Category Archives: News

Co+Opportunity Spreads East

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The good folks of Santa Monica and environs are fiercely loyal to their small independent markets such as Vicente Foods, Bob’s Market, and The Farms.  But the king of them all?  That would have to be Co+opportunity Market and Deli, with its fanatically dedicated local following.  I recently noticed that Co+opportunity will soon be spreading the love in Culver City, with a second location going into a bright and airy space in the new Access development at 8770 Washington Blvd., across from that palace of all things culinary, Surfas.  Expect an opening sometime next year.

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Take A Bao Disappears From Century City

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I’ve been carefully watching the bleeding of eateries from the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.  While I don’t have confirmation, I’m beginning to wonder if the restaurants must leave because of an upcoming renovation to the court to keep it in line with the flashy new mall, set to be unveiled sometime next year.  The latest casualty:  Asian bun and noodle joint Take A Bao recently disappeared.  As always, I’ll keep my eye on things…takeabao

Osteria Bigoli Opens On Montana Ave.

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It was only back in September that I told you that clandestine celeb fave Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano at 714 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica was going to be taken over by a newcomer.  I’d known for a while that hard-working restaurateur Vincenzo Nicoletta was looking to move on.  Now it’s official:  Osteria Bigoli has thrown open its doors and is now serving pasta to the good people of NoMa.  Even though I’m hearing from readers who are lamenting the loss of their old favorite dishes from Vincenzo, check out what the new restaurant offers here.

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Luna Grill Expanding Into Culver City

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Back in May, San Diego’s Luna Grill opened its first LA area location in La Canada Flintridge.  Looks like they’re expanding.  Paper is covering the windows on the corner space of the new Harlow apartment building at 9901 Washington Blvd. (corner of Dunn Dr.) in Culver City announcing that Luna Grill is moving in.  Look for a “fresh Mediterranean” menu of salads, hummus, wraps, falafel, and kabob that you can read more about here.

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Vanilla Bake Shop Heads East…

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It appears that the Westside’s fave go-to spot for mini cupcakes is heading east.  Signs are up in the window and their website confirms that Vanilla Bake Shop will soon be opening at 88 E. Colorado Blvd. in Old Town Pasadena.  No word on when that opening date will be, but you can still pick up your macarons at their Santa Monica or Culver City locations.

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Simply Salad Opens In Brentwood

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It was only just back in August when I noticed that something was taking over the erstwhile Chang’s space at 11726 San Vicente Blvd.  Wasting no time whatsoever, Simply Salad is now open and dispensing kale to the good people of Brentwood.  They may get some competition from the upcoming Sweetgreen just a few blocks up the road…

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Espresso Cielo Finally Opens In Santa Monica

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It was way back in October of 2015 when I first noticed that a new outpost of coffee, tea, and patisserie purveyor Espresso Cielo was moving into the space at 1431C on 2nd Street in Downtown Santa Monica.  Originally they had predicted a Fall 2015 opening, but then it sat largely untouched for an extraordinarily long time.  Espresso Cielo has finally thrown open its doors for business.  Why it took so long to open is anybody’s guess, but I’m looking at you City of Santa Monica…

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The Hungry Cat Closes In Santa Monica, Closing In Santa Barbara As Well!

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Recently, a reader pointed out to me that Santa Monica’s outlet of David Lentz’s seafood joint, The Hungry Cat appeared to be closed.  When I went by to inspect last week, a note in the window stated that they were closed for renovations (frequently restaurant code for permanently closed).  However, in the past week, a prominent sign announcing restaurant space available went up that lets us know that they have indeed closed.  Any mention of the Santa Monica branch has been scrubbed from the website and Yelp lists it as closed.  But that’s not all:  The website also declares that the Santa Barbara branch will also be shutting down.  They list a number of reasons including; declining business, the current economic climate, and an offer they couldn’t refuse.  They will be open until Christmas. The Hollywood branch will apparently remain open.

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Nushii Opens In Westwood Village

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Back in August, I told you about “something big” that was moving into the old Le Pain Quotidien space at 1055 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village.  That something big turned out to be Nushii, who officially opened today (Monday).  Their menu offers a choice of a sushi burritos or sushi bowls with a selection of items that includes ahi tuna, teri-racha chicken, curry lemongrass tofu, or hearty herb cauliflower.

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Another One Bites The Dust In Century City…

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We wait with bated breath for the changes that are coming to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.  And as things dramatically transform in the food scene, yet another eatery falls to the wayside.  It was only just two years ago that I told you that Vietnamese restaurant NiBi Pho Bistro had secured a space in the famously capricious food court.  Plywood recently went up over the space informing us that they have closed.  That leaves only eight eating places left in the court by my count…

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Panini Café Miraculously Opens In Downtown Santa Monica

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I’ll never completely understand the process of opening a restaurant in Santa Monica.  Many restaurateurs that I’ve spoken with over the years have complained of endless red tape and countless inspections with the result being an extraordinarily long time from inception to completion.  But every once in a while, I’m astonished when an eatery opens in the blink of an eye.  It was only just back in late August that I noticed the first signs of life stirring in the old Fraiche space at 312 Wilshire Blvd.  Wasting no time whatsoever, Panini Café has officially thrown open its doors and is now serving “healthy Mediterranean” to the good people of Santa Monica.  I’m sure many would love to get their hands on the magic charm they used to accomplish this feat.

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The 2nd Now Open Inside Whole Foods, El Segundo

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The popular and always-crowded Whole Foods Market at 760 South Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo recently opened a new restaurant and bar named The 2nd in a newly constructed space just to your right as you walk in.  On offer here are 36 beers on tap, over 12 wines by the glass, and a creative menu of small plates (such as cauliflower nachos, jackfruit “crab” cakes,  buttermilk marinated calamari), salads, toasts, sushi, various burgers, and desserts (like boozy gelato). There’s also a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm Monday through Friday, and a brunch.  Check out the full menu here.

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Lisa’s Café & Bakery Joins The List Of New Eateries In Elevon

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Popular caterer and restaurateur Lisa Erikson is expanding her mini empire.  Signs have gone up on the space behind the upcoming Petros Kafe in the enormous Elevon development at 741 N. Douglas St. in El Segundo informing us that a second location of Lisa’s Café & Bakery will be moving in.  No word on an opening date, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

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Ippudo Restaurant Bringing Famous Ramen To Santa Monica?

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I noticed a few weeks ago that something was moving into the vacant space that used to house erstwhile tapas joint Taberna Arros Y Vi at 1403 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica.  A recently posted development application lists the new tenant as Ippudo Restaurant. I can’t confirm it, but could this be an upcoming branch of the famous cult tonkotsu ramen chain from New York, that is also moving into the Bay Area?  I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops…

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Cut Lounge Replacing Sidebar In The Beverly Wilshire

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If you’ve been in the iconic Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills (A Four Seasons Hotel) recently, you may have noticed that the space opposite Cut restaurant that housed the popular watering hole Sidebar has been boarded over.  A notice on the front of the plywood promises “something new”.  According to a representative, the something new will now be called Cut Lounge.  It looks like everything is getting a makeover:  There will be new décor, new cocktails, and a new menu.  They’re intending on unveiling everything on November 14th.

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Petros Kafe Expands In El Segundo

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I’ve been keeping my eye on the massive Elevon business/retail development, parts of which are still under construction in El Segundo.  In June, Bowlology was the first eatery to open, but since then news has been sparse.  That’s beginning to change. An ABC license application, posted on the front of the empty space at 743 N. Douglas St, Bldg 16, Suite 3, lets us know that the new inhabitant will soon be none other than that fine purveyor of “Hellenic California cuisine” Petros Kafe.  More news to come…

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Cozymel’s Gives Up The Ghost In El Segundo

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After a 20 year run in El Segundo, iconic Mexican-themed Cozymel’s Coastal Mex has closed its doors at 2171 Rosecrans Ave.  If you find yourself struggling without their much-lauded guacamole, the popular lunch spot has two sister restaurants in Wheaton, Ill. and Westbury, NY. No word on what may be taking over the sizeable and prominent stone building, but I’ll keep my eye on it.

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Cava Grill Expands Into Downtown Santa Monica… More Locations On The Way!

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DC’s Greek/Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava Grill continues to expand.  After opening their Westwood location only a couple of months ago, they are adding another location in Downtown Santa Monica.  Paper is covering the windows of the recently constructed building housing the Chelsea apartment complex at 1320 2nd Street announcing the impending arrival.  If you check out their website, you’ll see that they are also opening soon in Venice, Culver City, and Irvine.

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Café Gratitude Coming To Beverly Hills?

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I am dynamic…  I am present…  I am expanding…

Back in May I told you that Beverly Hills fixture Coupa Café had vacated its space at 419 N Canon Dr.  Recently, I noticed that the place had been leased. A small notice pasted on the front states that the new owners have filed for an open air dining permit with the City.  If you look closely at the lower left of the intent notice, you’ll see that the name of the business is listed as “Gratitude Beverly Hills”.  A closer inspection of the projects list of the Beverly Hills Planning Commission (page 24) reveals that the request is being made by none other than popular organic plant-based restaurant chain Café Gratitude.  While I haven’t confirmed this myself, it’s all there in black and white. 

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