There’s window paper up on the space at 9725 Culver Blvd. (previously home to the doomed Sestina) announcing the impending arrival of Nardò. With two other locations in West Hollywood and Huntington Beach, Nardò promises an authentic Southern Italian menu with such things as woodfired Neapolitan pizza and homemade pastas. Looks like they’re aiming for a late May opening. Until then, check out their West Hollywood location’s menu for an idea of what may be coming.
I know this is being widely reported in other places, but I’m still receiving messages from shocked readers so I’m passing this on as well. West LA’s fave nostalgic poultry purveyor Dinah’s Family Restaurant is closing at their longtime location of 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd. Open since 1959, Dinah’s drips with childhood memories for many locals, and I personally know people who make a pilgrimage to Dinah’s on their birthdays. All is not lost though, a large banner on the front informs us that they are moving to a new location at 4130 Sepulveda Suite G, with an opening date of May 6th. Thanks to all who wrote to let me know…
A fresh new dining option opened last Friday (April 19th) in community “smart kitchen” The Colony at 11419 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA. Plant-based sushi specialists Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi has partnered with Kakkoi Sushi to create an exciting menu that combine’s Kakkoi‘s “Russian-Spanish-European fusion” with Niku Nashi‘s innovative vegan sushi. Hours are 11am to 9pm and you can dine in on their patio or opt for take-away or delivery. We wish them the best of luck.
This was certainly a surprise… I’m hearing from shocked readers that Culver City’s branch of classic health food store Co-opportunity Market has disappeared from their location at 8770 Washington Blvd. The Co-op began life in 1974 in Santa Monica, where it continues to exist. This location opened in 2017 and appeared to be tracking a more Erewhon vibe than its old school hippie predecessor. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the space to see what may develop.
(Thanks again, Andrew!)
Something new is coming to the Shore Hotel at 1515 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica. There’s plywood up and an announcement naming the new spot to “Dine. Lounge. Celebrate.” as Shoreside. Near as I can tell, Shoreside will be a new dining terrace and bar. It looks like they’re aiming for a summer opening.
Cozy local java joint Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is apparently branching out from its buzzy Main Street location to an even buzzier neighborhood. There’s an ABC application up at 1700 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice, previously home to the troubled Double Zero, letting us know that Gnarwhal is moving in. I’m sure that organic, socially responsible coffee will be on the menu, but so will beer and wine according to the ABC app, so this may be a slightly different concept that their Main St. branch.
It looks like a new specialty drink spot is setting up housekeeping at 10911 Lindbrook in Westwood Village. There’s a large banner over the former Yogurtland space announcing the arrival of Le Phant Milk Tea Co. Not much on social media yet, but we have this from the Westwood Village Business Directory: “We are 2 quirky twenty-agers who want to share our best version of milk teas. We brew premium loose-leaf teas, mix it with our house creamer (no preservative-filled powders utilized), and add on made-from-scratch muscovado brown sugar boba. We can’t wait to serve you all.” We wish them the best of luck…
A well-known farmer’s market fixture appears to be getting a brick-and-mortar in Palms. A very sharp-eyed reader noticed the (very faint) window paper up on the space at used to be the home to C&M Cafe, at 10640 Woodbine St (corner of Overland). Daniel’s Bagels offers a solid menu of hand-made bagel standards that have quickly become local favorites.
(Thanks Daniel!)
While there is already a (sort of) branch of British powerhouse sandwich chain Pret a Manger at Tom Bradley in LAX, Los Angeles is about to get its very own stand-alone location. Also simply known as Pret, there is new window paper up at 901 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood Village announcing the happy news. If you are unfamiliar with the brand, Pret a Manger (which means ready to eat in French) is a popular grab-and-go prepared sandwich chain that began life in 1983 in London and has since spread to many countries and locations across the globe (including New York and Chicago), and soon here as well. While I don’t know what the menu will be like here in LA, I can tell you that when I’m in London, which is usually about once a year, I never miss the opportunity to grab one of their delectable super fresh sandwiches. I usually stuff a few in my suitcase as well. This is certainly exciting news….
Update: This is apparently a developing story, and readers are writing to let me know a branch is heading for the old Breadblok space in Studio City, as well as possibly at least one more somewhere else…
Crowd-pleasing frozen treat purveyor Yogurtland appears to be moving locations in Downtown Santa Monica. They currently have a longtime location at 304 Santa Monica Blvd. But there is new plywood up at 1321 Third St. Promenade announcing the move. Yogurtland began life in 2006 in Fullerton and has since spread to over 250 locations in the US and elsewhere. They pride themselves on the “highest quality ingredients and flavors”.
Toddrickallen 