A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Andrew!) spotted a note taped to the front door of of Grey Block Pizza at 1811 Pico Blvd. The note simply says, “Grey Block Pizza closed Prime Pizza coming soon”. You may recall that Prime Pizza recently opened a branch in West LA, as well as other locations, and promises “authentic NY style Pizza”.
Schwartz’s has been a stalwart presence in Pico-Robertson for a long time. They opened in 1954, when they became the first kosher bakery in LA. They have since increased to five retail locations, two of which are on Pico. Now they’re expanding just a few doors down from their location at 8856 W Pico. A spokesperson confirmed that the banner hanging over the front of 8820 W Pico is announcing the impending arrival of Schwartz’s Deli & BBQ.
The space at 345 N Canon Dr. in Beverly Hills has been a number of different things, including a hair salon and whatever this was. There’s now an ABC application on the front, indicating that a plucky new contender is about the give the location a go. The name of the new eatery is listed as Cavcas Restaurant. Other than that, I can’t seem to find much information. If you know more, let me know…
Update: Cavcas appears to be a Georgian restaurant. Read more about it here.
Westfield Century City Shopping Center always puts on a beautiful display during the Holidays. This year is no different. The Market has returned this year, complete with unique one-off shops (including Brik + Clik Pantry that carries delectable packaged sauces by Fly by Jing and Omsom among other things) and a schedule of impressive live shows. They have also introduced a couple of food choices. LA-based Cookie Dough Dreams is offering their proprietary sweet treats. Nearby Sweet Laurel Bakery has a presence in local markets and coffee shops and specializes in “grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free baked goods”. And there’s real snow…
There’s a banner up on on the space at 8250 West 3rd Street, Suite 106 (corner of Sweetzer) in Beverly Grove announcing a branch of drink expert It’s Boba Time. IBT has a multitude of locations across The Southland with about 30 more in the works. Expect a menu of 140 different customizable drinks including “smoothies, slushes, coffees, juices, milk teas, shaved ice, and milk foams” using fresh fruit and popular toppings.
That didn’t take long… Back in February, I told you about the arrival of SMiZE Cream to the space formerly occupied by Ugo Cafe in Santa Monica Place. You may recall that TV personality and model Tyra Banks was behind the premium ice cream project. Sadly, it appears that they have cleared off from Downtown Santa Monica. Their website says that they are switching to a delivery model.
It appears that a new eatery is landing in the vacant space at 8234 W 3rd St. in LA (Beverly Grove) occupied in the past by such businesses as a barbershop and a women’s clothing store. Now there’s a banner hanging over the front announcing the arrival of BOP Asian Rice Bowl. Not much out there on BOP, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see what will be on offer besides rice.
While no one was looking, a new confectionary spot has arrived to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Almost overnight, Brique French Toastery has appeared on the ground floor, directly underneath Del Frisco’s. And what is that? Their menu appears to be singular: “Rock Toast” which is thick cut brioche French toast topped with proprietary peanut butter coconut maple syrup, toasted coconut chips, and vanilla whipped cream. If they’re not open by the time you read this, they will be very soon…
Managing COVID has brought many changes to our world, but it is still a good time of year to reflect on gratitude. I’m very grateful to all my dedicated readers for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the Westside food scene. Wishing all of you a joyous and meaningful Holiday, hopefully surrounded by the people you love. Happy Thanksgiving from Toddrickallen!
A popular sushi and sports bar has quietly disappeared from Santa Monica. Kimuya was a neighborhood fave go-to spot, known by locals for its happy hour. Sadly, a for lease sign has appeared on the front of their location at 2830 Wilshire. I’ll keep watching to see what may develop…
It caused quite a stir when I reported that LA was to get a branch of New York’s Dun Huang at 1081 Gayley in Westwood. Dun Huang specializes in Northwest Chinese food and was known for their impressive noodles. But now there’s a ‘spaces available’ sign hanging on the front and a look through he paper on the front door reveals that interior is gutted and hasn’t been touched in a long time. Does this mean after all that effort, they are done? I’ll keep watching…
Kaido Japanese Cuisine has had a difficult time of it. They were forced to relocate to 1049 Gayley in Westwood when their original location in a strip mall in Santa Monica was cleared to make room for another big development. And now, sadly, it appears they are done at their current location. There’s a large “available” sign on the front announcing the news.
Pieology Pizzeria ceased operations at 920 Broxton in Westwood Village back in 2018. The space has sat vacant ever since but that recently changed. Operating as a food truck in DTLA, Hibachi Papi recently opened a brick-and-mortar at this address. Look for a menu of bowls, plates, and fried rice all prepared with their signature “modern, up-scale Hibachi style”.
It appears that Santa Monica is getting its very own branch of a popular high-end “gourmet neighborhood market”. There’s a notice in the papered-over windows of the former home of Earthbar at 1426 Montana Ave. letting us all know that this will be the future home of a branch of Los Feliz’s much-lauded McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. McCall’s prides itself on delivering the “highest quality meats, fish, produce, pastries” all while “keeping in mind the health and nature of the animals”. Interesting…
It appears that Taiwanese boba brand Sharetea is continuing on its inexorable path to world domination. Signs are already up on the space just to the right of Joe’s Pizza at 113 Broadway announcing the impending arrival. Not sure how far off they are from opening, but they look close…
Lovers of cultish confectionary empire Sprinkles will soon be able to get their fix in Santa Monica. Just outside the sluggish and half-closed food court of Santa Monica Place a brightly painted storefront has appeared almost overnight. I looks like this outlet will only be a home to one of their signature ATM’s, but when you’re desperate for cupcakes, does it matter?
Congratulations Good People of Beverly Hills, mojito mint coffee is heading your way… Beverly Hills lost its branches of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the company’s mass extinction event that occurred over a year ago when multiple SoCal locations closed (there are still a smattering of branches around). But the chain’s previous address at 233 S Beverly Dr. is destined to be a java joint once more. According to window paper, the Bay Area’s third wave darling, Philz Coffee, will be replacing the second wave CBTL at this location.
There’s window paper up on the space at 1640 Sawtelle Blvd., at the North end of Sawtelle Japantown, announcing the arrival of Tuk Tuk Thai. Known for their excellent Pad Thai, I got a chance to speak with a rep from Tuk Tuk who informed me that this is a relocation from their current space at 8875 W Pico, and not a second location. According to them, this will be Sawtelle Japantown’s first Thai street food restaurant. They are shooting for a December 1st opening at this address. Until then, check out their menu here.
A delightful new outdoor dining experience has landed on Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA. You could easily miss it if you weren’t looking, but set in the back of an empty lot at 11819 Santa Monica Blvd. is Empire Hotdog. The food truck has build a clever home for itself in a park-like setting complete with tables and chairs and a large LED screen, that at the time I visited, was showing Shakira videos. Grab a burger and a drink and sit under the stars marveling that such a place even exits in busy West LA.
When NY-style coal-fired pizza joint Grimaldi’s closed in El Segundo, it was reported that they were moving to a Santa Monica takeaway operation in the office complex at 2501 Colorado. What wasn’t reported was that the new location will be inside yet another outpost of rapidly expanding ghost kitchen/food hall Kitchen United Mix, making this Santa Monica’s second branch. Currently at address there is an erstwhile Daily Grill and, more suitably, a cafeteria called Colorado Kitchen. Both Santa Monica locations of Kitchen United were shooting for an October opening, but as it stands, little work has been done at either. Nearby Westwood is also getting a branch as well.
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