PokeCeviche Landing On Main St. In Santa Monica

Posted on January 8, 2019 by toddrickallen

Back in October of 2017 I first noticed that a bowl joint was taking over the erstwhile Knuckle & Claw space at 2715 Main St. in Santa Monica. But there hasn’t been any definitive proof about the impending eatery until now. A sign recently went up in the window letting us know that this will be a branch of PokeCeviche. PokeCeviche has four other locations (Santa Barbara, Oxnard, and Pomona), but this will be their first foray into The Westside. Look for a menu of signature and custom bowls, nachos, poke tacos, ceviche tostadas, and Japanese soups.

Kaido Replacing Musashiya In Westwood

Posted on January 4, 2019 by toddrickallen

A little over three years ago, the opening of Musashiya Udon Noodle at 1049 Gayley in Westwood caused quite a stir. Sadly, they have vacated the spot. But something new is coming to the location. An ABC application is up on the papered-over windows announcing that Kaido is moving in. The name on the ABC application appears to link this Kaido with Kaido Japanese Cuisine that will soon be forced to vacate the closing Yale Center strip mall in Santa Monica.

Pizzari Replacing 800 Degrees In Westwood

Posted on January 3, 2019 by toddrickallen

It was a sad day when revolutionary pizza purveyor 800 Degrees closed up shop in its flagship location at 10899 Lindbrook Drive in Westwood. Now, according to window paper, a new “neighborhood pizza eatery” is moving into the spot. According to this article in Daily Bruin, Pizzari will differentiate itself from the myriad of other Westwood pie joints by offering “organic, healthy pizza”.

Happy New Year From Toddrickallen!

Posted on December 31, 2018 by toddrickallen

At this time of year, I like to say a heart-felt thank you to all who read and support this blog. It looks like we can look forward to another year of LA food scene madness. And I’ll be right there with you in 2019… Let’s see what happens next. Until then, wishing you all a Happy New Year! Cheers!

108328-600x399-Champagne_duo

Bluestone Lane Bringing Flat Whites To Beverly Hills Soon

Posted on December 28, 2018 by toddrickallen

South Santa Monica Blvd. in The Golden Triangle can be a tricky location. Eateries come and go along the notoriously capricious strip. But that doesn’t seem to deter plucky newcomers. Recently I told you about The Kind Ones, and right next door, in what used to be Bo Nuage at 9523 S. Santa Monica, signs have recently gone up announcing a branch of expanding Australian coffee chain Bluestone Lane.

Organica Juice Bar Now Open In Beverly Hills

Posted on December 27, 2018 by toddrickallen

Well that didn’t take long… It was only just a couple of weeks ago that I told you about a new pressed juice joint landing in the old Basanti Tea Bar space at 9465 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Wasting no time, Organica Juice Bar is now up and slinging smoothies to the good people of Beverly Hills.

Happy Holidays From Toddrickallen!

Posted on December 25, 2018 by toddrickallen

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. Thanks for reading!

Fatamorgana Gelato Appearing In Beverly Hills Soon

Posted on December 21, 2018 by toddrickallen

It appears that Beverly Hills is about to get a whole lot sweeter soon… Window displays are up announcing confirmation that the much-anticipated Fatamorgana Gelato will soon be arriving to the space at 162 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. The celebrity fave Italian brand has one shop in Studio City and boasts 66 hand-made flavors, 26 of which are vegan, and everything is gluten-free. I’m told they’re shooting for a March opening.

Cabbage Patch Disappears From Beverly Hills

Posted on December 20, 2018 by toddrickallen

It looks like local fave Cabbage Patch has dispensed their last sandwich at 214 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. Their website lets us know that they’ve closed their Downtown branch as well. That leaves one location left, in Marina Del Rey.

Jimmy John’s Expands Into Culver City

Posted on December 18, 2018 by toddrickallen

I’ve been watching the new construction on the northeast corner of Washington and Overland in Culver City to see what may develop. After a new Starbucks, it appears that a branch of sandwich chain Jimmy John’s is intent on moving in. There are still a lot of spaces left on the ground floor, so I’ll keep watching to see what else may land there.

“Jolie” Replacing Bareburger On Main St. In Santa Monica

Posted on December 14, 2018 by toddrickallen

Bareburger quietly slipped out of its space at 2732 Main St. in Santa Monica last month. Wasting no time, it looks like a new contender is ready to give the capricious Main St. food scene a try. A new ABC application has already gone up in the window. The applicant is listed as Jolie LLC and the business name is oddly marked “_._._._ Jolie“. No idea what this means, and there’s no information out there that I can find, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

Kreation Debuts Kocktails Today In Brentwood

Posted on December 13, 2018 by toddrickallen

Back in April, I told you about the new Kreation Kafe coming to the old Gaucho Grill location at 11754 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. At the time, I noticed an ABC application on the front, something unusual for the healthy chain better known for their “pressed juices” and “cleanses”. Kreation Kafe officially opened today at 7am. (If you rush, you might be lucky enough to be one of the first 100 who will receive free juice.) But what’s different about this Kreation, is that they will be serving “Kreation Kocktails”, which are made with beer, wine, and their proprietary juice blends and are intended for people who “like to drink healthy but still get buzzed”. Kale yes!

Socalo: Mary Sue Milliken’s and Susan Feniger’s Triumphant Return To Santa Monica

Posted on December 11, 2018 by toddrickallen

The corner space at 20th and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, in what is currently the Gateway Hotel, has had a rocky past. First it was an IHOP. Then, for a minute, it was Rudy & Hudson California Diner. Now something exciting is on the way. An ABC application informs us that a new eatery is intent on moving in, but there’s no business name listed. There is however a design review notice that shows an artist’s rendering of the new place, and gives it a name: Socalo. And according to this article in the Santa Monica Daily Press, Socalo will be none other than Mary Sue Milliken’s and Susan Feniger’s triumphant return to Santa Monica, after the demise of the iconic Border Grill. I can’t wait.

Interstellar Landing In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on December 7, 2018 by toddrickallen

Well that didn’t take long… Only just a couple of weeks ago, I told you about the disappearance of Air Food from the space at 109 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. Wasting no time whatsoever, a newcomer is moving in. An ABC application pasted to the front door lets us know that something called Interstellar will soon call this location home. Not much out there on Interstellar, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops.

Board & Brush Bringing “Wine And Paint Nights” To Santa Monica

Posted on December 6, 2018 by toddrickallen

I’m not sure this qualifies as restaurant news, but… I recently spotted an ABC application affixed to the front of an old vacuum cleaner shop at 2924 Wilshire Blvd. announcing an upcoming branch of national chain Board & Brush Creative Studio. Self-described “DIY wood sign workshop” Board & Brush specializes in drinking, socializing with friends, and creating wooden signs. Hmmm…

Organica Juice Bar Replacing Basanti In Beverly Hills

Posted on December 4, 2018 by toddrickallen

Perhaps we’re not done with the pressed juice craze just yet… Back in December of last year I told you about the demise of Basanti Tea Bar at 9465 S. Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills. And now it looks like a new contender is moving in. Window signage indicates that Organica Juice Bar will soon be the new occupant. According to the window, you can expect a menu of cold-pressed juices, superfoods, smoothies, bowls, and, well… you get the picture.

Izakaya Osen Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on November 30, 2018 by toddrickallen

Remember back in 2014 when I first noticed that Caffe Primo was intending on moving into the corner space at Arizona and 7th? This sleepy section of Downtown Santa Monica had been revitalized by the arrival of popular Cassia and Esters across the street. But something went wrong, and not only did Caffe Primo pull out of the space at 702 Arizona, but they closed everywhere. Since then the space has sat vacant… until now. A new ABC application announces that Izakaya Osen is moving in. At the time of this writing, I’m unclear if this is the same eatery as Silverlake’s Osen Izakaya. More to come…

Update: It will be the second branch for Osen Izakaya. Eater has the details here.

Little Highness Bao Closed In Beverly Hills…

Posted on November 29, 2018 by toddrickallen

A big available sign in the window of 9667 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills lets us know that after a valiant effort, Little Highness Bao is done dishing dumplings. Sadly, this stretch of The Golden Triangle is a historically challenging one for restaurants. I’ll keep watching to see what develops…

4Fingers Crispy Chicken Landing On Sawtelle With “Asia’s Favorite Crispy Chicken”

Posted on November 27, 2018 by toddrickallen

Signs are up on the space at 2206 Sawtelle Blvd. (corner of Olympic) informing us that America’s first branch of Singapore-based 4Fingers Crispy Chicken is moving in. 4Fingers has been expanding in Southeast Asia and Australia since its launch in 2009, and is looking to make inroads into the USA and Europe. Look for a menu of Korean-style fried chicken that is free range and antibiotic/hormone-free, brushed with their naturally fermented soy garlic or hot and spicy proprietary sauces.

Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine Summits Santa Monica/Brentwood

Posted on November 23, 2018 by toddrickallen

Ever since we learned that longstanding healthy Mexican purveyor Kayndaves had abandoned their location at 262 26th St., across from the increasingly tony Brentwood Country Mart, I’ve been wondering who would even undertake such an upscale market. The corner of San Vicente and 26th has proven itself a challenging location as evidenced by the revolving door of restaurants that has attempted the space that most recently held L’Ami. (The latest gasp of hope, the ABC app that I reported on back in January has since been taken down and I think we’re back to square one.) But now, one brave contender is giving the Kayndaves space a go… A banner is up informing us that it will soon be the home of Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine. With three other locations scattered across the Southland offering Nepali, Tibetan, and Indian food, we wish them the best of luck.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

Author Archives: toddrickallen