Specialty’s Cafe & Bakery Now Open In El Segundo

Posted on April 30, 2015 by toddrickallen

Boasting over 40 restaurants in California, Washington, and Illinois, Specialty’s Café & Bakery has recently thrown its hat into the ring of the burgeoning Manhattan Beach/El Segundo food scene by opening a branch at 2101 E. El Segundo Blvd., right on the corner of Continental Blvd. In case you’re unfamiliar, Specialty’s offers a menu of baked items, breakfasts, sandwiches, salads, and soups in a cheery and bright setting that includes a sizable outdoor patio. Check out their menu and online ordering option, and locate other locations here.

What’s Going On At The RG Club In Venice?

Posted on April 28, 2015 by toddrickallen

What’s going on at the RG Club in Venice? While their website states that they are closed until late Spring for renovations it looks like a new entity is taking over the jazz bar at 2536 Lincoln Blvd. According to the posted ABC change of ownership application, the applicant is listed as Twenty Five Lincoln LLC. Inspection of the online application doesn’t reveal too much either as no business name is listed. So we’ll just have to wait and see what’s coming…

Alka Logic, The On Demand Premium Water Store Coming Soon To Venice

Posted on April 24, 2015 by toddrickallen

Need someplace to exclusively purchase your high-end performance-enhanced water without the inconvenient jostle of Whole Foods? Maybe you didn’t even realize you needed it, but… of course you do! Already known for their home and business delivery of “pure antioxidant ionizing alkaline water”, Alka Logic is soon opening a free-standing store offering an “on demand self-use water filling station” at 328 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice according to the banner hanging on the storefront. No word on an opening date, but I’m sure you’ll heave a sigh of relief when that blessed day comes. Could this be the next big thing? We’ll have to wait and see…

L’Olio Cafe & Wine Bar Arriving Soon In MDR… Possibly

Posted on April 23, 2015 by toddrickallen

It appears that the faded ABC license has been posted in the window for quite a while, but I can find absolutely no other information on what appears to be the arrival of L’Olio Café & Wine Bar to the currently empty space at 3018 Washington Blvd. in Marina del Rey. The licensee is listed as Sahbal Bintug, who must be very brave indeed to be throwing his hat into the ring with so many established Italian restaurants within spitting distance (Scopa, C & O, South End). No word on an opening date and not much work has been done which makes me wonder if this project is still going ahead, but I’ll keep watching…

Sweet XO Kisses Goodbye To El Segundo

Posted on April 21, 2015 by toddrickallen

It appears that Sweet XO, the yogurt, bakery, and gift store that opened a little over a year ago has closed its doors at 3700B Allied Way in Plaza El Segundo, next to The Counter. While the reviews praised their astonishing array of treats like “xogurt” with 175 different toppings, desserts, cupcakes, and candies, it just didn’t prove enough. And if you suddenly find that existence has lost all meaning without their promise of “Life Fulfilled”, you can track down three other locations scattered across SoCal here.

Uh oh… Not A Smooth Landing For Flights

Posted on April 17, 2015 by toddrickallen

Remember back in January when I told you about the impending arrival of Flights Craft Beers + Sports Grill, the new bar with 40 beers on tap, an interesting menu, and odd location (5119 W. El Segundo Blvd, in Hawthorne)? I’ve been carefully watching this story because the Manhattan Beach/El Segundo food scene is exploding right now and Flights is the farthest east of all of the new upcoming restaurants. Well, after delaying their opening a few weeks, they eventually opened for business on March 25th. Shortly thereafter however, they had to close their doors due to health and safety code violations. A letter pasted under the notice of closure on the front door explains that the moving of an ice machine and installation of a new washing machine required new permits that they simply didn’t know about. But they are planning on reopening as soon as they can.

Belcampo Now Pushing Meat In SM…

Posted on April 15, 2015 by toddrickallen

Well, it’s been a bit of a wait, and a whole lot of you have been closely tracking this story. Back in January of 2014, I first noticed signs up announcing that Belcampo Meat Co., the high-end butcher shop hailing from Northern California was taking over the space at 1026 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica that used to house Dakota Lounge. Then back in May of 2014, they briefly opened a pop-up restaurant while construction was going on. Well, after a full renovation of the space, Belcampo opened their retail butcher shop (complete with a Tiffany-style display window) in the front last week and the restaurant with a separate entrance officially opened on Sunday. Look for a menu that features meats that are grass-fed, organic, and humanely raised at their farm at the foot of Ms. Shasta that you can learn more about here.

The display window

A F Chinese Food To Replace Tom’s Super Burger On Robertson…

Posted on April 14, 2015 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that signs are up announcing the impending arrival of a new Asian eatery to the empty space that used to house the unremarkable branch of mini-chain Tom’s Super Burger at 1710 S. Robertson Blvd. (corner of Airdrome) in West LA. Looks like we can expect a mysterious entity named A F Chinese Food & Vietnamese Pho BBQ to soon throw open its doors. No word on when that thrilling moment will occur, but we’re all waiting with bated breath…

Veggie Grill Rolls Out Its New Spring Menu…

Posted on April 10, 2015 by toddrickallen

It’s that time of year, when popular vegan chain Veggie Grill unveils its new Spring menu items. Included on this year’s list are: fresh pea + asparagus soup: banh mi salad; spice market bowl (Moroccan-spiced and grilled tofu, sautéed asparagus, sweet peppers, leeks, roasted corn, faro, chard, beets, golden raisins, with a preserved lemon vinaigrette); and a strawberry and rhubarb parfait. Check out the entire menu of seasonal additions to their regular menu here.

Mega Pizza & Grille Coming Soon To CC

Posted on April 8, 2015 by toddrickallen

Recently, I noticed that the space right next door to Live Right Acai at 11028 Washington Blvd. in Culver City appears to be being outfitted for a new restaurant. No signs are posted yet, but according to the Culver City Observer, the upcoming eatery is going to be called Mega Pizza & Grille. Not much out there on this place and no word of an opening date, but I’ll keep watching…

Reds To Bring Swedish Pizza To Santa Monica…

Posted on April 6, 2015 by toddrickallen

Could Swedish pizza be the next big thing? Thanks to a tip from a reader, I checked out the space that used to house Perfect Blend juice bar at 707 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica, next to Samohi. Sure enough, a sign in the window announces that the storefront will soon be inhabited by Reds: A Swedish Pizza & Burger House. What the heck is Swedish pizza? Turns out, Swedish pizza is simply a pie, developed by immigrants to Sweden, with unusual and iconoclastic combinations and toppings such as béarnaise sauce, filet mignon, or banana and curry. Reds appears to be the offshoot of Cutter’s Pizza in Tarzana. Check out their Facebook page, or edify yourself and astonish your friends with your impressive knowledge of the history of Swedish pizza from their website here.

Live Right Acai Now Open In CC

Posted on April 3, 2015 by toddrickallen

Not long ago, I told you about the impending arrival of a new superfood restaurant at 11030 Washington Blvd. (corner of Tilden) in Culver City. Well, Live Right Acai has thrown open its doors and is dispensing robust health to this little corner of Culver City. Look for a menu of, you guessed it, acai bowls, drinks, and smoothies that people appear to be raving about on Yelp.

Biobar Opens In West LA

Posted on April 2, 2015 by toddrickallen

Recently, I told you about the closure of the long-time Westside fixture Soybean Chinese Food due to a health code violation at 11966 Wilshire Blvd. in West LA. Wasting no time whatsoever, a charming and cheerful little lunch spot has moved in. Biobar, which opened on Tuesday, serves a simple and straightforward menu of “fresh & healthy” soups, salads, and sandwiches and is brought to you by the people behind Totpot, the organic children’s prepared meal delivery service.

Whole Foods Landing Soon In Playa Vista

Posted on March 31, 2015 by toddrickallen

It’s fascinating watching the massive Playa Vista development emerge out of thin air. As if overnight, row after row of residential buildings have sprung from nothing. So of course, it seems only natural that the future inhabitants will need to eat somewhere. Back in January I told you about the impending arrival of a Cinemark Theater (now open) with a full bar, lounge, and dining menu as well as a future Lyfe Kitchen. And now we can add to the list a brand new flashy Whole Foods on the corner of W. Jefferson and McConnell Ave.

And The Name Of The New Restaurant Is… Estate

Posted on March 27, 2015 by toddrickallen

Back in late February, I told you about an ABC application posted on the vacant space at 1519 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica that used to house The Parlor. The applicant was listed as Estate 1519, which I assumed was a working name. Well, as it turns out, the new restaurant will indeed be named Estate as indicated by the sample menu that they recently posted in the window. According to the Yelp page, Estate is up and running (possibly a soft opening) as of this week and the (positive) reviews are trickling in. The menu, designed by Chef Hisashi Yoshiara (Buddha’s Belly) appears to be an eclectic mix of Asian influences and Californian cuisine that you can check out in the photo below.

Herringbone Coming Soon To Santa Monica

Posted on March 25, 2015 by toddrickallen

Nearby to the upcoming Joan’s on Third and eLOVate, I just noticed the plywood with a conditional use permit posted on it announcing the impending arrival of a new 245 seat indoor/outdoor restaurant in the new development at 1755 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica. The applicant listed is as “Santa Monica Eats LLC”, but if you track down the ABC application, it reveals that the new restaurant will be Herringbone, which I’m assuming will be a sister restaurant to the Herringbone at the Mondrian in West Hollywood. Not much news out there on an opening date and they’ve only recently posted job listings, but I’ll keep watching. In the mean time, check out Chef Brian Malarkey’s “Fish Meats Field” concept menu and read more about the company here.

Kanpai Sushi Bar & Grill Expands In Westchester

Posted on March 23, 2015 by toddrickallen

With one location at 8325 Lincoln Blvd., Kanpai Sushi Bar & Grill is expanding into the space at 8736c Sepulveda in Westchester according to signs posted on the storefront. Named for the Japanese word for “cheers”, Kanpai serves a menu of “traditional Japanese with California flair” that you can read more about here. No word on an exact opening date, but it looks like they’re very close…

BYOPizza Disappears From Redondo Beach

Posted on March 20, 2015 by toddrickallen

Could this be an indication that we’ve finally reached the saturation point with the custom-built pizza concept? I recently noticed that the South Bay’s very own outlet of the Southern US chain BYOPizza has closed its doors at 4051 Inglewood Avenue in Redondo Beach. And if you can’t bear the thought of life without them, the next nearest location appears to be in Texas…

The Westside Gets A New Coffee Bean

Posted on March 18, 2015 by toddrickallen

The brand new branch of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf that was under construction in the curious space on the southwest corner of the super-busy intersection of Wilshire and Federal is now open. Where you might find parking is anyone’s guess. But while you’re driving around looking for a space, you can read more about the SoCal fave beverage shop here.

Cousins Maine Lobster Claws Its Way Into WeHo

Posted on March 16, 2015 by toddrickallen

I just noticed that signs are up in the window of the space that used to house the unfortunately named and short-lived sandwich shop Bite Mi Café announcing the impending arrival of Cousins Maine Lobster to 8593 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. TV’s Shark Tank darlings Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac (the “Cousins” appear to be expanding their growing lobster truck business into brick and mortar. No word on an opening date or what exactly will be on offer (although I’ll wager a guess that it will have a great deal to do with lobster), but you can read more about CML here.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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