Continuing its inexorable conquest of the West LA juice scene, Kreation Juicery will soon be providing cold-pressed libations to the juice-starved folks of Marina Del Rey. Signs recently went up in the space at 4716 1/2 Admiralty in the Waterside Shopping Center announcing the impending arrival. Until then, read more about the rapidly expanding company here.
The antioxidant-packed goji berry is having its moment right now. Not since kale have we seen anything in the vegetable kingdom become so au courant. And now they’ve even gotten a namesake shop: Goji Juice + Vitamins opened this week at 408 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Check out their menu of “organic, fresh squeezed juices and smoothies, healthy food, supplements, and more” here. 
I’ve been watching the space that used to house now-defunct sports bar South at 3001 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica for a while now. First, it was reported that a new farm-to-table restaurant was to take over. Then, late last year we learned of legal problems with the previous tenants and so it has sat empty for a long time. Now a new branch of popular SoCal restaurant chain Maria’s Italian Kitchen has quietly slipped into the space and opened last week. However the website states that this is only a temporary pop-up to service the needs of the poor people of Brentwood while the Maria’s location there is closed for remodeling because heaven knows there is no other place to eat Italian in Brentwood…
Fresh Healthy Café is now open in the space that used to house Sushi Itto in the food court of Santa Monica Place. With locations throughout the US, Canada, and the world, the eco-friendly chain offers a menu of wraps, grilled panini, salads, soups, smoothies, and fresh juices that you can read more about here.
If you’re looking for something to do near the beach on Saturday, June 28th from 11:00am to 3:00pm, check out the California Cook-Off at Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica. The cooking competition will be judged by Chef Ben Ford (Ford’s Filling Station) and there will be cooking demos, free samples, and a host of prizes from event sponsor Dole and Weber Grills. Check out more about the cook-off here.
While there continues to be about a billion branches of Mexican chain Baja Fresh located across the LA area and the country, recently we’ve seen their number decrease somewhat. The latest casualty appears to be the long-standing outpost located in the Manhattan Village Shopping Center on the corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans in Manhattan Beach. Find other locations and read more here.
It was slow, it was painful, and we all saw it coming: With stories of a Chapter 11 late last year, the exodus of staff to other Italian restaurants across town, and gossip of no wine inventory, it seemed that Villetta had been doomed for a while. And now comes the final sad news from a piece of paper propped up in the window that Villetta closed on Friday, June 13th. Open in the old Chez Mimi space (246 26th St.) since March 2011, everyone was hopeful for a long successful run, but that, however, was not meant to be. All is not lost though, as the paper in the window does seem to hint at a reopening at some point in the future, so we’ll just have to see. Until then, you can read my original review here.
The scene on Friday evening…
Charming little lunch boîte Café Lucy, on the corner of Lincoln and Wilshire (1227 Lincoln) in Santa Monica, has posted signs indicating that they have temporarily closed down for renovations. Long a favorite of the local business crowd, they are planning on being back up and running in July. Until then, their other location is still open on the corner of Wilshire and 7th.
The latest to throw their hat into the juice ring, Orchard Flats Cold Pressed Juicery officially opened its doors to the spoiled-for-choice residents of Santa Monica on Monday. With a smattering of stores across LA, their newest is located at 705 Montana Ave. and boasts an organic selection of antioxidant, detox, and anti-aging blends as well as cleanses, elixirs, and a honey bee line that you can read more about here.
Having overshot their original Spring planned opening, Ocean Prime the steak/seafood restaurant going into the cavernous old El Torito space at 9595 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Camden) in Beverly Hills, is planning on a September debut according to new banners and the official announcement that you can read here. Brought to you by the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant Group, this will be the first outpost of the chain that promises a modern American supper club and piano bar. Read more about the latest steak house in BH and check out their menu here.
It appears that the charming little French café La Petite Creperie has closed at 3809 Grand View Blvd. (corner of Venice Blvd.) in Mar Vista. Opened in 2010, LPC is quickly vacating the space and windows are papered over to make room for some new venture. No word yet on what’s replacing it, but I’ll keep my eye on it…
I guess Louis Vuitton and deep-fried potatoes don’t really go together after all… Looks like Westfield Century City Mall’s branch of Philippines-based international spud giant Potato Corner has ended it courageous year-and-a-half run. But with locations throughout the world, including nearby Culver City, you can easily locate their signature tuberous treats and read more here.
Popular burrito chain Chipotle continues its inexorable expansion. Looks like they’re building their latest outpost in the food court of the Westfield Culver City (Fox Hills) Mall. According to the sign, they’re shooting for a July opening. Until then, read more here.
Toddrickallen 