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.
With a location in The Original Farmers Market, it appears that loaf experts Gone Bananas Bread is expanding. There’s a banner and new signage up at 13016 San Vicente Blvd. announcing the news. This address had previously been the home of local favorite A Votre Sante since 1987. Read about Gone Bananas Bread’s story here and check out their menu of proprietary quick bread loaves such as the Big Banana here.
Update: Thanks, Jay, for doing the footwork on this. Beloved local institution A Votre Sante is NOT closed. They remain open and will share the location with Gone Bananas Bread.
With its much-lauded tonkotsu ramen that once caused a sensation in New York, award-winning Ippudo has been slowly making inroads into the West Coast. A sharp-eyed reader noticed that they are moving into the space at 3847 Main St. in Downtown Culver City. Founded in 1985 in Fukuoka City, Japan, they opened their first US location in 2008 in New York and have since spread to locations in Bay Area and West Hollywood. This will be the second LA location for the exacting noodle chain (although there was briefly a Santa Monica outpost).
(Thanks Mitch!)
It appears that a new eatery is taking over the former Plant Food and Wine space at 1009 Abbot Kinney in Venice. Window paper and a new ABC application are declaring that Alisa Greek Restaurant is setting up housekeeping at the address. While the website is still being developed, What Now Los Angeles has more details here.
Here are some upcoming changes coming soon to The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax: Eastern European experts Stara are bringing pierogi and kielbasa the mix. Here’s a look at their menu. And on the Northern side of the food court, there’s a banner up declaring the new inhabitant to be none other than beloved iconic Italian sandwich chain All’Antico Vinaio. Their website also spills the beans of a new Santa Monica location as well. SMDP has the full skinny on the upcoming Downtown Santa Monica location here.
New York’s crazy/popular purveyor of baked goods is opening a second LA location. There’s window paper up on the old Lemonade space at 1661 Abbot Kinney announcing the arrival of Levain Bakery. Levain Bakery began in NYC in 1995 and has since grown to a smattering of locations around New York and other locations including Larchmont Village. They are famous for ridiculously good handmade cookies that they describe as, “crispy, chewy, soft and melty”.
(Thanks Robert!)
This important information from my inbox:
There a new banner hanging on one of the spaces in the strip mall on the corner of Sawtelle and Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA (11281 Santa Monica Blvd.). Bangkok BBQ Bowl is now in soft opening and offers a menu of “authentic Thai BBQ” with such things as beef khao soi, krapow chicken rice bowl, and “sexy wings” (their signature wings glazed with a house-made sauce). As an opening promotion, you can get a free Thai tea when you order a rice bowl. Check out their full menu here.
Toddrickallen 