DINING BEAT : BUSINESS IS BOOMING.

Byline: Larry Lipson

The doldrums of summer hardly stop the volatile nature of the local restaurant industry.

Yes, there are plenty of busy restaurants around, along with a noticeable surge among the bigger spenders again, reminding some of the most notable restaurateurs of the lucrative, free-flying '80s.

This, according to a special report in the Los Angeles Business Journal published earlier this week.

And despite an industry statistic featured in the report that suggests that ``eight out of 10 new restaurants never make it to their fourth birthday,'' this doesn't seem to be a deterrent to either newcomers or experienced players in the field.

Locally, we see that the three-location Mishima mini-chain of Japanese noodle outlets on the Westside and Torrance will open its first San Fernando Valley cafe later this year in Studio City at 12265 Ventura Blvd., formerly Grape Leaves, according to broker Robert Piken of the Piken Co., representing the landlord.

Also in Studio City, a sign has gone up on the former Uncle Tai and Mandarin Cafe building at 11920 Ventura Blvd., the onetime Jack LaRue's, announcing it will soon open as Peking Pavillion.

And billing itself as a Northwestern Italian restaurant, Denari has opened in Encino at 17239 Ventura Blvd., on the former site of Silver Grille and Amore.

Denari's chef is Lucio Mazzi, previously at Tuscany in Westlake Village, also with stints at Tutto Mare, Chianti and Drago.

Reservations: [phone].

Under a new name

Also of interest, the former Dickenson West, 181 E. Glenarm St., Pasadena, has reorganized and changed its name to Derek's.

Staying on is namesake/co-owner Derek Dickenson with investor-partners Jane Messler and Jim Moiso along with chef Smith Roberts and pastry chef Tobi Sovak. Gone from Derek's is Barbara West.

West, however, retains Dickenson West the Brewery, 620 Moulton Ave., Los Angeles, [phone].

For reservations at Derek's, call [phone].