New Breakfast, Lunch Spot Opening in Valley Village

Professional caterer and chef Chris Drapkin was brought up in North Hollywood and eventually grew up to raise her own child in the community.

Now, she's hoping to achieve another goal in her neighborhood: opening her own restaurant.

In early October, Drapkin and her husband, Rick, will open Harvest Moon at 12454 Magnolia Blvd. in Valley Village.

The new business is replacing the shuttered Classic Ralphy's Restaurant & Catering Service.

Harvest Moon will offer a breakfast and lunch menu comprised of omelettes, salads, sandwiches and baked goods, she said.

After the soft opening, Drapkin said the eatery would operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and also offer a take out dinner menu with hot and cold food.

She said she wants to share her cooking skills with locals by offering cooking classes for adults and children.

"We want this to be a really community based restaurant, where people know each other, they know the owners," Drapkin said. "I'm going to be here all the time."

Harvest Moon will serve products from Groundwork Coffee and Art of Tea. The restaurant does not have an alcohol license.

Drapkin said down the line she wants to offer an after school menu with kids with items like grilled cheese sandwiches and sliders.

She said she also hopes to have a seasonal menu based on food trends throughout the year as well as a once-a-week family dinner night menu.

But despite having a lot on her plate from the get go, Drapkin said she looks forward to feedback from her customers.

"I'm a working chef. Being on the line, being in the back of the kitchen, I'm constantly in touch with what people are eating," she said. "I feel we're more apt to respond to what they want."

Drapkin has a website for her catering business, which is also called Harvest Moon. The site will be updated in a few weeks with menus for her new restaurant.

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