Caffe Luxxe To Sell Beer And Wine?

A sign recently went up in the window of artisan coffee purveyor Caffe Luxxe at 925 Montana Ave. indicating that they are seeking to expand to much stronger stuff.  The notice posted in the window informs us that they are requesting an ABC license, and that the City of Santa Monica  is currently reviewing their request. But before you get excited about the prospects of a glass of cab with your cappuccino and croissant, the license they are requesting is an ABC type 20, meaning the beer and wine will only be “off-sale”, or purchasable to be consumed off the premises.

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More Changes To Santa Monica Place…

It looks like one of the last enduring restaurants in the challenged Market at Santa Monica Place is finally pulling out.  But for once, the news isn’t catastrophic.  Tenacious farm-to-table hold out The Curious Palate is moving from the space inside The Market, to the outside space directly opposite (space 331), just to the right of The ArcLight Cinemas.  The space has mostly sat empty since the post-remodel orginal restaurant Ozumo pulled out back in 2012.  They are apparently not using the entire Ozumo space, and construction has yet to begin, so it may take a while yet…

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“Vietnamese Pho” Coming Soon To Hawthorne

I recently noticed that a change is coming to the little strip mall on the corner of Inglewood and Rosecrans in Hawthorne.  Tacos El Chicano used to inhabit the space at 14201 Inglewood Ave.  But a sign recently went up informing us that a new, unnamed Vietnamese restaurant specializing in pho will soon be taking over.  They’ve done a fairly extensive remodel and it appears that they are very close to opening.

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Tumbi Bar And Restaurant Landing In Santa Monica Soon

I’ve been watching the space at 115 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica for a while.  Early last year, the Yelp-eviscerated Gate of India pulled up stakes and the windows were papered over.  Finally, an ABC application taped to the front informs us that something called Tumbi Bar and Restaurant will soon be moving in.  I can’t find out much information on the new eatery, but I’ll keep watching…

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Panini Café To Take Over The Fraiche Space In Santa Monica

I’ve long known that something was taking over the old star-crossed Fraiche space at 312 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica.  But for whatever reason, it has taken a ridiculously long time.  Well, construction has finally begun, and an ABC application posted high above the door indicates that a branch of Panini Café will soon occupy the troubled address.

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Pizza Antica Closes After Labor Day In SMP

Sadly, the sputtering food scene that is the third floor of Santa Monica Place is about to produce another casualty.  According to a spokesperson, after a 6 year run, Pizza Antica will permanently shut down the ovens the day after Labor Day, September 5th.  (That means your last day for the Tuesday half-priced wine deal will be August 30th.)  No word on what may take its place, and if you’ve grown fond of their seasonal salads and crispy pies, you’ll have to travel a bit as all their other locations are in the Bay Area.

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SpireWorks Bringing Turkish Döner To Westwood Village Soon

This took a bit of digging…  I recently noticed that an ABC application was pasted on the front of yet another big build-out just a short distance from the upcoming Nushii, at 1061 Broxton, the old Five Guys space.  No business name is listed.  Likewise, the online application lists no business name either, so I tried a search on the applicant.  Turns out, Dignified Foods International LLC has another ABC application pending in Eagle Rock.  And on that application they list the restaurant name as SpireWorks.  A search for SpireWorks reveals a statement on LinkedIn that describes it as a build-your-own eatery with a focus on Turkish Döner, or spit roasted meats served with bread and toppings.  Finally, their website doesn’t divulge much, but it does confirm that they are aiming to open this Fall in Westwood, and this Winter in Eagle Rock.

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Nushii Set To Bring Sushi To Westwood Soon…

It looks like “something big” is coming to Westwood Village soon, to the old Le Pain Quotidien space at 1055 Broxton Ave. to be exact.  What appears to be an extensive build-out will soon be the home of Nushii.  The still developing website doesn’t give us much of a clue as to what type of restaurant Nushii will be, but The Daily Bruin informs us that sushi will be on the menu.

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Barbacoa Mexican Grill Disappears From Westwood

It takes a great deal of courage to open a restaurant in capricious Westwood Village.  Eateries come and go faster than you can find a parking space.  Sadly, it appears that Barbacoa Mexican Grill has thrown in the towel and vacated its space at 1030 Glendon Ave. No word on a replacement, and if you’ve developed a craving for their healthy brand of Mexican fare, you might have to drive a while as most of their other locations are in Utah.

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Belle Vie Food & Wine Opens In West LA

I first noticed that something new was coming to the space at 11916 Wilshire Blvd. that formerly housed the fusty Western Los Angeles fixture Divita’s Pizzeria back in January, when window paper promised a new restaurant and wine bar brought to us by Vincent and Chase.  Then in June, Divita’s iconic sign was changed and let us know the name of the new wine bar: Belle Vie Food & Wine. On Tuesday, Belle Vie (which means “beautiful life” in French) threw open its doors for the first time.  The new eatery is helmed by Vincent Samarco and Cedric Nicolas, both of whom have cut their teeth in Paris restaurants.  Expect a French-leaning menu (moules, frites, charcuteries, fromages, French wines) that also includes a few surprises like mac and cheese, gravlax, devilled eggs, and “Burgundy tacos“, all served in a cozy, neighborhood bistro and bar with warm service.  Check out their website and read more here.

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Caffe Luxxe Celebrates 10 Years With Free Drinks This Thursday

Neighborhood artisanal hand-crafted coffee and espresso expert Caffe Luxxe is turning 10 years old.  To celebrate, they’ve created a special 10th Anniversary Blend, that you can sample for free starting today (Wednesday).  And according to their website, tomorrow (August 4th) they will be handing out “FREE drinks all day” at all three locations in Santa Monica and Brentwood.

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Rawberri Not Coming To BH Soon…

Back in August, I noticed that the windows of an erstwhile hair salon at 412 N. Bedford in Beverly Hills had been papered over with announcements that superfood bowl specialists Rawberri would soon be inhabiting the space.  Well, something must have fallen trough…  Recently, the announcements came down and a for lease sign went up.  Apparently the space is again leased.  I’ve no idea what may be coming, but I’ll keep watching.

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The Hummus Republic Opens In El Segundo

The food scene in aerospace-centric El Segundo continues to expand.  It was back in October that I told you about the impending arrival of a branch of mini-chain The Hummus Republic to the space in The Edge complex at 827 N. Douglas St.  You’ll be happy to know that the “build your own” fast/casual Mediterranean grill recently opened.  Read more and check out menus here.

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Honeyboba Finally Opens In West LA

Ever since I first told you about the upcoming arrival of Honeyboba to the space at 11573 W. Santa Monica Blvd. (corner of Federal) in West LA, a great many of you have been carefully tracking its progress.  So here’s welcome news:  Honeyboba is now open providing this neck of the woods with boba, egg pudding, coffee jelly, grass jelly, teas, and smoothies.  Why it took so long is anyone’s guess…

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