The Point Officially Opens This Week With A Free Breakfast; True Food Kitchen Now Open In El Segundo…

Posted on July 29, 2015 by toddrickallen

There are a great many of you who read this blog that appear to be very excited about the arrival of the big shopping/dining development The Point, situated on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in El Segundo (Manhattan Beach adjacent). Much of your attention is focused on the True Food Kitchen (that according to their website is now open), but as I’ve told you before, there are many other eateries on the way as well. I can’t exactly say when all of those restaurants will open (although it looks like most will be open very soon), I can tell you that The Point officially opens this Thursday with a 9:30am complimentary continental breakfast followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony and other activities over the weekend that you can read more about here.

Another In-N-Out Set To Grace The Southbay Soon…

Posted on July 28, 2015 by toddrickallen

Fanaticism-inspiring CA chain In-N-Out Burger continues its slow and steady expansion. The old derelict Sizzler that used to inhabit the corner of Sepulveda and E. Mariposa in El Segundo has been torn down and construction is underway on the building that will house the new restaurant. No word on an opening date, but I’m sure the hungry aerospace crowds are chomping at the bit…

Caffe 8 1/2 Taking Over Caffe Bello In SM?

Posted on July 23, 2015 by toddrickallen

I’m not entirely sure what’s going on here, but I’ve noticed a lot of recent activity at the site that used to house Caffe Bello at 1912 Broadway Suite 100 in a quiet residential neighborhood of Santa Monica. Caffe Bello apparently closed earlier in the year. But signs have recently gone up (as well as a giant wall photo of Marcello Mastroianni in an homage to Federico Fellini’s famous film) announcing that the new lunch spot will be called Caffe 8 1/2. The door promises a menu of classic Italian faves including panini, focacce, tiramisu, and espresso. Let me know if you have more info, but in the mean time, I’ll keep my eye on it…

Another Wetzel’s Down For The Count…

Posted on July 22, 2015 by toddrickallen

Is popular doughy treat shop Wetzel’s Pretzels pulling out of the Westside? Back in December of last year, I noticed that the branch at Santa Monica Place had disappeared. And now, the Wetzel’s in the Century City Shopping Center has quietly slipped out of its first floor location. Not sure what’s going on, but I’ll keep watching. If you find that life holds no meaning without their signature salty Bavarian-inspired snacks, locate another branch here.

Café Rockenwagner Now Closed In Brentwood

Posted on July 20, 2015 by toddrickallen

I had high hopes for Café Rockenwagner when I first noticed back in 2013 that it was coming to a new development in Brentwood: It had a bright, mod interior; a fantastic location on the corner of Barrington and Wilshire; and the pleasing Germanic/Californian comfort food of longtime LA chef Hans Röckenwagner. But slowly over the subsequent months, you could see fewer and fewer people sitting at its tables. Sadly, the Café has served its last pretzel burger. The signs are covered over and the place is deserted. No word on what may be replacing it, but until then, Rockenwagner still maintains a few other places around town that you can locate here.

Papa Jake’s Sub Shop Closes In Beverly Hills

Posted on July 17, 2015 by toddrickallen

While we’re on the subject of closures… I recently noticed that longtime neighborhood sandwich shop Papa Jake’s Sub Shop at 9527 Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills has closed its doors. And it looks like they haven’t lined up a new tenant yet as evidenced by the “for rent” signs posted in the window. I’ll keep my eye on it.

Pulse Cafe Bids Bye-Bye To Santa Monica

Posted on July 16, 2015 by toddrickallen

Back in December of 2012, I told you about a new healthy café that had just arrived at 1426 Montana Ave. #5 in Santa Monica. Since then, Pulse Café had made quite a sensation among the yoga crowd with its signature hot smoothies and organic boba. Sadly however, it appears that Pulse Café has given up the ghost, possibly due to stiff competition from nearby Beaming, Kye’s, and any number of other juice joints that crowd the street. The space has been cleared out and there are prominent “for lease” signs in the window. I’ll keep my eye out for replacements…

Gray Dog Tavern Coming Soon To The Corner of SMB And Bundy

Posted on July 14, 2015 by toddrickallen

Looks like the Westside is getting a new restaurant of some sort. Not much to go on here except an ABC license and a smattering of city applications, but it appears that the derelict Blockbuster Video store at 12112 Santa Monica Blvd. (corner of Bundy) will soon be home to Gray Dog Tavern (…or Grey Dog Tavern, or simply Gray Dog: it’s spelled various ways on different applications). And of course, this could just be a working name and not the actual name. As always, I’ll keep watching…

Nobu Malibu Opens For Breakfast…

Posted on July 9, 2015 by toddrickallen

Malibu’s ne plus ultra stylish charmer Nobu will begin serving breakfast today (Friday July 10th) according to their website and confirmed by a company spokesperson. One can only imagine what culinary magic the perpetually popular restaurant intends on bestowing on the good people of Malibu, but the brekkie blessings will be flowing only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9am to 12pm. Does this mean we’re getting closer to the highly anticipated opening of the nearby Nobu Ryokan?

nobuLogo

Nancy’s Raw Juices Now Open In MDR

Posted on July 9, 2015 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that yet another juice joint has popped up in Marina del Rey. Nancy’s Raw Juices & Milk Tea has moved into the space that used to house an old convenience market at 105 W. Washington Blvd. Nancy’s offers a menu of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, soups, and milk teas and doesn’t yet have a big online presence, just a Facebook page that you can check out here.

Simplethings Now Open In Santa Monica…

Posted on July 7, 2015 by toddrickallen

Back in December of last year, we learned from Eater that simplethings, the cozy sandwich shop well-known for their amazing pies, was intending to open a branch in Santa Monica. Simplethings has quietly slipped into the space at 800 Wilshire Blvd., right smack dab on the corner of Lincoln and is now up and running. With three other locations across LA, they offer a menu of sandwiches, breakfasts, salads, and of course pie that you can read more about here.

Vosges Chocolat Now Closed In BH

Posted on July 2, 2015 by toddrickallen

I didn’t see this coming… But it appears that my go-to place for last-minute holiday gifts has given up the ghost. Vosges Haut-Chocolat is now closed at 311 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. No word on if they plan on opening elsewhere or what will replace the chocolatier, but I’ll keep watching…

Yet Another Boozy Theater In Santa Monica…

Posted on June 30, 2015 by toddrickallen

It looks like the very last holdout in the push to serve alcohol in Downtown Santa Monica’s theaters will also soon be serving booze according to the conditional use application posted on the front of the building. Loews Broadway 4 theater at 1441 3rd Street Promenade is currently closed for renovation. But when it re-opens, fortunate movie patrons will be able to toast to Jurassic Park 18 with a bit of hooch. Cheers!

Benny’s Tacos Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on June 29, 2015 by toddrickallen

Expanding Mexican chain Benny’s Tacos has quietly slipped into the space left behind by the departed The Slice pizza joint at 915 Wilshire Blvd. Recognizable by their large-eyed mascot who adorns their ubiquitous catering trucks, Benny’s Tacos offers a menu composed of the usual suspects (burritos, tacos, quesadillas), as well as breakfasts, salads, rotisserie chicken, and vegetarian options. Check out more about their menu and read more here.

Malibu Beach Inn Restaurant About To Get Remodelled

Posted on June 26, 2015 by toddrickallen

With so few places to dine at the ocean’s edge in LA, one of the loveliest spots to meander through a leisurely lunch is surely the elegant Malibu Beach Inn. A source recently told me that the restaurant in the Malibu Beach Inn at 22878 Pacific Coast Highway is about to get a major overhaul. Not long ago, the Inn changed hands and the new owners are looking to upgrade, perhaps due to the fact that they may be facing stiff competition from the upcoming Nobu Ryokan just down the street. Many of the changes will be cosmetic and the ocean front patio will be enlarged. They are also (finally) adding a place to store wine. They will remain open during construction.

Veggie Grill Rolls Out Its Summer Menu

Posted on June 25, 2015 by toddrickallen

Ah Summertime, when one’s thoughts turn to the beach, balmy evenings, picnics, and… quinoa. At least that’s what popular vegan chain Veggie Grill wants us to think about. Every year about this time, they debut their new Summer menu items. Here’s this year’s list: Grilled Quinoa + Veg Burger, Mediterranean Toss with House ‘Feta’, Sonoran Summer Bowl, Haricots Verts with House-made lemon tahini dressing, and Chargrilled Street Corn. Read more about their Summer menu and find locations here.

Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches Coming Soon To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on June 23, 2015 by toddrickallen

As you may know, the old Yankee Doodles space at 1410 Third St. Promenade in Santa Monica has sat vacant since a fire closed the sports bar back in 2013. Last month I noticed new signs of life but couldn’t come up with specific details. But recently, an artist’s rendering posted on the front of the space appears to spill the beans that the new tenant will be Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches. With several locations mostly to the South and East of LA, Bruxie is known for breakfasts and sandwiches served between their signature waffles, sort of like a panini according to their website. But they also offer salads, frozen custard, sundaes, and floats. Check out their website and learn more here.

New Gallery Food Hall Now Under Construction In The Third Street Promenade

Posted on June 19, 2015 by toddrickallen

Back in April of 2014 I told you that the decrepit food hall at 1315 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica was destined for a make-over. Work has finally begun and all of the restaurants (McDonald’s, Chinese Gourmet Express, The Candy Baron, Sushi Shogun, etc.) that had previously occupied the space except for Subway (that you now have to enter through a sleazy back alley entrance) have now closed. Not sure which one’s will be returning but I’ll keep watching…

Signs Go Up At El Segundo’s The Point…

Posted on June 18, 2015 by toddrickallen

Signs have recently gone up at El Segundo’s eagerly awaited massive The Point development heralding the arrival of many new restaurants slated to open this year on the corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans. As early as September 2014, I figured out that True Food Kitchen was coming, but at least five more new eateries will leave locals spoilt for choice. Check out the full list of coming attractions here.

Cassia Opened Over The Weekend… Here’s A Glimpse Inside

Posted on June 15, 2015 by toddrickallen

Back in October of 2013 I told you about a new eatery arriving to the repurposed and cavernous art deco building at 1314 7th St. in Santa Monica. At the time, the ABC license listed the place as the 7th Street Bistro. We all know now that what was coming was the buzz-worthy Cassia. Easily one of the Westside’s most anticipated openings, Cassia (the name is a reference to an Asian tree that is indestructible) officially threw open its doors on Saturday night, bestowing the culinary blessings of Bryant Ng and Kim Ng (The Spice Table), and Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan (Rustic Canyon, Huckleberry, Milo & Olive) to the good people of Santa Monica. With pitch-perfect service and astonishingly good food, this little gem is indeed a welcome sight in this neck of the woods. The menu, “Asian meets French bistro” as we were told, is well executed and includes dishes such as: kaya toast, green papaya salad, chickpea curry, oysters, grilled lobster, whole Singaporean white pepper crab, laksa, and steak frites. And for dessert? How about deep fried Paris-brest or Vietnamese coffee pudding… Walk-ins only at this point and they’ll officially take reservations on June 23rd, but I have it on good authority that the rezzie lines will open this Sunday, June 21st on Opentable. Trust me, you’ll need them…

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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