Category Archives: News

MR CHOW NOW coming to Century City

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There’s plywood over one of the stalls in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center announcing the arrival of MR CHOW NOW.  What is that, and what is its relationship to nearby MR CHOW, Beverly Hills’ glittering branch of the exclusive and iconic MR CHOW empire?  According to this job site, this will be a “fast casual expansion” of the brand.  Not many other details so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  (I’m hoping for hand-pulled noodles?)  They are aiming for a late Autumn opening.

Santa 

Recent Closures In Westwood Village

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Readers were sending me news of recent closures in Westwood Village, so I went by to have a look.  Sure enough, after five and a half years, Tocaya Organica has decamped from their commodious location at 1140 Gayley Ave.  Also recently disappeared is Pressed Juicery from their address at 10878 Kinross Ave.  I’ll keep my eye on the spaces to see what may develop…

Kabob Village Coming Soon To Westwood

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It appears Westwood is getting a new Persian restaurant.  There’s window paper up at 1777 Westwood Blvd., once home to much beloved Indonesian institution Ramayani, announcing the arrival of Kabob Village.  Kabob Village has a couple of locations across LA and offers an extensive and solid menu of classics like shish kabob, koobideh, falafel, and tahdig.

Companion Bringing Friendly Vibes To Venice

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On a tip from a reader (Thanks Jeff!) I went by the former location of Matthew Kenney’s ill-fated pizza restaurant Double Zero at 1700 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice to see what was going on.  You may recall that an ABC application went up earlier this year announcing the new business as Gnarwal Coffee Co., the socially conscious organic coffee purveyor with a location on Main Street in Santa Monica.  It appears the concept has pivoted slightly, and they have since opened under the name Companion.  The new self-described neighborhood cafe and restaurant is currently open from 7am to 3pm for coffee, pastry, and sandwiches with the promise of dinner and wine soon.  Until then, read more about their vision and food here.

What’s Going On At The Old Brentwood Restaurant & Lounge Space?

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Brentwood Village is having a moment…  There’s a new ABC application on the front door of 148 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood Village, previously home to beloved local hotspot Brentwood Restaurant & Lounge and ill-fated Baja Norte.  The space is completely gutted, and there’s not much information on the new eatery.  But if you examine the ABC application, a familiar name is listed: Dana Slatkin.  Dana Slatkin is none other than one of the people behind Westwood’s French culinary powerhouse Violet.  The business name on the application is listed as “Glenbarr”, but what I’m hearing is that the new business’ name will be The Wilkes.  (I do not have confirmation for this.)  Rumor has it this will be a return to the loungey superclub feel of the old Brentwood Restaurant & Lounge.  You’ve got my attention…

Terroni Brentwood Coming Soon

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If you were wondering what was going on behind the build-out at 155 S Barrington Place in Brentwood Village, I’ve got answers.  An ABC application was recently posted on the front that gives us proof this will be the location of Terroni Brentwood.  And while What Now Los Angeles broke the news earlier this year, the license application confirms it.  The people behind Terroni, Grupo Terroni, operate a series of Italian eateries across the region, including Terroni Beverly and La Bettola LA.  The focus is on Italian with “authenticity and tradition” utilizing quality ingredients imported from Italy for their pastas and pizzas.  Brentwood sure does love Italian food.  Remember that the legendary Peppone, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, old-school Divino, and the recently opened and quite splendid All Roads are all about a block away…

Osteria Del Fornaio Disappears From Downtown Santa Monica

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This caught me by surprise, but I’ve been hearing rumors portending this for quite a while.  Sadly, after an extensive build-out that culminated in a triumphant return to Santa Monica, Osteria Del Fornaio has closed its doors at 401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 140.   People were genuinely excited when they opened only back in April of 2022, with a bright fresh look and a popular happy hour.  I’m not sure what happened, but the space is currently being gutted.  I’m told this location is not destined to be empty for long.  More rumors are circulating about the new tenant, which I can’t confirm at this time.   Watch this space…

Simply Salad Coming To Inglewood

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With the new stadiums in Inglewood, the dining scene there is exploding.  A reader (Thanks LL!) asked me to pass this along to you:  Everyone’s favorite greens purveyor Simply Salad is opening a new location a former Flame Broiler location at 3384 W Century Blvd, in the Century Village Shopping Center in Inglewood.  Simply Salad began in 2010 as a customizable and affordable salad concept.  They have since spread to nine locations, all in the LA area, making this their tenth.

Luke’s Lobster Diving Into Downtown Santa Monica

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The corner space at 200 Santa Monica Blvd has gone through a number of changes in recent history.  It had been a Coffee Bean, then it was Jinky’s Coffee, and now it will be LA’s first branch of Luke’s Lobster.   Luke’s Lobster‘s founder, third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden, opened his first shack in New York in 2009, and has since spread to locations across nine states and Japan.  They are on a mission to provide the highest quality sustainable seafood from Maine and Canada and are devoted to coastal communities.  Look for a menu of lobster, shrimp, and crab rolls served in “Maine-style shacks”.  Definitely exciting news for Downtown Santa Monica.

Black Sugar Boba Coming To West LA

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It appears there’s a new sweet treat shop landing at 11918 Wilshire Blvd in LA.  A banner us up announcing the arrival of Black Sugar Boba.  It looks like they were aiming for an earlier opening, but their website still promises this location.  Look for a menu of high-quality milk tea, matcha, cereal milks, smoothies, slushes, and fruit tea.  

Mimi Ice Cream Combining Pickles and Ice Cream In Brentwood Soon

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It appears that Brentwood is getting a new icy treat shop.  The Now (formerly Granville Plaza) development, at 11819 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles, has been undergoing a remodel for a quite a while now.  In space #102, the new tenant will be the first US location of Mimi Ice Cream.  According to the website, Mimi Ice Cream was created in Armenia, where they operate 20 locations.  They describe themselves as “leaders in the soft-serve ice cream market”.  This location will carry 20 flavors, 12 of which will be permanent with 8 rotating flavors.  And yes, I’m not kidding, there will be a curious emphasis on pickled vegetables and fruit.  Interesting….

Enzo’s Pizzeria’s New Digs In Westwood Village

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After 24 years of dishing one of Westwood’s best NY-style pies from their humble location at 10940 Weyburn Ave, Enzo’s Pizzeria is about to get an expansive new home.  There are notices up on the commodious space at 1145 Westwood Blvd, previously home to mysterious java joint Brewin’ Coffee, announcing the news.  A spokesperson says there’s no official timeline for the move, but until they’re settled into the new digs, you can still pop by their old location and grab a slice of a Westwood Village classic.

Total Wine & More Finally Opens In Brentwood

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Ever since I first told you about Total Wine & More taking over the old CVS space at 12015 Wilshire Blvd over a year ago, I’ve been peppered with questions about an opening date.  It took long enough, but to all those people who asked, I have this happy news.   Total Wine & More is now open. You’re welcome.

Gone Bananas Bread Coming To Century City

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There’s plywood over one of the spaces in the Food Court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center announcing the arrival of Gone Bananas Bread.  GBB currently has a location in The Original Farmers Market.  Read about their story here and check out their menu of proprietary quick bread loaves such as the Big Banana here.

Gokigen Tori Bringing Authentic Yakitori To Culver City

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On a tip from a reader (Thanks Melissa!) I went by the former location of Harujuku Taproom, at 4410 Sepulveda in Culver City, to see what was going on.  There’s a lot of construction and a banner on the front announcing the arrival of Gokigen Tori.  Gokigen Tori bills itself as “The Yakitori House” and promises an “authentic Japanese grill experience”.  You can get an idea of what it will look like when finished on their FB page.

BJ’s Bids Bye-Bye To Westwood Village

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I’m hearing from shocked readers that popular local party spot BJ”s Restaurant & Brewhouse has served their last pizza after a 28-year run at 938 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village.  A gracious notice in the window announces the sad news and directs fans to their other locations in Culver City, Glendale, and Burbank.  BJ’s closure leaves one sole business left on the west side of this once busy block, Falafel, Inc.

H&H Bagels Bringing Famous NYC Bagels To Montana Ave.

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Ever since Marmalade Cafe closed up shop at its longtime location of 710 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, readers have been demanding answers as to what would take over the space.  Construction began quickly and the speculation was wild.  I’d been hearing whispers of the incoming tenant, but now we have proof.  New York’s celebrated H&H Bagels is taking up residence at this location, as confirmed by their website.  H&H began in New York in 1972 and uses the “artisanal water bagel method” that produces results for which fans go crazy and many consider to be the quintessential bagel.  They are in the midst of a national expansion, and this will be their first West Coast store.

Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizza Now Open In Westwood Village

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Many of you have been excitedly writing to let me know of a new pizza option in Westwood Village so I’m sharing the news.  Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizza has recently thrown open their doors at 10889 Lindbrook Dr.  Danny Boy’s has another location in DTLA and in addition to NYC-style pies, offers a menu of sandwiches, salads, and (eventually at this location), “grab ‘n’ go cold sandwiches and spaghetti & meatballs”.

Ramen Chikumo Bringing “The Best” Ramen To Sawtelle Japantown

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The shopping center on the corner of Olympic and Sawtelle has been undergoing renovations for a while now.  This opened up the opportunity for new businesses to move in.  One of these, Ramen Chikumo, is building out the space at 11301 W Olympic #118.  According to the website, Ramen Chikumo was founded in Tokyo a little over a year ago and has two locations in Taipei.   Their mission is to “bring happiness and excitement to our customers” with the “best ramen there is”.