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 LA food scene craziness, I’ll be right there with you as your trusted source for Westside food news. I wish everyone a joyful, prosperous, and delicious 2024!
There’s a small now hiring sign in the window of 1447 Ocean Ave in Downtown Santa Monica, a tiny space most recently occupied by Earthbar. The notice names the new business as Coffee With Creme & Sugar. The website lists a menu of coffee, tea, signature drinks, and sweet treats. 
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Dean!) let me know that a new restaurant is taking over the old space that used to house Humble Potato at 8321 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester. The new signs are already up announcing a branch of HiroNori Craft Ramen. HiroNori has locations throughout California and features proprietary “authentic ramen noodles, stock, and sauce“.
To all my dedicated readers and everyone who visits this site, I wish the best that the Season has to offer. May your Holidays be filled with all manner of delicious things and your celebrations be bright and joyful. I really do appreciate each and every one of you!
And just like that, a new bakery has appeared in Santa Monica. Modern Bread & Bagel has moved into the old Breadblok space at 1511A Montana Ave. Modern Bread & Bagel currently has two locations in New York, and one in The Valley. They specialize in breads and famous bagels that are organic and gluten-free, and also offer a menu of bagel sandwiches, salads, bowls, and breakfast items.
This is a public service announcement: This isn’t exactly news (It happened a short while ago), but people are shocked and still writing me to let me know that Del Frisco’s Grille has vacated their prominent corner spot on the corner of Ocean and Colorado, across from The Santa Monica Pier. With its stunning view, and catering primarily to tourists, Del Frisco’s Grille was known for their good happy hour and for special events. I’ll keep watch on the tricky location to see what may develop.
(Thanks Jonny and others!)
Known for their over 100 flavors of ice cream and yogurt that are made fresh daily at each location, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has been quietly expanding recently, with locations in Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach, as well as others. Now there’s one more. Readers have been letting me know that there’s a new branch at 4130 Sepulveda Boulevard in Culver City.
(Thanks Andrew!)
This from my inbox:
If you blinked, you probably missed when Roca Pizza was open at 1061 N Swathmore in Pacific Palisades. They were only open about six months. Now the location is getting another pizza restaurant, Jemma Pizzeria. Jemma Pizzeria is another project of Jackson Kalb (Ospi, Jemma di Mare) who spilled the beans to Eater about what to expect.
Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine threw open their doors in July of 2019, at 262 26th St. in Santa Monica, just across from the Brentwood Country Mart. At the time, the introduction of Himalayan food to the tony neighborhood caused quite a stir. Sadly, readers are reporting to me that Tara’s has since disappeared from this location. Apparently, fans can still order from the Venice location.
I must say, this is a bit of shock… Riding the cupcake wave of the early 2000s, Vanilla Bake Shop burst on the scene 16 years ago and quickly became Santa Monica’s go-to spot for baked treats. Sadly, they have quit their longtime location at 512 Wilshire Blvd. A gracious note in the window thanks their customers and introduces a new bakery to take over: The Butter End Cakery. Apparently, the LAX location of Vanilla Bake Shop is still up and running.
Update: The Butter End Cakery is now open at this location. (09/2024)
The corner space at 9601 Brighton Way in Beverly Hills has sat empty ever since celebrity-backed Villa Blanca pulled out over three years ago. But that’s about the change. There’s a banner and an ABC application on the front announcing the impending arrival of Bacari Beverly Hills. Bacari has a smattering of locations in trending areas around LA. They all seem to have slightly different personalities, but the casual concept appears to veer toward Mediterranean.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Trevor!) spotted permits on the old Men’s Wearhouse space at 4325 Glencoe Ave C-3 in the Villa Marina Center. The permits inform us that Starbird Chicken is moving into the address. Their website confirms it. Starbird hails from the Bay Area and has locations in both NoCal and SoCal. They are known for their crispy chicken and in-house sauces.
You already know about the Panera Bread, Rasing Cane’s, and Panda Express that have landed in new development that was originally called the Nash St. Exchange, but appears to have since been renamed Charger’s Commons, on the corner of El Segundo and Nash in El Segundo. And it looks like another dining option is joining the mix. The sign indicates that a branch of popular East Coast chain Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is also moving in.
Wishing all readers a joyous holiday filled with delicious food, family, and dear friends. I’m very grateful to all my dedicated readers for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the excitement of the LA food scene. Happy Thanksgiving from Toddrickallen!
I’m hearing from surprised readers who have noticed the permanently drawn curtains and lack of activity at Downtown Santa Monica’s neighborhood watering hole and eatery The Independence. The Independence has anchored the corner of 2nd and Broadway since 2014, when it replaced Buddha’s Belly. Sadly, for all intents and purposes, it appears that it has quietly disappeared. I’ll keep my eye on the space at 205 Broadway to see what may develop…
It was only back in September when I told you that Big Fish Little Fish had gone belly up in the Food Court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Wasting no time whatsoever, it appears that a new poke spot is taking over the location. The plywood around the space lets us know that Poukei will soon be bringing us poke bowls & poke burritos.
This was surprising to me… It appears that Downtown Santa Monica’s perennial popular burger joint Stout Burgers & Beer has disappeared from its location at 111 Santa Monica Blvd. I’m not exactly sure when it closed, but the windows are papered over, perhaps indicating a new inhabitant is in the works. I’ll keep watching…
Update: A reader let me know that the space is being taken over by next door’s Bar Monette and will feature “French small plates and burgers”. (Thanks Sean!)
There’s a new banner hanging over 331 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. The space has long sat empty since Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails closed up shop during The Pandemic. The name on the banner is Maru Sushi and underneath that, it promises “ramen / ezakaya“. I’m unable to find any more information about the new eatery as there are a number or restaurants that use the word “Maru” in their name, so if you know more, reach out to me…
I happened to notice a new ABC application on the front of the cavernous space most recently occupied by Herringbone at 1755 Ocean Ave Ste 103 in Santa Monica. Fitoor is the name listed, and while not much comes up in a general search, two names on the application give us a clue as to what’s coming. Those names are Anupama and Vikram Bhambri, who are none other than the co-founders of San Francisco’s splashy and much-lauded “Indian-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar” ROOH. Apparently, they are in the middle of a recently announced expansion in the Bay Area. They are expanding using different restaurant names but there is a Fitoor Indian Grill & Lounge coming to San Jose that EaterSF describes as an “opulent restaurant with live music and DJs”. This is indeed exciting news for Santa Monica…
Toddrickallen 