A charming new taco spot has landed at 11714 San Vicente Blvd., just to the right of Pizzana in Brentwood. Serving from a counter with outdoor seating, Tu Madre opened on Friday to excited patrons. Tu Madre has five other locations across LA and is known for their innovative tacos and burritos including the signature fried chicken taco, as well as margarita flights.
Big changes coming to Santa Monica’s tony Montana Ave… Art’s Table, at 1002 Montana, abruptly closed recently and construction has begun on a new venture. An ABC application went up this week announcing the new eatery as Terra Torry. And Art’s sister restaurant M&D Margos Kitchen at 1534 Montana recently went dark with papered over windows. Hastily scrawled notes on the windows declare that they are “closed for remodel by owner”. Yelp is listing them as closed. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Charles!) spotted a notice on the door of the tiny former Antequera Bakery space at 1704 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. French Boulangerie Patisserie Des Croissants Paris appears to be taking up housekeeping at the address. Des Croissants Paris has a presence at a number of local farmers markets, and a brick-and-mortar in Culver City. Proclaiming themselves as “proudly French”, they offer freshly baked artisanal croissants, pastries and sandwiches made with quality French ingredients.
A new coffee concept is landing in Venice. Window paper is up on the space at 540 Rose Ave., previously home to Jeni’s Ice Creams, announcing the arrival of Dayglow. Dayglow began in Silverlake in 2018 and has spread to a smattering of locations. They offer “unique coffees, from unique roasters, for unique experiences” with an emphasis on tasting notes.
Signs are already up on a new “Cal-Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria” at 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica, formerly home to a Coffee Bean and Mrs. Winston’s. Cosetta appears to be the latest project from Chef Zack Pollack (Alimento, Cosa Buona) and is described on this website as a “high-end pizza restaurant featuring a full bar and liquor license”. It looks like they are planning on opening soon.
(Thanks Charles!)
While this is being widely reported in other sources, I’m hearing from excited readers that Santa Monica’s hotly anticipated branch of dumpling experts Din Tai Fung is about to throw open their doors on the third floor of Santa Monica Place in Downtown Santa Monica, across from always-busy The Cheesecake Factory. According to the website, they are soft opening with a limited preview menu on February 20th, with a grand opening scheduled for February 28th. Hours are 11am to 9pm, and you can reserve a spot here. With its sleek, stylish design and loads of space, could it bring a revival to the sputtering mall?
Cult fave bakery Sweet Red Peach is expanding. With a smattering of locations around SoCal and two in Georgia, residents of the Westside will soon be able to sample the legendary cakes, pies, and pastries at 11907 Olympic Blvd. in West LA, at least according to the banner currently hanging over the location. While you’re waiting for that slice of red velvet, read the backstory on the business here.
With a location in The Original Farmers Market, it appears that loaf experts Gone Bananas Bread is expanding. There’s a banner and new signage up at 13016 San Vicente Blvd. announcing the news. This address had previously been the home of local favorite A Votre Sante since 1987. Read about Gone Bananas Bread’s story here and check out their menu of proprietary quick bread loaves such as the Big Banana here.
Update: Thanks, Jay, for doing the footwork on this. Beloved local institution A Votre Sante is NOT closed. They remain open and will share the location with Gone Bananas Bread.
With its much-lauded tonkotsu ramen that once caused a sensation in New York, award-winning Ippudo has been slowly making inroads into the West Coast. A sharp-eyed reader noticed that they are moving into the space at 3847 Main St. in Downtown Culver City. Founded in 1985 in Fukuoka City, Japan, they opened their first US location in 2008 in New York and have since spread to locations in Bay Area and West Hollywood. This will be the second LA location for the exacting noodle chain (although there was briefly a Santa Monica outpost).
(Thanks Mitch!)
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