Here’s welcome news if you’ve been tortured by the thought of having to walk more than a block for fresh juice anywhere on the Westside: The new Groundwork on the corner of 16th and Montana Ave. in Santa Monica now carries a range of cold-pressed juices from rapidly expanding Pressed Juicery.
Back in October, I told you about a sign that went up on a storefront in a strip mall at 12201 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA announcing Another Burger Joint: Carnivores and Vegetarians Welcome. Well, as you can see from the photo, it looks like they’ve settled on a name: Quicksand and they’re shooting for a March 4th opening. Until then, read more about them and check out their menu here.
It took a bit longer than the December projected opening, but diminutive coffee shop Comoncy recently opened in the old Boule space at 413 N. Bedford in Beverly Hills. Brought to you by the people at Coral Tree Cafe, Comoncy (which according to the website mean “coming together and sharing” in case you’re wondering) offers a menu of coffee, pastries, salads, and sandwiches that you can read more about here.
The controversial Starbucks on the corner of 11th and Wilshire in Santa Monica opened for business today. And while the opening of a new Starbucks isn’t exactly headline-making news, this particular one is notable because it became a poster child for Santa Monica’s inexorable drive toward over-development and loss of local character, even garnering a petition drive to retain the previous tenant, Farrah’s Florist. But the coffee giant has prevailed, and now sits firmly in command of the prominent corner across from Melisse.
The next time you’re in Santa Monica and craving a cup of great coffee, but don’t feel secure enough to venture south of Colorado to ultra-hip Urth Caffé on Main, head over to the corner of Lincoln and California, above Wilshire. Nestled quietly in the residential neighborhood is a coffee-house newly opened in the recent development complex of St. Monica’s Church. Holy Grounds at Saint Monica offers a menu of Urth coffee, teas, and selected bakery items and is open from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and Sunday noon to 7pm. Confessions optional…
Self-described trendy sweet shop It’sugar is coming soon to the space at 1427 Third St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. The giant candy, novelty item, and “candy-inspired” apparel retailer already boasts over 70 locations worldwide. Look for a Spring 2014 opening.
With two restaurants in Downtown LA, Simply Salad is going into the space to the left of Taberna Arros y Vi at 1401 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica. Offering a menu that focuses on fresh and healthy custom-built salads and wraps, Simply Salad gives you over 65 toppings and over 25 dressings to choose from. Read more here.
With locations throughout the US, Canada, and the world, Fresh Healthy Café is moving into the space that used to house Sushi Itto in the food court of Santa Monica Place. The eco-friendly chain offers a menu of wraps, grilled panini, salads, soups, smoothies, and fresh juices. No word on an opening date, but until then, you can read more about them here.
The cold-pressed juice craze continues unabated… If you thought that Century City was a juice desert, think again. You can now get your fix on the first floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center at a free-standing kiosk selling various cold-pressed juices, shots, and blends by Downtown LA’s eco-friendly Juicelove.
Just when you thought the Westside couldn’t possible squeeze in another Starbucks, looks like the good folk of the Pacific Palisades Highlands will soon have their very own brand-spanking new one right on the corner of Palisades Dr. and Sunset in the Highlands Village shopping center…
The Beverly Hills outpost of ubiquitous Belgian café chain Le Pain Quotidien is hosting a children’s cookie decorating event in honor of Valentine’s Day. The little ones can try their luck with heart-shaped cookies this Saturday, February 8th from 4pm to 5pm. Space is bound to be tight so call (310) 859-1100 as quickly as your little fingers can dial to reserve your spot.
Construction is underway on a new Japanese restaurant, Moku Sushi, in the Highlands Village shopping center on the corner of Palisades Dr. and Sunset in Pacific Palisades. No word on an opening date, but it looks like they’re fairly close. Until then, you can read more and check out their menu here.
Toddrickallen 