Innovative coffee purveyor Go Get Em Tiger has abruptly closed its location at 930 Montana Ave in Santa Monica on Tuesday. Santa Monica’s other location on Main St. closed a while ago. GGET opened this location in 2022 with much excitement and an extended menu. I’m not sure what is happening with the chain, but their Culver City location, as well as other locations east of here are still open.
(Thanks Steve!)
A while back I told you that Raising Cane’s was moving into the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Here is the new location at 1401 Third St. Promenade, on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd, formerly the home of Bibibop. It looks like they are working on a complete build-out. This is part of a major expansion into the California by the beloved Louisiana-based poultry provider known for chicken finger meals and noontime lines out the door.
It’s that time of year again…
Tickets are $20 in advance for a single route, $35 in advance for VIP/All Access Route Hopper Tickets. Check out the routes here. Get your tickets here.
Santa Monica is finally getting an outpost of übercool international lifestyle/juice brand Joe & The Juice, albeit in a curious location. Their signature window paper is up on the free-standing building in the Whole Foods complex on the corner of Pico and Cloverfield. Hailing from Denmark, the chain of coffee and juice bars has locations across Europe, Asia and North America, and has a mission to promote a “contemporary educational platform for how to prepare all people of our movement for a healthy life filled with aspiration and meaning”… as well as coffee.
Apparently, I only gave you half the story when I reported to you that Sora Temaki Bar was taking over the Contempo Floor Covering store at 908 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood. They are moving into the space, but only part of it. Window paper has since gone up indicating that the spacious address is being divided with Sora moving into the right side, and Layla Bagels & Coffee taking over the rest of the space. Crazy-popular Layla has two other locations (Santa Monica and Beverly Hills) and specializes in “hand-rolled sourdough bagels baked fresh daily”, bringing yet another bold bagel choice to carb-saturated Brentwood.
(Thanks Madelyn!)
Congratulations lucky people of Century City and Malibu, ever-popular oenophile paradise Wally’s Wine & Spirits is landing at least two new locations in SoCal. Wally’s currently has three locations (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Las Vegas) that specialize in the “finest food, beverages, and gourmet foods”, drawing in large well-heeled crowds with their chic “cave à vin” vibes. Here is a look at the new Wally’s at Century Plaza location, located in front of the Fairmont Century Plaza on Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Wally’s Holiday catalog is also promising a new location in Malibu at Cross Creek Ranch. Both are planning on a Spring 2026 opening. Read more about the new Century City outpost here.
Wishing all readers a joyous and meaningful Thanksgiving filled with good food, family, and dear friends. I’m very grateful to all my dedicated readers for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the excitement of the West LA food scene. Happy Thanksgiving from Toddrickallen!
Brentwood is white-hot for new restaurants. I spied a new ABC application on the front of the Contempo Floor Covering store at 908 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood. It names the new ‘general’ eating place as Sora. A little more digging reveals that this will be the future home of a branch of Sora Temaki Bar. Sora has a location in The Grove, and one on the way in Thousand Oaks, and offers a wide menu of temaki that “brings together innovation and heritage in every hand-rolled bite”.
With so much to see and do, lately we’re all spending more time in Inglewood. A new “elevated dining” restaurant is looking to build on the experience. Lounge 1888 is moving into the space at 3930 W Century Blvd. Building C, Space 5-101 at the Intuit Dome. Expect “modern American culinary dining, craft cocktails, and premium wines with a fully immersive game-day and event atmosphere.” Looks like they’re aiming for a January 2026 opening.
The triumphant return of the carbohydrate continues with its inexorable victory march across The Westside… There’s window paper up on the space at 11710 San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood declaring the impending arrival of PopUp Bagels. (Not to be confused with Pop’s Bagels just up the street.) They began as a backyard pickup window and have since spread to locations up and down the East Coast. PopUp Bagels has a simple goal: To offer “best, freshest bagels. No frills, plainly perfect: crispy crust and soft crumb center, just the right size and with a perfect proportion of seeds.” This new location, and another in La Jolla, appear to be the first on our side of the Country.
There’s plywood and a poster up on the front of 923 Broxton Ave, formerly home to Habibi Cafe. The poster is promising a new pie joint, Chill Since ’93 Pizza. Chill Since ’93 has a location in The Grove, as well as Lugano and London. They promise super crispy pizza, and sandwiches made with the bread of the moment, “crisp, house-made focaccia bread”.
As you know if you follow this site, I do occasionally get out of the Westside. One of my favorite places to go is beautiful Montecito, which is about to get an exciting new restaurant. Helmed by Chilean Chef Diego Moya, who cut his teeth in such places as Nahm in Bangkok and L’Arpège in Paris, Little Mountain is set to open on November 6 at 516 San Ysidro Rd, in the old Piatti space. Expect “deeply seasonal, vegetable-forward” menu that celebrates “Central Coast’s agricultural bounty” in a warm and convivial setting. Well worth a day trip…
From my Inbox:
LA Wine & Food Fest
Friday, Nov. 7th-Sunday, Nov. 9th / Barker Hanger Santa Monica
VIP 6:30pm, GA 7:30pm / $175-$389
“The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival hosted by Tastemade is a vibrant celebration of the city’s dynamic culinary scene, rich multicultural flavors, and boundless creativity taking place on November 7-9, 2025, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Over three days, guests will savor dishes from exciting local and internationally acclaimed chefs, sip beverage selections from top regional and international producers, and experience the cultural mosaic that makes this city a global food capital. From innovative tasting experiences to immersive pop-ups and artistic food installations, the festival is a feast for the senses—where food, culture, and art merge in the most delicious and Angelyne way.”
* FRIENDS OF SPIN * USE CODE “LAWine20” FOR 25% OFF TICKETS!
A small banner has appeared in the window of the space at 235 Main St. in Venice, previously home to The Anchor Venice. A new eatery named Three Flavors appears to be moving in. I don’t have much information on this establishment, other than the banner promises an interesting combination of “Thai, Sushi, Phở”.
Chicken finger experts Raising Cane’s is continuing its expansion across LA. The Louisiana-based poultry purveyor with noontime lines out the door has signage up on plywood on the corner of Century Blvd. and Doty, right next to SoFi in Inglewood. Look for upcoming branches in Westwood and Santa Monica as well.
With deep sympathy for the Family. Support local restaurants and restaurateurs!
From my inbox:
“We are heartbroken to share the sudden and tragic loss of Michelangelo Pinto – a beloved husband, father, and friend – who passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 11th. His passing has left an unimaginable void in the life of our family. This devastating loss has shaken our world to its core.
Michelangelo owned a restaurant, Locanda Positano, in which he proudly served the Marina Del Rey and surrounding community for over 15 years with passion and commitment.
Michelangelo was a kind, devoted, and loving man whose presence lit up every room. He was the rock of our family – a steady, caring soul who worked hard to provide, protect, and love deeply. His absence is not only emotionally overwhelming, but it has also brought on an urgent financial burden.
In the midst of our grief, my mother Patrizia, my little brother Luca, and I are now facing the cost of funeral arrangements, memorial services, the restaurant, and a wave of unexpected expenses that come with such a sudden tragedy. We wish to take Michelangelo’s ashes back to Italy so we can reunite and lay him to rest with his parents.
Money raised from the GoFundMe will go to memorial services, unexpected bills we now face, helping us tie loose ends with the restaurant, and helping us get him home.
Please consider helping my family in our time of greatest need. If you are unable to donate, sharing this GoFundMe can still make a world of difference.
Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support.”
Julian Pinto, son of Michelangelo Pinto
This is a public service announcement: The brand-new and much-needed Vons, that is in the new luxury development on the corner of Broadway and Lincoln in Santa Monica, will officially open on October 17th. Ribbon cutting is at 7:15am and doors will open at 8am. We’re promised “Giveaways + Fun activities”, and the first 250 people will receive a “Game Card for a chance to win“. You’re welcome.
Santa Monica’s dining scene is white-hot right now. Yet more evidence: There’s renewed activity at 2820 Main St., a chunk of prime real estate that used to home to Santa Monica’s beloved gem World Cafe that closed about a decade and a half ago (after World Cafe, it was home to Areal for a period). The location has sat derelict ever since, but recently a new ABC application has appeared on the front. While no business name is listed, a close inspection of the application reveals some familiar names: Chloe, Brandon, and Tyler Makhani, the family team behind Woodland Hills’ Mediterranean charmer Casaléna. This property sounds familiar to Casaléna‘s concept of different dining rooms and a big outdoor space. I’ll keep my eyes on the project to see what may develop, but this is definitely exciting news.
Santa Monica is getting a gorgeous new dining room… La Monique will open on November 11 and is destined to become a sensation. La Monique has moved into the old Tower 8 restaurant space in the deliciously private and fashionable Hotel Oceana, at 849 Ocean Ave. You may recall Tower 8 opened with a Josiah Citrin menu but eventually closed to the public over a decade ago. The layout has been completely redesigned with a new entrance and the bar moved to the opposite wall. Expect a cozy, chic, elegantly designed space, with a clubby feel and attention to details. The self-described French brasserie (with Italian influence) offers a menu of classics like Le Plateau Royale, steak frites, Dover sole, grilled branzino, escargot poppers, and pastas, as well as Petrossian caviar service and specialty cocktails. I suggest you grab a reservation while you can….
We’ve long known that local institution Noma Sushi would be forced to close due to a proposed redevelopment of the property at 2031 Wilshire. Readers have been repeatedly asking me what would happen to the beloved neighborhood fave. Now we have answers: Signs are up indicating that Noma is moving across the street, to 2020 Wilshire (most recently occupied by Senator Jones), in a property owned by the same landlord as the current location. You’re welcome…
Toddrickallen 