Sona Settling In on Old Europa Site for 9/1 Debut

Scoping Sona: Chef David Myer, who used to head the kitchen at Jaan in Raffle’s L’Ermitage Hotel, has sealed the deal on a location for his soon-to-be Sona restaurant. He and his wife, Michelle, the former executive pastry chef at Patina, will transform the old Europa space on La Cienega into a modern spot with the finery of a first-class restaurant, including Rosenthal china and Spiegelau stemware. But don’t expect French classics here; Myer and Myer will serve French/Californian cuisine. The wine list will be designed by Chris Sandin, the former general manager of the Wine House and Wally’s and former buyer for the Wine Cask of Santa Barbara. Sona is slated to open Sept. 1.

Indian Food with a Michelin Chef: Do you remember the original India’s Oven on Pico near Fairfax? It spawned several dozen imitators around Los Angeles in the ‘80s, as well as stirring interest in Indian food. Well, the two guys behind all this, Singh Navraj and his son, R.J., are now opening a whole different kind of Indian restaurant in the heart of Silver Lake. Tantra will have an exceedingly lush decor full of rich colors and sensual Indian fabrics. Beside a dining room, it will have a lounge where contemporary Indian music will set the mood while you nosh on Indian appetizers and sip cocktails (e.g., the Tantrini, an Indian Martini). The dining room will serve a menu created by three Indian chefs, the foremost being Vineet Bhatia, imported from London where he runs the elegant, Michelin-starred Zaika. Sukha Dubb (formerly executive chef at Gaylord in L.A.) will control the day-to-day operations along with Amar Jeet (formerly executive chef at India’s Oven and sous chef at Gaylord). The menu is very diverse. One part mixes Western and Eastern techniques, creating a lighter, more contemporary Indian cuisine; the other features authentic regional dishes. Tantra opens in mid-July.

Small Bites: Alice Waters is signing her new book, “Chez Panisse Fruit,” at Campanile July 9. The restaurant will be serving an a la carte menu featuring items from the book. Reservations are recommended....If your children show an interest in cooking, why not sign them up for Granita’s cooking class for kids in Malibu? There will be five classes offered by executive chef Jennifer Naylor. All ages are welcome, but an adult must accompany those under 8. It’s $35 per class, $175 for the series ....Even though L’Orangerie is still serving chef “Ludo” Lefebrve’s menu, he says he’s finally left for good and is busy looking for investors to open his own restaurant

Reach Jessica Strand at [email protected]