There’s window paper up on one of the storefronts in the everchanging landscape of the Waterside Marina del Rey shopping center announcing the arrival of Paradise Bowls. Paradise Bowls is a local company with locations Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and another expected outpost in Westlake Village. Their website promises a “delicious and wholesome escape” with a menu focused on acai and pitaya bowls and smoothies. Looks like they’re aiming for a summer opening.
There’s construction and a new ABC application at 123 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. This address has been a number of different eating places over the years with the most recent being Monty’s Good Burger and Thai Dishes before that. The ABC application lists the new “beer & wine eating place” as The Courtside Lounge. Other than what I would imagine will be a sports theme, we’ll have to keep watching for more details.
This from the folks at Levain Bakery, at 1161 Abbot Kinney Blvd:
Levain Bakery on Abbot Kinney will open Friday, April 4th!
“And as a special flavor… we will be offering our Black & White Chocolate Chip Cookie ONLY at the Venice bakery, for a limited time
Our co-founders, Connie McDonald & Pam Weekes will be here for the occasion
We’re doing a ribbon cutting at 8am
The first 100 people in line will get a free Levain tote bag!
ALL proceeds from our opening day will be donated to St Joseph Center in Venice.”
Good news Century City, donuts are heading your way! The little kiosk on the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, near Zinqué, has been the home to a number of different projects including Brandini Toffee and most recently Brique French Toastery. Window paper recently went up proclaiming a new tenant. Cafe Knotted is planning on dishing fresh donuts from this location starting in April.
Something new is arriving to the second-floor location of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, previously home to California Pizza Kitchen. Colorful plywood is announcing a Fall 2025 opening of Very Thai. I’m not able to locate any information on Very Thai, and even the usually up-to-date Westfield website doesn’t yet mention it, so if you have answers, please pass them on. According to the plywood, what we’re promised is, “A taste of the very best modern Thai cuisine perfected and cherished over 30 years by one of the world’s largest Thai culinary leaders.”
Update: A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Karen!) spotted this: https://asamnews.com/2023/10/30/major-expansion-into-united-states-taiwan-restraurant-conglomerate/
As a public service announcement, I feel compelled to tell you the news about everyone’s favorite weekend brunch spot, Bru’s Wiffle, at 2408 Wilshire in Santa Monica. Frequently seen with lines out the door, Bru’s has decided to team up with another brunch power spot across the street, Flapjax Diner (same owners). According to a notice on the door, they will be operating at Flapjax Tuesday through Thursday from 8am to 2pm. Then on Friday through Sunday, they will be back at their original location from 8am to 3pm. Now you know…
(Thanks Debbie!)
To The Good People of Brentwood comes this unhappy news: I’ve confirmed that beloved local institution, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, at 11698 San Vicente Blvd, will permanently close this Sunday, March 23rd. While many disheartened fans have written to tell me this news, one reader (Thanks Steve!) reminded me that CBTL actually began in Brentwood, albeit not at this location. He also informed me that this address was previously home to the All American Burger featured in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. You have just a few hours left to drop by and grab one last oat milk latte… and contemplate the historic neighborhood loss.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Barry!) noticed a banner hanging over the front of the space 10912 Le Conte Ave in Westwood Village. This address has been a revolving door for many businesses, most recently We Roll Nori. Now it appears that SoCal’s very own smoothie expert Robeks is going to give the tricky location a try.
Since I first told you about the new eatery Terratorry that’s moving into the old Art’s Table space at 1002 Montana in Santa Monica, people have been clamoring for more information. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Debra!) spotted a note on the front of the build-out giving us some clues. The note explains that the Midwestern chef’s “ethos revolves around our local Farmers’ Markets” with a focus on heritage cooking using the best of the West Coast, and, well, you can read the entire statement below….
People go crazy for the luscious gelato at Bacio di Latte in The Westfield Century City Shopping Center, Brentwood, and other locations. Now fans in Santa Monica won’t have to drive so far. Window paper is up on the corner space that was once the home of Jamba Juice, at 331 Santa Monica Blvd #A in Downtown Santa Monica, proclaiming the triumphant news that Bacio di Latte is moving in. You’re welcome.
This from my inbox:
“This month, Los Angeles Innovative Dining Group restaurants BOA, Sushi Roku, and Katana are partnering with Children’s Hospital LA (CHLA) for the Make March Matter campaign. The goal of Make March Matter is to raise $1 million or more during the month of March, and this is the campaign’s 10th year. For every dessert from their menus sold this month, IDG is donating $2 to support CHLA!”
Directly behind the incoming Dayglow coffee shop on the corner of Rose and Rennie in Venice, window paper indicates a new branch of Awan. While their website doesn’t reveal much, Awan appears to specialize in coconut-based ice creams in flavors like Balinese vanilla bean, blood orange, and black sesame cherry chocolate chip. They currently have two other locations, in West Hollywood and Larchmont, with another location coming to 843 N Spring St. in Chinatown. (Thanks Jason!)
It appears that Santa Monica/Brentwood are getting a new vegan burger joint. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Tony!) spotted a piece of paper on the door at 262 26th St. in Santa Monica, just across from the Brentwood Country Mart, most recently home to Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine. The name and signature frowning logo appear to let us know that philanthropic plant-based burger brand Mr. Charlie’s is setting up housekeeping at the address. Mr. Charlie’s, with its yellow and red signage, is apparently a TikTok sensation with locations in LA, San Francisco, and Sydney, and has been described as a “vegan McDonald’s“.
A charming new taco spot has landed at 11714 San Vicente Blvd., just to the right of Pizzana in Brentwood. Serving from a counter with outdoor seating, Tu Madre opened on Friday to excited patrons. Tu Madre has five other locations across LA and is known for their innovative tacos and burritos including the signature fried chicken taco, as well as margarita flights.
Big changes coming to Santa Monica’s tony Montana Ave… Art’s Table, at 1002 Montana, abruptly closed recently and construction has begun on a new venture. An ABC application went up this week announcing the new eatery as Terra Torry. And Art’s sister restaurant M&D Margos Kitchen at 1534 Montana recently went dark with papered over windows. Hastily scrawled notes on the windows declare that they are “closed for remodel by owner”. Yelp is listing them as closed. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Charles!) spotted a notice on the door of the tiny former Antequera Bakery space at 1704 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. French Boulangerie Patisserie Des Croissants Paris appears to be taking up housekeeping at the address. Des Croissants Paris has a presence at a number of local farmers markets, and a brick-and-mortar in Culver City. Proclaiming themselves as “proudly French”, they offer freshly baked artisanal croissants, pastries and sandwiches made with quality French ingredients.
A new coffee concept is landing in Venice. Window paper is up on the space at 540 Rose Ave., previously home to Jeni’s Ice Creams, announcing the arrival of Dayglow. Dayglow began in Silverlake in 2018 and has spread to a smattering of locations. They offer “unique coffees, from unique roasters, for unique experiences” with an emphasis on tasting notes.
Signs are already up on a new “Cal-Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria” at 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica, formerly home to a Coffee Bean and Mrs. Winston’s. Cosetta appears to be the latest project from Chef Zack Pollack (Alimento, Cosa Buona) and is described on this website as a “high-end pizza restaurant featuring a full bar and liquor license”. It looks like they are planning on opening soon.
(Thanks Charles!)
While this is being widely reported in other sources, I’m hearing from excited readers that Santa Monica’s hotly anticipated branch of dumpling experts Din Tai Fung is about to throw open their doors on the third floor of Santa Monica Place in Downtown Santa Monica, across from always-busy The Cheesecake Factory. According to the website, they are soft opening with a limited preview menu on February 20th, with a grand opening scheduled for February 28th. Hours are 11am to 9pm, and you can reserve a spot here. With its sleek, stylish design and loads of space, could it bring a revival to the sputtering mall?
Cult fave bakery Sweet Red Peach is expanding. With a smattering of locations around SoCal and two in Georgia, residents of the Westside will soon be able to sample the legendary cakes, pies, and pastries at 11907 Olympic Blvd. in West LA, at least according to the banner currently hanging over the location. While you’re waiting for that slice of red velvet, read the backstory on the business here.
Toddrickallen 