There’s window paper up on the old Sunmerry Bakery spot at 2129 Sawtelle Blvd. in Sawtelle Japantown. It appears to show that a new Izakaya-style restaurant, Tsukiji Gindaco Sakaba, is taking up residence. Also known simply as Gindaco, they have locations in Japan and Gardena and offer what they describe as “Nippon fast food”, perhaps in the form of takoyaki, or fried balls of dough containing octopus.
Imagine my surprise when I looked at an official City website listing changes to Downtown Santa Monica and noticed two names on the list of which I was unaware. The first of these was popular Brazilian carnivore paradise Fogo De Chão. A little more digging revealed a trade website that appears to confirm that the churrasco steakhouse is moving into the old Del Frisco’s Grille location at 1551 Ocean Ave, a prime address facing the iconic Santa Monica Pier. The second surprise on the list is Napa Valley institution Gott’s Roadside. While I have a few suspicions, I am unable to confirm the address for Gott’s. If you have answers, let me know.
It appears a “high-quality meat and seafood” purveyor is moving a location into the cavernous space that previously was a hot yoga studio at 2570 Lincoln Blvd. (corner of Washington) in Venice. Wild Fork has locations across the US and offers a wide selection of products for pick up or delivery. It looks like they’re planning on an August 28 Grand Opening.
(Thanks Jeff!)
Signs are up and the construction is nearly complete at the new poultry purveyor moving into 10914 W Pico Blvd. Saucy Bird looks ready to throw open its doors soon. While their website is still being developed, I believe wings will be on offer.
(Thanks Spencer!)
When I originally posted about a new Italian venture with Toscana alum on board, at 145 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood Village, the name on the ABC application listed the new eatery as Nuvola. Since then, signs have gone up on the space announcing the name as All Roads. The new “Roman inspired eatery and wine bar” will be open every day from 11AM to 10PM. It looks like they’re close to opening. Until then, check out their menu of pinsa and salads here.
(Thanks Susan!)
Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina’s SUPER-anticipated Roman-style pizza restaurant is set to throw open its doors at their new location in Santa Monica. Excited readers are rushing to tell me that, after a long delay, notices are up on the front of the new Triple Beam Pizza, at 2905 Main St., announcing the opening at 11AM today (June 20). This is their fourth location. Expect such beauties as roasted fennel & sausage with goat cheese, Korean BBQ chicken bulgogi, and roasted spring corn ezquite. You’re welcome.
I’ve been covering the story of Santa Monica’s long-suffering food hall, The Gallery at 1315 3rd Street Promenade, for years. It was a Promenade fast food sanctuary for a while, then and upscale destination including David Beran’s Dialogue, and in its last gasp, a ghost kitchen. Now it is empty. A sharp-eyed reader noticed a new ABC application in the window. Sadly, The Gallery will no longer be exclusively a dining destination. Holey Moley, which is an indoor miniature golf concept with a bar is moving in. This will be LA’s first location. Read more about this mysterious newcomer here.
(Thanks Jordan!)
Something new is coming to The Original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax. There are banners up on a space on the south side of the Market announcing the arrival of Ettore Organic Food & Wine Osteria. Ettore Winery hails from Mendocino where it produces an “organic and terroir-driven range” of wines and olive oil. They appear to be branching out into food as this one is promising us an osteria. Read more about Ettore‘s arrival to Mendocino from Europe here.
Pink signs are up on the space at 215 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica announcing the arrival of Turn Dough. The address was previously the longtime home of hostel favorite breakfast spot Interactive Cafe. Turn Dough has two other LA locations (Venice and Hollywood) and offers a menu where “European traditions merge seamlessly with American creativity”. Look for “18 signature Chimney cakes with Soft Serve Gelato… Milkshakes, refreshing Dole Whip, irresistible Homemade French Crepes, heavenly Belgian Waffles, and a delightful selection of espresso”.
This from my inbox… Just in time for summer. Night Market at the Bungalow began this week and will run every Thursday this summer from 5pm to 11pm until August 29. This event is free and open to the public and is promising “delectable cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, live music, and vibrant ambiance”. Check out the list of vendors here. The Bungalow is at 101 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica.
Neighborhood fave Jinky’s Cafe has had a presence in Santa Monica for a while. First as a solid breakfast spot and then as a coffeeshop. Both locations have been abandoned, but fans of Jinky’s are in luck. The awnings are already up on the prominent corner spot at 205 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica, previously home to The Independence, announcing the arrival of Jinky’s to this location. Jinky’s has five other locations across LA, and this one will offer all-day dining with beer, wine, and cocktails.
It’s been about a year since I told you about the closure of vegan eatery Native Foods, at 1114 Gayley Ave. in Westwood Village. The space is about to get a new tenant. There are posters in the window letting us know that Bruxie is setting up housekeeping at this location. Bruxie is known for their signature chicken and waffles, but they also offer sandwiches, salads, frozen custard, and sweet waffle sandwiches. The expanding chain has locations throughout SoCal and a couple in Georgia.
In case you haven’t been in The Westfield Century City Shopping Center recently, here’s what’s on the way… Not far from the new Pret on the ground floor, a new Läderach is being installed. Läderach is a Swiss company founded in 1970 that focuses on chocolate that uses the best responsibly sourced ingredients. On the second floor, where Pink Taco once stood, Georgia-based Rumi’s Kitchen promises “the essence of Persian hospitality” by the Summer. And over in the food court, Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer’s AC Barbeque has long been in the works.
There’s window paper on one of the spaces in the retail section of the massive new West Edge development at 12121 W Olympic Blvd, near the flashy new Gelson’s, announcing the arrival of Presotea. Presotea is a brand from Taiwan that boasts some very impressive numbers: over 400 stores in over 50 cities worldwide with over 3,000 employees. Look for a menu of handcrafted milk teas, fruit teas, blended drinks, and coffees.
More food options for the busy aerospace crowds in El Segundo… Window paper is up at 2149 E El Segundo Blvd Ste. E, in the Chargers Commons development, announcing a branch of Tacomasa Taqueria. Tacomasa has two other locations (Long Beach and Cypress) and promises “authentic Tijuana tacos”, as well as burritos, mulitas, and tortas.
It looks like the good people of Brentwood are getting a fresh new dining option. Window paper is up on the space at 11753 San Vicente Blvd, once home to Moo Greek Yogurt, announcing the arrival of LA Sushi Co. LA Sushi Co has locations in local event stadiums, so it appears this will be their first standalone brick-and-mortar. 
You already know how excited I am that Pret a Manger, the popular British grab-and-go sandwich chain, is making inroads into LA. While I have not been yet, readers are letting me know that the Westwood location is already open. And in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, plywood has recently gone up on a ground floor space near Coffee Bean, letting us know that the lucky people of Century City will soon have their very own branch of Pret.
This from my inbox: On Sunday, May 19th from 1pm-5pm is the 9th annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street. This event is a pet-friendly, boardgame-themed culinary walking tour of Main Street’s fave neighborhood eateries, bars, and treat shops. Attendees will use “MAINopoly dollars” and are encouraged to dress in Monopoly-inspired costumes. There will be a “Go to Jail” beer garden, free pedicab rides, pet adoptions, photo booth, and prizes. Some of the restaurants that will be participating are: Ashland Hill, Holey Grail Donuts, Alfalfa, The Victorian, JuneShine, Jameson’s Pub, Tavern on Main, Papille Gustative, Pasjoli, Jinya Ramen Bar, MUD\WTR, Lula Cocina Mexicana. The event takes place between Strand and Pier Ave. (Check in at The Victorian, 2640 Main St.) and benefits The Main St. Business Improvement Association. Read more and get your tickets here.
It appears that a delicious new option is aiming to feed the busy aerospace crowd in El Segundo. Window paper is up on one of the spaces in the Chargers Commons development at 2140 E El Segundo Blvd suite A announcing the arrival of popular poultry salad purveyor California Chicken Cafe. CCC began in 1991 and currently offers their proprietary rotisserie chicken, salads and wraps at 11 locations across LA. 
People have been wondering what’s going on since Margo’s Pizza Kitchen & Bar, at 1534 Montana, closed its doors. You may recall that last year Margo’s had a break-in that caused significant damage and loss. At that time, in an interview, a rep for Margo’s alluded to that incident being a “tipping point” that could cause the business to shutter. Shortly thereafter, Margo’s did indeed close down, ostensibly for a remodel. Since then, a new banner has been put up announcing a “new launch under new partnership”. It appears the new restaurant will be named Nana Margo’s, and cocktails and “dinning” will be on order. It will be interesting to see if the new eatery will continue with the plant-based concept. I’ll keep my eye on this….
Toddrickallen 