I was not very subtle about my opinion of Les Bizous, which bore no resemblance to any aspect of France I have ever known (and I’ve been there dozens of times). So I for one am not mourning its demise. What surprised me, however, is that it did not ever seem to be closed, just transformed into, of all things, a Szechuan restaurant called Taste. I see no remodeling of the setup but the menu includes what look like some dishes that cater to native Chinese rather than (white) American diners, such as pork intestine, liver, trotter, and tripe; sea cucumber; griddled bullfrog; and hot and sour shredded potato. Vegetable dishes range from $13-15, meats from $14-20, and seafood mainly from $16-30.

In what I consider sad news, La Morenita closed on Friday. This family-run Mexican restaurant across Homer from Whole Foods seemed decidedly different from most California imitations of Mexican food, and was warm and personable. I’m not sure if the owners retired or what but I hope they are happy in the knowledge that they brought us a genuine, un-hyped dining experience for so long.

Replacing La Morenita sometime this spring is Taverna, a Greek restaurant operated by two alumni of Evvia (one of whom also worked at Kokkari). My hope is that the food will tend toward the quality of Evvia and the prices of Opa (and not the other way around). Evvia I go to rarely because of the prices and Opa I go to not at all because of the quality. I am pretty optimistic based on their experience and that of the executive chef (from, among other stints, Dio Deka).

On the sushi scene, Ichimi Sushi, on the corner of Emerson and University, opened earlier this year where Sushi Tomo and then Shoji Sushi had resided. Nothing looks different except the sign. Can anyone who eats there tell the difference? My favorite feature of restaurants at that corner was the table supply of marinated ginger. I enjoy gobs of it on my sushi (dipped first in soy sauce) so it’s nice not to have to ask for more of it and then more of it.

Red Brick Cafe is open once again, at 235 University Avenue (enter on Ramona, essentially in the back of Mills Florist). It existed some years ago and was later supplanted by Da Coffee Place and then Hookah Nites Lounge, with which I believe it shares space. It makes sense. When you get those munchies, why leave the premises?