Yes, Dinah’s Family Restaurant Is Moving…

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I know this is being widely reported in other places, but I’m still receiving messages from shocked readers so I’m passing this on as well.  West LA’s fave nostalgic poultry purveyor Dinah’s Family Restaurant is closing at their longtime location of 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd.  Open since 1959, Dinah’s drips with childhood memories for many locals, and I personally know people who make a pilgrimage to Dinah’s on their birthdays.  All is not lost though, a large banner on the front informs us that they are moving to a new location at 4130 Sepulveda Suite G, with an opening date of May 6th.  Thanks to all who wrote to let me know…

Kakkoi Sushi/Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi Now Open In The Colony

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A fresh new dining option opened last Friday (April 19th) in community “smart kitchen” The Colony at 11419 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA.  Plant-based sushi specialists Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi has partnered with Kakkoi Sushi to create an exciting menu that combine’s Kakkoi‘s “Russian-Spanish-European fusion” with Niku Nashi‘s innovative vegan sushi.  Hours are 11am to 9pm and you can dine in on their patio or opt for take-away or delivery.  We wish them the best of luck.

Co-opportunity Market Disappears From Culver City

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This was certainly a surprise…  I’m hearing from shocked readers that Culver City’s branch of classic health food store Co-opportunity Market has disappeared from their location at 8770 Washington Blvd.  The Co-op began life in 1974 in Santa Monica, where it continues to exist.  This location opened in 2017 and appeared to be tracking a more Erewhon vibe than its old school hippie predecessor.  I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the space to see what may develop.

(Thanks again, Andrew!)

Shoreside Bringing New Dining Scene To Downtown Santa Monica

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Something new is coming to the Shore Hotel at 1515 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica.  There’s plywood up and an announcement naming the new spot to “Dine. Lounge. Celebrate.” as Shoreside.  Near as I can tell, Shoreside will be a new dining terrace and bar.  It looks like they’re aiming for a summer opening.

Gnarwhal Coffee Co. Expands To Venice

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Cozy local java joint Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is apparently branching out from its buzzy Main Street location to an even buzzier neighborhood.  There’s an ABC application up at 1700 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice, previously home to the troubled Double Zero, letting us know that Gnarwhal is moving in.  I’m sure that organic, socially responsible coffee will be on the menu, but so will beer and wine according to the ABC app, so this may be a slightly different concept that their Main St. branch.

Le Phant Milk Tea Co. Coming To Westwood Village

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It looks like a new specialty drink spot is setting up housekeeping at 10911 Lindbrook in Westwood Village.  There’s a large banner over the former Yogurtland space announcing the arrival of Le Phant Milk Tea Co.  Not much on social media yet, but we have this from the Westwood Village Business Directory: “We are 2 quirky twenty-agers who want to share our best version of milk teas. We brew premium loose-leaf teas, mix it with our house creamer (no preservative-filled powders utilized), and add on made-from-scratch muscovado brown sugar boba. We can’t wait to serve you all.”  We wish them the best of luck…

Daniel’s Bagels Coming To Palms

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A well-known farmer’s market fixture appears to be getting a brick-and-mortar in Palms.  A very sharp-eyed reader noticed the (very faint) window paper up on the space at used to be the home to C&M Cafe, at 10640 Woodbine St (corner of Overland).  Daniel’s Bagels offers a solid menu of hand-made bagel standards that have quickly become local favorites.

(Thanks Daniel!)

Pret A Manger Finally Landing In LA

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While there is already a (sort of) branch of British powerhouse sandwich chain Pret a Manger at Tom Bradley in LAX, Los Angeles is about to get its very own stand-alone location.  Also simply known as Pret, there is new window paper up at 901 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood Village announcing the happy news.  If you are unfamiliar with the brand, Pret a Manger (which means ready to eat in French) is a popular grab-and-go prepared sandwich chain that began life in 1983 in London and has since spread to many countries and locations across the globe (including New York and Chicago), and soon here as well.  While I don’t know what the menu will be like here in LA, I can tell you that when I’m in London, which is usually about once a year, I never miss the opportunity to grab one of their delectable super fresh sandwiches.  I usually stuff a few in my suitcase as well.  This is certainly exciting news….

Update: This is apparently a developing story, and readers are writing to let me know a branch is heading for the old Breadblok space in Studio City, as well as possibly at least one more somewhere else…  

Yogurtland Moving Into The Third St. Promenade

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Crowd-pleasing frozen treat purveyor Yogurtland appears to be moving locations in Downtown Santa Monica.  They currently have a longtime location at 304 Santa Monica Blvd.  But there is new plywood up at 1321 Third St. Promenade announcing the move.  Yogurtland began life in 2006 in Fullerton and has since spread to over 250 locations in the US and elsewhere.  They pride themselves on the “highest quality ingredients and flavors”.

Nic’s Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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The old Wokcano Space at 1413 5th St. in Downtown Santa Monica has sat empty for quite a while.  But the commodious location is about to get a new tenant.  An ABC application lists the new business as Nic’s.  I don’t have any information on this business, so if you know more, pass it along…

Update: Readers are letting me know that this is actually a seafood restaurant named Oasis.

Met Her At The Bar’s Location In Santa Monca

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We’ve known for a while that cozy neighborhood darling Met Her At A Bar was expanding to Santa Monica.  Now we know where.  There’s an ABC application posted on the front of the extensive build-out at 2615 Main St. in Santa Monca that lets us know this is the future branch of Met Her At The Bar.  The self-described “hip little neighborhood cafe” has a location on S. La Brea Ave. and is known for Belgian waffles and coffee.

Odd One Out’s Location In Santa Monica…

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People have been demanding answers from me ever since crazy-popular boba shop Odd One Out Craft Milk Tea announced on their website that there was to be another branch opening in Santa Monica.  They didn’t give an address, but the map on the website gave the impression that it was going to be located in the Third Street Promenade.  Now we know: Fencing and ‘Odd One Out” banners are now up on the “Market Pavilion” kiosk just to the north of Santa Monica Blvd (1260 Third St. Promenade).  With a location in Sawtelle Japantown, Odd One Out hails from Taiwan and was previously the winner of the Taiwan Milk Tea Festival.

Philz Coffee Closing In Downtown Santa Monica

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Sadly, it appears the reign of mint mojito coffee is coming to an end in Downtown Santa Monica.  There’s a gracious notice on the front door of the Philz Coffee at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. that states their last day will be April 30, 2024.  Not sure what happened to this branch of the Bay Area third wave coffee darling, but if you’re desperate for a cup of minty caffeinated goodness, check out their other locations here.

(Thanks Ely!)

Little Bean Cold Brew Bringing Caffeine To Santa Monica Soon

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It looks like a new java joint is poised to caffeinate the sleepy students at SaMo High.  Window paper us up on the easily overlooked corner spot at 707 Pico Blvd. announcing the arrival of Little Bean Cold Brew.  There doesn’t seem to be a lot of information out there, and there are other coffeeshops that use the term “little bean” in their names, but this one will offer “specialty small batch cold brew”.  Let me know if you have more information…

The Cliffdiver Bringing Coastal Vibes To West Los Angeles

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Tucked into a corner space at Found Santa Monica, at 12311 Santa Monica Blvd, is a build-out on a new Mexican restaurant.  Promising “lobster tacos” and “beach vibes”, The Cliffdiver appears to be settling in.  The Cliffdiver has a location in Thousand Oaks and boasts a menu of favorites (and a good happy hour) in a chill setting.

Oops… A New Spot Of Trouble For Sweet Lady Jane In Santa Monica

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The entire Westside heaved a sigh of relief when I reported that bakery darling Sweet Lady Jane had been saved from oblivion.  (Read the story of how that happened here.)  But, after a triumphant opening of some locations this week, Santa Monica’s newly opened branch has apparently hit a snag.  There’s an LA County notice of closure affixed to the front door.  There’s also an explanation from the current owner, who places the blame squarely on “ex-owners who didn’t request permits for their remodels”.  They are apparently scrambling to make things right as soon as possible.  The drama of the triple berry cake continues…

Hey Tea Bringing “New Style Tea” To Beverly Hills

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It looks like The Golden Triangle is about to get a lot sweeter.  There’s window paper up on the space that has housed many businesses, but most recently John Kelly Chocolates, at 9523 S Santa Monica Blvd.  Hey Tea began life in 2012 in Guangdong, China and offers a proprietary “New Style” of tea that uses “real milk, real fruits, real premium tea, and real cane sugar” with intriguing flavors such as “Very Grape Cheezo”, “Very Persimmon Crystal”, and “Roasted Brown Bobo Milk”.

Fōnuts Bringing Enlightened Treats To Montana Ave.

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As I’ve been telling you, sleek Montana Ave in Santa Monca is becoming quite a food destination.  New eateries are popping up all over the stylish street.  Le Cafe de la Plage recently opened.  Van Lueewen and Oakberry are on the way.  Now it looks like the space right next to Oakberry will soon be home to a new bakery.  Window paper is up on 709 Montana announcing the arrival of Fōnuts.  The self-described “enlightened donut” purveyor has a location on West 3rd and a location in Studio City and offers a menu with a variety of healthy baked options that are gluten-free and vegan.

The Farm Of Beverly Hills Bids Adieu

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Sadly, after a long run as one of Beverly Hills’ go-to spots for breakfast/lunch, a solid local fave is about to close its doors.  Scrawled on the chalkboard that hangs on the front of The Farm of Beverly Hills‘ 439 N. Beverly Drive location are the words, “Thank you for 26 years! March 3rd will be our last day of service“. That means you still have a few days to snag a table and reminisce about all those power lunches from years gone by….

(Thanks Tony!)

Sweet Lady Jane Returning To Santa Monica?!?

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Despair no longer Good People of Santa Monica, Triple Berry Cakes may be returning!  On a tip from a reader (Thanks Missy!), I went by the very empty former location of beloved bakery Sweet Lady Jane at 1631 Montana in Santa Monica.  You may recall they recently abruptly pulled up stakes, much to the shock of fans.  Sure enough, as you can see, there is a hopeful note attached to the front door that promises they will be “opening again soon”.  I don’t have any information on the other locations.  There’s obviously more to this story so I’ll keep watching this surprising development.

Update: Here’s the complete skinny on Eater.