liked that opened, pre-COVID, on the first floor below Chin Chin, just to the right of Burger Lounge on San Vicente. But that’s gone now, too. 

I saw a sign on the window the other day that said Rosti Tuscan Kitchen would be opening in that location. 

I think that’s a sure sign that life is returning to normal: It takes an act of bravery to open a restaurant while the pandemic is still on. Then again, maybe restaurants are about to see their best year ever, as people feel more liberated and ready to venture forth. 

They say timing is everything. Maybe I should take my newfound skills as a cook and open a restaurant in Brentwood. Chicken Pot Pie, anyone?

in Dining, News
Related Posts

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

(Video) Bacio di Latte Brings Rich Italian Gelato to Downtown Santa Monica

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

With New Flavors Introduced Each Week, the Shop Offers Hazelnut, Pistachio and More Classics Bacio di Latte Brings Rich Italian...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

What to Expect at This Weekend’s “Conquer The Pier 5K and 1 Mile Race/Walk” in Venice

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Proceeds will fund community programs, youth sports, and park enhancements The Conquer The Pier 5K and 1 Mile Race/Walk will...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...