New “Café/Market” Coming Soon To Venice…

Posted on March 4, 2015 by toddrickallen

Thanks to a tip from a reader, I investigated the ABC application posted in the window of the now-defunct mini-mart just to the right of Piccolo at 9 Dudley Ave. in Venice. Whatever is taking over appears to be a new restaurant that is billing itself as a “café/market” and will be serving beer and wine. Hard to imagine what’s coming to the tiny space, but the applicant is listed as Dudley Market and according to the conditional use application, there will be a full-service restaurant with only 20 seats as well as a “gourmet market”. Dudley Market is more than likely a working name, so we’ll have to keep watching to find out more…

Yet Another Boozy Theater!

Posted on March 3, 2015 by toddrickallen

I think the finger is out of the dyke on this one… With more and more movie theaters on the Westside either redesigning themselves with food and drink menus or being built with restaurants comes news of one more to join the stampede: It appears that the dusty AMC Santa Monica 7 on the corner of 3rd and Arizona is getting a remodel. And according to the advertisements on the fencing outside, they’ll soon be offering beer, wine, and cocktails to the bill of fare as well as reclining chairs. Not sure if they’ll have food service like the Marina AMC, but I’ll keep watching…

Bo Nuage Set To Enchant The Westside With A New Beverly Hills Location

Posted on February 27, 2015 by toddrickallen

Melrose’s darling little charmer Bo Nuage appears poised to descend upon Beverly Hills in a pink cloud of confectionary magic very soon. I recently noticed that the Parisian-themed purveyor of meringues and cakes is taking over the old Shoe Wiz storefront at 9523 Santa Monica Blvd (near Rodeo). No word on when this little chunk of fabulousness will be open, only that they’re predicting some time this year. Until that enchanting day, read more about them here and in this interview in Eater LA.

Don Chuys Authentic Mexican Restaurant Joining The Mad Dash To Feed Playa Vista

Posted on February 25, 2015 by toddrickallen

With all the development under construction along Jefferson Blvd. in Playa Vista, we shouldn’t be surprised that a new influx of savvy restaurateurs are rushing in to feed the new neighborhood. The latest to join their ranks? With one location on Washington Place in LA, banners stretched across the strip mall on the southwest corner of the intersection of Jefferson and Mesmer indicate that Don Chuys Authentic Mexican Restaurant is expanding south. The family-owned restaurant offers a hand-crafted menu in the style of Leon Guanajuato, Mexico that you can read more about here.

“Estate 1519” Coming Soon To SM

Posted on February 24, 2015 by toddrickallen

The space at 1519 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica has sat vacant for an extremely long time. For those with excellent memories, the space was built for Cinch restaurant and after that failed, The Parlor took over but went under after complaints from the neighbors. It’s been empty since about 2010. Well all that is about to change. Construction is underway and a new ABC license has posted indicating that we will soon see a new inhabitant. The license names the applicant as Estate 1519, but that’s probably just a working name. I can’t seem to uncover any information and the construction people have no clue, so we may have to wait to see what’s actually coming. Hopefully it won’t take long…

Hold On! There’s More To The eLOVate Story!

Posted on February 20, 2015 by toddrickallen

After I posted yesterday about the impending opening of yet another health food restaurant at 1705 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica, I could almost hear people collectively rolling their eyes. But there’s a lot more buzz to this story… I quickly heard from sources that I wasn’t in possession of all the facts. Turns out, eLOVate isn’t going to be some run-of-the-mill kale and quinoa joint, already so ubiquitous in Santa Monica. Rather, eLOVate will be the flagship restaurant for TV personality, cookbook author, and personal chef-to-the-stars Roberto Martin. Probably most famous for cooking for Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, the passionate vegan chef is best known for American comfort food designed to please carnivores. And while no menu has been announced, glancing at his cookbook, I think we might expect such things as: southern fried chick’n; mac and cheese; tofu crab cakes; and chick’n and mole tamales. They’re shooting for a spring opening, but until then, read more about Chef Roberto’s vision in this Ecorazzi article.

eLOVate Coming Soon To SM…

Posted on February 19, 2015 by toddrickallen

Looks like a brand spankin’ new venture, eLOVate, is coming soon to 1705 Ocean Ave. Suite 111 (but actually the space faces Olympic equidistant between the new Starbucks and upcoming and highly anticipated Joan’s on Third) in Santa Monica. Not much information on eLOVate out there yet, except an ABC application that you can check out here. Judging by the window display, I’m guessing the new restaurant will serve some manner of healthy food. They’re promising a Spring opening, but I’ll keep my eye on it.

12 Twelve Set To Replace Monsoon In Santa Monica

Posted on February 17, 2015 by toddrickallen

While I can’t confirm this, I have it on good authority what the “new restaurant operation” promised by the closure notices posted on the front of what used to be Monsoon Café will eventually become. Looks like the same people behind Monsoon will be transforming the commodius space at 1212 3rd St. Promenade into a brand new concept restaurant 12 Twelve. The idea? Even though it looks like the new name is a nod to the address, 12 Twelve in fact refers to the new menu that will feature food from 12 different countries. No word on which 12 countries are highlighted though. At this point, they’re shooting for a Summer opening.

Redwood Grille’s Tree Felled In SMP

Posted on February 13, 2015 by toddrickallen

You have to hand it to the plucky restaurateurs who brave the stagnant dining scene on the third floor of Santa Monica Place. It takes a certain, for lack of a better word, courage to give it a go. Sadly, after a valiant effort, it appears that yet another one has bitten the dust. After a run of a year-and-a-half, Redwood Grille has closed its doors in the cavernous space facing the Promenade just as Xino did before it. No word on what’s replacing it. But there are signs of life on the third floor: The upcoming Cheesecake Factory and the new restaurant in the future Arclight Cinema should bring new life… hopefully…

Canon Club Shoots For A March 1 Opening In BH…

Posted on February 11, 2015 by toddrickallen

According to a rep, Canon Club, the new cocktail and mesquite-grilled seafood restaurant moving into the space at 340 N. Canon Dr. in Beverly Hills won’t make their original projected February opening, but will be pushing back the big day until March 1st, and the word “hopefully” was added to that. As you can see from the photo, they are still heavily into their build-out. But the plywood murals are really cool… Read more (but not much more) about them here.

Pure Pressed Coming Soon To West LA

Posted on February 9, 2015 by toddrickallen

And yet another juice place foists itself upon West LA… I recently noticed that a window display in the little strip mall on the southeast corner of Olympic and Westwood Blvd. is announcing the impending arrival of Pure Pressed juicery. Look for a menu of (wait for it…) organic cold-pressed juices and smoothies.

New Dining Coming Soon To El Segundo…

Posted on February 6, 2015 by toddrickallen

Looks like a new office and retail plaza will be opening up soon in El Segundo. And we’re not talking some little strip mall here, but rather a giant 46.5 acre development with its own Hyatt Place Hotel. Named Elevon, it sits near the corner of Imperial and Douglas. While I can’t find out exactly what’s coming, the website boasts 13,500 square feet of dining space. Along with The Point, the booming local aerospace industry will be spoilt for choice. Work is well-underway so expect restaurant announcements soon. In the mean time, check out the artist rendering here, and I’ll keep my eye on it…

Lemonade Takes Over The Old Rockenwagner Space In SM

Posted on February 4, 2015 by toddrickallen

It was only a short while ago that farmer’s market fave Rockenwagner abruptly closed its doors at 311 Arizona Ave. in Santa Monica. And now we know what’s taking its place. Looks like the “seasonal Southern California comfort food” chain Lemonade will be moving in shortly, according to the notices pasted on the front. No word on an opening date, but until then, read more about the fast-casual chain here.

Soybean Closed For Health Code Violation

Posted on February 2, 2015 by toddrickallen

Recently, I noticed that long-time neighborhood fixture and aggressive advertiser Soybean Chinese Food had closed its doors at 11966 Wilshire Blvd. in West LA. And now we know why… According to the notice posted on the front door, the restaurant was shut down due to a violation of the California Heath and Safety code. Written on the notice are three perfunctory words: no hot water. The windows have been papered over and it looks like someone may be moving in, but no word yet on what might be taking its place. I’ll keep my eye on it.

Earthbar To Hit Brentwood By Mid-February

Posted on January 30, 2015 by toddrickallen

What’s with 2015? Maybe it’s just the time of year, but it seems that almost every new opening is health-related. I’ve never seen so many smoothie, juice, bowl, and açaí joints landing all at once. Adding to the lengthy list, the Westside’s first free-standing Earthbar is slated to hit Brentwood by mid-February 2015 according to their website. Located at 11640 San Vicente Blvd., this is their latest in a string of outlets located mostly inside gyms and malls. Look for a menu of (guess what) smoothies, juices, and healthy snacks that you can read more about here.

Açaí Nation Replaces Mrs. Field’s In Brentwood

Posted on January 29, 2015 by toddrickallen

The açaí craze continues its inexorable march across the Westside… I recently noticed that something new had crept into the microscopic spot that used to house long-time resident Mrs. Field’s Cookies at 11740 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. Now, instead of sugary treats, you can (rather ironically) stock up on superfoods. With one location in Pacific Palisades, Açaí Nation had quietly slipped into the space and offers a menu of bowls and smoothies that you can read more about here.

Crosswalk Deli Coming Soon To Venice

Posted on January 27, 2015 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that an ABC application has gone up on the little neighborhood store that has long sat vacant at 2524 Pacific Ave. in Venice. Looks like a new venture, Crosswalk Deli will soon be inhabiting the space. No word on an opening, but it looks like they haven’t done too much yet…

Flights Craft Beers + Sports Grill Coming In For A Landing Soon In Hawthorne

Posted on January 23, 2015 by toddrickallen

Could this be an indication that the El Segundo/Manhattan Beach food scene is pushing east? Looking somewhat out-of-place, I just notices that a new, sleek sports grill is going into a spot in a strip mall in a particularly bleak section of Hawthorne just to the east of the 405 at 5119 W. El Segundo Blvd. What appears to be a fairly extensive build-out will soon house Flights Craft Beers + Sports Grill, which promises 40 different fresh beers on tap and a menu composed of such things as poutine, hefeweizen cheddar cheese fondue, and a variety of sliders. Looks like they’re shooting for a February opening. In the mean time, check out their website here.

Lyfe Kitchen Landing In Playa Vista; Yet Another Theater With A Restaurant And Bar!

Posted on January 22, 2015 by toddrickallen

Looks like there will be plenty of opportunities for new restaurants in the giant developments at Playa Vista, along Jefferson Blvd. One of the first to post their ABC application is the healthy eco-chain Lyfe Kitchen at 12746 W. Jefferson which not-so-coincidentally is also the location of the new Century Theatres (Cinemark) complex. And we can tell from their posted ABC application, Century Theatres intends on having a “general eating place” that serves alcohol as well, joining the other new theaters being built on the Westside that will also have restaurants including the new Arclight in Santa Monica, and the remodeled Laemmle in Santa Monica.

Coco Fresh Tea & Juice Coming Very Soon To Westwood

Posted on January 20, 2015 by toddrickallen

Last November, I told you about the closure of the waffle shop Honeymade at 10912 Le Conte Ave. in Westwood. We now know what will be replacing it. With a smattering of locations across LA and New York, looks like Taiwan-based Coco Fresh Tea & Juice is quickly settling in. I’m not sure when they plan on opening, but it appears that they’re very close. Look for a menu of fruit tea, boba, milk tea, smoothies, and slushes.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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