Congratulations good people of SpaceX, smoothies are heading your way! There’s window paper up in the shopping center on the corner of 120th and Crenshaw (2909 W 120th St) announcing an upcoming branch of Robek’s Juice. Robek’s began right here in SoCal in 1996 and offers a menu of smoothies, toasts, bowls, and juices.
Ghost kitchen chain Kitchen United Mix is exploding across our region bringing a myriad of delivery choices. They describe themselves as, “the nation’s first ‘Multi-Restaurant Ordering’ to-go experience”. Back in October of last year, I told you about a branch moving into the old Gallery space at 1325 Third St. Promenade. That branch recently opened and here are your choices: Camile Thai, Continental Empanadas, Fuku (chicken sando and fingers), and Wow Bao. I’m told more are on the way…
There’s window paper up on the space that used to be home of Ben & Jerry’s, at 2441 Main St. in Santa Monica, announcing a new fried confectionary shop is on the way. Holey Grail Donuts has locations in Hawaii as well as a pop-up in Culver City and specializes in donuts made with “Hawaiian grown taro root [that] has been pounded and fermented to create a dough base” which is then fried in coconut oil and sold individually or in weekly “tasting boxes”. Coffee, matcha, and chai are also on the menu.
I know people are scrambling to get their hands on Rams-themed treats as the football team charges toward The Super Bowl. Thankfully the good people at Primo’s Donuts wrote to tell me they are offering “blue and gold LA-themed, limited edition donuts shaped like a football” this weekend and next, (Friday through Sunday) until February 13th. Primo’s is at 2918 Sawtelle Blvd, and in Westwood at 10948 Weyburn Avenue. I would advise getting there early…
McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. has certainly generated a buzz in Santa Monica. Ever since I first posted about the expansion of Los Feliz’ beloved “gourmet neighborhood market” to 1426 Montana Ave (Ste 7) late last year, people been demanding answers as to an opening date. After much anticipation, McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. will officially throw open their doors today (Wed. 26 January) at 10:00am (or possibly 10:30am, the website and notice on the door don’t agree). Expect the “highest quality meats, fish, produce, pastries, and retail accompaniments”. You’re welcome…
A large painted sign has popped up on the space at 326 Lincoln Blvd., previously home to a branch of CAVA. The new resident will be vegan specialist Honeybee Burger. With two other outposts in LA, Honeybee Burger offers a menu of 100% plant-based sandwiches, burritos, and breakfasts that have made multiple “best of ” lists including VegNews‘ best LA vegan burger.
S. Santa Monica Blvd. is notorious for being a revolving door for restaurants, so it takes a brave contender to give it a go. One courageous eatery is about to try their luck. There’s window paper up on a former jewelry store space at 9529 S Santa Monica Blvd. announcing the arrival of something called Lorenzo California. According to the announcement, Lorenzo will be introducing a “Florence style schiacciata sandwhich” to The Golden Triangle. As near as I can tell, a schiacciata sandwich is a Tuscan sandwich composed of a specialty regional bread with various cuts of meats and cheeses. I don’t have much information on Lorenzo other that this, so if you know more, please send it along.
Congratulations Good People of Culver City, fabled burgers are heading your way! Plywood on one of the free-standing spaces in the food court of the Westfield Culver City Shopping Center (Fox Hills Mall) is proclaiming the news that this will soon be home to a branch of Shake Shack. As you know, Shake Shack began life about 20 years ago as a pet project of legendary New York restaurateur Danny Meyer and has ever since embarked on an inexorable march toward world domination fueled mostly by cultish devotion of fans. The ABC app on the front lets us know beer and wine will be on offer as well as shakes. Looks like they’re very close to opening…
Obica ended its LA run back in 2020. The Downtown Santa Monica location of the Italian mozzarella chain, at 606 Broadway Ste 100, has sat empty since at least January of that year. But that’s about to change. An ABC application has recently gone up on the space informing us that this will soon be a branch of Tu Madre. Tacos Tu Madre has four other locations across LA and specializes in creative Mexican food in bright, colorful surroundings.
Compartes Chocolates closed down fairly early into the Pandemic, leaving their first floor Westfield Century City Shopping Center location vacant for months. But a new tenant is on the way. A reader (Thanks M!) wrote to tell me that this will soon be a branch of Cha Cha Matcha. CCM currently has two other LA locations and four NYC outposts and “specializes in all things matcha” using only ceremonial-grade powder from Uji, Japan. Looks like they’re shooting for a Spring opening.
People were absolutely gutted when I reported that beloved Westside institution Bandera, which closed during the lockdowns, would not be reopening at 11704 Wilshire in Brentwood. Even now I still hear from gob-smacked fans wondering what will replace it. Now we know… A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Durendal_et_joyeuse!) wrote to tell me that this location will soon be the home to a branch of Wood Ranch. Their website and a notice of nonresponsibility on the front door confirm the news. For those unfamiliar, Wood Ranch has locations throughout SoCal and specializes in wood-fired BBQ, oak-grilled steaks, seafood, burgers, and sandwiches.
Update: Wood Ranch opened on 04/22/2022
Ever since I told you about the heartbreaking closure of Hurry Curry of Tokyo in Sawtelle Japantown, many readers reached out to me to express their shock and sadness. Well, you can take a breath. A reader (Thanks JC!) let me know they have found a new location in a small space at 2901 Ocean Park Blvd #125, formerly home to Ocean Park Ramen House. Looks like they’re shooting for an early 2022 opening. You’re welcome…
It appears something new is taking over the Market Pavillion at 1260 Third St. Promenade, last home of the extremely short-lived Kindred Spirit coffee shop. Actually, two new things. The north half is turning into something called Bubbletopia LA. The south half will be Dogbite Gourmet Hot Dogs. Bubbletopia LA will feature milk tea, fruit tea, and waffles with ice cream and various toppings. Dogbite‘s menu offers such things as Chili Dogs, Elote Dogs, and Ring Dogs (bacon-wrapped beef dogs with onion rings, coleslaw, onion, and BBQ sauce), served alongside fries with various toppings. Curiously, I can’t seem to locate much information about these two businesses, so if you know more, let me know…
At this time of year, I like to say a heart-felt thank you to all who read and support this blog. What a year 2021 has been. I know I’m not alone in looking forward to a more hopeful 2022. We’ve all had to learn how to live with change, including in the LA food scene. But regardless of what’s to come, I’ll still be here as your trusted source for Westside food news. I wish you all a safe, healthy, delicious New Year!
The space at 4213 Admiralty in Marina del Rey, in the same building that houses crustacean specialists Killer Shrimp, used to be the home of their diner concept, Killer Cafe. That closed a while ago, and the location has been undergoing renovations for quite some time. Maybe about a year ago, I started hearing rumors that the address was to be converted into a sushi restaurant, but I could never find any evidence… until now. Signs have recently gone up announcing the brand’s new venture: Killer Sushi.
A charming new German-themed coffee and pastry shop has appeared almost overnight in Santa Monica. Cafe Berlina recently threw open their doors in the space at 1620 Wilshire Blvd., most recently home to Posh Cafe. Expect a menu of coffee, espresso, pastries, breakfasts, and sandwiches. Their signature drink is is the Bearlatte which is their espresso, oat milk, and a pinch of hazelnut. We wish them the best of luck.
I’m so very grateful to all who visit this blog. Thanks to those who read, support, and take the time to send me emails and comments. I realize that things may not feel quite back to normal yet, but I do wish everyone a very Happy Holiday Season filled with laughter, joy, and of course, delicious food! Please be safe…
This was certainly a long time coming… It was back in March of 2020 when I first noticed window paper on the front of the space at 726 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden. Then nothing happened. Well, they recently (finally) opened. Expect a strong emphasis on the “experience”, “sensation”, and “journey” of tea, as well as sweet and savory baked goods with a “California Coastal” vibe. We wish them the best of luck.
Rosecrans Blvd. in El Segundo continues its transformation into Restaurant Row. It is already lined with supper-clubby big-ticket steak and seafood spots such as Fleming’s and Eddie V’s. Now a long-standing inhabitant of La Cienega’s Restaurant Row is joining the mix. In the space that used to house Grimaldi’s at 2121 Rosecrans Ave Ste 1399, construction is underway on a branch of Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão. As you probably know, Fogo de Chão serves grilled meat, and LOADS of it, brought to your table on long skewers as long as you continue to signal that you want more.
I’ve been hearing from surprised readers that one of The Westside’s last remaining outposts of Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks has disappeared overnight from its longstanding home at 404 Washington Blvd. in Marina Del Rey. As you can see, all signage has been pulled down and the place looks deserted. The Santa Monica Mirror confirmed the sad news yesterday, and lets us know that the next closest branch is in Westchester.
Toddrickallen 