Patina Pals Stake Out Separate Kitchens

A Brand-New Animal: Josiah Citrin and Raphael Lunetta have been cooking together for about eight years--in France and at Patina, Jackson’s and their own JiRaffe in Santa Monica. But over the next few months, Citrin and Lunetta will be splitting up their current partnership to have their own restaurants and spread their wings a little. This is no negative deal: “[Citrin] is my best friend,” Lunetta says. “We’re not out to hurt each other. We want to show that even when it’s time for separation, we can still maintain a friendship and support each other.” Lunetta will retain ownership of JiRaffe and Citrin will open his own restaurant in Santa Monica. Lunetta plans very few changes for JiRaffe in the future; Citrin will completely remake his new space at 11th and Wilshire and turn it into a fine dining establishment (give him until at least August to complete his task). In the meantime, the boys--who’ve been best buddies since the third grade--probably will still be cooking at special events side by side and reclaiming quality time together away from the stoves.

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Gads-Bye: English-born chef Robert Gadsby has closed his restaurant, Gadsby’s, on La Brea. Many factors influenced his decision, but the nail in the coffin came in the form of a dispute with the landlord. He’s casting an eye about for new property. But when he tries again, he says, “This time I’m going to do it right.” Meaning, he’ll use more of a business head.

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R.I.P.: Dive!, the submarine-shaped restaurant in the Century City Marketplace has sunk. The airlock-like doors were sealed on Sunday, everyone in L.A. having reached their saturation point of eating there once. Owners Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg plan to keep the Las Vegas Dive! open. The question now is, what will the mall do with the submarine-shaped space? Sell Navy suits?

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Restaurateur Needs Drink: Will Karges of Rix, Jones Hollywood and Blueberry--all in Santa Monica--and the six locations of Johnnie’s NY Pizzeria, has bought a bar. It seems real estate agent Howard Alpert brought him an offer to go halfsies in the Circle Bar on Main Street in Santa Monica, and Karges couldn’t resist. Compared to a restaurant, Karges says, “a bar is definitely less of a hassle.” He wants to bring the old rock ‘n’ roll hangout back to its former glory, but not in a gaudy way. He’ll begin by kicking out the pool table, augmenting the lighting and creating more window space. Says Karges: “I think what I’m going to do is make it comfortable.” OK by us.

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vermont on Vermont: Chalk up another new restaurant name to the oversimplification trend. A new restaurant in the old Sarno’s Caffe space on Vermont Avenue has taken the name vermont (yes, with a little “v”). Owner Michael Gelzhiser--call him Michael G (with a big G)--used to manage and wait tables at Rex il Ristorante and Locanda Veneto. This is his first shot at ownership. Ditto for partner Manuel Mesta, who formerly managed a Souplantation. The chef is Edwin Figueroa, who’s worked under Hans Rockenwagner and Neal Fraser and did a short stint as sous chef at Fenix. Vermont opened very quietly just before the holidays, serving Mediterranean-inspired contemporary American food such as pan-seared black cod and grilled chicken in a sherry-shallot reduction with an oyster mushroom and asparagus ragout. The entrees run from $14.95 to $17.95, appetizers $5.50 to $8.50 and desserts are all $5. For now, vermont is open for dinner only Tuesdays through Sundays. Lunches and Sunday brunch will arrive as of Feb. 1.

* vermont, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A.; (323) 661-6163.

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Super Sunday Treats: All You Can Eat Sushi happens at Typhoon for Super Bowl Sunday (Jan. 31) for $32.50 per person plus tax and tip. The sushi chefs from the Hump upstairs will be handling the knives. Asian-style finger foods, soft drinks and fruit juices are also included in the price. You can arrive up to 30 minutes before kickoff, but you might want to make reservations. (Note to sports non-fans: It just might be worth sitting through a hyped-up football game for all that good fish.)

* Typhoon, 3221 Donald Douglas Loop South, Santa Monica; (310) 390-6565.

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When Chefs Converge: Lavande in Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is hosting a reunion of sorts. On Tuesday, current chef Alain Giraud will be rubbing whisks with other Loews Hotel chefs: James Boyce (Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego), Tim Fields (Loews Giorgio Hotel in Denver) and Jim Makinson (Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson). They’ll all be whipping up a five-course dinner sponsored by the American Institute of Wine and Food. Tickets for the $80 dinner (which begins at 6 p.m.) must be purchased through AIWF. Contact Roberta Mitchell at (310) 535-6090. Also available that evening will be copies of “The Loews Hotels Family Cookbook” ($10), which the chefs will be more than willing to sign.

* Lavande, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 458-6700.