Author Archives: toddrickallen

Adoteca (Miraculously) Now Open In Brentwood

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I’m utterly gob-smacked…  I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen a restaurant open so quickly on the Westside.  If you remember, Osteria Latini only just closed up shop on November 17th in the tiny space at 11712 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood.  Astonishingly, Adoteca has opened in the same space a mere 18 days later on Wednesday (Dec. 4th).  Brought to you by the same people behind Ado on Main St. in Venice and Casa Ado in MDR, expect a solid and accomplished Italian menu with dishes such as Prosciutto e Burrata, Risotto ai Porcini e Mirtilli (risotto with porcini and blueberry), and Orta alla Griglia servito su un Letto di Caponata (grilled sea bream on a bed of caponata) served by friendly and accommodating staff in a dimly lit, intimate dining room.

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Toppings Custom Fired Pizza Coming Soon To El Segundo

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Custom order pizza restaurants are popping up like weeds.  The latest appears to be moving into one of the spaces (2161B El Segundo Blvd.) in the developing repurposed fire station on the corner of El Segundo and Nash in El Segundo next to the eternally under-construction future Farmer Boys restaurant.  With one location in Long Beach, Toppings Custom Fired Pizza promises a pie that’s ready to eat in 90 seconds.  Read more about the fledgling chain here.

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Voila Meringue Coming Soon To BH

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I happened to notice this notice of non-responsibility posted in the window at 301 N. Camden Dr. Suite R06 (according to the notice, the number on the storefront is 319 Canon) in Beverly Hills announcing the impending arrival of a bakery and dessert shop named Voila Meringue.  Not much information out there except a Facebook page that you can check out here.

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Goodbye Osteria Latini, Hello Adoteca

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Workers were hard at work on Tuesday scrubbing the last traces of diminutive Italian restaurant Osteria Latini the off the space at 11712 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood.  Osteria Latini closed on Sunday after, rumor has it, the rent nearly doubled.  Wasting no time whatsoever, a new venture called Adoteca is set to take over the space.  Eater is has more information about the new venture, that you can read about here.

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Liquid Nutrition Coming Soon To Beverly Hills

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The space at 368 N. Camden in Beverly Hills has seen a number of businesses come and go, the most recent being the now-defunct salad joint Choppe Choppe.  Looks like the latest to try their hand at the location will be Liquid Nutrition, a Canadian-based smoothie and juice chain looking to make inroads into the US.  With a strong emphasis on health and wellness, LN serves up specialty drinks with names such as zen, bliss, and glow, with protein, herbal, or vitamin supplements.  No word on an opening date yet, but until then you can read more about the company here.

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Brickworks Roasthouse And Grill Opens November 18 in MB

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It’s official: The highly anticipated Brickworks Roasthouse and Grill is poised to open its doors on Monday November 18th in the old  LA Food Show space in the soon-to-be redeveloped Manhattan Village Mall at 3212 N. Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach.  The menu of burgers, salads, sandwiches, steaks, and  fish is served in a casual setting that includes a dining room, communal tables, full bar, and even a display kitchen.  “Roasthouse” refers to the fact that their food is prepared in an almond wood burning stone oven, a cherry wood smoker, or a mesquite burning wheel grill.  Read more at: brickworksroasthouse.

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Meizhou Dongpo Close To Opening in Century City…

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Going into the old Ummba Grill space near the food court in the Westfield Century City Shopping center, Meizhou Dongpo, the Sichuan chain based in Beijing is predicting a November opening according to signs that recently covered over the original announcement for a now-past Summer opening.  As to an exact date, we’ll just have to wait and see.  In the mean time, you can try to decipher what I believe to be the website for the company: meizhou.com.

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41 Ocean Restaurant Now Open In Santa Monica

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A few weeks ago, I told you about the planned November opening of a public restaurant attached to the private 41 Ocean Club in the old Bamboo Izakaya space at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Colorado in Santa Monica.  Defying all Santa Monica odds, 41 Ocean Restaurant officially opens to the public today (Nov. 12th).  Look for a menu of ceviche, crudo, salads, raw bar, and surf and turf.  Here’s a glimpse at what you can expect from the Monday night launch party… 41oceanclub

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What’s Going On At South In Santa Monica?

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Recently, people have been asking me what’s going on at now-defunct sports bar South at 3001 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica.  It was reported by Eater months ago that the space would be remodeled into a brand new restaurant, but nothing seems to be happening.  This may explain it… Looks like the old tenants, The Merit Dining Group is being sued for “unlawful detainer-eviction”.  How do I know?  The summons is clearly stuck in the chained front door for all the world to see, along with a notice from the City about water billing issues.  I’ll keep my eye on this one…

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Ferrarini Beverly Hills Soon To Offer Wine, Beer

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For whatever reason, things have always moved slowly at Ferrarini, the charming little Italian deli at 9622 Brighton Way in Beverly Hills.  When it eventually opened in 2012, it had been under construction for over two years.  So it comes as no surprise that they are finally getting ready to offer beer and wine to accompany their menu of sandwiches, panini, and salads highlighting specialty regional products from Italy, as evidenced by their ABC application in the window.

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Sweet XO Coming Soon To Manhattan Beach

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Has your existential search for the meaning of it all gotten you down?  The promise of “Life Fulfilled” is just around the corner at the upcoming branch of Sweet XO, the yogurt, candy, bakery concept coming soon to Plaza El Segundo (next to The Counter) at 3700B Allied Way in Manhattan Beach.  With one location in Agoura Hills and three others slated for SoCal, The chain offers a stupefying array of treats from “xogurt” with 175 different toppings, to desserts, cupcakes, candies, and vegan and sugar free items in a bright, cheery environment.  They also carry gifts and accessories.  No word on an opening date, but until then, you can check out their website here.

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The Courtyard Kitchen Now Open For Dinner In Santa Monica

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Looking for more evening dining options on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica?  Cozy little neighborhood newcomer The Courtyard Kitchen recently started serving dinner at 1211 Montana Ave.  Their current hours are 8:30am until 10:00pm daily.  Look for a Mediterranean-inspired menu of salads, large plates, and pasta and they allow you to bring your own wine.  Check out their Facebook page here.

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“7th Street Bistro” Coming Soon To Santa Monica

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Looks like things are rolling right along on the joint effort by Brant Ng (The Spice Table) and Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan (Rustic Canyon, Huckleberry, Milo & Olive) going into the impressive and enormous deco Verizon building at 1314 7th St. in Santa Monica.  The space will apparently become two different projects.  One will be a café and retail space seating 49 indoor and 37 outdoor  and the other a restaurant seating 242 indoor and 72 outdoor according to The Santa Monica Daily Press.  The names listed on the ABC licenses are 7th Street Bistro and 7th Street Wine, but I’m told these are simply working names for the lease and may not be what they’re called in the end.  They are shooting for a Summer 2014 opening.

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“Another Burger Joint” Coming Soon To West LA

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What’s going into the old Campos Tacos space at 12201 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA?  Our only clue is the red banner hanging above the door that reads Another Burger Joint and promises a welcome to both carnivores and vegetarians.  Whether this is the name of the new restaurant or a teaser, we’ll just have to wait and see…

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Santa Monica Merchant Coming Soon To Santa Monica Place

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A brand new venture, Santa Monica Merchant is coming soon to the slowly revitalizing The Market at Santa Monica Place.  Although there’s not a lot of information out there yet, they appear to be a go-to for community supported agriculture and are billing themselves as a “curated source for a daily selection of organic local meats, cheeses, and produce”.  Read more at their still-developing website here.

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