Good Girl Dinette opens tomorrow; La Grande Orange to expand to Santa Monica

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We’ve been tracking Good Girl Dinette, the latest effort by former Blue Hen co-owner and chef, Diep Tran. She has tirelessly recorded the difficulties she’s encountered opening her new restaurant in Highland Park via her blog. Now, it seems, all of her hard work is about to pay off. Tran sent out a news blast yesterday that Good Girl Dinette will celebrate its grand opening tomorrow night.

Tran is describing the food as ‘American diner meets Vietnamese comfort food.’ On the menu you’ll find stews, sandwiches, traditional rice dishes and homemade pies. Each dish will be created with local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Tran has plenty of experience; her family opened Pho 79, one of Orange County’s first Vietnamese restaurants.

Good Girl Dinette, 110 N. Ave. 56, Highland Park (two blocks from the Gold Line). www.goodgirlfoods.com. Hours: Tues. to Thurs. 6 to 10 p.m.; Fri. 6 to 11 p.m.; Sat. and Sun 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

In other news, La Grande Orange Cafe has announced that it is opening a second location in Santa Monica. The target opening date is in May, and the new outpost will serve LGO’s stylish American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, beginning at 6:30 a.m. each morning. Plans are also in the works to source most of the produce used at the restaurant directly from the Santa Monica Farmers Market. Menu items that have already been announced include huevos rancheros, omelets, ‘skinny’ pancakes, poached eggs with prosciutto, Brussels sprout salad, taco platters, burgers and pizza.

La Grande Orange Santa Monica, 2000 Main St., Santa Monica. www.lagrandeorangesm.com. (Website not yet functional, but soon will be.)

-- Jessica Gelt

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Good Girl storefront rendering, goodgirlfoods.com