King & Queen Cantina Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on April 19, 2020 by toddrickallen

Back in January, I told you about the disappearance of Plan Check from its space at 1401 Ocean Ave suite 104. Now a new restaurant is intending to make the space their home. Posters are up in the windows announcing the impending arrival of King & Queen Cantina. Originally hailing from San Diego, the chain has a smattering of locations and sister restaurants. Expect “Latin flavors” with Dia de los Muertos decor that is meant to feel like a “party, out of the box, but more casual”. Of course everything us up in the air right now, but we wish them the best of luck.

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Wabi-Sabi Done In Venice?

Posted on April 18, 2020 by toddrickallen

Sushi experts Wabi-Sabi have certainly survived their fair share of challenges. And now there’s a prominent “available” space hanging over the front. Does this mean the end?

Dave’s Doghouse Done In Santa Monica?

Posted on April 16, 2020 by toddrickallen

Three years ago, I first told you about a Josiah Citrin (Melisse, Charcoal) project moving into the old Santa Monica Electric Co. at 2428 Main St. Since then, furtive signs of work have continued on and off for Dave’s Doghouse, which led me to believe that the restaurant was still in progress. I know that many of you have been checking for updates on this project, but it appears it may have been abandonned. The review signs and ABC application have been taken down, and the space was being inhabited by a pop-up shop selling goods for an elephant charity prior to the shutdown. If you have any information, let me know…

Los Tarascos Bringing Taco Tuesday To Downtown Santa Monica Soon

Posted on April 12, 2020 by toddrickallen

The diminutive space at 725 Broadway in Santa Monica has seen its share of tenants, the most recent being an açaí bowl spot that closed over a year ago. Window covering is informing us that a new venture called Los Tarascos is moving in. The windows promise taco tuesdays and daily hand made tortillas.

Don Chuy’s Restaurant Replacing Shalimar Of India In Culver City

Posted on April 11, 2020 by toddrickallen

With all the self-isolation lately, I’m simply not out in the community as much as I normally would be, and I really appreciate when readers send me stories. Recently, one reader (Thanks Keith!) sent me this photo of an ABC application on the front of what was formerly Shalimar of India at 10708 Jefferson Blvd. in Culver City. As you can see, this will be the future home of Don Chuy’s Restaurant. There currently is a Don Chuy’s at 11800 Jefferson, but I’m unclear if they’re moving locations or if this will be a second branch for the Mexican restaurant.

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New Houston Brothers Bar In Santa Monica?

Posted on April 8, 2020 by toddrickallen

A new ABC application has popped up on the front of the old Tinga/Renee‘s space at 522 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. No business name is listed, but there is an applicant name: Ploenpidh Pola Houston. While this name is associated with a Koreatown bar, the Monte Carlo, after a bit of digging, I found that Ms. Pola is the mother of entrepreneurial brothers Jonnie and Mark Houston, who preside over an empire of themed nightclubs in Hollywood. I don’t have confirmation that this will be their newest project, so if you have any information please let me know. You can read more about the brothers in this LA Weekly story.

La Puglia Landing On Wilshire In Santa Monica

Posted on April 5, 2020 by toddrickallen

Ever since longtime resident Nawab of India pulled out of its spot at 1621 Wilshire Blvd. back in 2017, I’ve been peppered with questions about what might move in. Dark, mysterious plywood has covered the space for a number of months, but I had no clues… until now. An ABC application went up last week and spilled the beans that something called La Puglia is setting up housekeeping. I don’t have any information on La Puglia, but I think its a safe bet to say Italian will be on offer…

Update: La Puglia is now up and running for take out.

Shake Shack Santa Monica’s Sleek Look…

Posted on April 3, 2020 by toddrickallen

About a year ago, I told you about mega-popular Shake Shack‘s intention to build an outpost at 501 Wilshire Blvd, formerly the site of Panera and Polly’s Pies before that. Recently, an artist’s rendering of what the new building will look like was pasted on the front. It seems like they’ve a way to go since no construction has begun yet, and these are uncertain times…

The New Face Of Santa Monica

Posted on April 1, 2020 by toddrickallen

We’re living with madness right now, and shops and restaurants are really feeling it. If you haven’t been out much, you may not have seen that stores have begun boarding over their windows. Sur La Table at Wilshire and Third is covered, and Williams Sonoma on Montana Ave. is also boarded. What they’re anticipating is anyone’s guess…

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop Heading To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on March 28, 2020 by toddrickallen

After sitting idle for a while, the restaurant at 331 Wilshire Blvd., that used to be the home of short-lived The Gables, is finding a new tenant. A banner is hanging over the entrance announcing that a branch of the salad, sandwich, and bowl chain Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop is moving in. However, the banner is delcaring that this branch will be called Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails. An ABC application in the window confirms the cocktails part. No word on an opening date, and I would expect big delays right now…

Kitchen Story Closed In Sawtelle Japantown

Posted on March 27, 2020 by toddrickallen

Kitchen Story burst onto the scene back in 2015, when it began serving its signature Korean food from its location at 2129 Sawtelle Blvd. A reader recently pointed out to me that they are now permanently closed, so I went by to check it out. A gracious note on the front door announces the closure and thanks its customers for the support. The closure actually happened in January and preceded the current state of affairs.

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden Coming To Montana Ave.

Posted on March 26, 2020 by toddrickallen

It appears that a new tea room is heading for the space that used to house a florist shop at 726 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Window paper is up announcing that Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden is moving in. The window paper promises us orgainic fair-trade tea, baked goods, afternoon tea, ceremonial events, and an outdoor patio.

Menya Musashi Permanently Closed in Sawtelle Japantown

Posted on March 22, 2020 by toddrickallen

It was only back in June of 2018 that I told you about the arrival of Menya Musashi to 2012 Sawtelle Blvd. But as we know, ramen competition in Sawtelle Japantown is fierce. Sadly, they have given up the ghost. A gracious note on the front confirms that they have permanently closed, and thanks patrons for the support.

Somi Somi Bringing Some Cheer To Downtown Santa Monica…

Posted on March 21, 2020 by toddrickallen

Back in October of last year, I told you about the disappearance of Pinkberry from 1456 Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. Wasting no time whatsoever, expanding chain Somi Somi has opened in the space and is now serving their signature brand of “Korean-inspired” soft service ice cream. And, at the time of this writing, while other places have currently closed (or are offering take away), they are still open, giving us all a little needed cheer right now.

A Message From Toddrickallen…

Posted on March 18, 2020 by toddrickallen

We’re living in extraordinary times. COVID-19 is on everyone’s mind right now, and it is especially affecting the restaurant business to which this site is devoted. I started this blog 13 years ago as a reliable food news source with a simple dictum; at least three posts a week. But we are experiencing unprecedented disruption. As I suspect all of you are, I simply am not out in my community as much as I normally would be and therefore may, for the first time ever, have to break my founding dictum. But I’m still here. Over the next few weeks, I will do the very best I can to deliver what news I may encounter. I realize your attentions may be elsewhere right now and as always, I appreciate your continued support. In the mean time, you are all on my mind and I wish you and yours health and safety. Together we will get through this…

100% Ice Cream & Coffee Coming To Santa Monica Place

Posted on March 14, 2020 by toddrickallen

As you know, mall food courts have been hit hard with closures. The third floor of Santa Monica Place is no exception. But one plucky contender is going to give it a try. Plywood is up on the space just to the left of the food court announcing that something named 100% Ice Cream & Coffee is moving in. I don’t have much information on this place, but the sign says that organic grass fed ice cream will be on offer.

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Tartine Santa Monica’s Opening Date Will Be…

Posted on March 13, 2020 by toddrickallen

This just landed in my inbox… Ever since I first told you about Tartine‘s expansion to Santa Monica, a great many of you have been checking for updates, so here ya go: Tartine Santa Monica will throw open their doors on March 17 at 1925 Arizona. Hours are Monday – Friday: 7:00am – 3:00pm, Saturday – Sunday: 8:00am – 4:00pm. You’re welcome…

What’s Going On At Yogiyo And Seasalt In Santa Monica?

Posted on March 11, 2020 by toddrickallen

On a tip from a reader (Thanks Adrian!), I went by to check on the suspect state of affairs at 508 and 510 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. The reader had told me that next door neighbors Seasalt Fish Grill and Yogiyo Korean BBQ had closed down. Sure enough, both are locked tight. However, both also have exactly the same sign in the window saying that they will be “re-opening soon”. I don’t want to pronounce them permanently closed, but we’ve seen this before…

Beach & Brew Replacing Kifune In Venice

Posted on March 6, 2020 by toddrickallen

When landmark Kifune Sushi Bar closed up shop at the end of last year after 34 years due to the owner’s retirement, it left a giant hole at 405 Washington Blvd in Venice. Now it looks like a new venture is giving the prominent corner a go: An ABC application taped to the front door informs us that something called Beach & Brew is moving in. I can’t seem to find much on B&B, so if you have information let me know…

The Beverly Hills Tea Room Replaces Bedford & Burns In Beverly Hills

Posted on March 5, 2020 by toddrickallen

Readers have been letting me know that Bedford & Burns has disappeared from Beverly Hills. The American bistro and bar has had a long history in Beverly Hills, but had been in its current incarnation at 369 N Bedford Dr. since 2013. Apparently something new has quickly and quietly slipped in to take its place. An ABC application in the window lists the business as The Beverly Hills Tea Room. But a notice in the window explaining the current closure due to floor repair lists the name as The Bar & Tea Room. Let me know if you have more information…

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