Restaurant Roll Call For January 2012

Photo by Jonathan Ho

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January isn't generally the kindest months for those in the restaurant business. But a few of the restaurant closures that we saw these past 31 days was still a big surprise.

Valhalla Table, the sausage sandwich shop by the Karnaga sisters of Layer Cake Bakery, closed up shop at The Camp after their lease ran out. Two old guards of French cuisine in Orange County finally faltered. Though Tradition won't close until after Valentine's Day, Pascal Olhats announced he's surrendering his Newport Beach spot to another French restaurateur after nearly a quarter century of service. And this past Saturday, La Vie en Rose in Brea also served its last meal. It had been in business 27 years.

But the month also saw good. Lauded LA-County spots Ramen Yamadaya and Class 302 opened stores here recently. See the full list of "open and shut cases" below.

RESTAURANT/VENUES OPENED IN JANUARY
Class 302, Irvine
Cheese Shop @ the mix, Costa Mesa
Da Luau, Foothill Ranch
Ramen Yamadaya, Costa Mesa
Valerio's Bake Shop, Anaheim
Manila Sunrise, Anaheim
The Nite Owl, Fullerton

RESTAURANT/VENUES CLOSED IN JANUARY
Saigon Basil, Irvine
Valhalla Table, Costa Mesa
Taleo Mexican Fusion, Irvine
Tradition by Pascal, Newport Beach
Fatburger, Irvine
Infusion, Ladera Ranch
La Vie en Rose, Brea
Scottie's Smokehouse, Orange
Marmalade Cafe, Tustin
Nana Jean's, Tustin