Category Archives: Closed

Red O Replacing 41 Ocean In SM

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First I heard rumors… then a tip from a reader… And now finally confirmation from a spokesperson for 41 Ocean in Santa Monica make it official:  Red O, which was originally reported to have been going into the Ma’Kai space, will instead be taking over  41 Ocean on the corner of Colorado and Ocean in Santa Monica.  41 Ocean, which was the public restaurant for the private lounge in the back, launched in November of last year but never really took off.  Now open only for private events, the space will begin to be developed by Red O in the near future, bringing Rick Bayless’  signature brand of Mexican cuisine to the beach.  No word on any dates, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

RedO

 

Starbucks Replacing Tommy’s Burgers In Santa Monica

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If you thought that the construction on Tommy’s Original Hamburgers on the corner of Lincoln and Pico indicated a remodel, think again.  Looks like Tommy’s is out and the space is being rebuilt as a brand new Starbucks, giving us further evidence that Santa Monica, and even this bleak section of Lincoln Blvd., is rapidly developing.  Not that surprising, except that the burger stand has anchored that corner for over 20 years.

Starbucks

 

Baja Fresh Now Closed In Manhattan Beach

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While there continues to be about a billion branches of Mexican chain Baja Fresh located across the LA area and the country, recently we’ve seen their number decrease somewhat.  The latest casualty appears to be the long-standing outpost located in the Manhattan Village Shopping Center on the corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans in Manhattan Beach.  Find other locations and read more here.

baja

 

 

Villetta Now Closed In Brentwood

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It was slow, it was painful, and we all saw it coming:  With stories of a Chapter 11 late last year, the exodus of staff to other Italian restaurants across town, and gossip of no wine inventory, it seemed that Villetta had been doomed for a while.  And now comes the final sad news from a piece of paper propped up in the window that Villetta closed on Friday, June 13th.  Open in the old Chez Mimi space (246 26th St.) since March 2011, everyone was hopeful for a long successful run, but that, however, was not meant to be. All is not lost though, as the paper in the window does seem to hint at a reopening at some point in the future, so we’ll just have to see.  Until then, you can read my original review here.

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The scene on Friday evening…

Potato Corner Now Closed In Century City

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I guess Louis Vuitton and deep-fried potatoes don’t really go together after all…  Looks like Westfield Century City Mall’s branch of Philippines-based international spud giant Potato Corner has ended it courageous year-and-a-half run.  But with locations throughout the world, including nearby Culver City, you can easily locate their signature tuberous treats and read more here.

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BricoLA Now Closed On Montana Ave.

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After two years of valiantly attempting to peddle artisanal pizza and pasta to the Pilates and yoga set on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, BricoLA has finally given up the ghost.  Originally conceived by the folks at Villetta in Brentwood, it appears they’ve wasted no time clearing out the space at 1518 Montana.  No word on a replacement, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

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Charley’s Grilled Subs Now Closed In Century City

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Looks like the outpost of sandwich chain Charley’s Grilled Subs has quietly slipped out of the food court at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.  No indication of a replacement just yet, but I’ll keep my eye on it.  Until then, if you find you can’t live without their Philly Steak sandwich, you can locate one of their other 500 locations here.

charlie

 

Wolfgang Puck Express Now Closed In Santa Monica

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OK…  Admit it: With all those flashy pizzas out there (think Mozza, Gjelina, Sotto, South End etc.) you still occasionally find yourself craving an old-school “California cuisine” pizza alla Spago back-in-the-day, fast being forced onto the endangered species list.  Sadly, one of the last places to get your fix, Wolfgang Puck Express in the Third Street Promenade (at Arizona) is now officially extinct.  But there is one glimmer of hope as the sign in the window promises a future return to Santa Monica. Until then, you can still find the nostalgic pies in a few remaining places here.

(BTW Spago will still make you one if you ask.)

wolfgang

Tower 8 Now Closed To Non-Hotel Guests

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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

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