I’d like to take this moment to thank all my dedicated readers and everyone who visits this site and wish all a very Happy Thanksgiving. I’m so very grateful to you for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the excitement of the LA food scene. May your Holiday be a warm celebration filled with great food, family and friends, fun!
I first caught wind a New York-based “high-quality mochi ice cream” shop was opening its first West Coast location back in May of 2023. It took a long time (this is Santa Monica after all), but Mochidoki finally threw open their doors at 1133 Montana Ave in August of last year. Sadly, after a little more than a year, it appears Mochidoki has closed up shop at this location. If you’ve become a fan, you can still find their icy treats at the locations listed s on the poster below.
The space at 11916 Wilshire in Brentwood has gone through a number of incarnations over the last few years. Most recently it was The Upper Crust Pizza. Before that it was a French restaurant, and before that another pizzeria. But now a new name has gone up on the iconic sign: Doner Corner is moving in and refurbishing the space. Promising “the true essence of Turkish cuisine”, you can expect a menu of doner, falafel, kibbeh, hummus, and more.
Well, that didn’t take long… It was about a month-and-a-half ago that I told you about the arrival of San Francisco chocolatier Ghirardelli to the space at 1541 Ocean Ave. in Downtown Santa Monica. Wasting no time whatsoever, they will be hosting the opening ceremony of the new “Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop” on Wednesday November 20, with a ribbon cutting at 1pm. The first 100 guests will receive a “World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae”.
A new beverage company is throwing their hat into the ring of the constantly evolving restaurant scene at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. There’s plywood up on the space just to the left of the upcoming Rumi’s Kitchen announcing the arrival of Chagee Moderrn Tea House. Chagee (pronounced CHAH-jee) was founded in Yunnan in 2017 and has since spread to over 5,000 stores worldwide with the most being in Malaysia. This location is part of an expansion into the US. They are apparently famous for their milk tea, as well as other drinks, and their Dior-esque packaging. Look for a Spring 2025 opening. Until then, you can read more about the company here.
Local laid-back neighborhood spot Ingo’s Tasty Diner, at 1213 Wilshire in Santa Monica, has been closed for years. What was expected to be a quick remodel started… and then completely stopped. Over a year ago, a new spate of construction prompted me to write an update. Not much happened after that and many believed that the project was dead. Recently however, there is renewed activity. As you may recall, Ingo’s has taken over the old Vienna Bakery space next door. Window paper has gone up with images of New York, LA, and even Julia Child, and there is a paper in one of the windows with the name Diner Antonette. LGO Hospitality Group (the parent company for Ingo’s, The Misfit, Luggage Room Pizza, and others) is still behind the project, and the website promises a return of Ingo’s Tasty Diner. Why the delay? I’m told that parts of the building are historic and complicated the permit process. But now construction is fast and furious (although they appear to have a way to go) and I’m also told they are hoping to be open by “The Holidays”.
Ever since well-regarded Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House ended its short life in the old P.F. Chang’s space on the corner of Wilshire and 4th in Downtown Santa Monica, people have been peppering me with questions about what was taking over. Construction began very quickly, and just last week, window paper went up announcing the new tenant. Mikomi Sushi was founded in Monrovia in 2007 with a mission to “provide food made with quality ingredients and equally quality service”. They offer a solid menu of sushi, sashimi, and rolls. This will be their third location, and they are aiming for an opening in early 2025.
A new Mexican restaurant has suddenly appeared in the old Mercado space at 1416 4th St. in Downtown Santa Monica. Desvelados Cantina officially threw open their doors on Friday (Nov. 1). This is their sixth location, with the other branches being mostly east of here. Self-described as “An elevated taste of Mexico”, look for an extensive (and delicious looking) menu of classic food and drinks with an emphasis on tacos. We wish them the best of luck.
Combining art with food/drink appears to be a trend in Santa Monica. I recently told you about The Splatter Studio, and now there’s another new venture as well. Billing itself as a “paint-your-own-pottery studio and cafe”, Clay Cafe is moving into the space at 620 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. Their website reveals that, in addition to the clay studio, they will operate a coffee shop that “serves a wide variety of hot and cold beverages and light snacks”.
Toddrickallen 