The food scene at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center appears to be perking up quite a bit. Along with Dave’s Hot Chicken, Taco Bell Live Mas Cafe, and IJ Sushi Burrito, a fourth new eatery just put up plywood up on a space in the food court. Build-your-own Mongolian BBQ experts Gengis Khan is planning on opening in Summer 2027.
There are a lot of multi-use developments popping up along Overland in Palms. Now we know where new residents will get their coffee. Window paper is up on the corner space in new complex at 3555 S Overland (although the shop’s actual address is 10703 Tabor St.) announcing the arrival of MAILA Coffee. The still-developing website doesn’t reveal much, just that they believe in “unhurried” mornings.
It appears a new dining option is coming to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. There’s plywood up on one of the spaces in the food court announcing the arrival of IJ Sushi Burrito. The expanding chain has a number of locations in Washington, Oregon, and California. They offer a menu of signature and build-your-own sushi burrito, poke bowls, and salads. This location is planning on a winter opening, while another location is moving into the Westfield Culver City Mall as well.
I’ve been watching all the new multi-use developments along Overland in Palms. A new Japanese restaurant is taking over the corner space in the new Venue development, at 3688 Overland Ave. With a sleek Hollywood destination restaurant, and a sister restaurant, Iki Ramen + Sushi in Koreatown, Iki Nori appears to be setting up housekeeping at this location. Iki Nori offers a menu of a la carte sushi and hand rolls, as well as an iki omakase menu, and an omakase lite, which it describes as a “celebration of Japanese culture, elevated hospitality & approachable luxury.”
From my inbox, more info and tix here:
You may have already heard this as it is being reported elsewhere, but I thought you should know that Beverly Hills’ crazy/popular darling LEORA has already arrived in Brentwood, well, almost. This week, they opened in the little kiosk in the Brentwood Town Center on the corner of 26th and San Vicente, and they are currently selling coffee and matcha drinks. But the big news is that just across the courtyard in the same center, they are in full build-out for a new LEORA. Construction is underway on the old Blue Bottle and Kitsu Sushi spaces, and will, possibly by Spring, be the home for the healthy and delicious “all-day café”. This certainly is exciting news for this neck of the woods, and while you wait, check out Beverly Hills’ every day menu for inspiration.
Among all the new arrivals to Brentwood, you may have heard whispers of a new sandwich spot. And here it is: Sacco is moving into the old Ron Herman space at 11677 San Vicente Blvd, in the Brentwood Gardens. While details are scarce, it is being reported that Italian sub sandwiches and coffee will be on offer.
I’m used to hearing rumors about new restaurants coming to The Westside, but I try not to pass on information until there is concrete evidence. This rumor now appears to be fact: According to their FB page, Neptune’s Frozen Treats is joining the lengthening list of icy treat establishments along Montana Ave in Santa Monica by settling into the courtyard of the recently redeveloped shopping center on the corner of 11th and Montana. Neptune’s Frozen Treats has one location in Palos Verdes Estates and specializes in customizable frozen yogurt, gelato, custard, and sorbet served with long list of premium toppings. I still haven’t confirmed the exciting rumor about what’s moving into the next block, so keep watching this space.
Signs are now up on the space at 9659 S Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills announcing the arrival of Blank Street Coffee. Blank Street began in 2020 in Williamsburg and has since spread to over 100 locations across the US and the UK, including one other LA location in Studio City. The offer a signature menu of coffee and matcha with an emphasis on “quality, design, and experience”.
(Thanks Barry!)
Lemonade slipped out of its location at 310 Arizona, just off the Third Street Promenade, a while ago. Since then, the space has sat empty, but there are new signs of life. With the revitalization of Downtown Santa Monica, many new eateries are moving in. According to recently erected signs, the one at this address is named 310 Caffe. What Now has the skinny on this new restaurant, which it describes as, “simple food, quality ingredients, and coffee as part of the daily routine”.
It appears a new Japanese American concept is moving into the space at 11028 Washington Blvd in Culver City. There’s a banner in the window declaring the new eatery’s name is Heisei. I can’t find much information on this new business, only this still-developing Instagram page.
If you’ve ever been curious about me… With much gratitude to Sean Daly and the Santa Monica Sun.
Who is Toddrickallen? Meet the Westside’s dining news superhero
A new drinks shop is taking over the space at 3851 Main St. (corner of Washington) in Culver City, most recently home to Latea and Menchie’s before that. By the time you read this, Thai brand JIAN CHA should be open at this location (according to their Instagram). JIAN CHA specializes in fruit teas and has multiple branches in Thailand. This is their first US location.
(Thanks M!)
A few days ago, amidst a flurry of construction, a wall was freshly painted at 2218 Main St #100 in Santa Monica. This wall appears to name the new business as Punch Bowl Juice & Smoothie. I cannot locate any information on this business, so if you have any news, pass it on!
Congratulations Good People of Culver City, delicious frozen treats are heading your way! There’s window paper up on the space at 3849 Main St, formerly home to Monty’s Good Burger, announcing the arrival of Italian-born brand Bacio di Latte. The crazy/popular chain, known for its luscious gelato, is in major expansion mode with a new Montana Ave shop poised to open any day now.
(Thanks M!)
Yet more evidence of Westwood Village’s revival…. Apparently, the NY Times declared that “The best bagels are in California”, and squarely on that list was The Bay Area’s Boichik Bagels. Now Boichik Bagels is expanding into LA. While they already have two locations (Los Feliz and DTLA), and it looks like their third is moving into the space at 911 Westwood Blvd in Westwood Village. Boichik also has 10 locations in the Bay Area, and is the passion project of New Jerseyan Emily Winston, who’s story you can read here.
(Thanks Barry!)
After years of sputtering, the dining scene in Westwood Village appears to be roaring back to life. A sharp-eyed reader wrote to tell me about the recent ABC application that went up on the front of the space at 1061 Broxton Ave, most recently home to Happy Panda Kitchen Chinese Hot Pot. The new restaurant, LARACLETTE, is reported to be an Alpine concept with a focus on the famous Swiss melty cheese raclette. The restaurateur behind the project is Domenico Frasca, and you can read more about this exciting venture in this informative article on hoodline.
(Thanks Barry!)
A new, healthy lifestyle choice is landing on the first floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Plywood is up announcing the arrival of Pura Vida Miami. With 57 locations, including 5 in California, Pura Vida Miami is a stylish “premier wellness and lifestyle brand” with a chic and breezy vibe that focuses on high-quality ingredients and sustainability.
A new taco joint is coming to The Point, the shopping complex on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in El Segundo. Plywood is up announcing the arrival of “Texas Kitchen” HomeState. HomeState has eight other locations around SoCal and is known for breakfast tacos, migas, Frito pie, house-made flour tortillas, and margaritas. They are planning on opening next month.
Marina del Rey’s beloved New India’s Oven is set to move locations. A Rep confirmed that they will be vacating their longtime location at 13444 Maxella Ave (in the Villa Marina Marketplace shopping center) and moving to a new space in the Marina Collection shopping center at 13400 Washington Blvd. Expect the same extensive and authentic menu that has long served as a local favorite for lunch and take-away.
