Monthly Archives: May 2016

Flower Child Set To Open June 14th

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It was back in December when I first noticed that Flower Child, one of Fox Restaurant Concepts brands (True Food Kitchen, North Italia), was going to be sharing the renovated Laemmle Theater space at 1332 Second Street in Downtown Santa Monica.  Eater told us that June was the projected opening.  Now we have a date:  According to a spokesperson, Flower Child will begin dispensing good vibes on June 14th.  Look for a menu of organic, locally sourced, and additive free, “healthy food for a happy world”.

FlowerChild

 

The Commons Ale House Bids A Colorful Goodbye To Santa Monica

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The Commons Ale House has had its share of troubles in the past, but all that is behind them now.  A letter, hand-penned in marker and affixed to the front door at 129 Broadway, bids a colorful goodbye to Downtown Santa Monica and a thank you to its erstwhile customers.  It appears that they closed down after last weekend, and no reason for the abrupt closure is given.  I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what develops.

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The Gallery Slowly Coming Back To Life In Santa Monica

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Back in March, I told you about the opening of the food hall The Gallery at 1315 Third Street Promenade after a two-year renovation.  While there appears to be a great deal of activity, almost all the stalls are still without tenants.  However, joining McDonald’s, Subway has returned to the The Gallery and is now open.  I’ll keep watching the other spaces…

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Ono Poke Coming To El Segundo

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As poke hysteria grips the Westside, we learn of yet another raw fish establishment vying for a place at the table.  Back in December I told you about the demise of El Segundo’s Salad Creations at 2259 E Maple Ave. in The Edge at Campus El Segundo, next to the giant Elevon complex currently under construction.  Signs have recently gone up on the space indicating that the new tenant will be Ono Poke Hawaiian Poke Bowl.  No word on an opening date, but I’ll keep watching.

OnoPoke

All About The Bread Closes In Century City

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They’re dropping like flies in Century City…  It was only back in December of last year that I noticed that Melrose’s specialty sandwich shop All About The Bread had quietly slipped into the turbulent waters of the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.  Sadly, they have abandoned their space in the rapidly changing mall.  That brings the total number of vacancies to three…

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Pizzana Is The Name Of The New Daniele Pizza Concept In Brentwood

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I’ve been watching the space at 11712 San Vicente Blvd. that once housed Adoteca and Osteria Latini before that.  The last news was the ABC license application posted on the front that indicated that something called Daniele Pizza was moving in.  Eater did a little digging and discovered that the people behind Daniele were none other than the founders of the cupcake empire Sprinkles, Candace and Charles Nelson.  Well, plywood recently went up on the space informing us that the real name of the new restaurant will be… Pizzana.  The ABC license still lists the business as Daniele, however the owner is now listed as Pizzana LLC instead of Daniele LLC.  But it’s still the Nelsons who are behind the venture.  Their website hasn’t been developed yet, so I can only speculate about what they have in mind.  But I will definitely keep an anticipatory eye on this development…

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Spinfish Poke House Dropping Anchor In Santa Monica Soon

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It’s poke mania on the Westside!  It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about the demise of Santa Monica’s short-lived branch of pie shop Simplethings, at  808 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Lincoln).  Wasting no time whatsoever, signs have gone up on the space indicating that a branch of Pasadena’s Spinfish Poke House will be rapidly moving in.  Their website alludes to a new location (“We are dropping our anchor on another port!”) and encourages us to follow clues, but I think we’ve solved the mystery.  The windows are papered over so I can’t assess the progress, but I’ll keep watching…

SpinfishPokeHouse

 

New Openings In Westwood Village…

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Not long ago, I told you about some upcoming new restaurants hitting the Westwood Village food scene.  Since then, both establishments have opened.  Asian dumpling experts Northern Café has thrown open its doors at 1064 Gayley Ave.  Additionally, icy treat purveyors Frostalicious is now providing the good people of Westwood with Taiwanese shaved ice at 10967 Weyburn Ave.

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Juicy Ladies Bringing “Healthy Lifestyle” To The Beach Soon

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With one location in Woodland Hills, “healthy lifestyle” experts Juicy Ladies are expanding to a free-standing building at 17361 Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades, just one block from PCH.  Besides juices and smoothies, look for a menu of eggs, sandwiches and wraps, bowls, and vegan desserts.  No word on an opening date, but until then, check out their menu and read more here.

JuicyLadies

 

Farm Stand Closes In El Segundo: El Gringo Kanteen Moving In…

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After 10 years of delivering “urban country” food to the good people of El Segundo, local fave Farm Stand closed its doors recently at their 422 Main St. location.  Wasting no time whatsoever, an ABC license transfer application posted in the window informs us that a new restaurant, El Gringo Kanteen will be taking over the space.  EGK appears to be related to the South Bay chain El Gringo Mexican Restaurant, because the name on the ABC app., William Phillip Graw, makes a showing on their licenses as well.  No word on an opening, but I’ll keep watching…

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The Juicy Bird Flies The Coop In Century City

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With all of the upcoming changes to the notoriously capricious food scene of the new Westfield Century Shopping Center currently under construction, I’ve been watching the extant restaurants very closely.  Even with the promise of the new and glam 2.0 version of the popular shopping and dining destination, expected some time next year, the mall is still bleeding eateries.  Recently, Seiki-Shi Sushi bit the dust.  And now it looks like longtime food court poultry purveyor The Juicy Bird has vacated their space.  I’ll continue to keep watching the changes…

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