Author Archives: toddrickallen

Sana’a Cafe Bringing Yemeni Coffee To Westwood Village

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An interesting new concept is taking over the former longtime home of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse at 938 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village. Apparently, according to the website, Yemen has a strong tradition of coffee, where it has been cultivated for over 500 years. The new resident, Sana’a Cafe, will honor this heritage by “sourcing the finest organic beans from Yemeni highlands”. Sana’a Cafe has 8 other locations across California and offers an extensive menu of Yemeni specialty drinks, espresso drinks, and teas.

Sudachi Bringing “World-Class Sushi” To West Edge

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The name Sudachi is written on the door of space 122 in the new-ish West Edge complex on ther corner of Olympic and Bundy in the Sawtelle neighborhood of Los Angeles. Little else gives away that this will be the location of a new Japanese restaurant bearing that name. There’s not much information out there on Sudachi, but the West Edge website promises us “world-class sushi”.

Happy New Year From Toddrickallen!

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At this time of year, I like to pause and express heart-felt appreciation for all who read and support this site.   A very special thanks to all who take the time to send tips, emails, and comments.   You all make writing this blog worthwhile.  As we look forward to another year of changes in the LA food scene, I’ll be right there with you as your trusted source for Westside food news.  I wish everyone a joyful, prosperous, and delicious 2026! 

La Cha X The Bowl Coming To Hawthorne

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There’s new signage up at 4834 Rosecrans Avenue in Hawthorne announcing the arrival of LA CHA X The Bowl. La Cha has a location in Torrance and specializes as a “vibrant bubble tea destination where premium tea craftsmanship meets creative flavor innovation”. In addition to teas, this location will also offer a menu with such things as Korean sweet and spicy popcorn chicken andmozzarella chz sticks. It looks like they’re almost ready to open.

GGET Closes On Montana Ave.

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Innovative coffee purveyor Go Get Em Tiger has abruptly closed its location at 930 Montana Ave in Santa Monica on Tuesday. Santa Monica’s other location on Main St. closed a while ago. GGET opened this location in 2022 with much excitement and an extended menu. I’m not sure what is happening with the chain, but their Culver City location, as well as other locations east of here are still open.

(Thanks Steve!)

Raising Cane’s New Santa Monica Location…

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A while back I told you that Raising Cane’s was moving into the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Here is the new location at 1401 Third St. Promenade, on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd, formerly the home of Bibibop. It looks like they are working on a complete build-out. This is part of a major expansion into the California by the beloved Louisiana-based poultry provider known for chicken finger meals and noontime lines out the door.

Joe & The Juice Coming To Santa Monica

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Santa Monica is finally getting an outpost of übercool international lifestyle/juice brand Joe & The Juice, albeit in a curious location. Their signature window paper is up on the free-standing building in the Whole Foods complex on the corner of Pico and Cloverfield. Hailing from Denmark, the chain of coffee and juice bars has locations across Europe, Asia and North America, and has a mission to promote a “contemporary educational platform for how to prepare all people of our movement for a healthy life filled with aspiration and meaning”… as well as coffee.

Layla Bagels & Coffee Coming To Brentwood

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Apparently, I only gave you half the story when I reported to you that Sora Temaki Bar was taking over the Contempo Floor Covering store at 908 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood. They are moving into the space, but only part of it. Window paper has since gone up indicating that the spacious address is being divided with Sora moving into the right side, and Layla Bagels & Coffee taking over the rest of the space. Crazy-popular Layla has two other locations (Santa Monica and Beverly Hills) and specializes in “hand-rolled sourdough bagels baked fresh daily”, bringing yet another bold bagel choice to carb-saturated Brentwood.

(Thanks Madelyn!)

Wally’s Expanding With Two New Locations In SoCal

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Congratulations lucky people of Century City and Malibu, ever-popular oenophile paradise Wally’s Wine & Spirits is landing at least two new locations in SoCal. Wally’s currently has three locations (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Las Vegas) that specialize in the “finest food, beverages, and gourmet foods”, drawing in large well-heeled crowds with their chic “cave à vin” vibes. Here is a look at the new Wally’s at Century Plaza location, located in front of the Fairmont Century Plaza on Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Wally’s Holiday catalog is also promising a new location in Malibu at Cross Creek Ranch. Both are planning on a Spring 2026 opening. Read more about the new Century City outpost here.

Sora Bringing Hand Rolls To Brentwood Soon

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Brentwood is white-hot for new restaurants. I spied a new ABC application on the front of the Contempo Floor Covering store at 908 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood. It names the new ‘general’ eating place as Sora. A little more digging reveals that this will be the future home of a branch of Sora Temaki Bar. Sora has a location in The Grove, and one on the way in Thousand Oaks, and offers a wide menu of temaki that “brings together innovation and heritage in every hand-rolled bite”.

The Brothers Sushi Replacing Sushi Kiyono In Beverly Hills

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In a town packed with powerhouse restaurants, quiet little Sushi Kiyono has been happily serving devoted locals for 27 years at 255 S Beverly Blvd. Sadly, that is about to come to an end. A gracious note on the front door cites retirement and says that the final day of service will be this Saturday November 22. The note also welcomes their replacement: The Brothers Sushi. An ABC application on the front confirms it. With locations in Woodland Hills, Santa Monica, and Culver City, The Brothers Sushi is the much lauded and wildly popular “high-end” sushi spot that offers seasonal “Omakase Chefs courses or Ala Carte options”.

Lounge 1888 Bringing Elevated Dining To Inglewood

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With so much to see and do, lately we’re all spending more time in Inglewood. A new “elevated dining” restaurant is looking to build on the experience. Lounge 1888 is moving into the space at 3930 W Century Blvd. Building C, Space 5-101 at the Intuit Dome. Expect “modern American culinary dining, craft cocktails, and premium wines with a fully immersive game-day and event atmosphere.” Looks like they’re aiming for a January 2026 opening.

PopUp Bagels Bringing East Coast Carbs To Brentwood

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The triumphant return of the carbohydrate continues with its inexorable victory march across The Westside… There’s window paper up on the space at 11710 San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood declaring the impending arrival of PopUp Bagels. (Not to be confused with Pop’s Bagels just up the street.) They began as a backyard pickup window and have since spread to locations up and down the East Coast. PopUp Bagels has a simple goal: To offer “best, freshest bagels. No frills, plainly perfect: crispy crust and soft crumb center, just the right size and with a perfect proportion of seeds.” This new location, and another in La Jolla, appear to be the first on our side of the Country.

Chill Since ’93 Coming To Westwood Village

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There’s plywood and a poster up on the front of 923 Broxton Ave, formerly home to Habibi Cafe. The poster is promising a new pie joint, Chill Since ’93 Pizza. Chill Since ’93 has a location in The Grove, as well as Lugano and London. They promise super crispy pizza, and sandwiches made with the bread of the moment, “crisp, house-made focaccia bread”.

Suá Replacing Wexler’s In Downtown Santa Monica

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It appears that after 10 years, smoked fish experts Wexler’s Deli have closed up shop at 616 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. This is not the end: A gracious note on the front door explains that they are pivoting to a wholesale business and you will soon be able to find their proprietary lox at hotels and restaurants. In other exciting news, the note also explains that “Sichuan Superette” Suá, will be taking over the space. If you haven’t had a chance to visit their charming Larchmont location, you can expect delightful hand-stirred matcha and coffee drinks, organic Sichuan grab-and-go, Asian snacks, and carefully curated pantry and home goods.

Little Mountain Opens In Montecito On…

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As you know if you follow this site, I do occasionally get out of the Westside. One of my favorite places to go is beautiful Montecito, which is about to get an exciting new restaurant. Helmed by Chilean Chef Diego Moya, who cut his teeth in such places as Nahm in Bangkok and L’Arpège in Paris, Little Mountain is set to open on November 6 at 516 San Ysidro Rd, in the old Piatti space. Expect “deeply seasonal, vegetable-forward” menu that celebrates “Central Coast’s agricultural bounty” in a warm and convivial setting. Well worth a day trip…