Category Archives: News

Oro Caffe Still On Its Way To BH

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I first noticed a while ago that something called Oro Caffe was replacing longstanding Euro Caffe at 9559 S. Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills, a brave location right in the middle of a stretch that is particularly challenging for restaurants.  And then nothing happened… for almost two years!  Since many of you have been checking for updates, I have been keeping my eye on the place.  I was convinced that they had abandoned plans until recently.  Work has finally commenced and a small now hiring sign has been placed in the window confirming that they are indeed still on their way.  I’m not sure what the holdup was or when exactly they intend on opening, but rest assured that it will probably be soon.

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Mendocino Farms Setting Up Shop in Brentwood

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The shopping center on the corner of Montana and San Vicente in Brentwood has seen a great deal of turnover recently.  The latest to try their hand at the location will be farm-to-table sandwich/salad market Mendocino Farms.  There’s an ABC license posted at 11911 San Vicente Blvd. announcing the impending arrival to the spot that once housed carb palace Noah’s Bagels.  No word on an opening date, but the website promises sometime in 2018.

 

 

 

Sustain A Bowl Coming Soon To Westchester

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I short time ago, I told you about the window paper covering the space at 8338 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester that informed us about a new poke joint moving in.  Well, plans must have changed because what was supposed to have been Fishbowl Poke Co. will now be something called Sustain A Bowl, at least according to the new window paper.  I’m not sure what happened, or when they’ll open, but I’ll keep watching…

Chick-fil-A Landing In Santa Monica Soon

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Taco Bell closed down its location at 2207 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica a few months back and I ‘ve been watching to see what would move in.  Now we know.  An extensive reconstruction of the building is underway to make room for Santa Monica’s first branch of well-known poultry pusher Chick-fil-A, who are slowly but surely conquering the Westside.

Update:  Chick-fil-A opened 05/17/2018

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Gelson’s In Century City Invites “Noshing & Imbibing”

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Perhaps hoping to catch the overflow of people frustrated with choking crowds of Eataly, Gelson’s in Century City is making some Eataly-esque improvements.  Providing more of an graze/drink/shop experience, a sign explains that they are adding a “Wolfgang Puck Build–Your-Own Pizza and Salad”, a wine and tapas bar, a seafood bar, and a poke bar.  As you can see below, construction is nearly finished.

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Basanti Tea Bar Quits Beverly Hills

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South Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills is a revolving door for restaurants.  Basanti Tea Bar decided to try their luck when they opened back in 2015 at 9465 S. Santa Monica Blvd.  Sadly, they have recently vacated the space.  A note taped to the front door blames “unforeseen circumstances” for their misfortune.  I’ll keep watching the spot to see who’ll be next to give it a shot.Basanti1.jpgBasanti2.jpg

 

Boba Tea & Me Truck Gets A Brick And Mortar In Santa Monica

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A new Taiwan-inspired tea shop is moving into the space once occupied by juvenile tonsorial salon The Yellow Balloon at 1328 Wilshire Blvd.  A small notice in the window is the only indication that something called Boba Tea & Me is moving in.  Currently operating in a truck, it appears that this will be Los Angeles’ first storefront location.  Not sure when they plan on opening, but until then, check out their menu of milk teas, smoothies, and the Technicolor extravaganza named butterfly blossom tea here.

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Planet Smoothie Gravitates Towards Beverly Hills

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Planet Smoothie has locations across the US, but relatively few outposts in LA.  The closest one to the Westside resides in Santa Monica, and opened back in 2015.  But that’s about to change.  There’s a notice in the window of the space 193 1/2 S. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills announcing that another Planet Smoothie is on the way.  No word of an opening date and it looks like they’ve got a way to go.

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Gelato-Go Opens On Montana Ave.

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Well that didn’t take long…  A remarkable thing in red-tape Santa Monica.  It was only back in September that I noticed that longstanding local fixture DiDio’s Italian Ices had given up the ghost at 1305 Montana Ave.  Then in October, a small now hiring sign was placed in the window informing us that Miami’s Gelato-Go was soon on the way.  Wasting no time whatsoever, as of this week, Gelato-Go is now open and dishing icy treats to the good people of Santa Monica.

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Poke Club Bringing Yet More Raw Fish To LA

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Is there room in Los Angeles for more poke shops?  They seem to be everywhere lately and you seldom have to walk more than 500 feet to find some form of raw fish.  With all that competition a new contender, Poke Club, is about to give it a go.  They are close to opening a new restaurant at 463 S. La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles.  We wish them luck…

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Continental Kitchen Coming To Beverly Hills

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WeHo’s Continental Kitchen is expanding.  Signs are up on the space at 8300 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of San Vicente) in Beverly Hills, that used to house BrewDog Pub, announcing the impending arrival.  And it looks like they’re fairly close to opening.  Expect a large and varied menu of smoothies, salads, breakfasts, burgers, wraps, bowls, and more.

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Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean Expands Into Brentwood

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With locations in Beverly Hills and LA, it looks like purveyors of healthy, organic Mediterranean food Soom Soom are living up to their website’s promise to expand “across Los Angeles and beyond”.  Paper is covering the window at 11704 South Barrington Court announcing their impending arrival.  I’m not sure how far along their progress is, but I’ll keep watching.

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Earthbar Opening A New Location In Santa Monica

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Self-described “healthy supply company” Earthbar appears to be expanding rapidly.  With one location just over a block away in Equinox, they are opening a storefront  at 1447 Ocean Ave. in Downtown Santa Monica, facing the beach.  Find out if you are an “Earthbar Earthling“, and read more about their proprietary supplements, herbal formulas, and sports nutrition here.

Nyesha Arrington’s Native Opens Tuesday In Santa Monica

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It was back in June when I first noticed an ABC application on the front of the erstwhile Santa Monica Yacht Club at 820 Santa Monica Blvd.  While the app didn’t give us many clues as to the name of the new restaurant (it listed the name as Santa Monica Yacht Club), it did inform us that Top Chef and former Leona chef Nyesha Arrington was going to be in the kitchen.  Since then, I’ve been watching carefully and can now report that the new restaurant’s name is Native.  They opened for friends and family over the weekend, but Native will officially throw open its doors on Tuesday, November 14, at which time they will begin accepting reservations.  Look for a California inspired menu with such things as chestnut capellini with forest mushrooms, snow peas, and buratta; honey mustard black cod with cauliflower apple puree and mizuna; and rabbit sugo with semolina spatzle, pickled green tomato, and sauce diable.

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What’s Going On At Moo Greek Yogurt In Brentwood?

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Moo Greek Yogurt burst onto the scene back in July of 2016, riding a popular yogurt mini-wave.  Things seem to have slowed a bit, and Moo has been closed down for a while in their location at 11753 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood.  Since then, I’ve been watching to see what develops.  Their Yelp page promises a return in 2018, and their website doesn’t offer many clues, but the place is essentially gutted.  I’ll keep my eye on things, but it doesn’t look good…

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The Harvest Bar Now Open In Westchester

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With one other location in Sherman Oaks, self-described superfood café The Harvest Bar is now up and delivering the goods in their new location at 8601 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.  Look for a menu of smoothies, bowls, and breakfasts comprised of a variety of fruits, proteins, and acai.  Check out more and read their menu here.

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Shelby’s Sugar Shop Bringing Confectionary Treats To Malibu

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I recently came across plywood covering a space in the Malibu Lumber Yard announcing that something called Shelby’s Sugar Shop was moving in.  As it turns out, SSS is the brainchild of Washington Prime Group Inc., and is part of an overall plan to breathe life into struggling retail shopping malls, at least according to Bloomberg.  It looks like other locations are opening across America, but this will be the LA area’s first and very own.

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