Author Archives: toddrickallen

Bok Bok Continues Its Expansion Westward With Two New Locations…

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The recent turnover in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center is breathing new life to into the dining scene there.  Plywood is up on the space that used to house Bibigo Kitchen (which has moved locations in the mall) announcing the impending arrival of Bok Bok Mediterranean.  And that’s not all:  According to their website, they will be opening a location at 235 Main St. in Venice as well.  Look for a menu of panini, pitas, and plates of shawerma, falafel, rotisserie chicken, with other Mediterranean specialties.

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Gratitude Kitchen & Bar Not Feeling It In Beverly Hills…

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Competition for diners’ attentions can be stiff in Beverly Hills.  A recent casualty appears to be The Golden Triangle’s branch of plant-based powerhouse Gratitude Kitchen & Bar, which has closed its location at 419 N Canon.  I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what may develop.

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Curry House Closed On Sawtelle, And Everywhere…

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I’ve been hearing from panicked readers that their fave nostalgic Sawtelle Japantown institution Curry House Japanese Curry & Spaghetti had closed down so I went by to have a look.  Sure enough, the restaurant at 2130 S Sawtelle, suite 200 has closed after over 30 years.  But that’s not all:  According to this article, ALL Curry House locations in California abruptly closed their doors on Monday.  Employees apparently had no idea and showed up for work only to find they had no jobs.  This is tragic news for its many fans, many of whom are telling me they celebrated milestones and had first dates at the local fixture.

Dan Modern Chinese Expanding To Sawtelle Japantown

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With so many restaurant closures across town, it’s encouraging to see an area retain its vibrancy…  Dan Modern Chinese is continuing its push into the Westside.  In addition to the upcoming Manhattan Village location, window paper is up on the space at 2051 Sawtelle, squarely in the middle of Sawtelle Japantown, announcing the imminent arrival of their signature dumplings and noodles.

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New York’s Via Quadronno Coming To Santa Monica

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[Breaking News]  I have it on good authority that New York’s famed Via Quadronno is opening a West Coast outpost in the old Chez Mimi space at 246 26th St. (across from Brentwood Country Mart).  And from what I’m hearing, the space, already charming, will be upgraded by well-known architect firm Marmol Radziner.  Via Quadronno is the Upper East Side’s purveyor of  “unforgettable cappuccinos and paninis” (as well as a full dining menu) that is a fave with celebrities and has appeared in such shows as Sex and the City and Gossip Girl.  This is a developing story, but way too delicious and exciting not to pass on…

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Breadblok Opens In Santa Monica

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It started out as a teaser, with the word breadblok scrawled on the plywood covering the renovation of the old Spazio Caffe at 1511A Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.  Eventually, window notices went up, and I reported back in March of last year that local farmer’s market staple Breadblok was indeed moving in.  Breadblok opened last week, offering the good people of Santa Monica a menu of Provence-inspired artisan breads, pastries, and tartines that are “organic, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, gum-free, [and] refined sugar-free”.

La Créme Café Coming To Century City

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With all the bad news about restaurant closures in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, it’s refreshing to see that a new venture is taking a chance.  Plywood is up on the food court spot that used to house Everytable declaring that West Hollywood’s “simple European-style nook” La Créme Café is planning on a Spring opening.  Look for a menu of organic coffee & smoothies, waffles, crêpes, and panini.

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Le Petit Chez Mimi Bringing French Charm Back To Santa Monica

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After being peppered with questions from curious readers who noticed activity at the erstwhile location of local bolthole Le Petit Café at 2842 Colorado Ave., I went by to have a look.  Sure enough, a brand new awning declares the new restaurant to be Le Petit Chez Mimi.  Fortunately, I was able to have a chat with the delightful proprietor, Micheline Hébert (nicknamed Mimi), the beloved and irrepressible force behind the Chez Mimi empire.  (Chez Mimi closed at 26th and San Vicente almost 10 years ago.)  She explained that she is excited by this new project:  They have retained the chef from Le Petit Café and the menu will be similar as well… as in, thoroughly French.  Think sole meunière, truite amandine, and boeuf bourguignon.  They are planning on a March opening.  In the mean time, check out the photo Ms. Hébert provided to get a glimpse inside this new French charmer.  

Update:  Le Petit Chez Mimi is now open.  Read more here.

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The End Of Williams Sonoma On Montana Ave?

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And while we’re on the subject of sad closings…  I have it on a solid inside tip that Santa Monica’s chic palace of all things kitchen-related, Williams Sonoma is set to close its doors.  It is currently still open, and I do not have a time line, but I believe the intel is trustworthy.  Williams Sonoma has been a sparkling anchor on the east end of Montana, and its demise will leave a cavernous hole in the upscale shopping district.  By the way, I’m also hearing that the Starbucks on the corner of 15th and Montana is set to close as well due to high rents.

Update:  I strive for accuracy because I know many of you trust me for food news.  At the time that I wrote this post in February, I had it from a good source that they were planning on closing.  However, this appears to have changed.  Unlike their Beverly Hills branch, this one appears to be remaining open, for now.  This pandemic has been rough on local business.  If you wish to keep Williams-Sonoma open, I encourage everyone to shop here as often as possible, and support other local businesses as well.  (written 12/30/2020)

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Coral Tree Cafe Uprooted In Beverly Hills

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So far, as you can see from reading this blog, 2020 has seen a shocking number of restaurant closings.  And we’re not done yet…  Coral Tree Cafe is now closed at 225 S Beverly Blvd. in Beverly Hills.  A gracious note on the front door blames rising costs of labor and rent.  That leaves just two locations left (Encino and Brentwood) for the coffee and sandwich chain founded by Brentwood residents in 2002.

(Thanks Mike!)

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Flour Shop Bringing Celebrated Explosion Cakes To Beverly Hills

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Amirah Kassem is a superstar of confectionary creations, most notably, her legendary explosion cake.  And now it looks like LA will get a chance to sample the legendary baked treat.  Window paper is up on the spot that used to be the home of Sugarfina, at 9495 S Santa Monica Blvd, announcing that Ms. Kassem is planning on bringing a branch of her famed New York bakery Flour Shop to the good people of Beverly Hills.

Unknown Kitchen Coming To Brentwood

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It appears that something mysterious is landing in the space that was once occupied by Wahoo’s Fish Taco, at 11911 Wilshire Blvd. in Brentwood.  An ABC application posted on the front informs us that an “eating place” called Unknown Kitchen is moving in.  There is not much information out there yet, except a nonfunctioning website and a mention on a window job notice of Puzzushi, so if you have any more information, let me know…

(Thanks Steve!)

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Sip Rebrands As Junbi In Westwood Village

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About two years ago, Sip Matcha, Boba & Tea opened at  10967 Weyburn Ave. in Westwood.  Recently, they closed for renovations.  They have reopened as Junbi Matcha & Tea.  The management, ownership, and menu haven’t changed, so why the new name?  Apparently, because of Sip‘s popularity, they have been receiving “expansion requests” from international and domestic cities.  They were unable to trademark Sip, and were therefore forced to rebrand as Junbi, which means “preparation” in Japanese.

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Sidecar, Sweetgreen Confirmed For Manhattan Village

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If you follow this blog, then you know that I’ve been carefully watching the massive redo of Manhattan Village in Manhattan Beach.  The extensive project will add a whole new open air addition called Village Shops, greatly expanding the retail and restaurant space.  The latest restaurant news?  I now have confirmation that the wildly beloved bakery Sidecar Doughnuts is opening in the Fall of 2020, and popular purveyor of salads and bowls Sweetgreen is slated for the Winter of 2020.

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Big Mango Café Relocating To El Segundo

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Big Mango Café has been serving the hungry workers of Silicon Beach for over seven years.  Recently, they gave up their popular location at 12035 E Waterfront Dr. in Playa Vista.  But if you’re a fan of their signature sandwiches, wraps, and salads, all is not lost.  Big Mango Café is relocating to another busy industry hot spot:  777 S Aviation Blvd. #107 in El Segundo.  We wish them the best of luck.BM3.png

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What’s Going On At Obica In Santa Monica?

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I’ve been carefully watching the branch of international Italian brand Obica at 606 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica.  Recently, the restaurant went silent, and the shades have been pulled down.  A sign on the door promises a renovation, new management, and a new concept…  all by February 10th.  But things look a bit dodgy:  While I was checking for progress, a self-identified former employee approached me and told me that the staff were unceremoniously sacked with no promise of rehire.  His assumption is that Obica Mozzarella Bar is permanently gone.  A cursory glance inside the front door reveals that nothing has been touched and no work has commenced. I’ll keep watching but we’ve seen this kind of thing before…

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Plan Check, Le Pain Quotidien Exit Santa Monica, More!

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Yikes!  It appears that an exodus of eateries has occurred in Downtown Santa Monica after the Holidays.  Plan Check has checked out of 1401 Ocean Ave.  Le Pain Quotidien has said adieu to 316 Santa Monica Blvd.  (A note in the window blames an expiring lease agreement.)  And, after a valiant effort, Creams & Dreams has closed their nitrogen ice cream outpost at 219 Arizona after four years.  Sad…

(Thanks SG!)