Sweetgreen Confirmed For Montana Ave.

Posted on October 5, 2018 by toddrickallen

Remember back in July, when I told you about some incredible detective work sent to me by a reader, Patricia? Practically out of thin air, she had deduced that the new building that was under construction at Montana Ave. between 15th and 16th streets was soon to be home to Santa Monica’s second branch of popular salad slingers, Sweetgreen. I couldn’t get confirmation, but I passed this info along based on her confidence and the evidence she provided. Turns out, she was right. Paper is now up on the window for all to see that Sweetgreen will soon have a new location on Montana Ave.

Prima Baja Cocina Miraculously Opens On Montana

Posted on October 4, 2018 by toddrickallen

Well that didn’t take long… It was only back in August when I told you about the abrupt closure of local fave Pradeep’s at 1405 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Then, days later, window paper informed us that something called Prima Baja Cocina was swiftly moving in. With so many of you following this story, I’m amazed to tell you that Prima Baja Cocina officially opened last night (Wednesday, Oct. 3rd). If you follow the restaurant scene ’round these parts, then you know that such a fast turnaround in Santa Monica is practically miraculous. Look for a tight and well thought out menu of Baja-style tacos, salads, starters, and larger plates in a bright and airy atmosphere with friendly staff. (Check out the prototype menu below, but I’m told it’s still in development and subject to change.) We wish them the best of luck.

Update: Eater has more of the details here.

Paperboy Delivering Innovative Pizza To The Promenade Soon…

Posted on October 2, 2018 by toddrickallen

I’ve long reported on the redevelopment of The Gallery, at 1325 Third St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. What was formerly a fusty old collection of nondescript eateries has been transforming into a destination with some big names attached. You already know about Dialogue, and Voltaggio STRFSH, and recently you’ve been reading about Sumo Dog and Azulé Taqueria. And now add one more to the list. The Promenade-facing, second floor space is the future home of Paperboy. Paperboy appears to be the creation of Jeremy Fall (Nighthawk: Breakfast Bar), that in partnership with United Talent Agency, will deliver “a new innovative take on the classic pizza joint“.

EVO Kitchen Now Closed On Sunset

Posted on September 28, 2018 by toddrickallen

A reader (Thanks Shawn L.!) has passed along information that EVO Kitchen has called it quits. Known for their vegan, vegetarian, organic, and gluten-free options, the restaurant has quietly vacated their home of nine years at 7950 Sunset Blvd. (corner of Hayworth) in LA. I’m not sure what happened, but you can read their gracious good-bye note below.

(Photo Courtesy Shawn L.)

Wally’s Opening Date In Santa Monica…

Posted on September 26, 2018 by toddrickallen

Ever since I first told you about wine wonderland Wally’s impending arrival to the space at 214 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, a whole lot of you have been checking for details and peppering me with questions about an opening date. So here you go… A spokesperson informed me yesterday that Wally’s will officially throw open their doors on October 6th. You’re welcome.

Urban Plates Dishing Soon In Manhattan Beach

Posted on September 25, 2018 by toddrickallen

If you read this blog, you probably know that Manhattan Village, the upscale shopping center on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, is getting tarted up with a major redo. I’ve been watching carefully to see what the new dining scene will look like. The latest news? It appears that the space that used to be the home of Sesame Moe’s will soon be a branch of San Diego-based Urban Plates. It looks like they’re shooting for a Spring Opening.

Update: Urban Plates is now open.

Violet Coming Soon To Westwood

Posted on September 21, 2018 by toddrickallen

It looks like the lucky students at UCLA are about to get a new eatery. An ABC application taped to the front of the space that used to be the home of Saks Teriyaki at 1121 S Glendon Ave in Westwood let’s us know that a new restaurant, Violet, is moving in. Not sure of an opening date, or much else for that matter including whether or not it is related to previous restaurants bearing the same name, but I’ll keep watching…

Update: Eater got the skinny of Violet. Read the details here.

Broxton’s Westwood Grand Opening Date…

Posted on September 20, 2018 by toddrickallen

Last year, I told you that the name of the new brewpub taking over the cavernous and iconic Yamato space, at 1099 Westwood Blvd., was going to be Broxton. Since then, a great many of you have been checking for updates and asking me for an opening date. And now we have one: A notice taped to the front door lets us know that Broxton is shooting for a grand opening on October 7th. Check out Eater’s recent article for peek inside. You’re welcome.

Teuscher’s New Home In Beverly Hills…

Posted on September 17, 2018 by toddrickallen

Back in July, we learned that Swiss chocolate purveyor Teuscher had vacated their long-held corner space at 9548 Brighton Way to make way for a flashy new chocolatier with an SLS Hotel pastry chef cred. But all is not lost for the beloved chocolate institution. Paper is up in the window of the former Pretty Ballerinas shop just across the street at 371 N Camden Dr. informing us that this will soon be their new home. Meanwhile, their coffee shop The Café, continues to chug out cappuccinos in their temporary location at 430 N Camden.

Alfred Tea Room Opens In Brentwood

Posted on September 14, 2018 by toddrickallen

Back in March, I told you about the impending arrival of cult coffee shop Alfred’s less-caffeinated offshoot Alfred Tea Room to the space at 11928 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. For all of you who have been eagerly checking for updates I have this happy news: Alfred Tea opened this week. Expect a menu of tea, milk tea, and matcha in a bright and cheery tiled setting with an outdoor patio.

Carl’s Jr. Closes In Santa Monica

Posted on September 13, 2018 by toddrickallen

In Santa Monica, where there’s a dearth of fast food choices, a drive-through restaurant closure stands out. On a tip from a reader (Thanks Joe!), I went to check out what was going on at the Carl’s Jr. at 2727 Santa Monica Blvd. The location is indeed closed, and the entire property has been fenced off. I’m not sure if this is permanent or a remodel, so I’ll keep watching…

Update: After much speculation, one reader has uncovered evidence that Carl’s Jr. is not gone, but rather remodeling. See for yourself here.

Leaff Bringing Waffles To Century City Soon

Posted on September 12, 2018 by toddrickallen

The astonishingly diverse food scene continues to develop in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Window signs have gone up on one of the kiosks on the second floor informing us that Leaff will soon be dishing waffles. It looks like they’re shooting for an October opening…

Chou Chou French Patisserie & Café Closes In Santa Monica

Posted on September 7, 2018 by toddrickallen

Sadly, after a valiant effort, Santa Monica’s French charmer Chou Chou Café has closed up shop. A gracious note taped to the front of the troubled space at 313 Wilshire Blvd. thanks patrons and promises a relocation soon. We wish them the best of luck. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.

Denong Tea Bringing Premium Pu-erh To Century City

Posted on September 6, 2018 by toddrickallen

A large announcement on the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, next door to the upcoming HaiDiLao Hot Pot, lets us know that this will be the future Westside home of China-based tea experts Denong Tea. With one other US location in Pasadena and specializing in Pu-erh tea, a rare and special tea from Yunnan Province, Denong Tea considers themselves “guardians of the world’s best”. Looks like they’re shooting for a January 2019 opening.

Sumo Dog Confirmed For The Gallery

Posted on September 4, 2018 by toddrickallen

Back in July, Eater let us know that Koreatown’s hip hot dog spot Sumo Dog was planning a move to Santa Monica, but they couldn’t confirm the location. Now it appears that we have evidence for their new digs. An ABC application taped to the wall of one of the interior spaces of The Gallery, at 1320 Third St. Promenade, provides the proof that Sumo Dog will indeed be landing in the same desirable location as STRFSH, Dialogue, and Sloan’s.

Burgerim Comes To Beverly Hills…

Posted on August 31, 2018 by toddrickallen

If you follow this blog, then you know about Burgerim’s unstoppable plan to take over the world. The latest evidence? A sign in the window of the old Subway space at 250 S. Beverly Dr. proclaims the location will soon be serving the chain’s signature Lilliputian burgers.

Malibu Gets A Whole Foods

Posted on August 31, 2018 by toddrickallen

It looks like Malibu will get its very own Whole Foods. I recently noticed the development on the corner of Cross Creek and Civic Center Way with a big sign confirming it. Not sure of an opening date. The sign says Spring 2019, but it looks like they’ve a ways to go…

Whole Foods.jpg

Bloomfield Creamery Expands To Westwood

Posted on August 29, 2018 by toddrickallen

It appears that Pasadena’s popular frozen treat shop Bloomfield Creamery is expanding west. A small sign in the window promises their arrival to the former nail salon space at 1427 Westwood Blvd. (Although a large “coming soon” banner was recently removed). Not sure of an opening date, but it looks like we can expect “artisanal ice cream, edible cookie dough, and frozen yogurt” soon…

Panera Closes In Beverly Hills

Posted on August 24, 2018 by toddrickallen

What’s going on at Panera Bread? Recently, the (newish) Westwood branch abruptly closed up shop. On a tip from a reader (Thanks Shawn!), I went to check out the (also newish) Beverly Hills location at 239 S Beverly Dr. Sure enough, a note taped to the front door explains that they have “permanently closed”. Could this indicate trouble for the popular bakery/sandwich chain?

Fork-In Aussie Pies Closes August 31 In Santa Monica: New French Restaurant Expected

Posted on August 22, 2018 by toddrickallen

Comfort food expert Fork-In Aussie Pie Kitchen is closing its beach adjacent location at 2510 Main St. Suite B in Santa Monica. But no need to feel sorry for them. They are actually closing this location so they can focus on expanding the brand, including into retail according to a spokesperson. And what’s next for the prime space? I was informed by the Aussie Pie folks that a new French restaurant is moving in. An ABC application is posted, but no business name is listed. The applicant, Maison Thouvard LLC, has ties to Santa Barbara.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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