Ever since I first told you about wine wonderland Wally’s impending arrival to the space at 214 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, a whole lot of you have been checking for details and peppering me with questions about an opening date. So here you go… A spokesperson informed me yesterday that Wally’s will officially throw open their doors on October 6th. You’re welcome.
If you read this blog, you probably know that Manhattan Village, the upscale shopping center on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, is getting tarted up with a major redo. I’ve been watching carefully to see what the new dining scene will look like. The latest news? It appears that the space that used to be the home of Sesame Moe’s will soon be a branch of San Diego-based Urban Plates. It looks like they’re shooting for a Spring Opening.
Update: Urban Plates is now open.
It looks like the lucky students at UCLA are about to get a new eatery. An ABC application taped to the front of the space that used to be the home of Saks Teriyaki at 1121 S Glendon Ave in Westwood let’s us know that a new restaurant, Violet, is moving in. Not sure of an opening date, or much else for that matter including whether or not it is related to previous restaurants bearing the same name, but I’ll keep watching…
Update: Eater got the skinny of Violet. Read the details here.
Last year, I told you that the name of the new brewpub taking over the cavernous and iconic Yamato space, at 1099 Westwood Blvd., was going to be Broxton. Since then, a great many of you have been checking for updates and asking me for an opening date. And now we have one: A notice taped to the front door lets us know that Broxton is shooting for a grand opening on October 7th. Check out Eater’s recent article for peek inside. You’re welcome.
Back in July, we learned that Swiss chocolate purveyor Teuscher had vacated their long-held corner space at 9548 Brighton Way to make way for a flashy new chocolatier with an SLS Hotel pastry chef cred. But all is not lost for the beloved chocolate institution. Paper is up in the window of the former Pretty Ballerinas shop just across the street at 371 N Camden Dr. informing us that this will soon be their new home. Meanwhile, their coffee shop The Café, continues to chug out cappuccinos in their temporary location at 430 N Camden.
Back in March, I told you about the impending arrival of cult coffee shop Alfred’s less-caffeinated offshoot Alfred Tea Room to the space at 11928 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. For all of you who have been eagerly checking for updates I have this happy news: Alfred Tea opened this week. Expect a menu of tea, milk tea, and matcha in a bright and cheery tiled setting with an outdoor patio.
In Santa Monica, where there’s a dearth of fast food choices, a drive-through restaurant closure stands out. On a tip from a reader (Thanks Joe!), I went to check out what was going on at the Carl’s Jr. at 2727 Santa Monica Blvd. The location is indeed closed, and the entire property has been fenced off. I’m not sure if this is permanent or a remodel, so I’ll keep watching…
Update: After much speculation, one reader has uncovered evidence that Carl’s Jr. is not gone, but rather remodeling. See for yourself here.
The astonishingly diverse food scene continues to develop in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Window signs have gone up on one of the kiosks on the second floor informing us that Leaff will soon be dishing waffles. It looks like they’re shooting for an October opening…
Sadly, after a valiant effort, Santa Monica’s French charmer Chou Chou Café has closed up shop. A gracious note taped to the front of the troubled space at 313 Wilshire Blvd. thanks patrons and promises a relocation soon. We wish them the best of luck. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
A large announcement on the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, next door to the upcoming HaiDiLao Hot Pot, lets us know that this will be the future Westside home of China-based tea experts Denong Tea. With one other US location in Pasadena and specializing in Pu-erh tea, a rare and special tea from Yunnan Province, Denong Tea considers themselves “guardians of the world’s best”. Looks like they’re shooting for a January 2019 opening.
Back in July, Eater let us know that Koreatown’s hip hot dog spot Sumo Dog was planning a move to Santa Monica, but they couldn’t confirm the location. Now it appears that we have evidence for their new digs. An ABC application taped to the wall of one of the interior spaces of The Gallery, at 1320 Third St. Promenade, provides the proof that Sumo Dog will indeed be landing in the same desirable location as STRFSH, Dialogue, and Sloan’s.
If you follow this blog, then you know about Burgerim’s unstoppable plan to take over the world. The latest evidence? A sign in the window of the old Subway space at 250 S. Beverly Dr. proclaims the location will soon be serving the chain’s signature Lilliputian burgers.
It looks like Malibu will get its very own Whole Foods. I recently noticed the development on the corner of Cross Creek and Civic Center Way with a big sign confirming it. Not sure of an opening date. The sign says Spring 2019, but it looks like they’ve a ways to go…
It appears that Pasadena’s popular frozen treat shop Bloomfield Creamery is expanding west. A small sign in the window promises their arrival to the former nail salon space at 1427 Westwood Blvd. (Although a large “coming soon” banner was recently removed). Not sure of an opening date, but it looks like we can expect “artisanal ice cream, edible cookie dough, and frozen yogurt” soon…
What’s going on at Panera Bread? Recently, the (newish) Westwood branch abruptly closed up shop. On a tip from a reader (Thanks Shawn!), I went to check out the (also newish) Beverly Hills location at 239 S Beverly Dr. Sure enough, a note taped to the front door explains that they have “permanently closed”. Could this indicate trouble for the popular bakery/sandwich chain?
Comfort food expert Fork-In Aussie Pie Kitchen is closing its beach adjacent location at 2510 Main St. Suite B in Santa Monica. But no need to feel sorry for them. They are actually closing this location so they can focus on expanding the brand, including into retail according to a spokesperson. And what’s next for the prime space? I was informed by the Aussie Pie folks that a new French restaurant is moving in. An ABC application is posted, but no business name is listed. The applicant, Maison Thouvard LLC, has ties to Santa Barbara.
It was only about 2 weeks ago that I told you about the sad demise of Santa Monica institution Pradeep’s at 1405 Montana Ave. At the time I had heard that a new Mexican restaurant was expected, but I had no details. The wait is over: Paper recently went up in the windows giving us the name of the new eatery. There isn’t much information out there on Prima Baja Cocina, except for a developing website that promises us tacos and a September opening.
Could this indicate a slowdown in the build-your-own pizza trend? On a tip from a reader (Thanks Joey!), I went to check out what was going on at Pieology Pizzeria at 920 Broxton Ave.in Westwood Village. As it turns out, it has closed down. A note taped to the front door confirms it. I’m a bit surprised by this. Even in pizza saturated Westwood, it’s hard to comprehend why ever-popular Pieology, of all places, would pull up stakes. I’ll keep watching to see what may develop…
After a sad and disastrous year, it is inspiring to watch the rebuilding of Montecito. From time to time, I like to check out what’s happening in the resilient and plucky seaside town. Recently, I noticed that a branch of Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro is opening in the space at 1187 Coast Village Road (Suite 7). Renaud’s bills itself as “A taste of Paris without the trip to France”, and has a smattering of locations in Southern California, mostly in various Gelson’s. In addition to patisserie, and a light menu of salads, sandwiches, pasta, and quiche, the ABC application posted on the front indicates a that a beer and wine license is on the way. Glass of Sancerre with that pain bagnat? Mais oui!
There’s a big banner up on the side of the erstwhile Flavor Of India corner space at 9045 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. It reveals that a new pizza joint, Crustica, will soon be moving in. There isn’t a great deal out there yet on Crustica, but a developing website promises the “best pizza you’ve never tasted, and the best you ever will”.
Toddrickallen 