Opening Report: Both B1 Breadshops and The Village Debut

Carbo-loading at B1 Venice

By Lesley Balla

It's one thing to bring buttery croissants to one part of town, but to two opposite ends of the map and opening on the same day? That's what B1 Breadshop did this week, debuting a new bakery just across the 7th Street bridge in Downtown LA and another in a Venice strip mall (near Sunny Spot). Owner James Walker is hawking fresh-baked, organic-flour traditional French pastries like baguettes and croissants at both locations. The DTLA spot has some pretty splashy renderings on its Facebook page (2301 7th Street; daily 8 AM to 5 PM). The Venice bakery is a little smaller, with gleaming counters topped with fresh baked pastries and breads (2805 Abbot Kinney; daily 8 AM to 6 PM).

There's another new gastropub in the Valley - The Village opened a few days ago in the former Bokado space. It's actually the same owner, Frank Leon (who also owns La Loggia), who fashioned the place into pub with a literary streak. There are vintage books and trinkets added to the decor, and cocktails with a nod to (mostly) dead authors who may or may not have drunk them. For food, pizza made in an outdoor oven, a mozzarella bar, and other small plates with Spanish and Mediterranean influences (12345 Ventura Blvd.; 818-752-9222).