Monthly Archives: March 2016

The Garden Bringing Beer Soon To Santa Barbara Public Market

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Every now and again, I like to get out of the Westside and explore farther afield.  One of the places that I occasionally check in on is the ambitious Santa Barbara Public Market.  Recently things have gone the route of The Market in Santa Monica Place, with many of the original vendors closing down.  Now only a smattering of shops remain open.  But one courageous newcomer is attempting to buck that trend.  Signs have gone up announcing that a new restaurant The Garden will be trying their luck in the old Forager’s Pantry space.  According to the signs, we can expect “casual bar fare”, a large selection of craft beers, and many television screens airing global sports events.

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Couscous A Gogo Set To Bring Mediterranean To The Golden Triangle

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In other Beverly Hills news, I recently noticed a sign taped to the front window of the space at 9533 S. Santa Monica Blvd. that used to house Frankie & Johnnie’s Pizza indicating a new eatery is on the way.  According to the sign, we can soon expect Mediterranean food from a cleverly named Couscous A Gogo.  Not much information out there, just a Facebook page that you can check out here.  

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Mr. B Coffee.Bread Coming Soon To BH

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I just noticed that signs have gone up on the space at 9667 1/2 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills indicating that a new coffee shop, Mr. B Coffee.Bread will soon be opening.  I can’t seem to locate information about the new eatery, only just a Facebook page with not much on it, and a Yelp listing with one review raving about “Asian style cookies”.  I’ll keep my eye on this one…

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Simplethings Disappears In SM

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It was only just back in July of last year that I told you about the opening of Simplethings on the corner of Wilshire and Lincoln in Santa Monica.  Sadly, after a few months of pushing pies, it appears that they have quietly slipped out of their location at 808 Wilshire Blvd.  There’s no official indication, but the restaurant has been gutted and all signage has been removed.  I’ll keep my eye on the space to see if anything else is moving in anytime soon.

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Vito’s Pizza Expands Into Santa Monica

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McCabe’s Bar has sat empty for a while now, and Eater has been wondering what would be moving in since August of last year.  Well now we know.  An ABC application posted high in a window indicates that a branch of West Hollywood’s Vito’s Pizza will soon inhabit the space at 2455 Santa Monica Blvd.  I had a chance to speak with the very enthusiastic and passionate owner of the eponymous restaurant, Vito DiDonato who explained that McCabe’s had left everything in poor shape.  He was looking at a fairly extensive remodel to replace virtually everything.  He optimistically projected an opening roughly in about four months.  We wish him the best of luck…

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Total Wine & More To Open A Store In Santa Monica

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With locations across California and the US, massive wine, beer, and spirits retailer Total Wine & More is opening a store in Santa Monica.  An ABC license recently went up on the chain mail fence surrounding the old Jo-Ann Fabric building  at 1637 Lincoln Blvd., near the corner of Colorado.  It looks like they’ve got a way to go before it opens, but until then, read more about the expanding chain here.

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Santa Monica Farmhouse Coming Soon To Downtown Santa Monica

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Recently I noticed a small pending development permit taped to the front of the building that used to house eclectic design bookshop Hennessey + Ingalls at 214 Wilshire Blvd in Downtown Santa Monica.  If you look carefully at the notice, you can see that the space is being redesigned to change use from a retail space into a full service restaurant.  And what will be the name of the new eatery, that will be sandwiched between Hillstone and California Pizza Kitchen?  The permit lists the applicant as Santa Monica Farmhouse.  There doesn’t seem to be a great deal of information out there yet, just some details of the trademark, but I’ll keep watching.

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Piknic Rebrands As Gulp Playa Vista

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It wasn’t that long ago that Piknic Restaurant, at 13020 Pacific Promenade in Playa Vista was one of the few eateries in the massive developments along Jefferson Blvd.  Now, with The Runway just up the road, you’re spoiled for choice.  So the good folks at Piknic have decided to up their game.  They recently closed down for a little nip and tuck and they will be relaunching on Monday as Gulp Playa Vista.  In addition to a few changes to their look, they will offer 36 tap beers and a redesigned menu that focuses on small and sharable plates intended to accompany the new brews, or so I’m told.

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Honey Boba Now Open In Hawthorne

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For some indeterminable reason, a great many of you have been fascinated with the leaden progress of the two westernmost outlets of “best boba alive” chain Honey Boba.  I haven’t the faintest why it takes them so very long to open:  The LA branch at 11573 W. Santa Monica Blvd. has been sitting idle since 2014.  But there’s been a glimmer of hope… Hawthorne’s cheerful branch of Honey Boba has now opened in the Glen Court shopping center at 5267 Rosecrans Ave.  Read more about them and find other locations here.

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Sweet Crush Gives Up The Ghost In Brentwood

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It was only back in 2012 when I first noticed that a new frozen treat shop was going into the space at 11753 San Vicente Blvd, near Whole Foods.  Sweet Crush Ice Bar opened that year and has been doling out Asian shaved ice ever since… until recently.  Sadly, they have closed, leaving this hopeful message taped to their erstwhile front door promising us that they are not gone for good.

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Blaze Pizza Fires Up Today In Hawthorne: Free Pizza Tomorrow!

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Back in November of last year, I noticed that a branch of “fast fire’d” build-your-own pizza restaurant Blaze Pizza was moving into the spot that used to house Qdoba at 5221 Rosecrans Ave. in Hawthorne (just to the west of the 405).  Well, Blaze will throw open its doors today (Thursday March 3rd).  And to top it off, on Friday (March 4th), if you follow them on social media, you get a free pizza from 11am until 10pm.

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The Gallery Reopens In Santa Monica

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Almost two years ago, I told you about the proposed renovation of the dusty old food court at 1315 Third Street Promenade.  Well, it has taken them long enough, but the flashy new Gallery food hall is now open.  But don’t get yours hope up yet.  Only McDonald’s has reopened and Subway is expected to soon as well, but other than that, nothing else has moved in yet.

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