Now Open: Pingtung, Made by Meg, The Craftsman, The Black Sheep

Black Sheep now in DTLA/Photo: BY

By Lesley Balla

'Tis the season for new restaurant debuts. There are a slew of neighborhood spots opening everywhere, including Pingtung, a new restaurant and market inspired by owner Ping Li's (New York's Khin Khao, Kelly & Ping, Obeca Li) favorite dishes from Taiwan, China, Vietnam and Japan. The indoor-outdoor space is meant to be more of a cafe during the day, and more loungey at night when the bar (beer, sochu, sake) are offered. The menu features several banh mi sandwiches, dumplings, salads, sides, wraps and shaved ice, plus a marketplace for unique and gourmet items. Pingtung, named for Li's hometown, opens daily from 11:30 AM to 10 PM (7455 Melrose Ave.; 323-866-1866).

Patch reports that caterer Meg Hall has opened Made by Meg, a cheery Redondo Beach cafe for the seasonal fare she's been serving at events, weddings and parties since 2007. There are only about six seats in the shop, but you can stop for a roasted mushroom, camembert and garlic aioli on a pretzel roll, greens with roasted beets and viognier-whipped goat cheese, or Bangalore chicken over curry cauliflower popcorn. The menu changes regularly (keep an eye on her Facebook page for updates), and many items are prepared for grab-and-go, too (234 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.; 310-999-8770).

After CJ Jacobson amped up the menu at The Yard in Santa Monica, the owners closed the joint earlier this year for a renovation and reconceptualization. Enter The Craftsman, same owners, same chef (Alex Caves), now with a lighter, beachier look, comfy couches, games and an old-school Pac Man machine for fun. The menu is still very gastropubby with sliders, PRB-battered onion rings, pickled vegetables, taco dip, and a sausage slider a la "breakfast for dinner." Cocktails run the gamut from a traditional daiquiri to vodka-strawberry-basil concoctions (119 Broadway St.; 310-395-6037). [Grub Street]

The Black Sheep has opened in the former Blu Cafe space next to Cole's in the PE Lofts building. Owners Stanley Lin and Steven Seav also own Syrup Desserts nearby. The menu has easy bar eats like a Thai chicken burger, cheesesteaks and banh mi sliders, plus 12 craft beers on tap. The joint is open until 2 AM nightly, but they hope to open for lunch down the line (126 E. 6th St.). [Bringham Yen]