Category Archives: News

Van Leeuwen Coming To Montana Ave.

Posted on by
1

Montana Ave, Santa Monica’s preeminent shopping/dining street, is becoming a sweet destination.  Rori’s Artisanal Creamery, Pinkberry, and Frozen Fruit Company are just a few of the places to score a frozen treat.  And now one more is on the way…  Window paper is up on the space that used to be home to Erin Mckenna’s Bakery, at 1415 Montana, announcing another ice cream spot.  Van Leeuwen, which started out in 2008 in New York as a food truck, will soon be bringing their signature artisan ice creams, vegan ice creams, sundaes, vegan chocolate chip cookies, and shakes to the tony neighborhood.  

(Thanks Sara!)

Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House Calls It Quits In Santa Monica

Posted on by
3

The troubled space on the corner of Wilshire and 4th in Downtown Santa Monica has had its share of issues.  For a long while, it was a sputtering branch of P.F. Chang’s.  That disappeared in 2021.  Then a new contender, Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House, gave the spot a chance and opened about a year and a half ago.  Sadly, it now appears they too have given up the ghost.  I’ll keep watching to see what may give the commodious location a go.

Bacio Di Latte Blessing Marina Del Rey

Posted on by
Reply

Great news Good People of MDR, luscious icy treats are heading your way!  Crazy-popular gelato experts Bacio di Latte are continuing their expansion.  With a location in The Westfield Century City Shopping Center and a new one in Brentwood, it appears they are taking a space in the Waterside Marina del Rey Shopping Center.  You’re welcome!

Chin Chin Bids Bye Bye To El Segundo

Posted on by
Reply

This is a bit of a surprise…  It was back in 2019 when I told you about the new branch of “modern Chinese” chain Chin Chin that opened in the old P.F. Chang space at 2041 Rosecrans in El Segundo.  Sadly, they it appears they have already given up the ghost at this location.  I’ll keep watching the tricky address to see who’s brave enough to attempt it.

(Thanks A.!)

Nong Lá Replacing Wise Sons In Culver City

Posted on by
1

On a tip from a reader, I went by the tricky space that has hosted many restaurants, most recently Wise Sons, at 9552 Washington Blvd.  There’s a banner on the front informing us that Vietnamese cafe Nong Lá is setting up housekeeping.  Well known for their “Phở, Bún, and Bánh Mì“, Nong Lá has two other locations in LA and is planning on a Winter 2024 opening at this location.  

(Thanks Andrew!)

Fire My Pasta Replacing Iron Teapot Dim Sum In Palms…

Posted on by
Reply

A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Sam!) wrote to tell me about the recent disappearance of Iron Teapot Dim Sum & Bar from its location at 10306 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles (Palms).  Wasting no time whatsoever, a new eatery is settling into the address.  Fire My Pasta will bring “Italian Inspired Cuisine & Bar”, with pasta and pizza on the menu.

Oakberry Coming To Montana Ave.

Posted on by
Reply

Santa Monica is about to get its second branch of international acai experts Oakberry (the first location is on the corner of Berkeley and Wilshire).  There’s window paper across two storefronts at 705 and 707 Montana Ave announcing the news.  Oakberry offers acai that is 100% natural with no food coloring, artificial preservatives, or guarana syrup.  They operate a number of locations in Brazil and continue an impressive international expansion.

B&T’s Deli Opens In Santa Monica On…

Posted on by
Reply

It was back in September of last year that I told you about an exciting new sandwich shop taking over the old Greens Up! space at 912 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.  The window paper has finally come down, and B&T’s Deli will officially soft-open on Saturday, February 3rd at 11am.  While there’s no online menu quite yet, here’s a glimpse of the plant-based sandwich options listed on their menu boards.  We wish them the best of luck…

What’s Going On At The Gallery Food Hall In Downtown Santa Monica?

Posted on by
3

The space at 1315 Third St. Promenade has had a tumultuous history.  In the past, it has been the home of The Gallery Food Hall, and hosted such luminaries as Falafel King, and Dave Beran’s elegant Dialogue, and STRFSH by The Voltaggio Brothers.  Hopes were high when ghost kitchen Kitchen United MIX took over the tricky location last year with a fresh spate of eateries.  That hope appears to have been dashed on the rocks as evidenced by the note taped to the front door stating that they are “closed until further notice” (and offering some stern bathroom advice).  I’ll keep watching to see what’s going on…

Jin Cook Bringing Korean Soul Food To Santa Monica Soon…

Posted on by
1

A happy new food choice is coming to Santa Monica soon…  There’s window paper up on the space at most recently occupied by Luna Grill at 3001 Ste 103 Wilshire Blvd. announcing the impending arrival of Jin Cook.  Promising “Authentic Korean Soul Food”, Jin Cook has locations in Glendale and Santa Clarita and offers an exciting menu of soups, “hot stone” dishes, pancakes, and katsu.  

Update: Jin Cook is now open.

 

Bonsai Coffee Bar Replacing Honeyboba In West LA

Posted on by
Reply

Short-lived Honeyboba abandoned the space at 11573 W. Santa Monica Blvd. (corner of Federal) in West LA (officially Sawtelle) quite some time ago.  Now a plucky new contender is going to give the tricky corner a chance.  Signs are already up announcing the arrival of Bonsai Coffee Bar.  Not much info yet on this establishment, so if you know more, pass it along…

Update:  A rep for Bonsai reached out to me with more information.  ” [Bonsai is] owned by two first-generation Asian Americans, and it’s a spacious, minimalist cafe serving Andytown Coffee (from the owner’s old neighborhood in SF) and Ippodo matcha (the legendary tea house in Kyoto). They have some really cool specialty lattes that might not be familiar to a lot of LA coffee drinkers–like a mango espresso latte and a matcha/espresso combo latte. There’s a range of seating inside from the hightop bar (tons of outlets, great wifi) and cozier nooks for coming in with friends or meeting for work.”  They are currently in soft opening.  (02/07/2024)

Kalaveras Quits Santa Monica

Posted on by
3

Well, I can’t exactly say this was a surprise…  While other locations of Mexican party spot Kalaveras are quite popular, Santa Monica’s branch has long struggled to attract crowds.  Perhaps this was because of the cursed location (it was previously the doomed home of Belcampo), or its proximity to perennially popular El Cholo across the street.  But whatever the reason, Kalaveras has abandoned this location at 1026 Wilshire Blvd.  I’ll keep watching the tricky space to see what may develop…

Primo’s Donuts Departs Westwood

Posted on by
Reply

This story saddens me…  When local institution Stan’s Donuts closed their longtime home at 10948 Weyburn in Westwood during COVID in 2020, locals were literally devastated.  Then came a plucky new contender to fill the historic shoes, Primo’s Donuts.  I can personally vouch for how hard this business worked to remain relevant to the community.  They frequently sent me information on special promotions and deals they were offering.  So it is with a heavy heart that I let you know that, after a little over two years, Primo’s Donuts has closed down this location (Their Sawtelle and Topanga Social locations remain open).  Read more about their reasons for the closure here…

Millbrook Market Coming To Palms

Posted on by
Reply

If you’ve been paying attention, you know that the stretch of Overland that runs through Palms is getting a major transformation.  New, tall multi-use buildings are under construction all along the boulevard.  One of these projects, Venue at 3688 Overland, is getting a new neighborhood shop, Millbrook Market. 

Nothing Bundt Cakes Coming To Culver City

Posted on by
1

Culver City is getting a whole lot sweeter, with the arrival of Handel’s Ice Cream and now this….  There’s a banner up on the space at 3865 Overland announcing a branch of Nothing Bundt Cakes is setting up housekeeping.  Nothing Bundt Cakes’ handcrafted ultra moist confections inspire legions of fans. They began in 1997 in Las Vegas and have since expanded to 500 locations. 

(Thanks Andrew!)

Peace Of Cake Getting A Home In Century City

Posted on by
1

It appears that bakeshop Peace of Cake will be getting a permanent home in a second-floor kiosk of Westfield Century City, previously occupied by Brique and Brandini Toffee before that.  They had a pop-up in this season’s Holiday Market at the shopping center.  Peace of Cake offers customizable cakes with various fillings, frostings, and drizzles.  Take a peek at their menu below at the Holiday Market to get an idea of the concept.  They’re shooting for a Winter 2024 opening in their new location. 

NAMOO Korean BBQ Coming To MDR

Posted on by
1

The second-floor space next to the AMC Dine-In Theater, at 13455 Maxella Ave Suite 270 in Marina del Rey, has sat empty for quite a while.  In another lifetime, I believe it was home to Ra Sushi.  But now it appears to be under construction again.  A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Jennifer!) spotted the name of the new eatery on the notice of nonresponsibility taped to the front door.  The notice names the new restaurant as NAMOO Korean BBQ.  I don’t have any information on this business, so if you know more, pass it along…

Happy New Year From Toddrickallen!

Posted on by
3

At this time of year, I like to pause and express heart-felt appreciation for all who read and support this site.   A very special thanks to all who take the time to send tips, emails, and comments.   You all make writing this blog worthwhile.  As we look forward to another year of LA food scene craziness, I’ll be right there with you as your trusted source for Westside food news.  I wish everyone a joyful, prosperous, and delicious 2024! 

Coffee With Creme & Sugar Coming To Santa Monica

Posted on by
Reply

There’s a small now hiring sign in the window of 1447 Ocean Ave in Downtown Santa Monica, a tiny space most recently occupied by Earthbar. The notice names the new business as Coffee With Creme & Sugar. The website lists a menu of coffee, tea, signature drinks, and sweet treats. 

HiroNori Craft Ramen Replaces Humble Potato In Westchester

Posted on by
Reply

A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Dean!) let me know that a new restaurant is taking over the old space that used to house Humble Potato at 8321 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.  The new signs are already up announcing a branch of HiroNori Craft Ramen.  HiroNori has locations throughout California and features proprietary “authentic ramen noodles, stock, and sauce“.