Sepi’s Expands In Westwood

Posted on April 27, 2018 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that the retail space at 1009 Broxton Ave., that formerly housed women’s clothing boutique Kinsley, is being outfitted to accommodate a new restaurant. An ABC application posted in the window doesn’t indicate a business name, but the applicant is listed as Dunedin Company LLC. A quick search online reveals that Dunedin is the parent company of Westwood’s longtime submarine shop Sepi’s. Since there is no business name offered, this new eatery may be a divergence from suds and subs, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

What’s Going On At Big Catch Seafood House, Brentwood?

Posted on April 26, 2018 by toddrickallen

Brentwood’s branch of Big Catch Seafood House at 12009 Wilshire Blvd. appears to have gone off the deep end. They place appears gutted. There are still a few tables outside, otherwise the space is mostly empty. Yelp is not reporting it as closed yet, and the last review on was on April 16th, but the phone has been disconnected, there is no mention of this location on the company website, and when I went by last night after their usual opening hours to check things out, they were closed. I can’t report with any certainty that they are finished (or possibly restructuring), but things don’t look good… Let me know if anyone has more information.

L’Equipe Café Coming Soon To Sawtelle/Olympic

Posted on April 25, 2018 by toddrickallen

I looks like something new is landing on the corner of Olympic and Sawtelle (11301 W. Olympic Blvd.). A sign is up announcing that L’Equipe Café & Salad Bar will soon be inhabiting the space. There’s not much information out there on L’Equipe, except a Facebook page that you can check out here.

Philz Coffee Opens Tuesday In El Segundo

Posted on April 20, 2018 by toddrickallen

A great many of you have been eagerly anticipating the opening of the El Segundo branch of wildly popular San Francisco-based Philz Coffee, at 2191 Rosecrans Ave. Philz Coffee will officially throw open its doors and begin dispensing mint mojito coffees on Tuesday, April 24. But if you pop by on Monday, April 23rd, you can sample complimentary coffee and pastries. You’re welcome…

Sensible Seasonal Healthy Food Takes Over Fresh Healthy Café In Santa Monica Place

Posted on April 19, 2018 by toddrickallen

The food scene in Santa Monica Place is as mercurial as ever… A banner affixed over the top of the old sign informs us that Fresh Healthy Café has transformed into Sensible Seasonal Healthy Food. Expect a similar menu of smoothies, bowls, salads, panini, and wraps at the free-standing food court lunch counter.

Carvery Kitchen Quits Santa Monica, Lands In LA

Posted on April 18, 2018 by toddrickallen

Recently, I discovered that popular sandwich spot Carvery Kitchen had vacated its space at 3101 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. The space is completely gutted and all signs have been removed. But all is not lost… According to their website, Carvery Kitchen is moving to 8832 Pico Blvd. in LA, previously the home of Mexikosher. I went by to check out their progress. The plucky “Ultimate Deli” had planned on a soft opening April 16th, but they appear to be behind schedule and have a way to go.

The old and the new location…

Kreation Organic Coming To Brentwood… With Beer And Wine!

Posted on April 13, 2018 by toddrickallen

Just a few weeks ago, I told you about the collective gasp from locals when Gaucho Grill quit its location at 11754 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. Wasting no time whatsoever, an ABC application taped to the front of the space indicates that Kreation Organic is moving in. Known for their “pressed juices” and “kleanses”, you probably wouldn’t automatically associate Kreation Organic with beer and wine. I’ll keep my eye on this one…

Mendocino Farms Opens Today (April 12) In Brentwood

Posted on April 12, 2018 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of openings… It was back in December of last year when I figured out that upscale sandwich shop Mendocino Farms was landing in the old Noah’s Bagels space at 11911 San Vicente Blvd. Mendocino Farms officially opens today (April 12th), providing farm-to-table artisan sandwiches and salads to the good people of Brentwood.

Erewhon Opens April 11 In Santa Monica

Posted on April 10, 2018 by toddrickallen

I first noticed that natural foods grocer Erewhon was coming to Santa Monica late last year. After extensive construction, it appears they are about to open. According to the notices pasted on the front, the bright shiny new Erewhon officially opens at 9am on April 11th at 2800 Wilshire Blvd., and features a “beautiful patio, terraced courtyard, and a street-level view of Erewhon’s open kitchen”.

Bluestone Lane Coffee Shop Bringing Flat Whites To Santa Monica

Posted on April 6, 2018 by toddrickallen

Apparently almost over night, a new coffee shop has landed in the old space of the disappeared chain Juice Served Here. With locations on both coasts, and 2 other locations in the LA area, Bluestone Lane is now up and running at 631 Wilshire Blvd. Besides coffee and tea, the Australian coffee shop offers a menu of cold-pressed juices, “grab and go items”, oatmeal, and open-faced toasts including, you guessed it, avocado toast.

Frankland’s Crab & Co. Opens April 5th In Montecito; Phillip Frankland Lee Gives Us A Glimpse Inside

Posted on April 4, 2018 by toddrickallen

A few months ago, we learned from Eater that Phillip Frankland Lee (Scratch Restaurants) was taking over the restaurant spaces in the Montecito Inn. After a number of delays one is about to open, bringing new lifeblood to a community devastated by the Santa Barbara Fires and Mudslides. Recently, I had a chance to speak with the energetic and affable Lee, who was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to give me a glimpse inside his newest eateries. Frankland’s Crab & Co. is set to open April 5, and offers a menu of seafood in a bright and airy casual space with high stools and communal tables. His other Montecito Inn restaurant will be named The Monarch and has a menu of local Santa Barbara products cooked over almond wood: think pizza, pasta, and “We’ll see”. Look for an opening in late summer or early autumn. We wish him the best of luck.

Phillip Frankland Lee inside Frankland’s Crab & Co.

The progress inside The Monarch

Frankland’s Crab & Co. at night

Del Taco Opens In Santa Monica… You’re Welcome

Posted on April 3, 2018 by toddrickallen

Every once in a while, I’m caught off guard by the amount of attention that a post gets. Perhaps its due to the relative lack of fast food options on Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, but ever since I first wrote to tell you about the construction of a Del Taco in an old Jack In The Box location, a great many of you have been checking for updates. So you’ll be pleased to know that Del Taco has opened in its shiny new space at 2423 Wilshire.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

Monthly Archives: April 2018