Category Archives: News

Go Greek Yogurt Coming To Brentwood

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It appears that Brentwood Gardens, at 11677 San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood, is continuing its transformation into a proper food destination. Along with Ospi, Sweetgreen, and the upcoming Pérse, and Cafe Landwer, we can add one more eatery to the mix. Their website confirms that Go Greek Yogurt is setting up housekeeping in the ground floor space #117. Go Greek Yogurt began in 2012 and has since opened locations across California, Florida, and the Middle East. They offer a made-to-order concept of European imported yogurt that honors the “traditions and values” of Greek culture.

(Thanks Maddie!)

ROLLD Sushi Bringing “Aussie-Inspired” Sushi To Montana Ave.

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There hasn’t been a proper fast sushi concept on Santa Monica’s tony Montana Ave for a while now (I’m not counting the markets). But that’s about to change. Paper is up on the space at 1307 Montana announcing the arrival of ROLLD Sushi. Promising an Australian minimalist approach to hand rolls, ROLLD will offer a convenient and solid menu of rolls such as salmon, prawn, veggie, and chicken katsu. They are aiming to open soon.

Venchi Bringing Beloved Italian Chocolate To Century City

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Italy’s beloved chocolatier Venchi is getting a storefront in The Westfield Century City Shopping Center. While Venchi already has a presence upstairs in Eataly, the new shop will be on the ground floor, surprisingly close to other chocolate brands See’s Candies and Läderach. Venchi boasts “250 chocolate recipes and 90 flavours of gelato“, and has been on the go since 1878 with over 180 locations in 70 countries.

HomeState Texas Kitchen Coming To Santa Monica

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Local “Texas Kitchen” chain HomeState is expanding to Santa Monica. There’s a banner up on the old Fresh Corn Grill space at 720 Wilshire Blvd. #101 announcing the news. HomeState has eight other locations around SoCal and is known for tacos, migas, queso, Frito pie, house-made flour tortillas, and margaritas.

Update: A recent sign is announcing that Home State will open on November 25.

Florence Osteria Bringing Pizza & Vino To Downtown Santa Monica

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Buzzy Beverly Grove charmer Florence Osteria is opening a Downtown Santa Monica branch. Their website confirms it, and signs have recently gone up on the space at 413 Santa Monica Blvd. Florence Osteria boasts “authentic flavors of Tuscany”, while the sign on the front promises a focus on “pizza & vino”. They appear close to opening, but until then, get more details here.

Gott’s Roadside Coming To Santa Monica

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I’ve long known that Northern California’s legendary diner darling Gott’s Roadside was taking over the space at 401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 140, most recently home to the short-lived Osteria Del Fornaio, but I only pass on information when I have concrete evidence. Now I do. A “notice of non-responsibility” recently went up on the front door naming the new tenant as Gott’s. Along with their other new location coming to The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax, this is their first push into SoCal. Gott’s Roadside began in Napa Valley and has since grown to eight current locations, offering an innovative “modern take on American roadside classics” that you can check out here. Looks like they’re aiming for a Spring 2026 opening.

Pizza Fling Coming To Santa Monica

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The former bank building on the corner of Wilshire and Berkley in Santa Monica, now known as Berkley Street Market, has been transforming into a food destination. The Market, which can boast delicious egg tarts at Paderia, burgers at Palms N’ Patties, sando at Katsu Bar, and acai at Oakberry, is now adding another option. Window paper is letting us know that a new purveyor of pies named Pizza Fling is settling in at 1211 Berkley #1.

Is Jacques Marie Mage Opening A Restaurant In Venice?

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LA-based exclusive eyewear designer Jacques Mari Mage is known for cutting-edge limited-edition glasses. What they are not known for is dining… until now? There is an ABC application in the window of the build-out at 2297 Abbot Kinney in Venice listing the applicant of the new “general eating place” as none other than Jacques Marie Mage. The business name is not listed, but JMM has a boutique just across the street. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops.

For The Win Coming To West LA

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Consistently rated as one of LA’s best burgers, For the Win has a very devoted fan base. With 10 locations across SoCal, it appears they are adding one more. A sharp-eyed reader noticed the small notices in the window of 1947 Westwood Blvd. (right next to Feast from the East) announcing the impending arrival of the celebrated burger joint.

(Thanks Stephen!)

For the Win coming to West Los Angeles.

The Drake On Sunset Replacing Hudson House In West Hollywood

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Readers have been letting me know that The Drake on Sunset is moving into the old Hudson House address at 9255 W Sunset Blvd #100 in West Hollywood. This will be a new location of The Drake Laguna Beach and is expected to open in Winter of 2025. Until then, get the full skinny on the new self-described “New York style supper-club” at What Now Los Angeles.

(Thanks Les & others!)

Castanea Sicilian Cafe Coming To Beverly Hills

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Breezy Italian charm is coming to 252B S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. With one location in Venice Beach, Castanea Sicilian Cafe appears to be opening a second location at this address. According to the website, “castanea” means chestnut, and the cafe is named after a famous chestnut tree on Mount Etna. Castanea Sicilian Cafe is passionate about “authentic Sicilian flavors and coffee culture”. They are opening another location in Hollywood as well.

Diner Antonette Finally Opens In Santa Monica

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For five long years, people have been demanding answers about what would take over the old Ingo’s Tasty Diner space at 1215 Wilshire Blvd. I’ve occasionally given updates as they became available, but due to various obstacles, the new restaurant took a frustratingly long time to open. So, to all those people who’ve been waiting comes this happy news: Diner Antonette officially threw open their doors on Tuesday (June 17). In addition to the eatery, which is still an LGO Hospitality Group brand, there is now a retail “La Grande Orange Grocery” (wine, gifts, books) in the old Vienna Bakery location next door. The menu has some of the old Ingo’s classics like crispy brussel sprouts and mezze spreads, and there are new items like Bombay crispy chicken, and dungeness crab & lobster with handmade pasta. They are currently open from 4pm to 10:30pm. You’re welcome.

Pizzeria Sei Coming To Palms

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It appears that LA’s preeminent pie shop is expanding from its original Pico-Robertson location to Palms. There’s window paper up on a space in the new Arya mixed-use complex at 10700 Tabor (corner of Overland) announcing the arrival of the much-lauded Pizzeria Sei. With a rare Michelin nod that describes it as possessing a “Japan-meets-Italy flair”, Pizzeria Sei has become legendary for its inventive and classic pies, and chewy crusts.

Bacio di Latte Blessing Beverly Hills Soon…

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It appears that Italian gelato is continuing its inexorable conquest of The Westside. Here is the location of the new Beverly Hills branch of Italian-born brand Bacio di Latte, at 425 N Canon Dr. Bacio di Latte is currently in a major expansion with locations either currently open or upcoming in Century City, Brentwood, Larchmont Village, Sawtelle, Calabasas, Studio City, Santa Monica, and Topanga. Because why should anyone have to drive more than a few blocks for luscious, creamy, artisanal gelato?

O&V CA Bringing Gourmet Treasures To Montana Ave. In Santa Monica

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There’s a new gourmet charmer in the neighborhood. O&V CA has recently thrown open their doors at 1109 Montana Ave. O&V CA is a band new business that features a carefully curated selection of fresh, extra-virgin olive oils that have been globally sourced. They also offer barrel-aged balsamic vinegars from Modena, locally made artisan ceramics, and other culinary treasures. They have tastings and classes to help you find the perfect olive oil or gift. We wish them the best of luck!

New York Chicken & Gyro Getting A New Home In Venice

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There’s new window paper up on the space that used to house erstwhile Louisiana chicken phenom Willie Mae’s. Currently operating from The Colony across the street, New York Chicken & Gyro is setting up housekeeping at 324 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice. Besides the Venice location, New York Chicken & Gyros has three other locations around LA and offers a menu featuring “NY-style Middle Eastern halal food”.

Tres Dos Tres Coming To Sawtelle Japantown

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Right next door to upcoming Slizeria, a new fast casual Mexican restaurant is moving into the space at 11301 W Olympic #116. Window paper is up and work is fast and furious on the new Tres Dos Tres. 323 will be featuring a build-you-own fast casual Mexican concept that you can read more about at What Now Los Angeles.