Whole Foods Landing Soon In Playa Vista

Posted on March 31, 2015 by toddrickallen

It’s fascinating watching the massive Playa Vista development emerge out of thin air. As if overnight, row after row of residential buildings have sprung from nothing. So of course, it seems only natural that the future inhabitants will need to eat somewhere. Back in January I told you about the impending arrival of a Cinemark Theater (now open) with a full bar, lounge, and dining menu as well as a future Lyfe Kitchen. And now we can add to the list a brand new flashy Whole Foods on the corner of W. Jefferson and McConnell Ave.

And The Name Of The New Restaurant Is… Estate

Posted on March 27, 2015 by toddrickallen

Back in late February, I told you about an ABC application posted on the vacant space at 1519 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica that used to house The Parlor. The applicant was listed as Estate 1519, which I assumed was a working name. Well, as it turns out, the new restaurant will indeed be named Estate as indicated by the sample menu that they recently posted in the window. According to the Yelp page, Estate is up and running (possibly a soft opening) as of this week and the (positive) reviews are trickling in. The menu, designed by Chef Hisashi Yoshiara (Buddha’s Belly) appears to be an eclectic mix of Asian influences and Californian cuisine that you can check out in the photo below.

Herringbone Coming Soon To Santa Monica

Posted on March 25, 2015 by toddrickallen

Nearby to the upcoming Joan’s on Third and eLOVate, I just noticed the plywood with a conditional use permit posted on it announcing the impending arrival of a new 245 seat indoor/outdoor restaurant in the new development at 1755 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica. The applicant listed is as “Santa Monica Eats LLC”, but if you track down the ABC application, it reveals that the new restaurant will be Herringbone, which I’m assuming will be a sister restaurant to the Herringbone at the Mondrian in West Hollywood. Not much news out there on an opening date and they’ve only recently posted job listings, but I’ll keep watching. In the mean time, check out Chef Brian Malarkey’s “Fish Meats Field” concept menu and read more about the company here.

Kanpai Sushi Bar & Grill Expands In Westchester

Posted on March 23, 2015 by toddrickallen

With one location at 8325 Lincoln Blvd., Kanpai Sushi Bar & Grill is expanding into the space at 8736c Sepulveda in Westchester according to signs posted on the storefront. Named for the Japanese word for “cheers”, Kanpai serves a menu of “traditional Japanese with California flair” that you can read more about here. No word on an exact opening date, but it looks like they’re very close…

BYOPizza Disappears From Redondo Beach

Posted on March 20, 2015 by toddrickallen

Could this be an indication that we’ve finally reached the saturation point with the custom-built pizza concept? I recently noticed that the South Bay’s very own outlet of the Southern US chain BYOPizza has closed its doors at 4051 Inglewood Avenue in Redondo Beach. And if you can’t bear the thought of life without them, the next nearest location appears to be in Texas…

The Westside Gets A New Coffee Bean

Posted on March 18, 2015 by toddrickallen

The brand new branch of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf that was under construction in the curious space on the southwest corner of the super-busy intersection of Wilshire and Federal is now open. Where you might find parking is anyone’s guess. But while you’re driving around looking for a space, you can read more about the SoCal fave beverage shop here.

Cousins Maine Lobster Claws Its Way Into WeHo

Posted on March 16, 2015 by toddrickallen

I just noticed that signs are up in the window of the space that used to house the unfortunately named and short-lived sandwich shop Bite Mi Café announcing the impending arrival of Cousins Maine Lobster to 8593 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. TV’s Shark Tank darlings Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac (the “Cousins” appear to be expanding their growing lobster truck business into brick and mortar. No word on an opening date or what exactly will be on offer (although I’ll wager a guess that it will have a great deal to do with lobster), but you can read more about CML here.

Which Wich Disappears In CC

Posted on March 12, 2015 by toddrickallen

It looks like the Century City Shopping Center’s very own outlet of the do-it-yourself sandwich chain Which Wich has quietly slipped out of the famously capricious food court. Sadly, the little restaurant was only open a little less that a year and a half. Could it be due to competition from Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese pop-up (which by-the-way will be closing April 15th)? No word on what will be replacing this devastating loss but I’ll keep watching…

Obica Century City’s Unlimited Pizza Party Tonight!

Posted on March 11, 2015 by toddrickallen

Tonight (Wednesday, March 11th), at 7pm, Obica in the Century City Shopping Center is hosting a Giropizza Party. What exactly does that mean? For $30 (beverage and tax not included), you well get a slice of every pizza that rolls out of the oven until you cry for mercy. Choices will include classic pizzas, as well as freshly invented varieties and dessert pizzas as well. But you will need to call and make a reservation as space will be limited. Call (310) 566-2452 just as fast as your fingers can dial to secure your spot.

Baltaire Will Open Tonight… Here’s A Peek Inside…

Posted on March 9, 2015 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of highly anticipated Westside restaurant debuts, Baltaire is opening today (Monday, March 9th). The “contemporary American steakhouse” took over the old Cheesecake Factory space at 11647 San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood. After an extensive remodel, you’ll hardly recognize the space, but they have kept the patio dining area. Check out their website here and in the mean time, here’s a glimpse of what you can expect…

Ox & Son Set To Open Today…

Posted on March 9, 2015 by toddrickallen

This is a big day for Westside restaurant openings… Back in November, I told you about a new restaurant taking over the old Café Montana space at 1534 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. To those of you (and there are many of you) who have been carefully following this story comes this welcome news: Ox & Son is expected to open its doors tonight, March 9th.

Flights Craft Beers + Sports Grill arriving March 12th…

Posted on March 6, 2015 by toddrickallen

Please fasten your seatbelt and put your seat in the upright position… Recently, I told you about a new sports bar being built in an unlikely place on the edge of El Segundo. According to their sign, it appears that Flights Craft Beers + Sports Grill will be coming in for a landing on March 12th at 5119 W. El Segundo Blvd (just to the east of the 405). Until then, check out their menu and their selection of 40 beers on tap here.

Update: The opening has been pushed back to March 25th.

New “Café/Market” Coming Soon To Venice…

Posted on March 4, 2015 by toddrickallen

Thanks to a tip from a reader, I investigated the ABC application posted in the window of the now-defunct mini-mart just to the right of Piccolo at 9 Dudley Ave. in Venice. Whatever is taking over appears to be a new restaurant that is billing itself as a “café/market” and will be serving beer and wine. Hard to imagine what’s coming to the tiny space, but the applicant is listed as Dudley Market and according to the conditional use application, there will be a full-service restaurant with only 20 seats as well as a “gourmet market”. Dudley Market is more than likely a working name, so we’ll have to keep watching to find out more…

Yet Another Boozy Theater!

Posted on March 3, 2015 by toddrickallen

I think the finger is out of the dyke on this one… With more and more movie theaters on the Westside either redesigning themselves with food and drink menus or being built with restaurants comes news of one more to join the stampede: It appears that the dusty AMC Santa Monica 7 on the corner of 3rd and Arizona is getting a remodel. And according to the advertisements on the fencing outside, they’ll soon be offering beer, wine, and cocktails to the bill of fare as well as reclining chairs. Not sure if they’ll have food service like the Marina AMC, but I’ll keep watching…

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

Monthly Archives: March 2015