Goodbye Joe’s Pizza, Hello Mr. Pizza In Century City… The first Of 15?

Posted on August 26, 2015 by toddrickallen

The Century City Shopping Center is a flurry of activity lately. Half of the shopping complex has completely closed down to make way for the construction of an über-chic replacement including the much-anticipated West Coast debut of the mythic Eataly. But the rising tide doesn’t seem to be floating all boats. Iconic New York pie maker Joe’s Pizza has closed its outpost in the food court. And wasting no time whatsoever, it looks like a branch of the Korean pizza giant, Mr. Pizza will be replacing it this Fall. Incidentally, signs posted around the mall indicate that there will be no less than 15 new restaurants in the sparkling new shopping center. I’ll keep watching…

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.

Maria’s Italian Kitchen Closes Up Shop On Wilshire: Brentwood Branch Reopens

Posted on June 9, 2015 by toddrickallen

When God closes a Maria’s, he always opens another… About a year ago I told you about Maria’s Italian Kitchen opening at 3001 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. They had taken over the troubled space that had housed the sports bar South. This was to be their temporary pop-up while they remodeled their Brentwood location. And now all of you Brentwood citizens who had to drive past 328 other Italian restaurants and a city boundary to get to your beloved Maria’s can heave a collective sigh of relief: The Maria’s in Santa Monica has officially closed and the Brentwood location has reopened at 11723 Barrington Court.

Coffee Bean Closes At Lincoln And Michigan In SM

Posted on May 29, 2015 by toddrickallen

Well, I didn’t see this coming… It looks like the busy Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf located on the corner of Lincoln and Michigan in Santa Monica has permanently closed down. They’ve wasted no time papering the windows and scraping the name from the front of the building, and judging by the “for lease” signs on the space, there’s no replacement lined up. All those drowsy students at adjacent Samohi will just have to source their caffeine somewhere else…

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…

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.

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…

Redwood Grille’s Tree Felled In SMP

Posted on February 13, 2015 by toddrickallen

You have to hand it to the plucky restaurateurs who brave the stagnant dining scene on the third floor of Santa Monica Place. It takes a certain, for lack of a better word, courage to give it a go. Sadly, after a valiant effort, it appears that yet another one has bitten the dust. After a run of a year-and-a-half, Redwood Grille has closed its doors in the cavernous space facing the Promenade just as Xino did before it. No word on what’s replacing it. But there are signs of life on the third floor: The upcoming Cheesecake Factory and the new restaurant in the future Arclight Cinema should bring new life… hopefully…

Monsoon Cafe Ends Its Long Run In Santa Monica: New Restaurant Expected Soon…

Posted on January 13, 2015 by toddrickallen

Well I sure didn’t see this one coming, but it looks like one of Santa Monica’s favorite pan-Asian restaurants (and occasional salsa dance lounge) Monsoon Cafe, has ended its long run of 18 years at 1212 3rd St Promenade. According to the goodbye letter posted on the front door, those giant Nepalese Buddha eyes that have gazed down on this quieter section of the Promenade between Wilshire and Arizona will soon be painted over to make way for a new, unnamed “restaurant operation”. Whether this means the new eatery will be by the same owners or an entirely different company, I’m not certain. No word on what the replacement will be, but it appears they’re aiming at being up and running by April of this year.

California Vegan Closes In West LA

Posted on January 9, 2015 by toddrickallen

After having long-anchored the strip mall on the corner of Bundy, it looks like California Vegan has given up the ghost at 12113 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA. And as indicated by the giant “for lease” sign, they’ve yet to line up a replacement. I’ll keep my eye on it…

Wetzel’s Pretzels Closes In Santa Monica Place

Posted on December 26, 2014 by toddrickallen

The food scene continues to sputter in the Santa Monica Place Mall, despite the upcoming ArcLight Cinema and Cheesecake Factory. The latest evidence? Wetzel’s Pretzels appears to have quietly slipped out of its third floor space. But fear not: If you find yourself craving the doughy treat, you can easily find other locations, including the one just one block away in The Promenade by looking here.

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”.

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…

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.

Wildflour Pizza Closes In SM: New Beer And Wine Garden Coming Soon…

Posted on October 20, 2014 by toddrickallen

Long-standing local institution Wildflour Pizza has finally closed its doors at 2807 Main St. in Santa Monica. Wasting no time whatsoever, construction is underway on what will shortly be a brand new “wine and beer garden”, I’m told. And while I’m not certain of the name, the design review lists Edmund Silkaitis, long associated with Café Montana, as the applicant. Look for an opening in about 30 days.

Goodbye Tomu Fish Sushi, Hello New Brazilian In MB…

Posted on October 3, 2014 by toddrickallen

I’ve just noticed that local fave take-out sushi joint Tomu Fish (formerly Kamiyama Sushi) has vacated its space across from the Manhattan Village Mall at 3001 North Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach. And the space has already found a new tenant. Not sure what the name will be, but according to the banner out front we can expect a new Brazilian restaurant soon…

Buddha’s Belly Bids Bye-Bye To Santa Monica…

Posted on September 25, 2014 by toddrickallen

After anchoring the corner of Broadway and 2nd in Santa Monica for six years, casual Asian eatery Buddha’s Belly has now closed. According to a letter posted in the window, the space will soon be inhabited by a new venture from the same people, The Independence Tavern. Look for an opening of the new “rebranded” restaurant in about two months.

Chick ‘N’ Ribs Now Closed In SMP

Posted on September 16, 2014 by toddrickallen

And here again we find ourselves in the midst of “Closure Season”, when the end of Summer beach crowds begin to dwindle and restaurants disappear right in front of our eyes. There have already been a fair number of recent closings: Elaine’s, Daily Grill, and Manchu Wok. The latest to join their sad ranks? Chick ‘N’ Ribs is now closed in the troubled food court of Santa Monica Place.

Manchu Wok Disappears From SMP…

Posted on September 4, 2014 by toddrickallen

Looks like the local branch of Hong Kong-based Manchu Wok has closed up shop in the food court of Santa Monica Place. If life has now lost its meaning without their signature brand of “fast and fresh Chinese”, you can locate another branch here, although it appears that the nearest one is in Las Vegas. No word on what may replace it yet…

The Market At Santa Monica Place’s Latest Closures…

Posted on August 28, 2014 by toddrickallen

Just when I began to have hope that with all the development on Ocean Ave. and the new theater going into the cavernous space just a few feet away, The Market at Santa Monica Place was beginning to take off, I took this photo earlier in the week. Sadly, it appears that culinary gadget shop Cook by Venokado is gone, and organic delivery company Santa Monica Merchant has ostensibly been abandoned. Said one nearby employee, “I haven’t seen anybody in there for a long time.” (Sigh)

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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