I recently noticed that something called simply The Seafood Bar is landing on the second floor of the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, which by the way is looking forward to a major remodel. Not much information out there on this, but I’ll take a wild stab in guessing that fish will be on the menu. I’ll keep watching as more develops…
Those of you looking for a quick sandwich fix in Brentwood might have to go a bit farther afield. It looks like quotidian sandwich chain Subway has vacated the space at 11762 San Vicente Blvd. Not sure what happened or what may take over the location, but I’ll keep watching…
Recently I noticed plywood covering a smallish space at 4410 Sepulveda Blvd. in Culver City, and a banner announcing the impending arrival of something called Harujuku Taproom. As it turns out, this modest beginning will be a branch of a popular Tokyo chain of craft beer izakaya restaurants featuring Baird Beer. According to the website, we can expect a menu of “traditional light izakaya fare and an assortment of meat & vegetable skewers (kushiyaki) grilled right before your eyes”. No word on an opening date, but until then, you can get a glimpse of what the finished product will look like on their Facebook page…
Since I first told you about the mysterious ABC license posted on the tony space at 408 N. Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills, a great many of you have been checking for details, so here you go… I recently heard from a spokesperson from the Napa Valley winery listed on the application, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery. She informed me that the winery is opening an elegant tasting salon at this location that will showcase their white and red varietals of Bordeaux. I’m told the space will evoke a “modern French parlor complimented by Napa Valley chic” with bistro tables, a palette of black, gold, and white, and a custom bar that will serve flights, glasses, and bottles of wine. They’ll be running their salon through August of next year. Look for the opening soon. You’re welcome.
Well that took a long time… Well over a year ago, I first noticed that food truck folks Bobaritto were finally putting down roots at 1321 Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. I’m not sure what the hold up was, but they have recently thrown open their doors and are dispensing sushi burritos, poke, and boba tea to the good people of Santa Monica.
Could the stumbling food scene in Santa Monica Place be recovering? Z Pastabar recently opened, The Curious Palate jumped locations but not the ship, and The Cheesecake Factory appears constantly busy. Yet there are still four cavernous restaurant spaces that remain idle. But soon you can make that three. Signs are up on the front of the space that used to house Pizza Antica informing us that Torrance’s craft beer specialists The Dudes’ Brewing Company will soon be moving in. We wish them the best of luck.
It was almost three years ago that I first noticed that a branch of Caffe Primo was intending on moving into the corner space at 7th and Arizona in Downtown Santa Monica, across the street from wildly popular Cassia. But all that appears to have changed. Recently, all the window announcements were pulled down, and a for lease sign has gone up on the vacant space. It looks like the West Hollywood location is gone as well. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
A solid year ago, I told you about a new French pastry shop moving into a corner space on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica that used to house French fragrance folks L’Occitane. I’m not sure what took so long, but Le Macaron is now open and offering sublime creative confections from their charming spot at 1301 Montana Ave. With locations throughout the US, this is the first LA area shop for the Florida based chain. Besides macarons, look for a selection of pastries, breads, chocolates, and coffees.
Bowls, those complicated combinations of über-healthy ingredients commingling in a container, remain hot commodities. The latest to try their hand at attracting the attention of the yoga set in Downtown Santa Monica is Backyard Bowls. With a smattering of locations across Santa Barbara and LA, they look fairly close to opening at 1317A 7th St. Expect a menu of açaí bowls, smoothies, hot porridges, and toasts, that you can read more about here.
I’d thought we’d seen a slow down in the poke phenomena that has descended upon us in recent years, but apparently not. Another contender is vying for our attention in Santa Monica. Signs are up on the space that once was occupied by Rita’s Frozen Custard, at 2307 Main St., announcing that self-described “King of Poke” PoKing will soon be moving in.
Because so many of you are tracking the progress of the developing Westfield Century City Shopping Center, I’m giving you the details as I encounter them. The latest? The food court has expanded its floor space by a great deal. I know it’s hard to tell from these photos, but a new glass wall has been built creating increased floor space. If you look at the first photo, what you’re looking at is the erstwhile news stand that stood in the outdoor area across from the former Coral Tree Express ( on the far right of the photo). You can see that the area is now enclosed. The second photo is standing where the old doors used to be and looking toward Meizhou Dongpo, that is now just outside the new entrance. What’s going to occupy all this extra space? I guess we’ll have to wait and see…
When Govind Armstrong’s southern-inflected hot spot Willie Jane disappeared at 1031 Abbot Kinney in Venice, it caused a great deal of hoopla. Known for its popular biscuits, it closed up shop abruptly back in December. But something new is coming to the space. And according to the recently posted ABC change of ownership application, the new restaurant is named as Willie Jane as well, although this doesn’t necessarily indicate the final name of the new eatery. A name listed on the application is one long associated with Abbot Kinney, Dan Abrams. I don’t have much information on this, but if you’re curious, here’s a place to start looking…
Is competition in the food scene getting too stiff in the El Segundo area? New multi-use complexes are popping up right and left. There’s the developing Elevon project, Apollo Landing, and Manhattan Village is getting a much-needed redo. But there are signs that things are wearing thin. Many empty spaces still sit in the newish The Point. And older shopping centers are beginning to bleed tenants. Plaza El Segundo has had a number of vacant storefronts for a while. Recently, customized burger joint The Counter pulled up stakes there. Courageous expanding Indian restaurant chain Samosa House has settled in and is giving it a go, making this their fifth location. We wish them the best of luck.
Just in time for a hot summer… Since I first told you about indications of a new icy treat shop moving into the commodious space at 11813 W. Santa Monica Blvd. in LA, a great many of you have been following its progress. Helados La Michoacana has recently thrown open its doors for business. A cursory peek inside reveals what looks like miles of wrap-around freezer counters loaded with every imaginable ice cream, frozen pop, and juice.
It’s often been said that when God closes a frozen yogurt joint, he opens a fast food pasta restaurant… Here are the latest changes to the stumbling Santa Monica Place food scene. Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt has closed up shop just outside the food court. And plucky contender Z Pastabar has opened inside the food court, which is now completely occupied.
Along Wilshire Blvd. In Santa Monica, drive-through fast food is a rarity. And it got even rarer when Jack In The Box closed down at 2423 Wilshire. But fear not time-pressed commuters! The building will eventually be converted into a Del Taco according to the design review notice posted in the window.
A sad day for Indian food on the Westside… Longstanding Santa Monica institution Nawab of India has vacated its cavernous space at 1621 Wilshire Blvd. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about the closure of N.Y.&C. Pizzeria at 1120 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Wasting no time whatsoever, it looks like a new contender has taken over the spot. Rock’n Pies Pizza Co. is currently in soft opening for lunch, with the eventual goals of an expanded menu, late-night delivery, and beer and wine.
What was once a very quiet section of Downtown Santa Monica is quickly transforming into a restaurant destination. Just to the right of Cava and the upcoming HiHo, at 1320 2nd St. Suite A, a brand new handmade pasta joint calling itself Uovo Pasta will soon be joining the list. And it looks like they’re fairly close to opening…
Santa Monica Yacht Club closed its doors at 820 Santa Monica Blvd. a bit ago so Andrew Kirschner could focus his attention on Tar & Roses, his other restaurant a block away, at least according to the notice taped to the front door. Recently however, an ABC ownership change application has appeared and names the new restaurant as… Santa Monica Yacht Club. If you examine the application online, you can see that a familiar name is listed as an officer: Nyesha Arrington, who left Leona in Venice back in February to pursue other projects.
Toddrickallen 