The year may be winding down, but the Valley restaurant scene is only ramping up.  We have “Top Chef” contestants cooking in our ‘hoods (Girasol’s CJ Jacobson, Black Market Liquor Bar’s Antonia Lofaso), and we’ve had an endless influx of popular LA restaurants opening branches in the Valley (Mendocino Farms, Umami Burger, Loteria Grill, Stout).  Last week Mediterranean Restaurant, Spitz, soft opened in Studio City, with their grand opening coming soon.  Here’s a look at more Valley restaurants to come in the next couple of months.  We can hardly wait.

SPIN THE BOTTLE WINES (December Opening)

The opening of this boutique wine bar and retail shop is moving along quickly in its Toluca Lake space.  With construction complete and inspections almost finalized, we’re hoping to get our drink on, come mid-December. 

Location: 10139 ½ Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake. 

WYLDER’S SWEET SHOP (December Opening)

The aptly named dessert storefront, featuring gelato, waffles, and coffee, is estimating a late December opening. 

Location: 11948 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. 

LEMONADE (December Opening)

The cafe and marketplace that quickly swept Los Angeles and forever changed the fast-casual dining scene is projected to open in Studio City, come December. 

Location: 12401 Ventura Blvd., Studio City.

SPITZ (Now Soft-Opened)

Known for their Döner Kebab (and we’ll never turn down an order of their fried pita strips), the Mediterranean street food spot has soft opened in Studio City, with a grand opening to come in the next week or two.

Location: 3737 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City.

LA VENTURA (December Opening)

TV Chef and Encino resident, Jeffrey Saad, is planning to launch the modern Mexican eatery—featuring dishes such as Grilled Achiote Veggie Tostadas with Goat Cheese—in December. 

Location: 11929 Ventura Blvd., Studio City.

RYAN SWEENEY/BRANDON BRADFORD/ALEN AIVAZIAN PROJECT (Unknown Opening)

Beer bar powerhouse team, Ryan Sweeney, Brandon Bradford, and Alen Aivazian are moving in to the old Smiles Space in Sherman Oaks, Eater LA first reported.  Trust us, we’d be more than happy to have our own version of “The Surly Goat” in the neighborhood. 

Location: 13615 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

TAMASHII RAMEN HOUSE (December/January Opening)

The popular fast-casual ramen joint, with its first location in Sherman Oaks, is expanding to a second location in North Hollywood.  Warm ramen?  Just in time for the upcoming winter season. 

Location: 11024 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood.

TOKYO KOGI (Spring 2014)

Studio City Patch first reported the impending arrival of Tokyo Kogi, a Korean BBQ eatery to open in the foremer Makiyaki II space. 

Location: 11388 Ventura Blvd., Studio City.

JOAN’S ON THIRD (Unknown Opening)

Valley residents have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the gourmet marketplace and lunch hotspot, which will open along Studio City’s Sunday Farmer’s Market corridor.  There hasn’t been a clear date of when the second branch will open, but construction appears to be moving along.

Location: 12059 Ventura Pl., Studio City.

THE TIPSY COW (Unknown Opening)

Longtime Sherman Oaks staple, La Pergola, is closing at the end of the month, with a supposed “The Tipsy Cow” to take over. 

Location: 15005 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

THE ONE UP (Unknown Opening)

Eater LA first reported the closing of Sherman Oaks' BBQ spot, Mr. Cecils Ribs, with an arcade concept to open in the space, called “The 1-Up."  A round of Pac-Man, anyone? 

Location: 13625 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.