Category Archives: News

Pacific Dining Car Will Not Be Pivoting To A New Restaurant In Santa Monica

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Devoted fans were crushed last year when their favorite Westside dark bar for martinis and nostalgia, Pacific Dining Car, permanently closed during the Pandemic.  But the door had been left open for a possible conversion of the iconic location into a new restaurant.  Recently, a new “leased” sign appeared on the front and a renewed hope inspired my readers to pepper me with questions regarding the new establishment. Sadly, it appears that it will not be a new eatery.  A notice posted on the front announces a hearing to to “allow a 24-hour emergency veterinary services to the existing building”.  And sorry, I still don’t have any information on what may replace another Wilshire institution that fell victim to the Pandemic: Casa Escobar.

King & Queen Cantina Coming To West Hollywood

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King & Queen Cantina appears to be on a mission to spread their signature brand of bawdy fun to Westside.  It was last year when I told you that they were bringing a branch of the San Diego party chain to Santa Monica (it has since opened).  Now they have their sites on West Hollywood. Signs are already up on the former Tortilla Republic space at 616 N Robertson announcing their impending arrival. Expect a “party, out of the box” with “Latin flavors” set in Dia de los Muertos decor.

Raising Cane’s, Panera Coming To El Segundo

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El Segundo is certainly the place for big commercial and multi-use developments, and it appears a new one is in the works on (what I believe was) former aerospace land on the corner of Nash and El Segundo Blvd.  Nash St. Exchange, as the new complex is called, will host at least two new eateries.  The building right on the corner will be the future home to Raising Cane’s, which has multiple restaurants across LA and Orange County and is known for chicken finger meals.  Also in the complex will be a branch of comfort bakery/cafe Panera Bread.  

Kindred Spirit’s Grand Opening This Weekend In Santa Monica

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I first told you about Kindred Spirit back in June, when I noticed help wanted flyers on the former ISno Cafe and Monsieur Marcel space at 1260 Third Street Promenade.  KS opened back in August, but is hosting a Grand Opening event this weekend.  The good folks at Kindred Spirit reached out to me and asked me to pass this along to you:

“Kindred Spirit – a new project from the Demitasse coffee geeks featuring an all day menu of alcohol free cocktails, lunch and brunch plates, and a rotating seasonal menu of classic patisserie inspired by the Santa Monica farmers market in a plant filled open air space on the Promenade is now open and will be having a grand opening event this weekend.

Kindred Spirit has been soft open since August but will be celebrating an official grand opening the weekend of October 23rd with a “Sober October” event from 12-4p featuring the launch of of their fall menu, an adult and family friendly mocktail and craft session with Makers Mess (dried floral wreaths like these), and complimentary sampling from the Free Spirits alcohol free spirit brand who are featured in a number of Kindred Spirit’s elixirs. Makers Mess craft session complimentary with food and beverage purchase.

Following that Kindred Spirit has a number of on site alcohol free brand pop-ups planned through the holidays and into Dry January.”

KS Lox of things Bagel /Photo: Carolina Korman

Café Bohème Bringing French Charm To The Beach

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I heard from a reader (Thanks C.P.!) who asked me to check out the new café that recently opened in Playa Del Rey.  Café Bohème is a breezy French charmer that sits in an unlikely strip mall at 8248 Pershing Dr. (corner of Manchester).  A full remodel of the space has turned it into an airy, bright, cozy dining room and counter with soft wood and macramé accessories.  The current menu is tellement Francais and includes omelettes, quiche, tartines, croque monsieur, galettes, and crêpes sucrées . They also produce their own croissants and pastries.  Right now they are only open for breakfast and lunch, but dinner plans are in the works.  We wish them bonne chance.

Breakfast Republic Expands Into Culver City

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Good news People of Culver City, your first meal of the day is about to get more interesting!  There’s window paper up one of the spaces in the Harlow development, on the corner of Washington and Hughes, announcing the impending arrival of Breakfast Republic.  BR has a smattering of locations mostly south of here, but this will be only their second LA County space (after West Hollywood).  Look for a menu of benedicts, omelets, pancakes, scrambles, as well as sandwiches, burritos, and vegan options.  Oreo Cookie pancakes anyone?

Cava Restaurant & Bar Closes On Coast Village Rd, Montecito Weeps…

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I was shocked to discover on a recent trip to Santa Barbara that perennial favorite Cava Restaurant & Bar has closed up shop after 25 years.  The elegant Mexican eatery had been an iconic presence on Coast Village Rd. in Montecito and was known for brunch and margaritas.  SantaBarbara.com has the owner, Carlos López-Hollis‘ gracious goodbye and explanation, in which he cites the Thomas Fire and Pandemic as reasons.  Sad…

Taste Of Runway Playa Vista Coming October 14th

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Playa Vista’s first ever food festival is coming October 14th.  Taste of Runway offers you an opportunity to sample nibbles from various Playa Vista eateries including Urban Plates, Bull & Butterfly, buzzy Loqui, Joliet Cafe and Bar, and even the-as-of-yet unopened Neighbors.  There will also be live music.  Get tickets here.

Kitchen United MIX Replacing The Gallery In Santa Monica

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The Gallery, at 1325 Third St. Promenade, managed to survive the Pandemic lock downs but mysteriously closed a while ago, prompting readers to pepper me with questions about its status.  The Gallery had gone through a major redo not that long ago and was home to such eateries as Voltaggio STRFSH, Paperboy Pizza, Dialoque, and others.  Then it went dark.  But now we know what’s coming…   There’s a notice up on the front that names the new eating hall as Kitchen United MIX.  And what is that?  It appears to be a chain of food halls that describes itself as, “the nation’s first ‘Multi-Restaurant Ordering’ to-go experience” that “allows foodie fans who love variety to order meals from 10+ restaurants, all on the same bill.”  Kitchen United MIX has a few locations across the US and are planning on a major expansion.  There are upcoming locations on the books for Westwood and Torrance as well.  This location is aiming for an October opening. 

Is Cure Spa Opening A Restaurant In Malibu?

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Cure Spa, one of Malibu’s preeminent wellness centers, appears to be expanding from their PCH location to a spot in the newish The Park at Cross Creek development at 23401 Civic Center Dr.  If you look closely, you’ll see an ABC application posted on the front of the space describing the type of business as an “eating place”.  A rep for the well-known spa very sweetly declined to confirm or deny that there will somehow be a restaurant here, encouraging us to wait and see.  So there ya go…  I’m picturing egg white frittatas and pinot gris.

Cobi’s Replaces Dhaba In Santa Monica

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I’ve been keeping my eye on what has been happening at the former home of longtime iconic Indian standard Dhaba at 2104 Main St.  The location has been a hive of activity recently with construction and upgrades…  And now we know what’s going on.  A new sign has gone up announcing the arrival of Cobi’s at Dhaba, which soft-opened last night and is opening to the public on Thursday.  Cobi’s used to operate a restaurant at 8422 W 3rd St. that closed earlier this year.  This is a fresh start for the Southeast Asian eatery that is being described to me as “a new creation with ‘partial honors’ to the old Dhabba”.  Check out their menu here.  Reservations can now be found on Resy.  We wish them the best of luck.

Yoga-urt Replacing Treats In Santa Monica

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It was in late August when I told you about the devastating closure of local hang-out spot Treats Frozen Yogurt at 1700 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica.  But thankfully, the neighborhood is getting a new frozen treat shop.  A banner is up on the front of Treats‘ former location announcing a branch of Yoga-urt.  Yoga-urt has two other locations (Glendale and Echo Park) and offers a menu of plant-based soft serve, smoothies, and shakes “made from scratch, starting with hand squeezed almond milk with all organic and dairy free ingredients and added probiotics”.

The Red Chickz Set To Burn Up Culver City

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Have you been wondering what’s going on at 10100 Venice Blvd. in Culver City?  The windows are papered over and there’s a sign up announcing something called The Red Chickz.  The Red Chickz has a location on Spring St. in DTLA and offers a menu of Nashville Hot Chicken and jumbo shrimp in such forms as sandwiches, French toast, tacos, and loaded wedges.  What Now Los Angeles has more on this as well as a major proposed expansion for the chain.

Allora Pizza Gone From El Segundo

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Sadly, it appears that Allora Pizza has quit its location at 829 N. Douglas St. in El Seguno after less than a year.  Allora took over the space from short-lived Il Romanista, which made a splash claiming to be LA’s first Roman-style pizza al taglio.  Allora was the third pizza joint in a row to inhabit the unlucky address.

Sidecar Doughnuts Coming To Culver City

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Good news Culver City, huckleberry doughnuts are heading you way!  There’s window covering up on one of the spaces in Culver Center (space 350 to be exact) on the corner of Overland and Washington Blvd., announcing a future coveted branch of Sidecar.  Promising “The World’s Freshest Doughnuts”, innovative and wildly popular Sidecar began in Costa Mesa and has since expanded to currently 5 locations, making this the 6th.  It appears they plan on opening in early 2022.  You’re welcome.

Everytable Coming To Venice Blvd. @ Motor in LA

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It wasn’t that long ago I thought that Everytable was down for the count.  But as it turns out, not a chance!  Only this week I told you about the massive and impressive proposed expansion for the socially-conscious chain that intends to make sure that “good food is affordable and accessible to all”.  Here’s another branch going into the space at 10419 W. Venice Blvd Suite 101-A (corner of Motor).  This location is planning on a November 12th opening.

Everytable Expanding Across SoCal

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Don’t count out plucky Everytable…  The nobly inspired concept chain aimed to bring fresh, nutritious, made-from-scratch meals to a fast food world at price points based on what a community could afford.  Then they ran into a spot of trouble a while ago and closed various outlets.  But hope springs eternal.  There’s window paper covering the prominent space at 11049 Santa Monica Blvd Suite A in West LA (former site of a CBTL) announcing that they are opening a new branch at this location… and just about everywhere else as well.  Check out this impressive list of upcoming Everytables, including Long Beach, Van Nuys, and Torrance.  This branch is planning on a November 5th opening.

Market Chicken Coming To The Original Farmers Market

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It appears there’s a new poultry purveyor landing in The Original Farmers Market, on the corner of 3rd and Fairfax.  One of the spaces (#334 to be exact, it’s near Monsieur Marcel) has a sign up announcing the impending arrival of a new venture named Market Chicken.  A still-developing website promises “rotisserie chicken, wraps, salads, sides and more”.

Primo’s Donuts Opens This Saturday In Westwood

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It was only back in April of last year when I told you about the devastating closure of local landmark Stan’s Donuts at 10948 Weyburn in Westwood.  But all is not lost.  Another longstanding legend, Primo’s Donuts, has taken over the space.  Primo’s has been an LA institution on Sawtelle for over 60 years. This week the good people of Primo’s reached out to me to let me know that they will be throwing open their doors this Saturday, September 18th, and from 12pm to 1pm they will be handing out free “buttermilk bites”.  Look for a menu of “espresso-based beverages and ice-cream donut sandwiches”, as well as well as classic raised donuts, and vegan and gluten-free options in a fresh, fully remodeled space.  We wish them the best of luck.

(Photo: Michael Mallory)

Le Macaron Bringing French Pastries To Century City

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‘Lette Macarons disappeared during The Pandemic from its freestanding shop/kiosk just outside the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.  But pretty French confections have made a comeback to the mall:  Le Macaron French Pastries opened last week in ‘Lette‘s former digs.  With locations throughout the US, this is only the second LA-area shop for the Florida-based chain (the other is in Santa Monica).  Besides macarons, look for a selection of pastries, French gelato, and European-style beverages.