Casual and Cheap Catching On

Even in this economy, people still go out to eat. They’re just spending less and demanding more. Savvy Southern California restaurateurs have finally caught on and are opening--or changing--establishments to suit newer, leaner times.

The 30-year-old Beverly Hills the Bistro, which closed in January, was serious and expensive. Now the Bistro’s owner Kurt Niklas is opening two new places that will both be casual and cheaper. Souffle Bistro next door to Dive! in Century City is set to open in July, and will feature souffles in the $3 range. And in August, Niklas will launch BG’s to Go, a small outdoor dining spot with takeout adjoining his more formal Bistro Garden in Studio City. “We plan to offer bistro favorites plus a few specials at lunch with prices ranging from $5 to $10 tops,” says manager Freddy Kernbach. “We want to appeal to the average husband and wife who work and might decide, ‘Gee, let’s stop at BG’s and get a decent meal without dressing up and going out to dinner.’ ”

The fat has been cut from the food as well as the prices at Gratis, a 7-week-old Brentwood restaurant and takeout featuring nonfat cuisine under $8. Chef Richard Leveckis’ eclectic menu features pizzas, salads, soups and vegetable-based entrees, even fat-free triple-layer chocolate cake. The restaurant boasts that Warren Beatty, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and “Star Search” host/Publishers Clearing House pitchman Ed McMahon have all been in to gorge on the fat-free fare.

Universal CityWalk attracts 8 million visitors per year. That’s a considerable amount of foot traffic, so it’s no surprise that two more restaurants have signed on to take advantage of all those tourist dollars. BB King’s Blues Club & Restaurant, a spinoff of the musician’s Memphis locale, will open next month. Located on the second level, the place will feature what management calls “Delta-style food in an intimate urban blues district setting.”

Layne Wootten, who was private chef to the country band Alabama, will design the menu for Country Star Restaurant, slated to open at CityWalk in August. “Layne won the Pasadena chili cook-off last weekend,” says a spokesman for the restaurant, “and he makes wonderful rattlesnake chicken, too.” The 14,000-square-foot space will have a Boot Walk of Fame, 62 large screen monitors, plus interactive kiosks where customers can push a button and read about their favorite country singers. Fans will also be able to pick up T-shirts, cassettes and CDs.

Ignore the name and concentrate on the menu at this new Beverly Hills restaurant/cafe. Located in the Rodeo Collection in the former Pastel space, California Sun Dried Tomato Restaurant features Caesar salad, rack of lamb, roast chicken and the house special . . . sun-dried tomato dip.

Bill Lourie, longtime manager of Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica, has just launched his own watering hole in Playa del Rey. Along with 30 bottled beers and 16 more on tap, Captain Billy’s also offers a slew of worldly dishes such as chicken vindaloo pizza, spanakopita, chicken parmigiana and the captain’s own fish and chips.

India’s Tandoori has opened in West Los Angeles. The Indian mini-chain features an all-you-can-eat $6.95 lunch buffet daily. . . . Meanwhile in Woodland Hills, the new Khara Indian Oven offers a $4.95 lunch buffet. . . . A third Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom stand, featuring 14 different gourmet sausages as well as burgers, fries and rotisserie chicken, is set to open Friday on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade.