(Not So) Small Bites: Ludo returns; Matt Accarrino exits Craft; La Cachette to close
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Craft departures: Chef de cuisine Matt Accarrino and pastry chef Catherine Schimenti have left Craft. Craft general manager Adam Rosenbaum said the couple ‘left to pursue other opportunities.’ Accarrino had been steering Tom Colicchio’s kitchen since the Century City restaurant opened in the CAA building in the summer of ’07. Craft L.A. received three stars from Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila. A yet-to-be-announced chef is expected to start the first week of June, says Rosenbaum. Pastry chef Shannon Swindle, from Craft Dallas, now is working on desserts. ‘It was time to move on to do something different, maybe something that’s more our style,’ says Accarrino, who noted that he would like to continue to work in a kitchen with Schimenti. ‘For now, we’re enjoying a break.’
Ludo’s back: LudoBites returns to Breadbar on 3rd Street, featuring guest chef Ludovic Lefebvre, from May 19 to Aug. 22, available Tuesday through Saturday from 6 p.m. Guests will be able to choose from a rotating menu of three appetizers, three entrees and two desserts or entrees. Some of what to expect: squid ink ‘crepe’ with chorizo, egg, ham and cheese; rare tuna with pink beets, red berries and smoked vinegar; lobster gazpacho with Parmesan marshmallow and exotic fruits; and braised lamb with black curry, ratatouille and harissa. 8718 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (310) 205-0124, www.breadbar.net
Open-shut case: Jean Francois Meteigner, chef-owner of La Cachette, will be closing the restaurant on July 31. The space will be open for private events only. As reported earlier, Meteigner, along with his wife-partner, Allie Ko Meteigner, will also open the new La Cachette Bistro in Santa Monica on Aug. 1.’La Cachette has had a wonderful run and been good to us, as have our clients,’ said Jean Francois Meteigner in a statement. ‘But I am very excited about the bistro and feel it is the right time, place and concept.”
-- Betty Hallock