Oro Caffe Now Bringing Coffee And European Charm To Beverly Hills

Posted on May 18, 2018 by toddrickallen

It was back in early 2016 that I first noticed that something was moving into the old Euro Caffe space at 9559 S. Santa Monica Blvd. in a notoriously risky stretch of Beverly Hills. I don’t know why it took so long, but a charming new coffee shop, Oro Caffe, has finally opened this week. Having the feel of a cozy salon de thé with plush banquettes and marble tables, in addition to specialty coffees and teas, Oro Caffe boasts an astonishing array of pastries and savory lunch items that are freshly made nearby using (mostly) locally sourced and organic ingredients. We wish them the best of luck.

Chick-fil-A Now Open In Santa Monica… You’re Welcome

Posted on May 17, 2018 by toddrickallen

I first noticed that poultry purveyor Chick-fil-A was remodeling the old Taco Bell at 2207 Lincoln Blvd. back in December of last year. Ever since then, I have been astonished at the great number of you who are constantly checking for updates. So, to you dedicated fans of their signature chicken sandwich I deliver this happy news: Chick-fil-A officially threw open their doors at 6:30am this morning.

Dragon Palace Disappears From Santa Monica

Posted on May 15, 2018 by toddrickallen

This shouldn’t come as a terrible shock to too many people… Nestled among other neighborhood eateries in the quiet Yale Center strip mall, it appears that Chinese restaurant Dragon Palace has quietly disappeared from its space at 2832 Santa Monica Blvd. Their reviews were generally on the good side, so I’m not really sure what happened. I’ll keep watching to see what, if anything, decides to move into the unassuming location.

Update: According to readers Annie & Daisy (thanks!), this strip mall will soon be converted into a mixed use space. All the other restaurants will also be gone shortly…

Northern Café Now Dishing Dumplings In Brentwood

Posted on May 11, 2018 by toddrickallen

Well that didn’t take long… It was only about two weeks ago when I deciphered that fishy eatery Big Catch had quit the space at 12009 Wilshire Blvd. in Brentwood. Wasting no time, dumpling specialist Northern Café has settled right in and is now open for business. Billing itself as “authentic Chinese Cuisine”, this is another branch of the original Westwood location that Eater once called a “standout”.

Rawkin Juice Squeezed Out Of Santa Monica

Posted on May 10, 2018 by toddrickallen

The humble space at 705 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica has sure seen its share of trouble. It was only back in June of last year that I told you about the arrival of celeb fave Rawkin Juice to the spot that previously had been occupied by short-lived Orchard Flats Juicery. Last week, a note was taped to the front door saying that they had closed for “renovation” (frequently restaurant code for ” permanently closed”). This week the for lease sign went up on the space confirming the sad news that they have indeed closed. Is the honeymoon over for the pressed juice craze?

Nicolas Eatery Coming To Malibu

Posted on May 8, 2018 by toddrickallen

I recently spotted an ABC application pasted to the front of the bright and airy space at 22333 PCH in Malibu, near the newish Caffe Luxxe, in the recently remodeled Sands Center. The app lists the name of the new restaurant as Nicolas Eatery. The Malibu Chamber of Commerce describes the upcoming eatery as “fast casual”, using “regional produce” in a “welcoming atmosphere”. A little deeper dig reveals that the new eponymous restaurant is connected to Nicolas Fanucci, who is a former general manager at the erstwhile Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills.

Blue Bottle Brewing In Santa Monica Soon

Posted on May 4, 2018 by toddrickallen

Bay Area cult coffee third wave fave Blue Bottle continues to make inroads into SoCal. I’m sure they’ll feel right at home in their new digs at 2439 Main St. in Santa Monica, formerly the home of troubled Peet’s Coffee. Not sure when they’re opening, but I’ll keep watching…

Burgerim Now Dishing Diminutive Burgers In MDR

Posted on May 3, 2018 by toddrickallen

Back in October of last year, I told you about the imminent arrival of Burgerim to the space at 4020C Lincoln Blvd. in Marina Del Rey. They recently have thrown open their doors for business. On the menu? Their proprietary brand of customized 2.8 oz. mini burgers, with a choice of “3 buns, 6 sauces, 11 patties, and 9 unconventional toppings”, that are sold in quantities. The opening of this branch is one more step in the ambitious Israeli chain’s inexorable march toward world domination.

Joss Bites Bringing Asian Tapas To Beverly Hills Soon…

Posted on May 1, 2018 by toddrickallen

It was a while in the making, but Joss Bites Asian Tapas, the offshoot of next door’s Joss Cuisine, is finally about ready to throw open their doors at 9923 N. Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills. They were shooting for an opening next week, but it looks like that will be delayed. Considering that they had originally hoped for a Fall 2017 opening, they are probably used to delays. According to the paper on the front, the menu will contain things like; classic Peking duck, fresh oyster croquette coated with crunchy mashed taro, and tiger prawn wrap with Thai basil and spices.

Sepi’s Expands In Westwood

Posted on April 27, 2018 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that the retail space at 1009 Broxton Ave., that formerly housed women’s clothing boutique Kinsley, is being outfitted to accommodate a new restaurant. An ABC application posted in the window doesn’t indicate a business name, but the applicant is listed as Dunedin Company LLC. A quick search online reveals that Dunedin is the parent company of Westwood’s longtime submarine shop Sepi’s. Since there is no business name offered, this new eatery may be a divergence from suds and subs, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

What’s Going On At Big Catch Seafood House, Brentwood?

Posted on April 26, 2018 by toddrickallen

Brentwood’s branch of Big Catch Seafood House at 12009 Wilshire Blvd. appears to have gone off the deep end. They place appears gutted. There are still a few tables outside, otherwise the space is mostly empty. Yelp is not reporting it as closed yet, and the last review on was on April 16th, but the phone has been disconnected, there is no mention of this location on the company website, and when I went by last night after their usual opening hours to check things out, they were closed. I can’t report with any certainty that they are finished (or possibly restructuring), but things don’t look good… Let me know if anyone has more information.

L’Equipe Café Coming Soon To Sawtelle/Olympic

Posted on April 25, 2018 by toddrickallen

I looks like something new is landing on the corner of Olympic and Sawtelle (11301 W. Olympic Blvd.). A sign is up announcing that L’Equipe Café & Salad Bar will soon be inhabiting the space. There’s not much information out there on L’Equipe, except a Facebook page that you can check out here.

Philz Coffee Opens Tuesday In El Segundo

Posted on April 20, 2018 by toddrickallen

A great many of you have been eagerly anticipating the opening of the El Segundo branch of wildly popular San Francisco-based Philz Coffee, at 2191 Rosecrans Ave. Philz Coffee will officially throw open its doors and begin dispensing mint mojito coffees on Tuesday, April 24. But if you pop by on Monday, April 23rd, you can sample complimentary coffee and pastries. You’re welcome…

Sensible Seasonal Healthy Food Takes Over Fresh Healthy Café In Santa Monica Place

Posted on April 19, 2018 by toddrickallen

The food scene in Santa Monica Place is as mercurial as ever… A banner affixed over the top of the old sign informs us that Fresh Healthy Café has transformed into Sensible Seasonal Healthy Food. Expect a similar menu of smoothies, bowls, salads, panini, and wraps at the free-standing food court lunch counter.

Carvery Kitchen Quits Santa Monica, Lands In LA

Posted on April 18, 2018 by toddrickallen

Recently, I discovered that popular sandwich spot Carvery Kitchen had vacated its space at 3101 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. The space is completely gutted and all signs have been removed. But all is not lost… According to their website, Carvery Kitchen is moving to 8832 Pico Blvd. in LA, previously the home of Mexikosher. I went by to check out their progress. The plucky “Ultimate Deli” had planned on a soft opening April 16th, but they appear to be behind schedule and have a way to go.

The old and the new location…

Kreation Organic Coming To Brentwood… With Beer And Wine!

Posted on April 13, 2018 by toddrickallen

Just a few weeks ago, I told you about the collective gasp from locals when Gaucho Grill quit its location at 11754 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. Wasting no time whatsoever, an ABC application taped to the front of the space indicates that Kreation Organic is moving in. Known for their “pressed juices” and “kleanses”, you probably wouldn’t automatically associate Kreation Organic with beer and wine. I’ll keep my eye on this one…

Mendocino Farms Opens Today (April 12) In Brentwood

Posted on April 12, 2018 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of openings… It was back in December of last year when I figured out that upscale sandwich shop Mendocino Farms was landing in the old Noah’s Bagels space at 11911 San Vicente Blvd. Mendocino Farms officially opens today (April 12th), providing farm-to-table artisan sandwiches and salads to the good people of Brentwood.

Erewhon Opens April 11 In Santa Monica

Posted on April 10, 2018 by toddrickallen

I first noticed that natural foods grocer Erewhon was coming to Santa Monica late last year. After extensive construction, it appears they are about to open. According to the notices pasted on the front, the bright shiny new Erewhon officially opens at 9am on April 11th at 2800 Wilshire Blvd., and features a “beautiful patio, terraced courtyard, and a street-level view of Erewhon’s open kitchen”.

Bluestone Lane Coffee Shop Bringing Flat Whites To Santa Monica

Posted on April 6, 2018 by toddrickallen

Apparently almost over night, a new coffee shop has landed in the old space of the disappeared chain Juice Served Here. With locations on both coasts, and 2 other locations in the LA area, Bluestone Lane is now up and running at 631 Wilshire Blvd. Besides coffee and tea, the Australian coffee shop offers a menu of cold-pressed juices, “grab and go items”, oatmeal, and open-faced toasts including, you guessed it, avocado toast.

Frankland’s Crab & Co. Opens April 5th In Montecito; Phillip Frankland Lee Gives Us A Glimpse Inside

Posted on April 4, 2018 by toddrickallen

A few months ago, we learned from Eater that Phillip Frankland Lee (Scratch Restaurants) was taking over the restaurant spaces in the Montecito Inn. After a number of delays one is about to open, bringing new lifeblood to a community devastated by the Santa Barbara Fires and Mudslides. Recently, I had a chance to speak with the energetic and affable Lee, who was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to give me a glimpse inside his newest eateries. Frankland’s Crab & Co. is set to open April 5, and offers a menu of seafood in a bright and airy casual space with high stools and communal tables. His other Montecito Inn restaurant will be named The Monarch and has a menu of local Santa Barbara products cooked over almond wood: think pizza, pasta, and “We’ll see”. Look for an opening in late summer or early autumn. We wish him the best of luck.

Phillip Frankland Lee inside Frankland’s Crab & Co.

The progress inside The Monarch

Frankland’s Crab & Co. at night

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