It appears that a new eatery is taking over the former Plant Food and Wine space at 1009 Abbot Kinney in Venice. Window paper and a new ABC application are declaring that Alisa Greek Restaurant is setting up housekeeping at the address. While the website is still being developed, What Now Los Angeles has more details here.
Here are some upcoming changes coming soon to The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax: Eastern European experts Stara are bringing pierogi and kielbasa the mix. Here’s a look at their menu. And on the Northern side of the food court, there’s a banner up declaring the new inhabitant to be none other than beloved iconic Italian sandwich chain All’Antico Vinaio. Their website also spills the beans of a new Santa Monica location as well. SMDP has the full skinny on the upcoming Downtown Santa Monica location here.
New York’s crazy/popular purveyor of baked goods is opening a second LA location. There’s window paper up on the old Lemonade space at 1661 Abbot Kinney announcing the arrival of Levain Bakery. Levain Bakery began in NYC in 1995 and has since grown to a smattering of locations around New York and other locations including Larchmont Village. They are famous for ridiculously good handmade cookies that they describe as, “crispy, chewy, soft and melty”.
(Thanks Robert!)
This important information from my inbox:
There a new banner hanging on one of the spaces in the strip mall on the corner of Sawtelle and Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA (11281 Santa Monica Blvd.). Bangkok BBQ Bowl is now in soft opening and offers a menu of “authentic Thai BBQ” with such things as beef khao soi, krapow chicken rice bowl, and “sexy wings” (their signature wings glazed with a house-made sauce). As an opening promotion, you can get a free Thai tea when you order a rice bowl. Check out their full menu here.
It’s been so deeply painful to witness the devastation to our community and others over the past week. My heart aches for those who have lost so much. The sadness hangs in the air as thickly as the smoke. But so does resiliency. I’m buoyed by the fortitude and determination to rebuild and to assist. I have an immense amount of appreciation and gratitude for first responders who tirelessly risk their own lives. I will be back with more content soon, but right now my attention is on helping my community begin to heal. Please consider making donations to organizations that are on the ground right now, such as World Central Kitchen and the American Red Cross. Be safe over the next few days.
Update: Read Derek’s comment below for more ways to donate.
A reader has done some detective work and believes he has uncovered that Florida health and wellness brand Pura Vida Miami is moving into the former home of The Farm of Beverly Hills, at 439 N Beverly Dr. While I cannot absolutely confirm this, the recent window paper, which doesn’t name the new business, does contain the phrases “Another Day in Paradise”, “Health is Happiness”, and “From Miami with Love”. These phrases point to Pura Vida‘s mission statement on their website. What Now Los Angeles also has this story about a Malibu location. If true, these would be the first West Coast outposts for the healthy eatery.
(Thanks MC!)
The Good People of Santa Monica love an outdoor cafe. Along Montana Ave., La La Land, Sogno Toscano, Bardonna, and M&D Margos are packed virtually all day long. Another success story is French charmer Le Cafe de la Plage, at 1301 Montana Ave. They recently expanded their outdoor seating area, and now it appears they are also taking over the adjacent storefront at 1303 Montana, most recently home to lauded raw seafood purveyor Savida.
Toddrickallen 