Like many of you, I too have been captivated by the glamorous transformation of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center… (As you probably know, the much-anticipated Eataly opens today.) From time to time, I’ve been posting photo essays of the developments. I hadn’t been in for a while, so I recently dropped by for a gander. Here is the latest round of new eateries…
And while we’re on the subject of openings… It was back in March when I discovered that Carlo’s Bake Shop, of Cake Boss fame, was opening a branch at 1354 3rd St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. So, for all you who have been eagerly awaiting a chance to get your hands on their confectionary creations, it is my pleasure to tell you that Carlo’s Bake Shop threw open their doors on Monday. Again, you’re welcome.
Ever since I first told you about the new project from the Voltaggio Brothers, that was coming to The Gallery at 1315 3rd Street Promenade, a great many of you have been anxiously checking for details. (Eater filled in the gaps.) Well… cue the stampede: Voltaggio STRFSH is now open as of two days ago. Currently, they are only open for lunch, but they plan on dinner service soon. The concept? You start with a choice of swordfish or salmon. Then choose a rub, a smear, and toppings before it all lands on a toasted potato roll. Or pick one of their already designed sandwiches. An ABC license is posted, so libations are on the way. You’re welcome.
About two years ago I told you about the impending arrival of Bowl of Heaven to the space at 725 Broadway. Sadly, they have vacated the yoga-centric community. But lament not, good people of Santa Monica! You can get your bowl fix at BoH‘s replacement, Enso Tea/Acai, which has another location in Las Vegas.
I recently noticed that a new frozen treat store is landing at 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice. Self-described ice cream shop Boca De Agua is looking to open on the über-hip high street. Apparently, they had hoped to open as of last month, but it looks like they’re running a bit behind…
Signs are up in the window of a space at 12714 W. Washington Blvd., smack on the corner of that crazy intersection where Washington Blvd. meets Washington Pl. in Culver City, announcing that new java spot is moving in. This will a second location of Redondo Beach’s hip The Boy & The Bear Coffee Roastery. Not sure when the caffeine will start flowing, but I’ll keep watching…
The windows on the space at 2715 Main St. in Santa Monica, formerly the home of the erstwhile lobster specialists Knuckle & Claw, is preparing to have a new tenant. A small notice taped to the front door references something called Fresh Bowls. An online search reveals that there are a number of unrelated restaurants across the US and a small chain in Canada utilizing that name, so I don’t have any conclusive evidence as to what exactly will be moving in, or even if that will be the name of the new restaurant. As always, I’ll keep watching…
Vietnamese food seems to be expanding its presence in this neck of the woods… An extensive remodel of the space at 4501 Inglewood Ave. #101 in Redondo Beach is making way for a branch of Pho Hue Oi Vietnamese Kitchen. With one extensively lauded restaurant in Fountain Valley, this is their first foray into LA county. Look for a menu of authentic Hue dishes as well as other popular favorites such as pho.
Since I first told you about the mysterious ABC application pasted to the front of the old Lladró space at 408 N. Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills, a great many of you have been checking for updates. I can now report that Napa Valley’s St. Supéry Tasting Salon officially opened over the weekend. Expect white and red wine tasting flights, glasses of wine, and bottles from St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery served in a “modern French parlor complimented by Napa Valley chic”. The tasting salon will remain open until August of next year.
Step aside Tocaya Organica, another restaurant chain is seriously vying for world domination. I recently came across paper covering the long vacant space at 4020C Lincoln Blvd. in Marina Del Rey announcing that a branch of Burgerim will be moving in. Looking to build thousands of outlets across the globe, you can expect to see a great deal more of this ambitious Israeli chain. Check out this link on their website and marvel at the stunning list of locations that are “coming soon”. To my count, an astonishing 42 stores will be opening in California, and just about as many in both Texas and Florida as well! Apparently, Burgerim‘s concept is about building customized 2.8 oz. burgers utilizing a choice of “3 buns, 6 sauces, 11 patties, and 9 unconventional toppings”. The diminutive burgers are sold in quantities of uno, duo, trio, or 16 party box, and consuming more than one is encouraged.
Signs recently went up on a space in The Point, on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in El Segundo, announcing that a branch of “modern organic Mexican” chain Tocaya Organica is continuing its unrelenting expansion. Not sure of an opening date yet. According to their website, they’re also opening locations soon in Westwood, Century City, Hollywood, San Diego, Scottsdale, and Chicago.
Paper covering the window of the space at 2222 Sawtelle Blvd. (corner of Olympic) is announcing that something called Flaming Pot is moving in. Not much information out there on the new Asian eatery, or at least I can’t seem to find it. I’ll keep watching as more develops…
Recently, I noticed a hastily written note posted on the front door of fledgling B.H. Poke at 9527 Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills, situated in a block that has seen a great deal of turn over recently. As you can see, the note states that they are “taking a little break” due to “unforeseen circumstances”. According to a photo on Yelp, the note has been up since early last month. It looks like no one has set foot in the shop for quite a while. I tried to call and inquire, but their phone line no longer works. So, I can’t confirm if they’re planning on reopening or not, but things don’t look good.
It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about the intention of Korean food chain Bibibop to take over erstwhile locations of Southeast Asian eatery ShopHouse. The Santa Monica branch of Bibibop Asian Grill, at 1401 Third St. Promenade, is now officially up and running. The concept is similar to ShopHouse‘s, where you build your bowl out of rice, noodles, or greens and then add a choice of protein, sauce, and various hot and cold toppings.
Well that didn’t take long… It was only a couple of weeks ago that I told you about the sad disappearance of Santa Monica’s beloved gelato shop DiDio’s at 1305 Montana Ave. Wasting no time in trying to fill the icy treat void, a new tenant is quickly moving into the spot. A notice on the window informs us that Gelato-Go is on its way. Billing itself as “the best gelato in Miami”, the new contender is looking to make inroads into Los Angeles. According to the now hiring sign, they are also opening a second location at 252 S. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills.
It looks like expanding “simple, seasonal, healthy” chain Sweetgreen is bringing its community building message to the grateful people of Marina Del Rey. Plywood is up around a space in the Waterside shopping center at 4700 Admiralty announcing the good news. Not sure when they’ll open, but I’ll keep watching…
I’ve been keeping a close eye on Manhattan Village, the shopping mall on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach. With stiff competition from many new shopping and multi-use complexes next door in El Segundo, Manhattan Village is currently getting a much-needed redo. Here’s the latest progress: A new Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is under construction in a brand new part of the mall at the farthest southern point on the property, and just to the right is the new See’s Candies. Check out an artist’s rendering of the flashy new mall here, and in the mean time, I’ll keep watching as details emerge…
The last remaining tenant of the failed Market at Santa Monica Place is pulling out. Culinary educators The Gourmandise School are moving to a new third floor location in the mall, just to the right of the recently moved The Curious Palate. What’s next for The Market? I’ve heard whispers that it will be turned into a multi-use space, but I cannot confirm that, so we’ll just have to wait and see…
Ahhh poke, will we never tire of you? Just when you think that there couldn’t possibly be room for one more raw fish shop, one pops up. It looks like the hungry students at UCLA have yet another choice when it comes to the Hawaiian specialty. The Poke is now in grand opening at their 935 Broxton Ave. location in Westwood. In addition to poke, they also feature “hot plates”, bowls, fried rice, and tempura on their menu that you can read more about here.
This was a surprise. After 22 years, Santa Monica institution and local fave DiDio’s Italian Ices has abruptly quit their location at 1305 Montana Ave. as of last week. A gracious goodbye note affixed to the front of the shop explains that they intend on focusing on their expanding wholesale operation. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what may move in…
Toddrickallen 