I’m hearing from shocked readers that popular local party spot BJ”s Restaurant & Brewhouse has served their last pizza after a 28-year run at 938 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village. A gracious notice in the window announces the sad news and directs fans to their other locations in Culver City, Glendale, and Burbank. BJ’s closure leaves one sole business left on the west side of this once busy block, Falafel, Inc.
Ever since Marmalade Cafe closed up shop at its longtime location of 710 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, readers have been demanding answers as to what would take over the space. Construction began quickly and the speculation was wild. I’d been hearing whispers of the incoming tenant, but now we have proof. New York’s celebrated H&H Bagels is taking up residence at this location, as confirmed by their website. H&H began in New York in 1972 and uses the “artisanal water bagel method” that produces results for which fans go crazy and many consider to be the quintessential bagel. They are in the midst of a national expansion, and this will be their first West Coast store.
Many of you have been excitedly writing to let me know of a new pizza option in Westwood Village so I’m sharing the news. Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizza has recently thrown open their doors at 10889 Lindbrook Dr. Danny Boy’s has another location in DTLA and in addition to NYC-style pies, offers a menu of sandwiches, salads, and (eventually at this location), “grab ‘n’ go cold sandwiches and spaghetti & meatballs”.
The shopping center on the corner of Olympic and Sawtelle has been undergoing renovations for a while now. This opened up the opportunity for new businesses to move in. One of these, Ramen Chikumo, is building out the space at 11301 W Olympic #118. According to the website, Ramen Chikumo was founded in Tokyo a little over a year ago and has two locations in Taipei. Their mission is to “bring happiness and excitement to our customers” with the “best ramen there is”.
It appears the people behind Beverly Hills’ popular sophisticated steakhouse Matū are bringing their passion for exceptional beef to Brentwood. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Jack!) noticed an ABC application on the front of a former men’s clothing store at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Ste 134, just to the right of Katsuya. While the application doesn’t give away the business name, the applicant is Grass Fed Wagyu LLC, the parent company behind the stylish steakhouse. The online application does appear to confirm that this will be the location of a new Matū. Construction is underway, so an opening may be a way off, but until then, read about restauranteur Jerry Greenberg‘s (UOVO, SUGARFISH, HiHo Cheeseburger) pursuit of steak perfection here.
Ice Cream people, you’re in luck. A brand-new branch of old school ice cream brand Baskin-Robbins is opening in the strip mall at 11870 Santa Monica Blvd. (near Bundy). Baskin-Robbins began life in 1945 in Glendale offering 31 flavors. It has since spread to over 2,400 US locations, and according to the website, 1,400 flavors are now on offer.
In yet more Italian news…. Window paper is up on the old Cafe Buna space at 552 Washington Blvd. in Marina del Rey informing us that Fratelli Cafe is taking up housekeeping at this address. The “casual upscale cafe” specializes in breakfast and lunch and has another location on Melrose.
(Thanks Trevor!)
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Michael!) noticed an ABC application on a not-easy-to-spot build-out in Brentwood. It appears to reveal that breezy coffee and casual dining spot Great White is setting up housekeeping at 11660 Darlington Ave, right behind A.O.C. Great White bills itself as an “all day cafe” at its three other choice locations across LA, and offers a menu of breakfast, sandwiches, bowls, share plates, and pizza that you can check out here.
There’s window paper up on the old Sunmerry Bakery spot at 2129 Sawtelle Blvd. in Sawtelle Japantown. It appears to show that a new Izakaya-style restaurant, Tsukiji Gindaco Sakaba, is taking up residence. Also known simply as Gindaco, they have locations in Japan and Gardena and offer what they describe as “Nippon fast food”, perhaps in the form of takoyaki, or fried balls of dough containing octopus.
Imagine my surprise when I looked at an official City website listing changes to Downtown Santa Monica and noticed two names on the list of which I was unaware. The first of these was popular Brazilian carnivore paradise Fogo De Chão. A little more digging revealed a trade website that appears to confirm that the churrasco steakhouse is moving into the old Del Frisco’s Grille location at 1551 Ocean Ave, a prime address facing the iconic Santa Monica Pier. The second surprise on the list is Napa Valley institution Gott’s Roadside. While I have a few suspicions, I am unable to confirm the address for Gott’s. If you have answers, let me know.
Toddrickallen 