It looks like we can expect another year of LA food scene craziness. And I’ll be right there with you in 2018… Let’s see what happens next. Until then, thanks for reading and Happy New Year! Enjoy!
Happy New Year From Toddrickallen!
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Merci Clement Replaces Stick Shop In Downtown Santa Monica
While no one was looking, Stickhouse, at 223 Broadway in downtown Santa Monica, slipped out of existence and was replaced my another treat shop Merci Clement. If you read this blog, you may remember Merci Clement from its opening in Beverly Hills earlier this year. (Interestingly, it may already be closed: A spokesperson at the Santa Monica location reported it as closed and it doesn’t appear on their official website, but I cannot confirm this.) It looks like this incarnation retains Stickhouse’s array of frozen treats, and adds some French pastries as well.
North Shore Poke Co. Goes Belly Up In Beverly Hills
And while we’re on the subject of comings and goings in Beverly Hills, here’s more sad news. It was only a few months ago that a hopeful North Shore Poke Co. opened for business at 9461 S. Santa Monica Blvd. It appears that they have abandoned the notoriously tricky address. A hastily written note attached to the front states that they have relocated to Hermosa Beach.
Happy Holidays From 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!
Oro Caffe Still On Its Way To BH
I first noticed a while ago that something called Oro Caffe was replacing longstanding Euro Caffe at 9559 S. Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills, a brave location right in the middle of a stretch that is particularly challenging for restaurants. And then nothing happened… for almost two years! Since many of you have been checking for updates, I have been keeping my eye on the place. I was convinced that they had abandoned plans until recently. Work has finally commenced and a small now hiring sign has been placed in the window confirming that they are indeed still on their way. I’m not sure what the holdup was or when exactly they intend on opening, but rest assured that it will probably be soon.
Mendocino Farms Setting Up Shop in Brentwood
The shopping center on the corner of Montana and San Vicente in Brentwood has seen a great deal of turnover recently. The latest to try their hand at the location will be farm-to-table sandwich/salad market Mendocino Farms. There’s an ABC license posted at 11911 San Vicente Blvd. announcing the impending arrival to the spot that once housed carb palace Noah’s Bagels. No word on an opening date, but the website promises sometime in 2018.
Sustain A Bowl Coming Soon To Westchester
I short time ago, I told you about the window paper covering the space at 8338 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester that informed us about a new poke joint moving in. Well, plans must have changed because what was supposed to have been Fishbowl Poke Co. will now be something called Sustain A Bowl, at least according to the new window paper. I’m not sure what happened, or when they’ll open, but I’ll keep watching…
Tendergreens Opens In El Segundo
The newest contender for the attention of hungry El Segundo office workers is up and running. Tendergreens had their grand opening on Monday. They are joining an already open Shake Shack, and many other upcoming eateries, in the large Apollo Landing complex at 2181-A Rosecrans Ave.
Chick-fil-A Landing In Santa Monica Soon
Taco Bell closed down its location at 2207 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica a few months back and I ‘ve been watching to see what would move in. Now we know. An extensive reconstruction of the building is underway to make room for Santa Monica’s first branch of well-known poultry pusher Chick-fil-A, who are slowly but surely conquering the Westside.
Update: Chick-fil-A opened 05/17/2018
Gelson’s In Century City Invites “Noshing & Imbibing”
Perhaps hoping to catch the overflow of people frustrated with choking crowds of Eataly, Gelson’s in Century City is making some Eataly-esque improvements. Providing more of an graze/drink/shop experience, a sign explains that they are adding a “Wolfgang Puck Build–Your-Own Pizza and Salad”, a wine and tapas bar, a seafood bar, and a poke bar. As you can see below, construction is nearly finished.
Basanti Tea Bar Quits Beverly Hills
South Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills is a revolving door for restaurants. Basanti Tea Bar decided to try their luck when they opened back in 2015 at 9465 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Sadly, they have recently vacated the space. A note taped to the front door blames “unforeseen circumstances” for their misfortune. I’ll keep watching the spot to see who’ll be next to give it a shot.
Boba Tea & Me Truck Gets A Brick And Mortar In Santa Monica
A new Taiwan-inspired tea shop is moving into the space once occupied by juvenile tonsorial salon The Yellow Balloon at 1328 Wilshire Blvd. A small notice in the window is the only indication that something called Boba Tea & Me is moving in. Currently operating in a truck, it appears that this will be Los Angeles’ first storefront location. Not sure when they plan on opening, but until then, check out their menu of milk teas, smoothies, and the Technicolor extravaganza named butterfly blossom tea here.
Planet Smoothie Gravitates Towards Beverly Hills
Planet Smoothie has locations across the US, but relatively few outposts in LA. The closest one to the Westside resides in Santa Monica, and opened back in 2015. But that’s about to change. There’s a notice in the window of the space 193 1/2 S. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills announcing that another Planet Smoothie is on the way. No word of an opening date and it looks like they’ve got a way to go.
Gelato-Go Opens On Montana Ave.
Well that didn’t take long… A remarkable thing in red-tape Santa Monica. It was only back in September that I noticed that longstanding local fixture DiDio’s Italian Ices had given up the ghost at 1305 Montana Ave. Then in October, a small now hiring sign was placed in the window informing us that Miami’s Gelato-Go was soon on the way. Wasting no time whatsoever, as of this week, Gelato-Go is now open and dishing icy treats to the good people of Santa Monica.
Poke Club Bringing Yet More Raw Fish To LA
Is there room in Los Angeles for more poke shops? They seem to be everywhere lately and you seldom have to walk more than 500 feet to find some form of raw fish. With all that competition a new contender, Poke Club, is about to give it a go. They are close to opening a new restaurant at 463 S. La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles. We wish them luck…
Continental Kitchen Coming To Beverly Hills
WeHo’s Continental Kitchen is expanding. Signs are up on the space at 8300 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of San Vicente) in Beverly Hills, that used to house BrewDog Pub, announcing the impending arrival. And it looks like they’re fairly close to opening. Expect a large and varied menu of smoothies, salads, breakfasts, burgers, wraps, bowls, and more.
Toddrickallen Wishes You A Very Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing all readers a joyous holiday filled with good food, family, and dear friends. I’m very grateful to all my dedicated readers for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the excitement of the LA food scene. Happy Thanksgiving from Toddrickallen!
Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean Expands Into Brentwood
With locations in Beverly Hills and LA, it looks like purveyors of healthy, organic Mediterranean food Soom Soom are living up to their website’s promise to expand “across Los Angeles and beyond”. Paper is covering the window at 11704 South Barrington Court announcing their impending arrival. I’m not sure how far along their progress is, but I’ll keep watching.
Shake Shack Now Open In El Segundo
To all those in El Segundo who have been eagerly awaiting a taste of their wildly popular food comes this welcome news… Shake Shack is now open in the Apollo Landing development at 2171 Rosecrans Ave. Expect a long lines and a whole slough of other openings in this development soon.
Earthbar Opening A New Location In Santa Monica
Self-described “healthy supply company” Earthbar appears to be expanding rapidly. With one location just over a block away in Equinox, they are opening a storefront at 1447 Ocean Ave. in Downtown Santa Monica, facing the beach. Find out if you are an “Earthbar Earthling“, and read more about their proprietary supplements, herbal formulas, and sports nutrition here.
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