Joy Coming To Santa Monica

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Readers have been writing in droves to let me know the exciting news that there’s a new ABC application at 418 Wilshire Blvd (once home to Wahoo’s Fish Tacos) announcing the arrival of Joy. This Joy will be their second LA location, the first being Joy on York in Highland Park. Joy specializes in “heartful, and authentic Taiwanese specialties” influenced by Taiwanese street food and night markets, served in a casual, cozy neighborhood setting. No word on an opening date, but until then read more about Joy here and here. With hip Shirube right next door, this stretch of Wilshire Blvd is certainly turning into an exciting dining destination.

Santino’s Triumphant Return To Santa Monica

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A very enthusiastic reader (Thanks James!) excitedly wrote to tell me of the return of beloved neighborhood tapas spot Santino’s to its former home at 3021 Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica. You may recall that Santino’s closed down sometime around 2015 to make way for sports bar Burgers N Brews. Burgers N Brews is now gone, and while I don’t have information on ownership or menus, we can definitely say that Santino’s is returning to this location, and their Instagram page is projecting a February opening.

Mee & Greet Getting A New Home In Palms

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Currently operating out of the Banyon Tree at 9626 Venice Blvd in Culver City, beloved “Pan Asian Soul Food” experts Mee & Greet are getting a new home. They moved to the Banyon Tree after 10 years at their previous home of 3500 Overland in Palms. Their new location is just a few blocks away. Near as I can tell, they will be taking over part of the building that was once occupied by the erstwhile Overland Cafe, on the corner of Overland and Charnock Rd. At their new digs, Mee & Greet are promising “food libations, outdoor patio, live music, games on TV, comedy nights, & more”.

Makenna Koffee Bringing Beach Vibes To Santa Monica

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New signs are up on the old Del Taco location at 2425 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of a new java joint and drive through. Makenna Koffee describes itself as a “beach themed coffee shop” and has a smattering of locations across SoCal. While you’re waiting for your Maui latte to debut in Santa Monica, you can read more about the company here and their plans of expansion. (Thanks Carol!)

Pontu Bringing Peruvian To Santa Monica

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A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Carol!) noticed a small ‘coming soon’ notice in the window of 3117 Ocean Park Blvd in Santa Monica, previously home to beloved neighborhood eatery The OP Cafe. Another piece of paper lists the new restaurant as Pontu. I can’t find a lot of information on Pontu, other that their undeveloped Instagram page that promises two things: “Peruvian” and “Local”.

Intelligentsia Coffee Coming To Pico In Santa Monica

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A charming new coffee spot is coming to an area of Pico desperately in need of one. The historic old A-frame at 3010 Pico, once the home of Wienerschnitzel, is getting spruced up to re-open as a branch of Intelligentsia Coffee. I’m so glad they have decided to keep the original structure that has long been such an landmark in this neighborhood. Intelligentsia began in Chicago in 1995 and has since spread a footprint across five American cities (Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York), as well as international locations, and strives to offer “the most extraordinary coffee in the world“. A spokesperson could not give me a specific opening date due to permitting reasons, but it looks like they’re close. (With Joe & The Juice landing a few blocks away, is the Pico Corridor in Santa Monica becoming a third-wave coffee hotspot?)

(Thanks Spencer!)

KinKan Coming To West Edge

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This photo of a space in the West Edge development, at Olympic and Bundy, doesn’t reveal too much. But it is the future home of a new restaurant named Kinkan. I believe this will be another outpost of the LA restaurant Kinkan, which specializes in “Thai cuisine with Japanese influence”. This Kinkan promises “made-to-order chirashi bento boxes” and is aiming for an opening sometime in 2026.

Mongolian BBQ & Teriyaki Coming To Hawthorne

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There’s a new banner hanging over the space at 4850 Rosecrans Ave in Hawthorne announcing the new tenant as a Mongolian BBQ & Teriyaki restaurant. Strangely, no name is given. This location was previously home to Nashville chicken spot Cluck & Blaze. It looks like they’ve a way to go before opening.

Sana’a Cafe Bringing Yemeni Coffee To Westwood Village

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An interesting new concept is taking over the former longtime home of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse at 938 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village. Apparently, according to the website, Yemen has a strong tradition of coffee, where it has been cultivated for over 500 years. The new resident, Sana’a Cafe, will honor this heritage by “sourcing the finest organic beans from Yemeni highlands”. Sana’a Cafe has 8 other locations across California and offers an extensive menu of Yemeni specialty drinks, espresso drinks, and teas.

Sudachi Bringing “World-Class Sushi” To West Edge

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The name Sudachi is written on the door of space 122 in the new-ish West Edge complex on ther corner of Olympic and Bundy in the Sawtelle neighborhood of Los Angeles. Little else gives away that this will be the location of a new Japanese restaurant bearing that name. There’s not much information out there on Sudachi, but the West Edge website promises us “world-class sushi”.

Happy New Year From Toddrickallen!

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At this time of year, I like to pause and express heart-felt appreciation for all who read and support this site.   A very special thanks to all who take the time to send tips, emails, and comments.   You all make writing this blog worthwhile.  As we look forward to another year of changes in the LA food scene, I’ll be right there with you as your trusted source for Westside food news.  I wish everyone a joyful, prosperous, and delicious 2026! 

La Cha X The Bowl Coming To Hawthorne

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There’s new signage up at 4834 Rosecrans Avenue in Hawthorne announcing the arrival of LA CHA X The Bowl. La Cha has a location in Torrance and specializes as a “vibrant bubble tea destination where premium tea craftsmanship meets creative flavor innovation”. In addition to teas, this location will also offer a menu with such things as Korean sweet and spicy popcorn chicken andmozzarella chz sticks. It looks like they’re almost ready to open.

GGET Closes On Montana Ave.

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Innovative coffee purveyor Go Get Em Tiger has abruptly closed its location at 930 Montana Ave in Santa Monica on Tuesday. Santa Monica’s other location on Main St. closed a while ago. GGET opened this location in 2022 with much excitement and an extended menu. I’m not sure what is happening with the chain, but their Culver City location, as well as other locations east of here are still open.

(Thanks Steve!)

Raising Cane’s New Santa Monica Location…

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A while back I told you that Raising Cane’s was moving into the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Here is the new location at 1401 Third St. Promenade, on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd, formerly the home of Bibibop. It looks like they are working on a complete build-out. This is part of a major expansion into the California by the beloved Louisiana-based poultry provider known for chicken finger meals and noontime lines out the door.

Joe & The Juice Coming To Santa Monica

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Santa Monica is finally getting an outpost of übercool international lifestyle/juice brand Joe & The Juice, albeit in a curious location. Their signature window paper is up on the free-standing building in the Whole Foods complex on the corner of Pico and Cloverfield. Hailing from Denmark, the chain of coffee and juice bars has locations across Europe, Asia and North America, and has a mission to promote a “contemporary educational platform for how to prepare all people of our movement for a healthy life filled with aspiration and meaning”… as well as coffee.

Layla Bagels & Coffee Coming To Brentwood

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Apparently, I only gave you half the story when I reported to you that Sora Temaki Bar was taking over the Contempo Floor Covering store at 908 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood. They are moving into the space, but only part of it. Window paper has since gone up indicating that the spacious address is being divided with Sora moving into the right side, and Layla Bagels & Coffee taking over the rest of the space. Crazy-popular Layla has two other locations (Santa Monica and Beverly Hills) and specializes in “hand-rolled sourdough bagels baked fresh daily”, bringing yet another bold bagel choice to carb-saturated Brentwood.

(Thanks Madelyn!)

Wally’s Expanding With Two New Locations In SoCal

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Congratulations lucky people of Century City and Malibu, ever-popular oenophile paradise Wally’s Wine & Spirits is landing at least two new locations in SoCal. Wally’s currently has three locations (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Las Vegas) that specialize in the “finest food, beverages, and gourmet foods”, drawing in large well-heeled crowds with their chic “cave à vin” vibes. Here is a look at the new Wally’s at Century Plaza location, located in front of the Fairmont Century Plaza on Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Wally’s Holiday catalog is also promising a new location in Malibu at Cross Creek Ranch. Both are planning on a Spring 2026 opening. Read more about the new Century City outpost here.