Author Archives: toddrickallen

Westwood Loses An Iconic Restaurant Space…

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Years ago, if you went to a movie in Westwood (yes, people used to do that), chances are you stopped by Jerry’s Deli beforehand.  Unfortunately, Jerry’s went extinct in Westwood three years ago and the iconic, cavernous space at 10925 Weyburn Ave. has sat empty ever since.  I’ve been watching to see who would finally take down the decrepid for lease sign and breathe new life into an old classic.  Well, signs did come down recently, and sadly, according to the notice of public hearing posted on the front, the old Jerry’s will be a future “financial service center”. 

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Open Oven Pizza Closes In Westwood

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Selling pizza to hungry students in Westwood is like shooting fish in a barrel, but competition is stiff.  Back in 2014, the build-you-own concept Open Oven Pizza opened its doors to the hungry masses at 1131 Westwood Blvd.  While there is no clear indication of closure, it has sat idle for a while and Yelp is declaring it closed, so I’m calling it closed as well.

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Erven Snags Best New Restaurant Title

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When I popped into buzzy Erven, the eatery that inhabits the old RFD space at 514-516 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, to sample the much-lauded beer battered tofu sandwich, the staff that evening looked particularly chuffed.  I assumed that was because of the recent attention being showered on the vegan restaurant, and a good review from Jonathon Gold.  So when I congratulated them on their review, I got this response: “Which one?”  While it’s not out in print yet, turns out that Erven has just been named #1 of Los Angeles’ Best New Restaurants of 2016 by Los Angeles Magazine. You can see for yourself here.  Congratulations!

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The Pizza Mac Coming Soon To Westwood

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Ummm… I can’t entirely grasp the concept here, but if you’ve ever lamented the fact that you had to stop in two places to satisfy your pizza and macaron fix, you’re in luck!  It appears that both will be the bill of fare at an upcoming new restaurant at 2029 Westwood Blvd.  Apparently, the man associated with this venture, Aman Shekarchi, knows a thing or two about macarons.  He’s the name behind a wholesale pastry site Monkey Macarons.  Not sure when The Pizza Mac will open, but the world will be waiting with bated breath.

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Co+Opportunity Spreads East

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The good folks of Santa Monica and environs are fiercely loyal to their small independent markets such as Vicente Foods, Bob’s Market, and The Farms.  But the king of them all?  That would have to be Co+opportunity Market and Deli, with its fanatically dedicated local following.  I recently noticed that Co+opportunity will soon be spreading the love in Culver City, with a second location going into a bright and airy space in the new Access development at 8770 Washington Blvd., across from that palace of all things culinary, Surfas.  Expect an opening sometime next year.

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Take A Bao Disappears From Century City

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I’ve been carefully watching the bleeding of eateries from the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.  While I don’t have confirmation, I’m beginning to wonder if the restaurants must leave because of an upcoming renovation to the court to keep it in line with the flashy new mall, set to be unveiled sometime next year.  The latest casualty:  Asian bun and noodle joint Take A Bao recently disappeared.  As always, I’ll keep my eye on things…takeabao

Osteria Bigoli Opens On Montana Ave.

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It was only back in September that I told you that clandestine celeb fave Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano at 714 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica was going to be taken over by a newcomer.  I’d known for a while that hard-working restaurateur Vincenzo Nicoletta was looking to move on.  Now it’s official:  Osteria Bigoli has thrown open its doors and is now serving pasta to the good people of NoMa.  Even though I’m hearing from readers who are lamenting the loss of their old favorite dishes from Vincenzo, check out what the new restaurant offers here.

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Luna Grill Expanding Into Culver City

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Back in May, San Diego’s Luna Grill opened its first LA area location in La Canada Flintridge.  Looks like they’re expanding.  Paper is covering the windows on the corner space of the new Harlow apartment building at 9901 Washington Blvd. (corner of Dunn Dr.) in Culver City announcing that Luna Grill is moving in.  Look for a “fresh Mediterranean” menu of salads, hummus, wraps, falafel, and kabob that you can read more about here.

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Vanilla Bake Shop Heads East…

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It appears that the Westside’s fave go-to spot for mini cupcakes is heading east.  Signs are up in the window and their website confirms that Vanilla Bake Shop will soon be opening at 88 E. Colorado Blvd. in Old Town Pasadena.  No word on when that opening date will be, but you can still pick up your macarons at their Santa Monica or Culver City locations.

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Simply Salad Opens In Brentwood

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It was only just back in August when I noticed that something was taking over the erstwhile Chang’s space at 11726 San Vicente Blvd.  Wasting no time whatsoever, Simply Salad is now open and dispensing kale to the good people of Brentwood.  They may get some competition from the upcoming Sweetgreen just a few blocks up the road…

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Espresso Cielo Finally Opens In Santa Monica

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It was way back in October of 2015 when I first noticed that a new outpost of coffee, tea, and patisserie purveyor Espresso Cielo was moving into the space at 1431C on 2nd Street in Downtown Santa Monica.  Originally they had predicted a Fall 2015 opening, but then it sat largely untouched for an extraordinarily long time.  Espresso Cielo has finally thrown open its doors for business.  Why it took so long to open is anybody’s guess, but I’m looking at you City of Santa Monica…

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The Hungry Cat Closes In Santa Monica, Closing In Santa Barbara As Well!

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Recently, a reader pointed out to me that Santa Monica’s outlet of David Lentz’s seafood joint, The Hungry Cat appeared to be closed.  When I went by to inspect last week, a note in the window stated that they were closed for renovations (frequently restaurant code for permanently closed).  However, in the past week, a prominent sign announcing restaurant space available went up that lets us know that they have indeed closed.  Any mention of the Santa Monica branch has been scrubbed from the website and Yelp lists it as closed.  But that’s not all:  The website also declares that the Santa Barbara branch will also be shutting down.  They list a number of reasons including; declining business, the current economic climate, and an offer they couldn’t refuse.  They will be open until Christmas. The Hollywood branch will apparently remain open.

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Nushii Opens In Westwood Village

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Back in August, I told you about “something big” that was moving into the old Le Pain Quotidien space at 1055 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village.  That something big turned out to be Nushii, who officially opened today (Monday).  Their menu offers a choice of a sushi burritos or sushi bowls with a selection of items that includes ahi tuna, teri-racha chicken, curry lemongrass tofu, or hearty herb cauliflower.

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Another One Bites The Dust In Century City…

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We wait with bated breath for the changes that are coming to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.  And as things dramatically transform in the food scene, yet another eatery falls to the wayside.  It was only just two years ago that I told you that Vietnamese restaurant NiBi Pho Bistro had secured a space in the famously capricious food court.  Plywood recently went up over the space informing us that they have closed.  That leaves only eight eating places left in the court by my count…

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Panini Café Miraculously Opens In Downtown Santa Monica

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I’ll never completely understand the process of opening a restaurant in Santa Monica.  Many restaurateurs that I’ve spoken with over the years have complained of endless red tape and countless inspections with the result being an extraordinarily long time from inception to completion.  But every once in a while, I’m astonished when an eatery opens in the blink of an eye.  It was only just back in late August that I noticed the first signs of life stirring in the old Fraiche space at 312 Wilshire Blvd.  Wasting no time whatsoever, Panini Café has officially thrown open its doors and is now serving “healthy Mediterranean” to the good people of Santa Monica.  I’m sure many would love to get their hands on the magic charm they used to accomplish this feat.

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The 2nd Now Open Inside Whole Foods, El Segundo

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The popular and always-crowded Whole Foods Market at 760 South Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo recently opened a new restaurant and bar named The 2nd in a newly constructed space just to your right as you walk in.  On offer here are 36 beers on tap, over 12 wines by the glass, and a creative menu of small plates (such as cauliflower nachos, jackfruit “crab” cakes,  buttermilk marinated calamari), salads, toasts, sushi, various burgers, and desserts (like boozy gelato). There’s also a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm Monday through Friday, and a brunch.  Check out the full menu here.

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Lisa’s Café & Bakery Joins The List Of New Eateries In Elevon

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Popular caterer and restaurateur Lisa Erikson is expanding her mini empire.  Signs have gone up on the space behind the upcoming Petros Kafe in the enormous Elevon development at 741 N. Douglas St. in El Segundo informing us that a second location of Lisa’s Café & Bakery will be moving in.  No word on an opening date, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

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Ippudo Restaurant Bringing Famous Ramen To Santa Monica?

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I noticed a few weeks ago that something was moving into the vacant space that used to house erstwhile tapas joint Taberna Arros Y Vi at 1403 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica.  A recently posted development application lists the new tenant as Ippudo Restaurant. I can’t confirm it, but could this be an upcoming branch of the famous cult tonkotsu ramen chain from New York, that is also moving into the Bay Area?  I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops…

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Cut Lounge Replacing Sidebar In The Beverly Wilshire

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If you’ve been in the iconic Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills (A Four Seasons Hotel) recently, you may have noticed that the space opposite Cut restaurant that housed the popular watering hole Sidebar has been boarded over.  A notice on the front of the plywood promises “something new”.  According to a representative, the something new will now be called Cut Lounge.  It looks like everything is getting a makeover:  There will be new décor, new cocktails, and a new menu.  They’re intending on unveiling everything on November 14th.

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