LA Wine & Food Festival Nov. 7 – Nov. 9 In Santa Monica

From my Inbox:

LA Wine & Food Fest

Friday, Nov. 7th-Sunday, Nov. 9th / Barker Hanger Santa Monica

VIP 6:30pm, GA 7:30pm / $175-$389

“The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival hosted by Tastemade is a vibrant celebration of the city’s dynamic culinary scene, rich multicultural flavors, and boundless creativity taking place on November 7-9, 2025, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Over three days, guests will savor dishes from exciting local and internationally acclaimed chefs, sip beverage selections from top regional and international producers, and experience the cultural mosaic that makes this city a global food capital.  From innovative tasting experiences to immersive pop-ups and artistic food installations, the festival is a feast for the senses—where food, culture, and art merge in the most delicious and Angelyne way.”

* FRIENDS OF SPIN * USE CODE “LAWine20” FOR 25% OFF TICKETS!

 

Three Flavors Bringing Asian Flavors To Venice

A small banner has appeared in the window of the space at 235 Main St. in Venice, previously home to The Anchor Venice. A new eatery named Three Flavors appears to be moving in. I don’t have much information on this establishment, other than the banner promises an interesting combination of “Thai, Sushi, Phở”.

Raising Cane’s Coming To Inglewood

Chicken finger experts Raising Cane’s is continuing its expansion across LA. The Louisiana-based poultry purveyor with noontime lines out the door has signage up on plywood on the corner of Century Blvd. and Doty, right next to SoFi in Inglewood. Look for upcoming branches in Westwood and Santa Monica as well.

A Sad Loss, And A Request….

With deep sympathy for the Family. Support local restaurants and restaurateurs!

From my inbox:

“We are heartbroken to share the sudden and tragic loss of Michelangelo Pinto – a beloved husband, father, and friend – who passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 11th. His passing has left an unimaginable void in the life of our family. This devastating loss has shaken our world to its core.

Michelangelo owned a restaurant, Locanda Positano, in which he proudly served the Marina Del Rey and surrounding community for over 15 years with passion and commitment.

Michelangelo was a kind, devoted, and loving man whose presence lit up every room. He was the rock of our family – a steady, caring soul who worked hard to provide, protect, and love deeply. His absence is not only emotionally overwhelming, but it has also brought on an urgent financial burden.

In the midst of our grief, my mother Patrizia, my little brother Luca, and I are now facing the cost of funeral arrangements, memorial services, the restaurant, and a wave of unexpected expenses that come with such a sudden tragedy. We wish to take Michelangelo’s ashes back to Italy so we can reunite and lay him to rest with his parents.

Money raised from the GoFundMe will go to memorial services, unexpected bills we now face, helping us tie loose ends with the restaurant, and helping us get him home.

Please consider helping my family in our time of greatest need. If you are unable to donate, sharing this GoFundMe can still make a world of difference.

Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support.”

Julian Pinto, son of Michelangelo Pinto

Vons Grand Opening October 17 In Santa Monica

This is a public service announcement: The brand-new and much-needed Vons, that is in the new luxury development on the corner of Broadway and Lincoln in Santa Monica, will officially open on October 17th. Ribbon cutting is at 7:15am and doors will open at 8am. We’re promised “Giveaways + Fun activities”, and the first 250 people will receive a “Game Card for a chance to win“. You’re welcome.

Is Santa Monica Getting A Sister Restaurant to Woodland Hills’ Casaléna?

Santa Monica’s dining scene is white-hot right now. Yet more evidence: There’s renewed activity at 2820 Main St., a chunk of prime real estate that used to home to Santa Monica’s beloved gem World Cafe that closed about a decade and a half ago (after World Cafe, it was home to Areal for a period). The location has sat derelict ever since, but recently a new ABC application has appeared on the front. While no business name is listed, a close inspection of the application reveals some familiar names: Chloe, Brandon, and Tyler Makhani, the family team behind Woodland Hills’ Mediterranean charmer Casaléna. This property sounds familiar to Casaléna‘s concept of different dining rooms and a big outdoor space. I’ll keep my eyes on the project to see what may develop, but this is definitely exciting news.

La Monique Bringing French Charm To Santa Monica

Santa Monica is getting a gorgeous new dining room… La Monique will open on November 11 and is destined to become a sensation. La Monique has moved into the old Tower 8 restaurant space in the deliciously private and fashionable Hotel Oceana, at 849 Ocean Ave. You may recall Tower 8 opened with a Josiah Citrin menu but eventually closed to the public over a decade ago. The layout has been completely redesigned with a new entrance and the bar moved to the opposite wall. Expect a cozy, chic, elegantly designed space, with a clubby feel and attention to details. The self-described French brasserie (with Italian influence) offers a menu of classics like Le Plateau Royale, steak frites, Dover sole, grilled branzino, escargot poppers, and pastas, as well as Petrossian caviar service and specialty cocktails. I suggest you grab a reservation while you can….

Noma Sushi Gets A New Home In Santa Monica

We’ve long known that local institution Noma Sushi would be forced to close due to a proposed redevelopment of the property at 2031 Wilshire. Readers have been repeatedly asking me what would happen to the beloved neighborhood fave. Now we have answers: Signs are up indicating that Noma is moving across the street, to 2020 Wilshire (most recently occupied by Senator Jones), in a property owned by the same landlord as the current location. You’re welcome…