Yoshinoya Updates Itself In New Digs In Westchester

Posted on December 12, 2014 by toddrickallen

I haven’t heard much news from Japanese chain Yoshinoya in quite a while, but it looks as though they’re about to up their game. Signs indicate that they are poised to take over the corner spot in a brand new development on the corner of Manchester and Bellanca in Westchester. And it appears as though the dusty brand, founded in Tokyo over a century ago, is about to get a reboot. The new signs read Yoshinoya Japanese Kitchen. They look close to opening, but until then, read more about their signature teriyaki bowls here.

Juice Crafters Now Open On Ocean Park In SM…

Posted on December 11, 2014 by toddrickallen

The cold-pressed organic juice craze continues its inexorable conquest of the Westside as evidence by the expansion of local chain Juice Crafters into the storefront at 2811 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. Still in their soft opening, you can get 50% off through this Saturday. Read more about their menu and find other locations here.

Jessica Biel’s Au Fudge Landing Soon On Melrose In WeHo

Posted on December 9, 2014 by toddrickallen

Apparently actress Jessica Biel has long wanted to bring her organic restaurant idea Au Fudge into existence, and now it looks as though she’s almost there. I recently noticed an application posted in the window of the space that used to house Smoke and Artichoke’s Heart at 9010 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood announcing the impending arrival of Au Fudge. The concept? A kid-friendly environment that New York Magazine is calling a “Soho House for kids”… and by kids, we mean well-heeled and connected kids. According to an announcement on the website Jessica Biel Central, looks like the A-list little ones can expect an opening sometime between February and April of next year.

Ruth’s Chris Now Open In MDR

Posted on December 5, 2014 by toddrickallen

The iconic and staid palace of upscale dining Ruth’s Chris Steak House is now open in Marina Del Rey in the Marina Marketplace at 13450 Maxella Ave., second floor. With over 135 locations worldwide, Ruth’s Chris is currently the world’s largest luxury steak restaurant. Check out their menu and read more their hot buttered plates here.

Chick-fil-A Officially Opens Thursday At Jefferson And The 405

Posted on December 2, 2014 by toddrickallen

To those of you (and there are a whole lot of you) who have been closely following the impending opening of super popular and occasionally controversial Chick-fil-A just to the west of the 405 at 11750 Jefferson in West LA (corner of Mesmer), comes this happy news: Chick-fil-A will officially be throwing open its doors this Thursday, December 4th. Lines could be tough, and they’re asking you to bring a tent (!), but you’ll be rewarded with their signature sandwiches, games, and a chance to win free food for a year.

Honey Boba Coming Soon To West LA

Posted on December 1, 2014 by toddrickallen

Looks like shops selling boba (chewy tapioca balls submerged in sugary drinks) are proliferating lately. To the list we add one more: Signs recently went up in the new building at 11573 W. Santa Monica Blvd. (corner of Federal) in West LA announcing the impending arrival of Honey Boba. Promising “the best boba alive”, they already have locations in Gardena, Lomita, Rosemead, and Arcadia, so this will be their first foray into the Westside. No word on an opening date, but until then you can read more here.

Happy Thanksgiving From Toddrickallen!

Posted on November 27, 2014 by toddrickallen

I’d like to take this moment to thank all my dedicated readers and everyone who visits this site and wish all a very Happy Thanksgiving. I’m very grateful to you for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the excitement of the LA food scene. May your Holiday be filled with great food, family and friends, fun, and all manner of deliciousness!

Ox & Son To Take Over Cafe Montana In SM…

Posted on November 25, 2014 by toddrickallen

You may have been wondering what was going on over at neighborhood fave Cafe Montana at 1534 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Recently, they closed down. Then a sign went up in the window that announced they were remodeling and promising to reopen soon. That sign quickly disappeared. Then came the black plastic covering the windows… According to a source, Cafe Montana will not be reopening, ending a 20 year long run. The space is being developed for a new venture, tentatively named Ox & Son by businessman, restaurateur, and owner of Westside Rentals Mark Verge, who recently opened Art’s Table in Cafe Montana’s sister restaurant, the now-defunct Babalu. No details on an opening date or menu, but I’m told the concept will be “high-end”.

Get A Free Dessert This Tuesday At Native Foods…

Posted on November 24, 2014 by toddrickallen

We all know that Thanksgiving can be hard on the turkeys. Now you can help the pitiable poultry out: This Tuesday, November 25th, when you buy a main, side, and drink at Native Foods, part of the proceeds will go to Farm Sanctuary, an animal advocacy group that maintains shelters for the birds. For your kindness, Native Foods will give you a free dessert, their ginger snappy sandwich cookie.

Basanti Tea Bar Landing Soon In Beverly Hills

Posted on November 21, 2014 by toddrickallen

Looks like a new venture, Basanti Tea Bar will soon be taking over the vacated Crumbs Bake Shop space at 9465 South Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills. Not much out there yet except a still-developing website and job listings, but apparently the company was founded in Monterrey, Mexico in 2008. Look for a menu of “more than 35 loose leaf tea mixes, exotic fruits and indulgent flavors”. No word on an opening date, but I’ll keep checking…

Honeymade Sweet And Savory Now Closed In Westwood

Posted on November 20, 2014 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of Westwood, I noticed that specialty waffle shop Honeymade Sweet and Savory has closed its doors at 10912 Le Conte Ave. No word on what’s taking its place, but I’ll keep you posted…

Koala Tapioca Opening (Very) Soon In Westwood…

Posted on November 18, 2014 by toddrickallen

Koala Tapioca is in their final build-out and hiring phase and is poised to open soon at 10965 Weyburn Ave. in Westwood. Created by two UCLA alums, this is their first foray into brick-and-mortar after beginning in a truck named Koala Tea. Look for a menu of icy drinks, boba, and street food with strong Asian influences that you can read more about here.

Veggie Grill Rolls Out Its New Winter Menu…

Posted on November 14, 2014 by toddrickallen

Rapidly-expanding vegan chain Veggie Grill has rolled out its new winter menu. Included on the seasonal menu are: crispy portobellos, chargrilled veggies and penne, a glazed tofu banh mi, Sonoran winter bowl, kale and white bean braise, and other items. Check out the full menu and read more here.

Hillstone Restaurant Group Expands Into Montecito

Posted on November 12, 2014 by toddrickallen

It wasn’t that long ago that an old-timey nursery sat at 1255 Coast Village Road in posh Montecito, a relic of the now-tony street’s utilitarian past that has disappeared to accommodate the patrons of estates worth millions just a stone’s throw away. The nursery was demolished to make space for a new development that will house a branch of LA-based Hillstone Restaurant Group (Houston’s, South Beverly Grill, Gulfstream, Bandera), according to the ABC application posted outside. This will be a prominent national chain presence in the sleepy seaside town known for its fiercely local and independent restaurant scene. And while I can confirm neither an opening date nor the exact branch of the HRG, rumor has it that the new venue will be an R+D Kitchen.

Here’s A List Of Restaurants Coming Soon To The Point In El Segundo.

Posted on November 11, 2014 by toddrickallen

I’ve been watching The Point, the upscale outdoor mall being built on the corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans in Manhattan Beach/El Segundo. After a little bit of investigation back in September, I told you that True Food Kitchen would be moving into the colossal development in 2015. And now comes news, via the LA Times, of the other restaurants that will be on offer: Mendocino Farms, Superba Food & Bread, Shophouse, North Italia (which along with True Food Kitchen is part of the Fox Restaurant Concepts group), and a “restaurant and marketplace” from the founder of Pitfire Artisan Pizza. Look for the openings to begin sometime in 2015.

Baltaire Restaurant Arriving Soon To Brentwood…

Posted on November 7, 2014 by toddrickallen

I think many on the Westside were astonished and perhaps a bit nostalgic when that popular destroyer of waistlines, The Cheesecake Factory, abruptly closed its doors in 2012 at 11647 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. It’s long been reported that The Coral Tree Café has been renovating the space to make way for a cavernous new steakhouse. And now we have a name… According to the sign tacked up on the plywood announcing a job fair, the new restaurant will be called Baltaire. No word on an exact opening date, but they appear to be getting close…

Kye’s Now Pushing “Kyeritos” in SM…

Posted on November 6, 2014 by toddrickallen

Well that didn’t take long… Back in June, I told you about a new “superfood” concept restaurant poised to take over the space at 1518 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica that used to house pizza restaurant BricoLA. And by some miracle of planetary alignment (for that’s what’s needed to open a restaurant this quickly in Santa Monica), Kye’s opened yesterday (November 5th). Look for varied menu of salads, shakes, smoothies, breakfasts offerings, and their proprietary “kyerito”, which is essentially a wrap of such favorites as BBQ pork, reuben, paleo tuna, as well as many veg and vegan options such as bean taco, and “Nahm Jim“, the latter consisting of “assorted veggies, herbs, lotus root, woodear, Nahm Jim fish sauce or Veg Nahm Jim sauce, hemp seeds, macadamia nuts, sliced almonds, red/black rice blend, and nori” (whew!). Read more and check out their complete menu here.

Liquid Nutrition Now Open In BH

Posted on November 4, 2014 by toddrickallen

After what seemed like an extraordinarily lengthy remodel of the space that used to house long-gone salad joint Choppe Choppe at 368 N. Camden, smoothie and juice shop Liquid Nutrition has recently opened in Beverly Hills. This is the first US branch of the popular Canadian chain. You can expect a menu of proprietary specialty drinks with protein, herbal, or vitamin supplements as well as wraps, treats, and house-grown wheatgrass served by extremely friendly and helpful staff in a bright, cheery environment.

MAKE OUT Now Closed In SMP…

Posted on October 31, 2014 by toddrickallen

Abandoned storefronts, dusty shelves, deserted halls, and the occasional lost soul would be the perfect backdrop for Halloween… except that this is actually The Market at Santa Monica Place. Just in case we need more evidence that the sputtering Ferry Building-style food hall, about which we once held such high expectations, is not getting any better, Chef Matthew Kenney’s raw food restaurant MAKE has recently closed up its take away outlet MAKE OUT. The restaurant itself remains open, and you can read more about that here.

It’Sugar Throws Open Its Doors In SM…

Posted on October 29, 2014 by toddrickallen

Back in February, I told you about the impending arrival of a new novelty and candy emporium to the space at 1427 Third St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. After an extensive and lengthy renovation of the storefront, It’Sugar is now open. With over 70 locations worldwide, It’Sugar delivers a wild ride through the world of confection with such TV gag products as Sweddy Balls, Colon Blow, and sacchariferous versions of edible intimate apparel as well as classic and retro candies that you can read more about here.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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