Street’s Rosh Hashanah

Posted on September 4, 2013 by toddrickallen

Need a last-minute plan for Rosh Hashanah, which begins today (Wednesday, September 4th) at sunset? Try Susan Feniger’s Street. They are offering a 4 course menu with choices such as Sephardic long-cooked egg mashed with feta, olive oil, and avocado; wood roasted cauliflower with fried olives and chimichurri; and strawberry shortcake with chocolate matzo candy. Cost is $45 per person. First seating is at 5pm, and open seating is at 7:30 and after. Check out the full menu and make a reservation here. L’Shana Tova!

street2

New Juice Bar Coming To Pico Blvd. In Santa Monica?

Posted on September 3, 2013 by toddrickallen

A design review application is up on the space that used to house an appliance repair shop at 2212 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica appearing to indicate that a new juice bar, Jazzy Juice could soon be coming. This could be a false name used solely for the artist rendering because there is absolutely no information available for such an establishment. But if you check out the City of SM application here, it clearly states the request to add a sign with the name Jazzy Juice, so we’ll have to wait and see…

Manhattan Village Redevelops With New Restaurant And Ambitious Plans

Posted on August 30, 2013 by toddrickallen

Construction is underway on a large restaurant and patio going into the old LA Food Show space in the Manhattan Village Mall in Manhattan Beach. I’m not certain of the name as it’s not listed on the ABC application. Only the applicant, listed as “VMI Services Inc.” is named, and there doesn’t seem to be much of an online presence but you can check out their app here. The construction people told me that the name of the future restaurant will be Brick Roast House, but I can’t confirm this.

In other news, Manhattan Village Mall is looking to redevelop with an ambitious plan to add more shops and restaurants in what is now the parking lot. Designed to look like homey village with cozy walkways and streets, the plan is still in the hearings stage, but you can see some of the artist’s renderings and find links to the plans here.

Melisse’s Super Exclusive Spain Event…

Posted on August 28, 2013 by toddrickallen

With the dearth of elegant restaurants in LA, Chef Josiah Citrin has never been one compromise. His posh Mélisse in Santa Monica has long held the banner of a truly great destination restaurant. Recently, he has upped the ante with a series of exclusive dinners he calls “Something Different in the Augie Room“. On Wednesday, September 4th, the series will showcase Spain and commemorate the founding of LA on September 4th, 1781 by the Spanish. But the multi-course menu (costing $125) will be available to 10 diners only, so you’d better hurry if you want a chance to experience Citrin’s creativity firsthand. Reservations: (310) 395-0881. melisse.com

melisse

Red Heart Cafe Coming Soon To Santa Monica

Posted on August 26, 2013 by toddrickallen

A new casual lunch spot, Red Heart Café is coming soon to 3101 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. No word on an actual date, but they appear to be very close to opening soon. Until then, you can check out their tentative menu of salads, soups, and sandwiches here.

Coffee Bean Coming Soon To Culver City

Posted on August 23, 2013 by toddrickallen

Looks like a brand new Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is coming soon to Culver City. Signs recently went up on the construction site smack-dab on the NW corner of Washington Blvd. and Overland. No word on an opening date yet and it appears they have a ways to go on the free-standing structure. coffeebean

Pressed Juicery Coming Soon To Main St. In SM

Posted on August 20, 2013 by toddrickallen

There appears to be no end in sight to the juicing craze as evidenced by the inexorable proliferation of fresh juice shops. Add one more to the list… Pressed Juicery continues its expansion with the latest branch coming soon to 2409 Main Street in Santa Monica, nearby to Rawvolution, Yogaworks, and Urth, which makes this an extremely health-conscious stretch of SM if you don’t count the new Rita’s Frozen Custard that opened only last week. Read more about their 100% raw, unpasteurized, and cold-pressed juices here: pressedjuicery.

Bristol Farms Opens August 21st In Santa Monica

Posted on August 19, 2013 by toddrickallen

I haven’t heard this much buzz about a supermarket in a long time… It seems Santa Monicans are really excited about the opening of the brand-spankin’ new Bristol Farms that officially opens Wednesday, August 21st at 9:00am. I’ve heard neighbors talking about it, co-workers, even people in check-out lines of other supermarkets talking about the new high-end grocery that remodeled the old Albertson’s space at 3105 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Berkeley). Most are hoping for a viable alternative to Whole Foods, which has long held Santa Monica captive. Read more at: bristolfarms.com.

Bouchon Bakery Celebrates Its Second Birthday

Posted on August 16, 2013 by toddrickallen

Bouchon Bakery in Beverly Hills is celebrating its 2nd birthday this Saturday, August 17th with special birthday cupcakes and $2 macarons all day. And you can check out their brand new line of fresh juices as well. Bouchonbakery.com

bouchon logo2

Tower 8 Now Closed To Non-Hotel Guests

Posted on August 14, 2013 by toddrickallen

Notice a problem with the photo below? Seems curiously empty, no? Those who have been enjoying the Josiah Citrin-designed menu at the recently remodeled Tower 8 restaurant in the Oceana Hotel on a quiet residential stretch of Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica might be surprised to learn the next time they come in for a glass of wine and the glorious ocean vistas that they will be politely turned away. You may recall that the original restaurant in the Oceana (Hideaway) had a residents-only policy at the outset, but after the recent remodeling and reopening as Tower 8 in January of this year, they’ve been allowing walk-ins (Well, actually before the remodel to be precise). However, according to staff, recently the City of Santa Monica demanded that they resubmit for their licenses and stopped them from serving to locals and non-guests of the hotel until such time as the City “got back to them”. They’ve been in a holding pattern for about two months now with no word from Santa Monica as to when they’ll receive an answer. So until that time, as apologetic and frustrated as the staff are, there will be no service for walk-ins. oceanabeachclubhotel

photo-29

Sbarro Now Open In Santa Monica Place

Posted on August 13, 2013 by toddrickallen

I’ll bet you thought there already was an outpost of standard mall fixture Sbarro in the food court of Santa Monica Place. But the original inhabitant of the space now occupied by the pizza chain was Stephano’s Pizza. You can now heave a sigh of relief with this welcome news: Sbarro is now open in Santa Monica. Read more here.

photo-29

Sotto’s Italian Wine Tasting Series…

Posted on August 9, 2013 by toddrickallen

Have you noticed how Italy has conquered the wine lists of LA? They’re everywhere. And with so many varietals, ordering a bottle of Italian wine can be a head-scratcher unless you’re an expert. Now’s your chance to become one. Sotto restaurant is hosting a series of “intimate wine tastings” from the regions of Southern Italy on the second Wednesday of each month. The series kicks off on Wednesday August 14th at 6:30 with an exploration of the Basilicata region. Cost is $40 and if you stay for dinner and order one of the wines tasted, they’ll give you 50% off the bottle. Make a reservation by calling (310) 277-0210. Read more here.

The Beverly Hills Hotel’s Cabana Café Free Pizza Deal

Posted on August 7, 2013 by toddrickallen

What could be more a more quintessential LA experience than sipping a cocktail and nibbling on lunch poolside at the Cabana Café in the famed Beverly Hills Hotel? The iconic café has just emerged from a renovation, and to celebrate it’s re-opening, the Cabana Café is offering a complimentary wood-fired pizza with the purchase of two specialty cocktails from 4pm to 7pm Monday to Thursday, throughout the month of August. What a perfect way to make the most of Summer. Read more about the deal and check out their menus here.

Spumoni Cafe and Pizzeria Closed In Brentwood

Posted on August 3, 2013 by toddrickallen

Perhaps due to stiff competition from the 28,000 other Italian restaurants in Brentwood, it looks like Spumoni Cafe and Pizzeria, the offshoot of ever-popular local fave Spumoni in Santa Monica has closed at 11714 San Vicente. Although it appears to have been closed for a little while now, the papered-over windows only recently caught my eye. No word on a replacement yet…

PizzaRev Now Open In El Segundo

Posted on August 1, 2013 by toddrickallen

With three locations in the Valley, and more on the way in Burbank and Oxnard, “Craft Your Own” pizza restaurant PizzaRev rides the crest of the “custom-built” craze with the opening today (Thursday) of their newest location in El Segundo at 460 N. Sepulveda Blvd Read more about the ambitious chain here: pizzarev.com.

New Rockenwagner Restaurant Coming To West LA?

Posted on July 31, 2013 by toddrickallen

The liquor license application recently posted in the window of the large residential/commercial development on the corner of Barrington and Wilshire in West LA lists the applicant as Brentrock Inc., leaving no clue as to what the new, well-placed, and large restaurant’s name will be. An online search however reveals that Brentrock Inc. has associations with well-known LA restaurateur Hans Rockenwagner. Not much out there yet on this one, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

Update: EaterLA is reporting the new restaurant will be another branch of Rockenwagner’s Three Square Café.

Z Garden Opens Second Restaurant In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on July 30, 2013 by toddrickallen

“Fresh & healthy mediterranean” restaurant Z Garden is expanding. You may recall that original only opened at 2350 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica about a year and a half ago. As of Monday, they’ve opened their second branch in Downtown Santa Monica at 313 Wilshire Blvd. in the space previously occupied by Yummy Cupcakes. Open from 8am until 10pm Sunday Through Thursday and until 12am Friday and Saturday, You can expect an assortment of classics such as falafel, fattoush, kebab, sandwiches, plates, and desserts served in a sleek dining room by extraordinarily friendly staff. Check out their menu and read more here: ZGarden.

Norm’s Closed In Santa Monica

Posted on July 29, 2013 by toddrickallen

For those who need more evidence that Santa Monica is quickly changing comes news that long-time anchor on the corner of Lincoln and Colorado, Norm’s restaurant is now closed to make way for a new development. Sadly the iconic sign has already been pulled down. Those craving steak and eggs can locate any one of their other branches here.

Elaine’s Bakery & Café Coming Soon To Brentwood

Posted on July 26, 2013 by toddrickallen

It looks like a new venture, Elaine’s Bakery and Café will soon be inhabiting the space left by now-defunct La Provence at 11677 San Vicente Blvd. Suites 315 & 317 at the top of Brentwood Gardens. Not much out there yet except for the application to sell liquor posted in the window, but you can check out a tentative menu from their still-developing website here .

Simply Raw Coming Soon To Santa Monica

Posted on July 23, 2013 by toddrickallen

It looks like a brand-spankin’ new adventure into the raw food craze, Simply Raw, is coming soon to 606 Broadway in Santa Monica next to Hostaria Del Piccolo and across the street from now-defunct Planet Raw. Not much information on the new restaurant that is looking to open New Year’s Day 2014, but you can check out their still-developing website here.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

Author Archives: toddrickallen