On a tip from a reader (Thanks Michael!) I went by to see what was going on in the new commercial development at 3008 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica. It took me a while to spot the sign, but it appears that something called Kohi Cafe is coming to the corner spot on Stanford. Can’t find much information on the new restaurant, but I’ll keep watching…
On a tip from a reader, I went by the site of the erstwhile Brentwood Restaurant & Lounge at 148 S Barrington to see what was going on. Sure enough, the previously understated exterior has been transformed into a bright and sunny facade announcing the arrival of a new venture, Baja Norte. The website lets us know that this is a new project of chef Bruce Marder (West Beach Cafe, Rebecca’s, The Rooster, Capo). Apparently, Baja Norte was born out of an exploration of his “Mexican food roots” during quarantine. You can check out the menus and read more here.
A new ABC application recently went up on the front of the currently closed-for-renovation Viceroy Hotel on the corner of Pico and Ocean in Santa Monica. While it doesn’t give us the name of the restaurant, it does promise that an eatery will be coming to the iconic property. You may recall that The Viceroy’s previous restaurant was called Whist and subsequently Cast, and in the past has been helmed at different turns by Tim Goodell and Tony DiSalvo. The website says the name of the new restaurant is Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue, and you can catch a glimpse of it through the front door. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
The story that has garnered the most interest on this blog recently has been the disappearance of neighborhood coffee shops, and in particular, the mass extinction of SoCal’s beloved The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Thank you to all the readers who sent me news that the CBTL at 9th and Wilshire in Santa Monica has now also succumbed. There is still one extant Coffee Bean in the Third St. Promenade, and I went in today to have a look. The lack of customers, and low inventory of food left me wondering what its future may be… What’s going on? I’m not certain, but perhaps there’s a clue here.
As you know if you read this blog, coffee shops are getting hammered right now. Peets, The Coffee Bean, and even Starbucks have all been closing locations recently. And now it looks like the newish Bluestone Lane is leaving its location at 9523 S. Santa Monica, in the Golden Triangle. The large for lease sign in the window appears to confirm it.
I first told you about the arrival of seafood bar Shuck House to the food court of the Century City Shopping Center back in 2018. Sadly, it appears they have given up the ghost. Plywood is now covering the space. I’ll keep watching to see what develops…
Despite this difficult time, a charming new eatery has descended to earth to spread a little love. Meet Papille Gustative (“taste bud” in French), which recently opened its bright and sunny storefront at 2823 Main St. in Santa Monica. The menu was described to me as modern farm-to-table healthy California cuisine using regionally-sourced ingredients. Currently, they are only open for breakfast and lunch, but plans are underway for dinner and a liquor license as well. And with the repurposing of Main St. to accomidate outdoor dining, there are also tables for al fresco eating. Check out that menu, and read more here. We wish them the best of luck.
We could all use more good news right now… While many restaurants are challenged or closing, it’s encouraging to see new eateries on the way. On the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, in the erstwhile Petros space, plywood is covering the front with an announcement that Zinqué is bringing its sunny vision of French charm to the mall. Looks like they’re shooting for a Fall opening.
It appears that West LA’s branch of Ono Hawaii BBQ has gotten into a bit of hot water at 12115 Santa Monica Blvd. There’s a closure notice affixed to the front door from the Department of Public Health citing “live cockroaches”. Not sure what their path forward will be, but we wish them the best of luck.
Plywood is up on a commodious space on the first floor of the Westfield Century City Shoping Center announcing the arrival of Cafe Landwer. The Cafe, which has two other US locations in Boston, started out as a coffee bar in Germany in 1919, later moving to Israel, where it continues to roast coffee and operate a number of locations of Cafe Landwer. Expect a menu with a variety of choices including shakshuka, bowls, schnitzel, burgers, pizza, and pasta.
With all the depressing news of closures, it’s good to see new restaurants coming. Back in October of last year, I told you about the disappearance of El Pollo Loco from its location at 1081 Gayley in Westwood. It appears a new eatery is going to give the space a go. Signs are up announcing that Dun Huang is moving in. I believe its the same Dun Huang that has locations in New York and one CA location in Rowland Heights. If that is the case, we can expect Northwestern Chinese food on offer, and apparently epic handmade noodles. We wish them the best of luck.
Yikes! Ever since I first started telling you about the mass extinction of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf from the Westside, I’ve been hearing from horrified fans mourning the loss of even more neighborhood CBTLs. The Coffee Bean on the corner of Second and Santa Monica Blvd. is now gone. The CBTL on the corner of Wilshire and Federal has disappeared. And, while I haven’t checked it out personally, readers are telling me that The Coffee Bean on the corner of Lincoln and Manchester is now caput. Lots of you have been sending me theories on why this is happening, but if you have definite information, please let us know…
I’ve some sad news for the legions of gelato fans who trecked to Malibu for a taste of Italy… Grom Malibu appears to have vacated its long-held location at 3888 Cross Creek Rd. Not sure what happened, but the signage has been pulled down and paper is covering the windows. I’ll keep an eye on the space.
I looks like The Golden Triangle is about to get a fresh eatery. Almost immediately after Gratitude Kitchen & Bar moved out of its location at 419 N Canon Dr. in February, work on a new restaurant began. Now we know what’s coming. The new restaurant’s name is Mirame, and I’m told the menu will be “Mexican”. They are shooting for a July 11 opening. We wish them the best of luck.
It looks like Beverly Hills’ branch of international chain ‘Lette Macarons has permanently shuttered its location at 9466 Charleville Blvd. Not sure what happened. I’ll keep my eyes on the space to see what may develop.
Times have most certainly not been good for coffee joints. If you’ve been reading this site, you know that The Coffee Bean has been hit particularly hard. But just recently, I noticed that Peet’s Coffee has quit its location at 258 S Beverly Dr. in Bevery Hills. I don’t think we’re done with this trend yet…
SoCal native Wahoo’s Fish Taco appears to be quiting their longtime address at 418 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Trent!) spotted the for lease sign hanging on the front. Since their Brentwood location closed last year, there are currently no Westside location except in LAX. Not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
Recently, I noticed an ABC application affixed to the window of Malibu’s branch of cutting-edge retailer Fred Segal, at 3822 Cross Creek Rd. The application is a “winegrower” type and promises us that we’ll be able to sample libations from Summer Somewhere Wines sometime soon. Wine and shopping? Sounds perfect…
I’ve been reporting, with some alarm, on the mass extinction of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf from the Westside. The large location at 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica has also disappeared. Lots of you have some theories on why this is happening, but does anybody actually have the story? (Thanks Trent!)
There’s an ABC application hanging in the window of the erstwhile Bowl Kitchen at 2127 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica. The applicant is listed as Mure Black Inc. If the first name sounds familiar, it’s because its the name of “Michelin awarded” chef Antonio Mure, the man behind Barrique in Venice. And sure enough, the name of the new restaurant is listed as Piccolo by Barrique. Very exciting.
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