The old Wokcano Space at 1413 5th St. in Downtown Santa Monica has sat empty for quite a while. But the commodious location is about to get a new tenant. An ABC application lists the new business as Nic’s. I don’t have any information on this business, so if you know more, pass it along…
Update: Readers are letting me know that this is actually a seafood restaurant named Oasis.
We’ve known for a while that cozy neighborhood darling Met Her At A Bar was expanding to Santa Monica. Now we know where. There’s an ABC application posted on the front of the extensive build-out at 2615 Main St. in Santa Monca that lets us know this is the future branch of Met Her At The Bar. The self-described “hip little neighborhood cafe” has a location on S. La Brea Ave. and is known for Belgian waffles and coffee.
People have been demanding answers from me ever since crazy-popular boba shop Odd One Out Craft Milk Tea announced on their website that there was to be another branch opening in Santa Monica. They didn’t give an address, but the map on the website gave the impression that it was going to be located in the Third Street Promenade. Now we know: Fencing and ‘Odd One Out” banners are now up on the “Market Pavilion” kiosk just to the north of Santa Monica Blvd (1260 Third St. Promenade). With a location in Sawtelle Japantown, Odd One Out hails from Taiwan and was previously the winner of the Taiwan Milk Tea Festival.
Sadly, it appears the reign of mint mojito coffee is coming to an end in Downtown Santa Monica. There’s a gracious notice on the front door of the Philz Coffee at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. that states their last day will be April 30, 2024. Not sure what happened to this branch of the Bay Area third wave coffee darling, but if you’re desperate for a cup of minty caffeinated goodness, check out their other locations here.
(Thanks Ely!)
It looks like a new java joint is poised to caffeinate the sleepy students at SaMo High. Window paper us up on the easily overlooked corner spot at 707 Pico Blvd. announcing the arrival of Little Bean Cold Brew. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of information out there, and there are other coffeeshops that use the term “little bean” in their names, but this one will offer “specialty small batch cold brew”. Let me know if you have more information…
Tucked into a corner space at Found Santa Monica, at 12311 Santa Monica Blvd, is a build-out on a new Mexican restaurant. Promising “lobster tacos” and “beach vibes”, The Cliffdiver appears to be settling in. The Cliffdiver has a location in Thousand Oaks and boasts a menu of favorites (and a good happy hour) in a chill setting.
The entire Westside heaved a sigh of relief when I reported that bakery darling Sweet Lady Jane had been saved from oblivion. (Read the story of how that happened here.) But, after a triumphant opening of some locations this week, Santa Monica’s newly opened branch has apparently hit a snag. There’s an LA County notice of closure affixed to the front door. There’s also an explanation from the current owner, who places the blame squarely on “ex-owners who didn’t request permits for their remodels”. They are apparently scrambling to make things right as soon as possible. The drama of the triple berry cake continues…
It looks like The Golden Triangle is about to get a lot sweeter. There’s window paper up on the space that has housed many businesses, but most recently John Kelly Chocolates, at 9523 S Santa Monica Blvd. Hey Tea began life in 2012 in Guangdong, China and offers a proprietary “New Style” of tea that uses “real milk, real fruits, real premium tea, and real cane sugar” with intriguing flavors such as “Very Grape Cheezo”, “Very Persimmon Crystal”, and “Roasted Brown Bobo Milk”.
As I’ve been telling you, sleek Montana Ave in Santa Monca is becoming quite a food destination. New eateries are popping up all over the stylish street. Le Cafe de la Plage recently opened. Van Lueewen and Oakberry are on the way. Now it looks like the space right next to Oakberry will soon be home to a new bakery. Window paper is up on 709 Montana announcing the arrival of Fōnuts. The self-described “enlightened donut” purveyor has a location on West 3rd and a location in Studio City and offers a menu with a variety of healthy baked options that are gluten-free and vegan.
Toddrickallen 