Monthly Archives: September 2013

Wolfgang Puck Express Now Closed In Santa Monica

Posted on by
Reply

OK…  Admit it: With all those flashy pizzas out there (think Mozza, Gjelina, Sotto, South End etc.) you still occasionally find yourself craving an old-school “California cuisine” pizza alla Spago back-in-the-day, fast being forced onto the endangered species list.  Sadly, one of the last places to get your fix, Wolfgang Puck Express in the Third Street Promenade (at Arizona) is now officially extinct.  But there is one glimmer of hope as the sign in the window promises a future return to Santa Monica. Until then, you can still find the nostalgic pies in a few remaining places here.

(BTW Spago will still make you one if you ask.)

wolfgang

Pizza Compagnia, Santa Monica

Posted on by
4

Signs are finally up and construction is fast and furious on the new pizza concept from the folks at Joe’s Pizza, Pizza Compangia at 1551 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica, although what you’re looking at here is actually the entrance at 135 Colorado Ave.  It appears they’re running a little behind since they predicted a Summer opening, but by now we all know Santa Monica, so I’ll keep my eye on it…  joespizza

pizza

 

Fraiche Back Up For Lease In SM

Posted on by
Reply

Must be bad Feng Shui…  When last we checked, the space vacated by Fraiche restaurant at 312 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica was supposed to be in development for a dubious Chinese restaurant named Face.  Well, all that appears to have fallen through as evidenced by the disappearance of all references to the upcoming Chinese restaurant and the prominent display of brand new “For Lease” signs.  We’ll have to see what develops…

fraiche

104 Wine Bar By The Ocean Now Closed

Posted on by
Reply

It appears that the sleepy little oenophilic restaurant at 104 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, 104 Wine Bar by the Ocean has quietly slipped out of existence.  No word on a replacement just yet, but with all the recent openings in that area (Stout, Water Grill, Taberna Arros y Vi), I can’t imagine the space will sit idle for long…

wine

 

Cafe De Paris Has Taken Over Spumoni Cafe On Montana Ave.

Posted on by
1

The little Italian creamery and breakfast nook Spumoni Café at 715 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica that opened only about a year and a half ago is now a different establishment.  Café de Paris has now taken over the space.  You’d be forgiven for overlooking this: The café still sports the big Spumoni Café sign and looks exactly the same, the only difference being the new window signs, menu, and Tour Eiffel outside the front door.  Apparently, the owner of Spumoni restaurant (next door) pulled out of the little café, leaving the other owner, who is French to take over entirely.  Look for a menu of breakfasts, crepes, salads, and yes, the gelato stays.  cafedeparismontana.com

paris1

paris2

Street Closing For A Month: Changes To Come…

Posted on by
Reply

Looks like things are about to change over at Susan Feniger’s Street.  They recently announced that they will close down for a vacation at the end of September and will re-open after a “major shift”, with inscrutable promises that the adventurous restaurant celebrating world street food will “never be the same”.  Until the closure, they’re going nostalgic with a Flashback menu featuring old favorites from the past 5 years that could be available for the last time.  A restaurant spokesperson playfully refused to reveal what changes are coming and informed me that the entire staff have been sworn to secrecy so we’ll just have to wait and see what develops… eatatstreet.com

newstreet

Seasons 52 Wine Deal…

Posted on by
Reply

Still searching for a reason to try Seasons 52, the healthy-ish supper-clubby chain slowly making inroads into SoCal?  How about this…  Right now you can get a flight of three wines, followed by a full pour of whichever was your favorite and one of their signature flatbreads for either $15 or $20 (depending on the wine) daily until 6pm.  Check out your choices and read more here.

seasons1

Yankee Doodles Remodeling In Santa Monica

Posted on by
1

Down but not out…  After a late July fire closed local fave restaurant, singles scene, sports bar, and tourist trap  Yankee Doodles at 1410 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, questions arose as to what would happen next.  But you can’t keep this plucky little phoenix down as indicated by the signs and permit applications in the window.  Looks like they’re planning a major remodel.  No word on an re-opening date (this is SM after all), but I’ll keep my eye on it…

yankee1

yankee2

Boba Bear Tea And Hookah Shop Comes To West LA

Posted on by
3

With one other location in Korea Town, boba, tea, and hookah concept shop Boba Bear has moved into the odd space by a golf store at 1861 S. Bundy Dr. in LA.  The interior, designed to foster “open-mindedness” and “a cultured experience” is set with sofas and low tables and more resembles a living room that a restaurant.  You can check out their menus and read more about their vision here.

boba

Street’s Rosh Hashanah

Posted on by
Reply

Need a last-minute plan for Rosh Hashanah, which begins today (Wednesday, September 4th) at sunset?  Try Susan Feniger’s Street.  They are offering a 4 course menu with choices such as Sephardic long-cooked egg mashed with feta, olive oil, and avocado; wood roasted cauliflower with fried olives and chimichurri; and strawberry shortcake with chocolate matzo candy.  Cost is $45 per person.  First seating is at 5pm, and open seating is at 7:30 and after.  Check out the full menu and make a reservation here.  L’Shana Tova!

street2

New Juice Bar Coming To Pico Blvd. In Santa Monica?

Posted on by
Reply

A design review application is up on the space that used to house an appliance repair shop at 2212 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica appearing to indicate that a new juice bar, Jazzy Juice could soon be coming.  This could be a false name used solely for the artist rendering because there is absolutely no information available for such an establishment. But if you check out the City of SM application here, it clearly states the request to add a sign with the name Jazzy Juice, so we’ll have to wait and see…

jazzy1

jazzy2