This has got to be the longest “soft opening” ever. Stop by Marlin and Ono Grille, serving Southern Italian cuisine since last August, and you’ll find that the Sherman Oaks bistro is closed temporarily in preparation for the “grand opening,” coming soon. If you want to be invited to the grand opening events, says a friendly note on a window, send an e-mail to eventsmarlinandono@gmail.com.

Say what? The Sauce, confused, called to ask. Friendly owner Martin Colman was quick to point out that this won't be one of those temporary closures that turns out to be permanent (read: Stanley’s, Sherman Oaks). Paraphrasing Mark Twain, Martin jokes: “Word of my demise is slightly premature.”

While the date is not set, Martin insists the grand opening will take place in a week or so. Right now, he adds, the restaurant is training additional staff for the event.

Martin calls the past five months a “soft opening” and says, “We know where we are now” after taking the temperature of the patrons for a while. Meanwhile, we’ve e-invited ourselves to the opening—after all, what’s a party without The Sauce?

13730 Ventura Blvd., 818-849-5585