Collaborating on a Deluxe Project

Big Plans: Adolpho Suaya, owner of the Gaucho Grill chain of casual Argentine restaurants, and Loyal Pennings, owner of Las Palmas restaurant and nightclub in Hollywood, are working together to reopen Bar Deluxe (closed for two years) on Hollywood Boulevard. Suaya owns the building, which houses Los Cocos Mexican restaurant as well. Work is underway to turn Bar Deluxe into a bar, restaurant and lounge serving tapas and other appetizers. It should be ready in September. Next year, after the huge Trizechahn complex opens a block away, Suaya will expand and renovate Los Cocos, adding a full bar. He’ll also install another Gaucho Grill in the same building (on the corner).

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Scuttlebutt: Pastry chef Angela Hunter has decamped from Chadwick to try to make it in New York City. She tells us, “I have finally made the big move that I have always dreamed of.” Back in Beverly Hills at Chadwick, Govind Armstrong says he and co-chef Ben Ford are still interviewing for Hunter’s replacement.... Mike Malin, co-owner of belly tapas bar and lounge, has been locked into the latest “Big Brother” house for CBS. Co-owner Lonnie Moore thinks this is so funny he’s throwing viewing parties every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m.* belly , 7929 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.; (323) 822-9514 .

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Let’s Do Lunch: Granita in Malibu has started serving lunch, but only Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pastas, pizzas, salads, panini sandwiches and grilled meat and fish make up the menu. Prices run from $9 for a sweet white corn soup, through $14 for spaghetti with lamb meatballs and $15 for grilled Atlantic salmon, to $19 for the lobster club sandwich. Granita, Malibu Colony Plaza, 23725 W. Malibu Road, Malibu; (310) 456-0488....

New Mirabelle chef David Trotter serves lunch daily from 11 a.m. Some of his dishes: arugula and citrus salad with seared diver scallops ($12), blue crab cakes ($11), fish and chips ($13), sweet-potato fries ($3). A three-course business lunch with two weekly entree options is available Monday through Friday for $17. Mirabelle, 8768 Sunset Blvd., L.A.; (310) 659-6022.

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BBQ Nights: Under new chef Michael Rosen, the Southern restaurant named Reign gets a little more casual from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday nights. In the back room he serves barbecued ribs, chicken and andouille sausage with sides and biscuits, each $13.95; a combination of two entrees is $19.95. Desserts such as sweet potato pie or pecan pie are $5.95 each.* Reign, 180 N. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 273-4463 .... Once again, the New Otani Hotel & Garden has turned its rooftop into a beer and barbecue garden for the summer. From now until Sept. 7, you can sip beer and barbecue beef, chicken, seafood or vegetables at your table, Asian-style. For meat, figure from $6 to $8 per plate; vegetables are $4.50 (the plates are meant to be shared). Salads and rice come separately. The rooftop garden is open 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.* The New Otani Hotel & Garden, 120 S. Los Angeles St., L.A.; (213) 629-1200.

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Bastille Day: On July 14, the French stormed the Bastille prison and set political prisoners free, therefore on this day we eat French food and listen to accordion music (or something like that).

These French restaurants are celebrating Bastille Day on Saturday.

71 Palm in Ventura pulls out a four-course menu with a glass of French wine for $40 plus tax and tip. Main course choices are steak au poivre, grilled salmon with Bearnaise sauce and fettuccine with spinach, goat cheese and garlic. For dessert, a Napoleon. 71 Palm, 71 N. Palm St., Ventura; (805) 653-7222.

La Cachette’s waiters will be tarted up in costumes for the three-course meal ($80, plus tax and tip). Choices include ravioli of petits gris escargots, lobster and seafood gratin, duck a l’orange , crpe Suzette and profiteroles. La Cachette, 10506 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Century City; (310) 470-4992.

Taix French restaurant serves an appetizer, salad, vichyssoise soup, an entree and dessert for $19.95. Entree choices are grilled lamb chops, salmon en croute and duck a l’orange . Taix, 1911 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park.; (213) 484-1265.

Melisse offers its four-course Bastille menu a day late, on Sunday night. Dinner begins with salmon and caviar, foie gras and Mediterranean sea bass ( loup de mer ). The main course is pan-roasted filet of beef. Cheese and dessert are available at an additional price. The menu is $75 plus tax and tip.

Melisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 395-0881.

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Angela Pettera can be reached at (310) 358-7647 and [email protected]