Monthly Archives: September 2024

Flour Cafe And Pizzeria Coming To Brentwood

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We have a plucky new contender throwing their hat into the ring of a very competitive pizza market in Brentwood.  Window graphics are up on the space 11684 W San Vicente announcing the arrival of Flour Cafe and Pizzeria.  Their website gives a wildly different address in the heart of a residential neighborhood in Santa Monica but confirms a Brentwood location.  Flour has a location in the Palisades and offers a solid menu of New York style pies, as well as salads and sandwiches. 

Pacific Golf Corp. Opening An “Eating Place” In Santa Monica?

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A mysterious ABC application recently appeared on the front of the space at 828 Pico Blvd, Ste 5.  The business name on the application is Pacific Golf Corp.  A cursory search of the name and the names associated with this business produce no obvious results.  All we know is that this will be an “on-sale beer & wine eating place”.  If you have more information, let me know…

MR CHOW NOW coming to Century City

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There’s plywood over one of the stalls in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center announcing the arrival of MR CHOW NOW.  What is that, and what is its relationship to nearby MR CHOW, Beverly Hills’ glittering branch of the exclusive and iconic MR CHOW empire?  According to this job site, this will be a “fast casual expansion” of the brand.  Not many other details so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  (I’m hoping for hand-pulled noodles?)  They are aiming for a late Autumn opening.

Santa 

Recent Closures In Westwood Village

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Readers were sending me news of recent closures in Westwood Village, so I went by to have a look.  Sure enough, after five and a half years, Tocaya Organica has decamped from their commodious location at 1140 Gayley Ave.  Also recently disappeared is Pressed Juicery from their address at 10878 Kinross Ave.  I’ll keep my eye on the spaces to see what may develop…

Kabob Village Coming Soon To Westwood

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It appears Westwood is getting a new Persian restaurant.  There’s window paper up at 1777 Westwood Blvd., once home to much beloved Indonesian institution Ramayani, announcing the arrival of Kabob Village.  Kabob Village has a couple of locations across LA and offers an extensive and solid menu of classics like shish kabob, koobideh, falafel, and tahdig.

Companion Bringing Friendly Vibes To Venice

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On a tip from a reader (Thanks Jeff!) I went by the former location of Matthew Kenney’s ill-fated pizza restaurant Double Zero at 1700 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice to see what was going on.  You may recall that an ABC application went up earlier this year announcing the new business as Gnarwal Coffee Co., the socially conscious organic coffee purveyor with a location on Main Street in Santa Monica.  It appears the concept has pivoted slightly, and they have since opened under the name Companion.  The new self-described neighborhood cafe and restaurant is currently open from 7am to 3pm for coffee, pastry, and sandwiches with the promise of dinner and wine soon.  Until then, read more about their vision and food here.

What’s Going On At The Old Brentwood Restaurant & Lounge Space?

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Brentwood Village is having a moment…  There’s a new ABC application on the front door of 148 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood Village, previously home to beloved local hotspot Brentwood Restaurant & Lounge and ill-fated Baja Norte.  The space is completely gutted, and there’s not much information on the new eatery.  But if you examine the ABC application, a familiar name is listed: Dana Slatkin.  Dana Slatkin is none other than one of the people behind Westwood’s French culinary powerhouse Violet.  The business name on the application is listed as “Glenbarr”, but what I’m hearing is that the new business’ name will be The Wilkes.  (I do not have confirmation for this.)  Rumor has it this will be a return to the loungey superclub feel of the old Brentwood Restaurant & Lounge.  You’ve got my attention…

Terroni Brentwood Coming Soon

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If you were wondering what was going on behind the build-out at 155 S Barrington Place in Brentwood Village, I’ve got answers.  An ABC application was recently posted on the front that gives us proof this will be the location of Terroni Brentwood.  And while What Now Los Angeles broke the news earlier this year, the license application confirms it.  The people behind Terroni, Grupo Terroni, operate a series of Italian eateries across the region, including Terroni Beverly and La Bettola LA.  The focus is on Italian with “authenticity and tradition” utilizing quality ingredients imported from Italy for their pastas and pizzas.  Brentwood sure does love Italian food.  Remember that the legendary Peppone, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, old-school Divino, and the recently opened and quite splendid All Roads are all about a block away…

Osteria Del Fornaio Disappears From Downtown Santa Monica

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This caught me by surprise, but I’ve been hearing rumors portending this for quite a while.  Sadly, after an extensive build-out that culminated in a triumphant return to Santa Monica, Osteria Del Fornaio has closed its doors at 401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 140.   People were genuinely excited when they opened only back in April of 2022, with a bright fresh look and a popular happy hour.  I’m not sure what happened, but the space is currently being gutted.  I’m told this location is not destined to be empty for long.  More rumors are circulating about the new tenant, which I can’t confirm at this time.   Watch this space…