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Openings: Bella Vista and Waterloo & City in Culver City

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Bella Vista:
This Brazilian pizza place was first brought to our attention thanks to Thrillist, which also attached the menu. I have to admit, I kind of freaked out when I saw the write-up. Having spent some time in Brazil, I became intimate with the country’s oddball style of pizza, which can be both sweet and savory and is generously piled with all kinds of unconventional ingredients (by American standards, at least). Now, Bella Vista, owned by a Brazilian expat, is bringing that same brand of pizza -- all-you-can-eat-style -- to Culver City.

Toppings include chicken, corn, tuna fish, green peas, beef stroganoff (yes!), potato sticks, green olives, hearts of palm and fried garlic. Just don’t ask for them on the same pie, please. OK, maybe put the green peas and tuna fish together just to get freaky.

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Bella Vista, 10826 Venice Blvd; Culver City; (310) 558-2374.

Waterloo & City: Culver City will never resemble London, but with the new Waterloo & City, which opened earlier this week, it is getting a bit of British flavor. The upscale but whimsical gastropub is helmed by executive chef Brendan Collins, who has worked at both Melisse and Palihouse. While at Palihouse, he met his partner in the venture, general manager Carolos Tomazos.

The restaurant is located in the old Crest House Family Restaurant and features recycled church pews painted pink, brown and orange; suede banquettes; high-backed wooden chairs; and a 30-foot copper-topped bar. There is also an 800-square-foot front patio.

On the menu: Manchester quail with chopped liver on toast; gnocchi with shrimp and veal ragù; corn soup with Parmesan ravioli; whole roast chicken with wild mushroom pot pie; as well as a variety of cured meats, terrines and pâtes, including pig trotter with sweetbreads and salsa verde; and chicken liver and foie gras mousse. Twenty-five white and 25 red wines, 10 craft beers on tap and a seasonal cocktail list are also available.

Waterloo & City, 12517 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 391-4222; www.waterlooandcity.com.

-- Jessica Gelt

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