It’s that time of year when popular vegan chain Veggie Grill unveils its Winter menu. Included on this year’s menu are: Turkey Dinner Sandwich, Koreatown Tacos, Pumpkin Spice Cake, and a new item from the Beyond Meat people that they’re referring to as a “game changer”, the VG Beyond Burger. Check out the entire menu of seasonal additions to their regular here.
I’m so very grateful to all who visit this blog and wish all readers a very Happy Holiday Season filled with laughter, joy, and of course, delicious food! (The diet can start Monday…)
Years ago, if you went to a movie in Westwood (yes, people used to do that), chances are you stopped by Jerry’s Deli beforehand. Unfortunately, Jerry’s went extinct in Westwood three years ago and the iconic, cavernous space at 10925 Weyburn Ave. has sat empty ever since. I’ve been watching to see who would finally take down the decrepid for lease sign and breathe new life into an old classic. Well, signs did come down recently, and sadly, according to the notice of public hearing posted on the front, the old Jerry’s will be a future “financial service center”.
Selling pizza to hungry students in Westwood is like shooting fish in a barrel, but competition is stiff. Back in 2014, the build-you-own concept Open Oven Pizza opened its doors to the hungry masses at 1131 Westwood Blvd. While there is no clear indication of closure, it has sat idle for a while and Yelp is declaring it closed, so I’m calling it closed as well.
When I popped into buzzy Erven, the eatery that inhabits the old RFD space at 514-516 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, to sample the much-lauded beer battered tofu sandwich, the staff that evening looked particularly chuffed. I assumed that was because of the recent attention being showered on the vegan restaurant, and a good review from Jonathon Gold. So when I congratulated them on their review, I got this response: “Which one?” While it’s not out in print yet, turns out that Erven has just been named #1 of Los Angeles’ Best New Restaurants of 2016 by Los Angeles Magazine. You can see for yourself here. Congratulations!
Ummm… I can’t entirely grasp the concept here, but if you’ve ever lamented the fact that you had to stop in two places to satisfy your pizza and macaron fix, you’re in luck! It appears that both will be the bill of fare at an upcoming new restaurant at 2029 Westwood Blvd. Apparently, the man associated with this venture, Aman Shekarchi, knows a thing or two about macarons. He’s the name behind a wholesale pastry site Monkey Macarons. Not sure when The Pizza Mac will open, but the world will be waiting with bated breath.
The good folks of Santa Monica and environs are fiercely loyal to their small independent markets such as Vicente Foods, Bob’s Market, and The Farms. But the king of them all? That would have to be Co+opportunity Market and Deli, with its fanatically dedicated local following. I recently noticed that Co+opportunity will soon be spreading the love in Culver City, with a second location going into a bright and airy space in the new Access development at 8770 Washington Blvd., across from that palace of all things culinary, Surfas. Expect an opening sometime next year.
I’ve been carefully watching the bleeding of eateries from the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. While I don’t have confirmation, I’m beginning to wonder if the restaurants must leave because of an upcoming renovation to the court to keep it in line with the flashy new mall, set to be unveiled sometime next year. The latest casualty: Asian bun and noodle joint Take A Bao recently disappeared. As always, I’ll keep my eye on things…
It was only back in September that I told you that clandestine celeb fave Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano at 714 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica was going to be taken over by a newcomer. I’d known for a while that hard-working restaurateur Vincenzo Nicoletta was looking to move on. Now it’s official: Osteria Bigoli has thrown open its doors and is now serving pasta to the good people of NoMa. Even though I’m hearing from readers who are lamenting the loss of their old favorite dishes from Vincenzo, check out what the new restaurant offers here.
Back in May, San Diego’s Luna Grill opened its first LA area location in La Canada Flintridge. Looks like they’re expanding. Paper is covering the windows on the corner space of the new Harlow apartment building at 9901 Washington Blvd. (corner of Dunn Dr.) in Culver City announcing that Luna Grill is moving in. Look for a “fresh Mediterranean” menu of salads, hummus, wraps, falafel, and kabob that you can read more about here.
It appears that the Westside’s fave go-to spot for mini cupcakes is heading east. Signs are up in the window and their website confirms that Vanilla Bake Shop will soon be opening at 88 E. Colorado Blvd. in Old Town Pasadena. No word on when that opening date will be, but you can still pick up your macarons at their Santa Monica or Culver City locations.
Toddrickallen 