It was only about 2 weeks ago that I told you about the sad demise of Santa Monica institution Pradeep’s at 1405 Montana Ave. At the time I had heard that a new Mexican restaurant was expected, but I had no details. The wait is over: Paper recently went up in the windows giving us the name of the new eatery. There isn’t much information out there on Prima Baja Cocina, except for a developing website that promises us tacos and a September opening.
Could this indicate a slowdown in the build-your-own pizza trend? On a tip from a reader (Thanks Joey!), I went to check out what was going on at Pieology Pizzeria at 920 Broxton Ave.in Westwood Village. As it turns out, it has closed down. A note taped to the front door confirms it. I’m a bit surprised by this. Even in pizza saturated Westwood, it’s hard to comprehend why ever-popular Pieology, of all places, would pull up stakes. I’ll keep watching to see what may develop…
After a sad and disastrous year, it is inspiring to watch the rebuilding of Montecito. From time to time, I like to check out what’s happening in the resilient and plucky seaside town. Recently, I noticed that a branch of Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro is opening in the space at 1187 Coast Village Road (Suite 7). Renaud’s bills itself as “A taste of Paris without the trip to France”, and has a smattering of locations in Southern California, mostly in various Gelson’s. In addition to patisserie, and a light menu of salads, sandwiches, pasta, and quiche, the ABC application posted on the front indicates a that a beer and wine license is on the way. Glass of Sancerre with that pain bagnat? Mais oui!
There’s a big banner up on the side of the erstwhile Flavor Of India corner space at 9045 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. It reveals that a new pizza joint, Crustica, will soon be moving in. There isn’t a great deal out there yet on Crustica, but a developing website promises the “best pizza you’ve never tasted, and the best you ever will”.
If you read this blog, then you know that I’ve been tracking the progress as Manhattan Village, on the corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans, undergoes its massive overhaul. Here’s the latest: California Pizza Kitchen is getting a flashy new home across from the branch of US Bank. Check out more details on the mall’s transformation here.
Sadly, after 23 years, beloved neighborhood institution Pradeep’s Indian Cuisine has closed up shop at 1405 Montana Ave. Check out their gracious goodbye note below. Wasting no time whatsoever, a new eatery appears to be moving in. While I don’t have any concrete information, I’m hearing whispers that it will be a Mexican restaurant. I’ll keep watching…
Well I didn’t see this coming… It appears that Santa Monica’s ever-popular branch of burrito specialist Baja Fresh has quietly disappeared from their anchor position on the corner of Wilshire and Lincoln in Santa Monica. Not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
Ever since Blue Plate exited the space at 1415 Montana Ave., I’ve been watching to see what might develop. The wait is over. According to signs that went up this week, the site will soon be home to a branch of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC. With locations in New York, Orlando, and on Larchmont, you can expect confectionary treats that are vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and kosher.
It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about the sudden demise of Boba Loca in boba-laden Westwood. Wasting no time whatsoever, a new contender has arrived to the humble space at 10946 Weyburn Ave. It’s Bobatime is now up and slinging neon multicolored teas to the thirsty students of UCLA.
When it comes to finding noodles in Westwood, you’re spoiled for choice. Add one more to the list. Paper is covering the windows of the space at 1118 Westwood Blvd. indicating that Dan Dumpling & Noodle is intent on delivering comfort food to the good people of Westwood soon…
I’ve been hearing from a great many of you about a new ABC application pasted to the front of the old Hungry Cat space at 100 W Channel Rd. in LA (Santa Monica). The Hungry Cat vacated the space back in November of 2016. It has sat empty since then, but the notoriously tricky spot is showing signs of life. The application, which reveals no business name, lists the applicant as PCH @ Channel LLC. A search turns up little info, but the online application reveals a name associated with a real estate office in Pacific Palisades. I’ve reached out to the agent for more information, but until that happens, I don’t have much more to tell you. This is a developing story…
The last remaining soldier in the Market, that once promised us a Ferry Building-style experience atop Santa Monica Place, has finally found a new home. The popular culinary academy The Gourmandise School has now opened in their elegant new space across the way, next to the also recently relocated The Curious Palate. And what of the Market at Santa Monica Place? As I’ve already told you, it looks poised to become a children’s museum, thereby completely extinguishing any further gastronomic hopes.
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a brief and cheery pop up that has landed in the Third Street Promenade. Celebrating 70 years of flavored milk, Nesquik Milk Stop is up and running at 1228 3rd Street. In a bright and playful space described as an “immersive, multisensory pop-up event”, expect multiple counters of treats, Instagram worthy photo ops, interactive activities, and giveaways. But you’d better hurry, the event ends on July 27th.
Ever since the Westfield Century City Shopping Center’s glitzy and expensive makeover, restaurant news has been overshadowed by the big names (think Eataly). But, as they always have, things change very suddenly in this mercurial food scene. Here’s a what I observed recently… On the second floor near Eataly, a new Sichuan charmer promising “flashy surroundings & theatrical servers“, HaiDiLao Hot Pot, is on the way. Mezza Garden has closed up shop on the first floor. And one of the last empty spaces in the food court will soon be home to Shuck House, a seafood and oyster bar that plans on opening in December.
Earlier this month, I told you about the teaser banner on the front of the space that used to house Pot & Pan Thai restaurant at 2315 Santa Monica Blvd. Thai Vegan II recently opened as is now dishing all manner of veganized Thai specialties. This is the sister restaurant of Main Street’s popular Thai Vegan, although my understanding is that the menus aren’t exactly the same.
Loteria Grill abruptly vacated its prime Downtown Santa Monica location at 1251 3rd St Promenade back in late 2016. Since then, the space has sat vacant. But that’s about to change. Ocean Avenue’s humble tourist crowd pleaser Casa Martin is opening a branch at the location, at least according to a recently posted ABC application. No business name is listed, so I’ll keep watching for more details…
If you follow this blog regularly, then you know how much I love to uncover stories from scraps of evidence. But I have to give credit where credit is due… I’ve been watching the new construction on the north side of Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, between 15th and 16th streets where an old parking lot used to sit, but I couldn’t uncover any concrete proposals for the site. Then I heard from reader Patricia, who had caught wind of a rumor that the space was being converted into a branch of the popular purveyor of salads and bowls, Sweetgreen, which I couldn’t verify. So Patricia went to work. On an easily overlooked document for another Montana rental, she spotted Sweetgreen listed at that location, appearing to confirm the rumor. (Don’t ask me how she found it, but it’s definitely there on page 6). So while I still can’t prove it, Sweetgreen looks likely headed for Montana Ave. The real story here is that detective work. Brava Patricia!
I recently noticed that long-standing local fave Japanese bolthole Musha Tokyo Cuisine has quit its Downtown Santa Monica location at 424 Wilshire Blvd. The windows are covered over and the restaurant appears to be undergoing renovation. I originally wondered if they were remodeling since there is no for lease sign on the front. But Yelp is reporting them closed and their website isn’t functioning, so I’m assuming the worst. Let me know if you have any information, but I’ll keep watching…
Self-serve frozen yogurt experts Cherry On Top opened back in 2014 in their corner spot at 12350 Washington Pl. in Culver City. In addition to icy treats, they’ve now added Hawaiian bowls to the menu. An outpost of Poké Bar is now up and running inside the location. During their grand opening from July 12th through the 14th, you get 50% off all purchases.
There’s a notice of non-responsibility taped to the front of the new space at 11050 Washington Blvd. in Culver City. If you study the tiny writing, it reveals that a new business named MillCross Fine Coffee & Provisions is moving in. Not much out there on Millcross yet, but I’ll keep watching…
Toddrickallen 