Café Crepe has long anchored the corner of Broadway and The Third St. Promenade, and was perpetually crowded with tourists. So it comes as a surprise that they have abruptly and unceremoniously closed up shop. A brief note on the door bids a quick Au Revoir, and mentions the Canadian company’s other LA location, at Union Station.
The address at 11555 Olympic Blvd. in LA is proving itself to be a tricky one. It used to be popular Ramenya, then Dosanko Ramen tried its luck, which sadly ran out. Now a plucky new ramen and mazemen (no-broth ramen) joint named Mogu Mogu is poised to move in, at least according to a rather small announcement taped to the front door. We wish them the best of luck.
I’ve been receiving loads of messages from panicked Santa Monicans lamenting the demise of their beloved Panera Bread, in the landmark building at 501 Wilshire Blvd. that used to house Polly’s Pies. What’s more, a demolition notice now hangs in the window. Panera appears to be losing its presence on the Westside, with now-vacated locations in Westwood and Beverly Hills as well. I’m keeping an eye on all three to see what may develop…
As longtime resident The Counter pulled up stakes in the Waterside at Marina del Rey shopping complex, they made room for another expanding burger chain. I’ve been hearing from excited readers who have seen the sign board heralding the news. The Waterside website confirms that, yes indeed, Shake Shack will soon be delivering their signature “modern day roadside burger” to the good people of the Marina.
Many of you were in shock when I first told you about the disappearance of beloved Japanese restaurant Musha at 424 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. Now it looks like a new tenant is going to give the diminutive space a go. A new ABC application is posted on the front. It doesn’t give much information, just an applicant name of Office Luck USA. There is no business name listed. I can’t locate anything on Office Luck, likewise the officer named on the application doesn’t reveal any insight. If you have any more information, let me know…
Update: Indeed a reader did know more (Thanks Ryan!): The restaurant’s name will be Shirubē. It will be an izakaya style restaurant that appears to be past their projected opening date. Check out their Instagram page here.
Update: Eater has the full skinny here.
It was back in 2015 when I first told you about the buzzy arrival of Swedish pizza to the Santa Monica food scene. Reds Pizza has made a valiant four-year run of it at 707 Pico Blvd., but sadly it appears that they have thrown in the towel. I’m not quite sure when it happened, but the storefront is boarded over. There’s no clear indication of what may take over the space, but I’ll keep watching.
Santa Monica is about to get a whole lot sweeter… It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about the disappearance of Beach City Creamery (formerly Beachy Cream) from its address at 1209 Wilshire. Paper is now up on the windows telling us about another treat shop moving in. With one location in the Arts District Downtown, it looks like Broadway Baker is taking over the space. And what’s on offer? Known for their gift boxes, Broadway Baker prides itself on hand crafted, all natural premium baked good from three generations of family recipes, including their salted caramel brownies, once prominently featured in O, The Oprah Magazine.
Everyone’s fave grocery store Trader Joe’s is expanding its footprint on the Westside. I’ve been watching all the new construction along Admiralty in Marina del Rey to see what may develop. A large notice attached to the fence around the new building on the corner of Admiralty and Mindanao Way lets us know that this will soon be a branch of TJ’s. Don’t forget that there’s a brand new one going up on Wilshire and 23rd in Santa Monica as well. The Beach Communities will be spoiled for choice…
I looks like the people behind Lemonade have a new project in mind for the troubled Runway Apartments Play Vista complex. According to the signs, one cavernous space is being kitted out to accommodate something called Bull & Butterfly. They are billing this as a reimagined wood-fired steakhouse. The signs say they are shooting for a Fall opening.
Burgerim continues its march to world domination… Signs are up on the space at 831 N. Douglas in El Segundo announcing an impending branch of Israeli chain Burgerim. I don’t know exactly when the Lilliputian burgers will start flowing, but they look like they’re close.
Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman is spreading his signature brand of confectionary good news to El Segundo. Window paper is up on a space in the back development of Plaza El Segundo (730F S. Allied Way) announcing that a branch of Duff’s Cake Mix is on the way. And what is Duff’s Cake Mix? According to their website, they are a “do-it-yourself cake and cupcake decorating studio” for parties of one to twelve, as well as for classes, hosting corporate events, and other special occasions.
The El Segundo restaurant scene continues its volatile ride… It appears that OG Plaza El Segundo eatery Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill has quit its space at 780 S Sepulveda Blvd. I had thought maybe they were remodeling, but the place is gutted and the signs have come down. It looks like something new is coming because the construction is fast and furious. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
Back in October of 2017, Jerry’s Deli closed down their massive operation in Marina Del Rey for an overhaul. At the time, Eater reported that they would not open under the same name. Well, after an extensive redo of the commodious space and grounds, a new name has appeared on the corner sign of Mindanao and Marina Expressway. Probably derived from the company CEO’s family name of Starkman, it appears the new name will be Stark’s. We wish them the best of luck.
Update: Stark’s will open on May 21.
It was a sad day when, after a brave effort, the people behind Chou Chou French Patisserie decided to pull the plug at 313 Wilshire Blvd. Now a new tenant is poised to move in. With one location on Hollywood Blvd., it appears that Hollywood Burger will soon be delivering “gourmet-style burgers” to the good people of Santa Monica. 
About a year ago, I told you about OC’s fave natural/organic grocer and eatery Mother’s Market & Kitchen taking over the old Fresh & Easy location at 1700 Rosecrans Ave. in Manhattan Beach as part of a greater push into LA County. After an extensive remodel of the space, it appears they are poised to open. As per the banner hanging on the side of the building, Mother’s Market & Kitchen will officially throw open their doors on March 16th.
Dumpling expert Northern Café is expanding its brand in Westwood. With the original restaurant just around the corner, they are opening a new Northern Café at 10965 Weyburn Ave., a space previously occupied by Koala T Café. There will be a difference: I’m told the new restaurant will have a different menu of “authentic Chinese”.
And while we’re on the subject of openings… Ever since I first told you about popular salad chain Sweetgreen‘s expansion to Montana Ave. in Santa Monica back in July, a great many of you have been checking for updates. So here ya go: Sweetgreen officially throws open its doors today (Friday Feb. 22) at 1517 Montana Ave. You’re welcome.
I first reported on the new Tocaya Organica moving into the space at 1140 Gayley Ave. back in June of 2017. I’m not sure what happened, but it’s taken a long time to open. Tocaya will begin dishing healthy Mexican to the good people of Westwood this Friday, February 22nd.
Pizza competition is stiff in student overrun Westwood. It’s the ideal grab-and-go for the academic set and bolthole pizza restaurants abound. A large for lease sign on the front lets us know that one casualty is Extreme Pizza at 1067 Glendon Ave. Not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching to see what may move in.
I love good detective work… A reader (Thanks SK!) sent me a pdf of a recent Downtown Santa Monica Market Report, which, on face value isn’t that riveting. But if you scroll down to page 11, the document lists upcoming restaurants slated to open in Downtown. Many I’ve already reported, but here are the ones I didn’t know about: Halo Top Scoop Shop (304 Santa Monica Blvd.), La Colombe (604 Santa Monica Blvd.), Fresh Corn Grill (720 Wilshire), and Gyu-Kaku (231 Arizona Ave).
Toddrickallen 