Author Archives: toddrickallen

Caffe Luxxe Moves Locations In Brentwood

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I only just recently noticed that artisanal coffee experts Caffe Luxxe has boarded up its location at 11975 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood.  I think the closure wasn’t unexpected as the entire shopping complex that this branch anchored has also boarded up in anticipation of an upcoming project.  But if you count yourself among the legions of devoted fans of the popular purveyor of caffeinated drinks, don’t worry that you’ll have to drive to Santa Monica to get your fix:  According to their website, they are planning on moving just a little east to a new location at 11640 San Vicente.  I’ll keep watching to see what develops.

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9021Pho Quits Beverly Hills…

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I didn’t see this coming…  It appears that Beverly Hills’ long-standing purveyor of Southeast Asian food has pulled up stakes.  A for lease has gone up on the front of cleverly named 9021Pho indicating that they are vacating their location at 490 N. Beverly Dr.  Yelp confirms that they are indeed closed.  No word on what happened or what may be taking their place, but I’ll keep watching…

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Ladurée Opens In Beverly Hills: You’re Welcome.

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To the great many of you who have been carefully tracking the progress of LA’s second branch of Paris’ cult macaron shop comes this welcome news:  Ladurée threw open its doors at 311 N. Beverly Dr. on Saturday.  While I haven’t seen the recently opened outpost at The Grove, this one has a different look and feel than the branches I’ve visited in Paris, London, or New York.  The tiny jewel box space is bright and airy with large flowers and lattice on the walls, not paneled and heavily Gallic in theme like many of the others.  A cursory glance at the menu shows many of my old favorites, including the Club Champs-Elysees (tomato, eggplant, zucchini, mozzarella, parmesan, and basil on wholemeal bread).  And the pastries, cakes, and macarons are as gorgeous as always, and prettily displayed in glass cases, beckoning you to forget all about that New Year’s resolution you recently made…

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Correction:  I originally reported that the Club Champs-Elysees was on the menu.  It is not.  That sandwich is apparently only served in Paris and New York.  Tofu sliders are this locations meat-free sandwich option.

Boozy Shopping At Santa Monica’s New Whole Foods

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Santa Monica is about to get its fourth Whole Foods.  But this one has a difference…  According to the notice of pending requested applications attached to the fencing at the front of the new Whole Foods Market complex being built on the corner of Cloverleaf and Pico, not only with they be selling alcohol, but they will also be having “instructional tasting”, and “beer and wine on premise consumption”.  Organic shopping in Santa Monica is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

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J & T Deli Closed In Santa Monica

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Local institution J & T Gourmet Deli has apparently vacated their 1128 Wilshire Blvd. space.   Long a favorite  among the Polish and Eastern European communities, I had been hearing whispers that the quality had changed somewhat after a recent ownership change.  Not sure what will replace the deli, but I’ll keep watching…

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Vanilla Bake Shop Finally Closes In Century City

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One of the last holdouts in the rapidly developing Westfield Century City Shopping Center, Vanilla Bake Shop has finally closed.  Apparently, they may not be returning to the glitzy new mall once it opens sometime later this year.  The website states that the upcoming Pasadena location is where they are relocating.

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H B Daisy Closed In Santa Monica?

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The shop that replaced Santa Monica’s dubious branch of Joan’s on Third appears to have closed at 1705 Ocean Ave.  While there are no obvious signs, the shelves have been stripped and there is no activity at H B Daisy, and I when I called their phone number, I received a message that the number is unassigned.  Please let me know if you have any further information, but until then I’ll keep my eye on the troubled corner space at Ocean and Olympic…

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Veggie Grill Rolls Out Its Winter Menu

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It’s that time of year when popular vegan chain Veggie Grill unveils its Winter menu.  Included on this year’s menu are: Turkey Dinner Sandwich, Koreatown Tacos, Pumpkin Spice Cake, and a new item from the Beyond Meat people that they’re referring to as a “game changer”, the VG Beyond Burger.  Check out the entire menu of seasonal additions to their regular here.

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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