Little Asia Triumphantly Returns To Hawthorne

Posted on March 16, 2017 by toddrickallen

Popular local institution Little Asia served the good people of Hawthorne for many years on the corner of El Segundo Blvd. and Hawthorne Blvd. Then, about three years ago, they were tragically forced to close their doors after a fire caused significant damage. For some reason, possibly due to the City’s renovation projects, they have not returned to their old location. And that was the end of that… or so we thought. Here’s good news for all of you fans: Signs are up on a major remodel of the space at 4624 W. Imperial Highway in Hawthorne announcing their triumphant return. It looks like they still have a ways to go, but I’ll keep watching as things develop…

North Italia Landing In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on March 14, 2017 by toddrickallen

It wasn’t that long ago that I told you that Buca Di Beppo had closed its doors at 1442 2nd St, sparking a conversation about the viability of any restaurant in the pricey and complicated Santa Monica and LA market. Now it looks like another national Italian brand is going to give it a try. A sign is up on the construction plywood at the old Buca space announcing that it will soon be the home of a branch of North Italia. There’s reason to hope that they will have a better run than their predecessor: They know a thing or two about Downtown Santa Monica. Within a block in either direction are two other restaurants from North Italia’s parent company Fox Restaurant Concepts, Flower Child and True Food Kitchen. We wish them the best of luck.

A Reat Treat Candy Boutique Turns Sour In SM

Posted on March 10, 2017 by toddrickallen

A Real Treat Candy Boutique caused a sensation when it first opened as a pop-up in 2013, and later landed in Santa Monica. Offering “better” candy options that were free from artificial junk, they were lauded by LA Weekly in 2016. Sadly, it appears that things have gone sour, as a large for lease sign is now tacked to the front of their brick and mortar at 2724 Main St. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what moves in…

Jamba Juice Quits Brentwood

Posted on March 9, 2017 by toddrickallen

The little strip mall on the corner of Montana and San Vicente in Brentwood seems to have run into a spot of trouble… A while ago, diminutive coffee shop Brew-N-Beans gave up the ghost. More recently, one of the Westside’s last few remaining carb palaces, Noah’s Bagels, quit their location there. And now, it appears that smoothie experts Jamba Juice has closed down. That leaves only scrappy Souplantation in the increasingly vacant mall.

Ocean Market Grill Expands North

Posted on March 7, 2017 by toddrickallen

As you know, I’ve been watching the food scene materialize at the Elevon development in El Segundo. So far, there’s a Bowlology, and upcoming Petros Kafe, and a Lisa’s Café & Bakery. And now we can add one more to that list. An ABC license application in the window of the space at 735 N. Douglas St. lets us know that a second location of Long Beach’s Ocean Market Grill will soon be moving in. It looks like we can expect a menu of tacos, salads, and… fish.

Comfort Café Moves Locations In Santa Monica

Posted on March 3, 2017 by toddrickallen

Cozy little Comfort Café was a fixture for years in the now defunct Fred Segal on the corner of 5th and Broadway in Santa Monica. But just because Fred Segal is gone doesn’t mean that they’ve gone as well. Comfort Café has moved into new digs. They are currently celebrating their grand opening at their new location in the space that used to house Infuzion Café at 1241 5th St, suite 102. Check out their familiar menu here.

Fleming’s Folds In Beverly Hills

Posted on March 2, 2017 by toddrickallen

I didn’t see this coming… As evidenced by the note attached to the front door and the removal of signs, it appears that Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has thrown in the towel at its location at 252 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. No word on a replacement, but I’ll keep watching.

Air Food Set To Bring French To Downtown Santa Monica…

Posted on February 28, 2017 by toddrickallen

Walking around Downtown Santa Monica recently, I noticed plywood covering the front of the space at 109 Broadway that used to house defunct Middle Eastern restaurant Seaside Grill. I was lucky enough to catch one of the owners of the new establishment who informed me that the upcoming eatery will intriguingly be called Air Food, and the menu will be “French”, otherwise I don’t have any more information than that. They’re shooting for a mid-April opening, and this being Santa Monica I wish them the best of luck with that.

Tatel LA Taking Over Nic’s Beverly Hills

Posted on February 24, 2017 by toddrickallen

As you probably already know, legendary watering hole Nic’s Beverly Hills closed after a long run on Jan 31st. And what will be taking over its space at 453 N. Canon Dr? An ABC application appeared in the window this week announcing that something called Tatel LA will soon be moving in. Could this be a branch of the highly anticipated Spanish restaurant coming soon to Miami? We’ll have to wait and see…

Wellfed Closes In Playa Vista

Posted on February 23, 2017 by toddrickallen

Sadly, it appears that hopeful start-up Wellfed has disappeared from their space at 13020 W. Pacific Promenade #7. It was only just back in April of last year that I told you about their opening. Not sure what happened or what will become of that monkeypod wood wrap-around countertop, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

A New Organic Plant Based Deli & Juice Bar Is Coming To Venice

Posted on February 21, 2017 by toddrickallen

I don’t have much information on this… A notice is up on the small neighborhood market that used to be the location of Sal’s Deli at 2524 Pacific Ave. in Venice declaring that the space will soon house an “organic plant based deli” and “organic juice bar”. The telephone number on the banner connects to something called “Gold Coast Properties”. As always, I’ll keep watching.

Merci Clement Coming Soon To BH

Posted on February 17, 2017 by toddrickallen

Paper covering the windows at 9887 S. Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills informs us that we can expect a new French café, Merci Clement to open soon. Not much out there yet, just an undeveloped website and Facebook page. According to the notices on the door, we can look for a menu of specialty coffee, salads, sandwiches, crepes, chocolates, “petit cakes”, and gelato. It looks like they’re planning on opening some time this year…

Romano’s Macaroni Grill Closed in El Segundo

Posted on February 15, 2017 by toddrickallen

It looks like red sauce pasta joint Romano’s Macaroni Grill has quit their location at 2321 Rosecrans Ave. in El Segundo. All signs have been taken down and the restaurant looks empty. Not sure what happened or what may be moving into the cavernous space, but I’ll keep watching…

Go Greek Yogurteria Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on February 14, 2017 by toddrickallen

About a year ago, I told you about the expansion of a decadently rich yogurt shop to the tony space at 1431 Ocean Ave. (in the Pacific Plaza building) in Santa Monica. It took a while, but Go Greek Yogurteria recently opened and is dishing dairy to the good people of Santa Monica. Read more about their fresh yogurt bar and self-serve frozen yogurt here.

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on February 10, 2017 by toddrickallen

Almost exactly one year ago, I told you about an ABC license posting on the old La Cachette Bistro space at 1733 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica announcing that a branch of popular West Coast watering hole Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern would soon inhabit the address. It took a while, but they are now up and serving lunch, dinner, and brunch. Check out their menu of “artisanal regional American classics” here.

Venokado Vacates SMP

Posted on February 9, 2017 by toddrickallen

It appears that wine and gift shop Venokado has given up the ghost in The Market at Santa Monica Place. And The Curious Palate will be jumping ship from its Market space to across the way, just to the right of the ArcLight. That means that soon, the only soldier left standing will be La Gourmandise School. But we’ve been promised that something new will be coming…

KC Chocolatier Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on February 7, 2017 by toddrickallen

Back in December of 2015, I told you about the impending arrival of KC Chocolatier to 1431B 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica, right next to the new Espresso Cielo. After what seems like a very long time, they are now up and running, serving chocolates, ice cream, and hot chocolate flown in from Belgium. KC Chocolatier has a shop in Chicago, and is an offshoot of Kim’s Chocolates from Tienen, Belgium, which according to their website, is the “number 1 chocolate exporter to Canada and the United States”.

Beverly Hills Poke Set To Replace Beverly Hills Beignet

Posted on February 3, 2017 by toddrickallen

It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about Beverly Hills Beignet taking over the old Papa Jake’s Sub Shop at 9527 Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills. They opened about six months ago, but closed recently after a bit of a kerfuffle. Wasting no time whatsoever, it appears that a newcomer is quickly taking over the vacant space. Beverly Hills Poke will soon be dishing raw fish to the good people of The Golden Triangle. According to a worker at the site, they are hoping to be up and running in about a week and a half. Not much out there on BHP, just a Craigslist ad, so I’ll keep watching…

What’s Going On At The Gallery Food Hall In The Promenade?

Posted on February 2, 2017 by toddrickallen

After an extensive renovation, the formerly dusty Gallery Food Hall, at 1315 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica, reopened with a fresh new design and look back in Spring of 2016. Subway was open, and previous occupant McDonald’s moved back in, and expectations rose… then began to sink. McDonald’s soon pulled up stakes. And recently, on a tip from a reader, I dropped by to discover that the last remaining eatery, Subway, had indeed vacated its second floor location. The Gallery now sits completely empty, without a single tenant or notice of a future occupant. I’m not quite sure what troubling events are going on here, but I’ll keep watching…

Here’s What’s Going On In Century City…

Posted on January 31, 2017 by toddrickallen

As you know, I’ve been carefully watching the developments during the renovation of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. As we get closer to the unveiling of the glitzy new dining and shopping destination, here are the latest developments. While much of this has already been reported, this is what you can actually see:

What’s Now Closed:

Coral Tree Express finally closed in the mostly boarded up food court.

Tenacious Breadbar vacated its first floor location.

The Hillstone Restaurant Group’s Gulfstream is now gone.

What’s Coming:

California Pizza Kitchen has an ABC license posted on the second floor.

Manhattan Beach’s Petros Benekos will be bringing his Greek/Californian cooking north with an outpost of Petros Speakeasy on the second floor.

Signs have gone up confirming that Orange County’s wildly popular Mexican restaurant Javier’s is indeed moving into the old Season’s 52 space.

And if you look carefully at the Gulfstream photo above, you’ll see mentioned that Taiwanese noodle and dumpling experts Din Tai Fung is coming along with the wildly-anticipated and oft reported Eataly.

What’s now open:

LA’s latest branch of New York’s popular Shake Shack opened last week to long lines.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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