Changes At Margo’s On Montana Ave.

Posted on May 10, 2024 by toddrickallen

People have been wondering what’s going on since Margo’s Pizza Kitchen & Bar, at 1534 Montana, closed its doors. You may recall that last year Margo’s had a break-in that caused significant damage and loss. At that time, in an interview, a rep for Margo’s alluded to that incident being a “tipping point” that could cause the business to shutter. Shortly thereafter, Margo’s did indeed close down, ostensibly for a remodel. Since then, a new banner has been put up announcing a “new launch under new partnership”. It appears the new restaurant will be named Nana Margo’s, and cocktails and “dinning” will be on order. It will be interesting to see if the new eatery will continue with the plant-based concept. I’ll keep my eye on this….

Clean Juice Coming To West Edge, In West LA

Posted on May 8, 2024 by toddrickallen

It looks like a new healthy option is heading to the new West Edge development, on the corner of Bundy and Olympic, at 12121 W Olympic Blvd. There’s window paper on one of the spaces in the retail section of the massive complex, near the flashy new Gelson’s, announcing the arrival of Clean Juice. Clean Juice has locations throughout the US, but the closest current one to LA is in Agoura Hills. They offer a menu of juices and food that is “delicious, organic, fresh, and clean”. Check out their selection of juices, smoothies, salads, bowls, and sandwiches here.

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Now Open In El Segundo

Posted on May 3, 2024 by toddrickallen

Back in November of last year, I told you about the arrival of popular East Coast eatery Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop to 2140 E El Segundo Blvd STE D, in the Chargers Commons development. The good people over at Capriotti’s wrote to tell me that they have officially thrown open their doors this week. Capriotti’s began in Delaware in 1976 and has since grown to well over 100 restaurants. Their menu, which you can see here, prides itself on sandwiches made with, “whole roast turkeys, quality meats & cheeses, and fresh rolls“.

Petit Grain Boulangerie Opens Today In Santa Monica

Posted on May 1, 2024 by toddrickallen

A highly anticipated bakery throws open its doors today at 7:30am. Already garnering much attention in the LA pastry world, Petit Grain Boulangerie takes over the old Broadway Baker space at 1209 Wilshire Blvd. As you can see from the line that formed ahead of their opening this morning, Petit Grain is poised to take the Westside by storm. Read more about the new hotspot here. We wish them the best of luck.

Nardò Bringing Authentic Italian To Culver City

Posted on April 30, 2024 by toddrickallen

There’s window paper up on the space at 9725 Culver Blvd. (previously home to the doomed Sestina) announcing the impending arrival of Nardò. With two other locations in West Hollywood and Huntington Beach, Nardò promises an authentic Southern Italian menu with such things as woodfired Neapolitan pizza and homemade pastas. Looks like they’re aiming for a late May opening. Until then, check out their West Hollywood location’s menu for an idea of what may be coming.

Yes, Dinah’s Family Restaurant Is Moving…

Posted on April 26, 2024 by toddrickallen

I know this is being widely reported in other places, but I’m still receiving messages from shocked readers so I’m passing this on as well. West LA’s fave nostalgic poultry purveyor Dinah’s Family Restaurant is closing at their longtime location of 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd. Open since 1959, Dinah’s drips with childhood memories for many locals, and I personally know people who make a pilgrimage to Dinah’s on their birthdays. All is not lost though, a large banner on the front informs us that they are moving to a new location at 4130 Sepulveda Suite G, with an opening date of May 6th. Thanks to all who wrote to let me know…

Kakkoi Sushi/Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi Now Open In The Colony

Posted on April 23, 2024 by toddrickallen

A fresh new dining option opened last Friday (April 19th) in community “smart kitchen” The Colony at 11419 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA. Plant-based sushi specialists Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi has partnered with Kakkoi Sushi to create an exciting menu that combine’s Kakkoi‘s “Russian-Spanish-European fusion” with Niku Nashi‘s innovative vegan sushi. Hours are 11am to 9pm and you can dine in on their patio or opt for take-away or delivery. We wish them the best of luck.

Co-opportunity Market Disappears From Culver City

Posted on April 21, 2024 by toddrickallen

This was certainly a surprise… I’m hearing from shocked readers that Culver City’s branch of classic health food store Co-opportunity Market has disappeared from their location at 8770 Washington Blvd. The Co-op began life in 1974 in Santa Monica, where it continues to exist. This location opened in 2017 and appeared to be tracking a more Erewhon vibe than its old school hippie predecessor. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the space to see what may develop.

(Thanks again, Andrew!)

Shoreside Bringing New Dining Scene To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on April 17, 2024 by toddrickallen

Something new is coming to the Shore Hotel at 1515 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica. There’s plywood up and an announcement naming the new spot to “Dine. Lounge. Celebrate.” as Shoreside. Near as I can tell, Shoreside will be a new dining terrace and bar. It looks like they’re aiming for a summer opening.

Gnarwhal Coffee Co. Expands To Venice

Posted on April 14, 2024 by toddrickallen

Cozy local java joint Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is apparently branching out from its buzzy Main Street location to an even buzzier neighborhood. There’s an ABC application up at 1700 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice, previously home to the troubled Double Zero, letting us know that Gnarwhal is moving in. I’m sure that organic, socially responsible coffee will be on the menu, but so will beer and wine according to the ABC app, so this may be a slightly different concept that their Main St. branch.

Le Phant Milk Tea Co. Coming To Westwood Village

Posted on April 11, 2024 by toddrickallen

It looks like a new specialty drink spot is setting up housekeeping at 10911 Lindbrook in Westwood Village. There’s a large banner over the former Yogurtland space announcing the arrival of Le Phant Milk Tea Co. Not much on social media yet, but we have this from the Westwood Village Business Directory: “We are 2 quirky twenty-agers who want to share our best version of milk teas. We brew premium loose-leaf teas, mix it with our house creamer (no preservative-filled powders utilized), and add on made-from-scratch muscovado brown sugar boba. We can’t wait to serve you all.” We wish them the best of luck…

Daniel’s Bagels Coming To Palms

Posted on April 8, 2024 by toddrickallen

A well-known farmer’s market fixture appears to be getting a brick-and-mortar in Palms. A very sharp-eyed reader noticed the (very faint) window paper up on the space at used to be the home to C&M Cafe, at 10640 Woodbine St (corner of Overland). Daniel’s Bagels offers a solid menu of hand-made bagel standards that have quickly become local favorites.

(Thanks Daniel!)

Pret A Manger Finally Landing In LA

Posted on April 3, 2024 by toddrickallen

While there is already a (sort of) branch of British powerhouse sandwich chain Pret a Manger at Tom Bradley in LAX, Los Angeles is about to get its very own stand-alone location. Also simply known as Pret, there is new window paper up at 901 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood Village announcing the happy news. If you are unfamiliar with the brand, Pret a Manger (which means ready to eat in French) is a popular grab-and-go prepared sandwich chain that began life in 1983 in London and has since spread to many countries and locations across the globe (including New York and Chicago), and soon here as well. While I don’t know what the menu will be like here in LA, I can tell you that when I’m in London, which is usually about once a year, I never miss the opportunity to grab one of their delectable super fresh sandwiches. I usually stuff a few in my suitcase as well. This is certainly exciting news….

Update: This is apparently a developing story, and readers are writing to let me know a branch is heading for the old Breadblok space in Studio City, as well as possibly at least one more somewhere else…

Yogurtland Moving Into The Third St. Promenade

Posted on April 1, 2024 by toddrickallen

Crowd-pleasing frozen treat purveyor Yogurtland appears to be moving locations in Downtown Santa Monica. They currently have a longtime location at 304 Santa Monica Blvd. But there is new plywood up at 1321 Third St. Promenade announcing the move. Yogurtland began life in 2006 in Fullerton and has since spread to over 250 locations in the US and elsewhere. They pride themselves on the “highest quality ingredients and flavors”.

Nic’s Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on March 29, 2024 by toddrickallen

The old Wokcano Space at 1413 5th St. in Downtown Santa Monica has sat empty for quite a while. But the commodious location is about to get a new tenant. An ABC application lists the new business as Nic’s. I don’t have any information on this business, so if you know more, pass it along…

Update: Readers are letting me know that this is actually a seafood restaurant named Oasis.

Met Her At The Bar’s Location In Santa Monca

Posted on March 25, 2024 by toddrickallen

We’ve known for a while that cozy neighborhood darling Met Her At A Bar was expanding to Santa Monica. Now we know where. There’s an ABC application posted on the front of the extensive build-out at 2615 Main St. in Santa Monca that lets us know this is the future branch of Met Her At The Bar. The self-described “hip little neighborhood cafe” has a location on S. La Brea Ave. and is known for Belgian waffles and coffee.

Odd One Out’s Location In Santa Monica…

Posted on March 20, 2024 by toddrickallen

People have been demanding answers from me ever since crazy-popular boba shop Odd One Out Craft Milk Tea announced on their website that there was to be another branch opening in Santa Monica. They didn’t give an address, but the map on the website gave the impression that it was going to be located in the Third Street Promenade. Now we know: Fencing and ‘Odd One Out” banners are now up on the “Market Pavilion” kiosk just to the north of Santa Monica Blvd (1260 Third St. Promenade). With a location in Sawtelle Japantown, Odd One Out hails from Taiwan and was previously the winner of the Taiwan Milk Tea Festival.

Philz Coffee Closing In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on March 18, 2024 by toddrickallen

Sadly, it appears the reign of mint mojito coffee is coming to an end in Downtown Santa Monica. There’s a gracious notice on the front door of the Philz Coffee at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. that states their last day will be April 30, 2024. Not sure what happened to this branch of the Bay Area third wave coffee darling, but if you’re desperate for a cup of minty caffeinated goodness, check out their other locations here.

(Thanks Ely!)

Little Bean Cold Brew Bringing Caffeine To Santa Monica Soon

Posted on March 13, 2024 by toddrickallen

It looks like a new java joint is poised to caffeinate the sleepy students at SaMo High. Window paper us up on the easily overlooked corner spot at 707 Pico Blvd. announcing the arrival of Little Bean Cold Brew. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of information out there, and there are other coffeeshops that use the term “little bean” in their names, but this one will offer “specialty small batch cold brew”. Let me know if you have more information…

The Cliffdiver Bringing Coastal Vibes To West Los Angeles

Posted on March 11, 2024 by toddrickallen

Tucked into a corner space at Found Santa Monica, at 12311 Santa Monica Blvd, is a build-out on a new Mexican restaurant. Promising “lobster tacos” and “beach vibes”, The Cliffdiver appears to be settling in. The Cliffdiver has a location in Thousand Oaks and boasts a menu of favorites (and a good happy hour) in a chill setting.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest