Wild Oats Now Available At Fresh & Easy

Posted on May 16, 2014 by toddrickallen

Remember Wild Oats? Long before a certain other large chain burst on the scene, Wild Oats was the go-to grocery store for organic, healthy foods in sharp contrast to what was being passed off as edible at regular supermarkets. All those cozy, neighborhood markets disappeared almost over night due to dubious circumstances and all of you who were dedicated to the pioneering cult brand thought all was lost, right? Wrong! Wild Oats is once again back on the SoCal grocery scene with a limited line being carried by Fresh & Easy grocery stores at local locations. Check out Wild Oats’ cheery new image and learn more about the company’s philosophy here.

Belcampo Farm Kitchen Now Open For Dinner In Santa Monica

Posted on May 14, 2014 by toddrickallen

A “preview” of the upcoming Belcampo Meat Co. Restaurant and Butcher Shop, the Belcampo Farm Kitchen is now open for a trial run Tuesday through Saturday 5pm to 10pm at the corner of Wilshire and 11th in Santa Monica. You can check out a sample of their menu that features meats that are grass-fed, organic, and humanely raised at their farm in Northern California and learn more here.

Kichi Grill Now Closed In Century City

Posted on May 12, 2014 by toddrickallen

In the mercurial world of the Century City dining scene, things seem to come and go quickly. Sadly, one that has outlasted many, Kichi Grill, recently closed in the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Plywood is up around the space, however there’s no indication of what may take its place.

Teavana Takes Over The Starbucks Space In Beverly Hills

Posted on May 8, 2014 by toddrickallen

If you’ve been wondering what’s taking over that choice piece of real estate that used to house Starbucks at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Wilshire in Beverly Hills that is currently under construction, wonder no more. Signs recently went up announcing that a new branch of tea purveyor Teavana will soon inhabit the space. Until then, read more about Teavana, that not-so-coincidentally is owned by Starbucks, here.

The Ugly Pie Company Now Open In El Segundo

Posted on May 6, 2014 by toddrickallen

For some inexplicable reason, a whole lot of you have been closely following the progress of the latest custom-built pizza restaurant to enter the ring, The Ugly Pie Company at 2161B El Segundo Blvd. (next to Farmer Boys) in El Segundo. So here’s happy news: The Ugly Pie Company officially opened over the weekend. Promising a personalized pizza ready in 90 seconds, this is the first outpost in a (hopefully) fledgling chain. Check out previous coverage here.

BricoLA Now Closed On Montana Ave.

Posted on May 5, 2014 by toddrickallen

After two years of valiantly attempting to peddle artisanal pizza and pasta to the Pilates and yoga set on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, BricoLA has finally given up the ghost. Originally conceived by the folks at Villetta in Brentwood, it appears they’ve wasted no time clearing out the space at 1518 Montana. No word on a replacement, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

Veggie Grill’s New Spring Menu Items…

Posted on May 2, 2014 by toddrickallen

Popular vegan chain Veggie Grill is getting into the spirit of Spring by adding a few seasonal items to their menu. Included on the list are: strawberry arugula salad with almond ricotta, grilled asparagus, and strawberry parfait. Check out their entire menu and read more here.

Olivier Napa Valley Now Open In Century City

Posted on April 30, 2014 by toddrickallen

I’m willing to bet that if you’ve ever been to Napa Valley, you probably carried back armloads of jars of irresistible tapenades, flavored olive oils, and bruschetta toppings made by Olivier Napa Valley. Now you no longer have to visit their flagship Provence-themed store on Main St. in St. Helena to get their signature line of specialty foods, cookware, and body products. Olivier Napa Valley recently opened on the first floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, making it only the second location for the purveyor of Napa lifestyle. Described as a “test run mini-store”, the CC branch will close down after a year for a remodel and reassess, with the goal of expanding the brand to other locations as well. Check out their website and read more here.

Kreation Juicery Now Open In El Segundo…

Posted on April 29, 2014 by toddrickallen

The Kreation mini-empire continues its inexorable expansion… The latest branch of Kreation Juicery opened last week on the corner of Main and Pine in Downtown El Segundo. Read more and find other locations here.

Lucky Scoops Corporation Opening A New Restaurant In Westchester

Posted on April 25, 2014 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed an ABC application for a new “beer and wine eating place” posted in the papered-over window of 8736 (unit C) South Sepulveda in Westchester, right next door to the newish Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company. While the name of the future restaurant is listed as “to be determined”, the parent company is the Lucky Scoops Corporation, about which I’ve had little luck finding any information. So, I’m afraid we’ll just have to wait for details and as always, I’ll keep my eye on it…

Update: Two Men Chew gave us a bit more information: Lucky Scoops has its headquarters at 8325 Lincoln Blvd. Los Angeles, and is listed online as an ice cream business although there’s a chance the new place will be a sushi restaurant.

Blender Girl Book Signing This Saturday…

Posted on April 24, 2014 by toddrickallen

Looking to reboot the New Year’s health resolution that you abandoned January 2nd? You’re in luck… This Saturday, April 26th at 1:00pm at the Williams-Sonoma (1600 Montana Ave.) in Santa Monica, “blendaholic” and Vitamix guru Tess Masters will be on hand to give demos of the surprising array of vegan and gluten-free recipes (not just juices) from her new book The Blender Girl, which she will also be signing. Until then, check out her popular blog and find recipes here.

Taha Hookah Lounge And Cafe Now Open On Santa Monica Blvd.

Posted on April 22, 2014 by toddrickallen

Having completed its relocation from Westwood Blvd., Taha Hookah Lounge and Café opened over the weekend in its new digs at 12340 Santa Monica Blvd. (near Bundy) in West LA. As well as the smoky treats implied by the name, Taha will also be serving a menu of casual Middle Eastern and is open until 4:00am. Check out their Yelp page here.

La Dolce Vita (Possibly) Coming Soon To SM

Posted on April 18, 2014 by toddrickallen

Here’s what I know for certain: The Laemmle Theater at 1332 Second Street in Santa Monica is about to undergo a (long overdue) remodel and the gussied-up new picture house will contain a restaurant just inside the lobby. Here’s what I’m less sure of: I’m told by theater staff that the new restaurant will be named La Dolce Vita as indicated by the rendering of the new building below. La Dolce Vita would be a fitting name as it is a nod to the famous Fellini film, however the staff told me the new restaurant would be French influenced. Hmmm… Since it seems highly implausible that a French restaurant would be called La Dolce Vita, I’m afraid we’ll just have to wait for more details. The theater will close down in mid-May and plans on re-opening in December.

Yummy Cupcakes Closed In Brentwood

Posted on April 17, 2014 by toddrickallen

I just noticed that the outpost of Yummy Cupcakes at 220 26th St. in Brentwood/Santa Monica, across from the Brentwood Country Mart has closed down and is boarded over to make room for a branch of the designer swimwear store Everything But Water. If you can’t bear the thought of living without their signature cupcake in a jar, find other locations and read more here.

Tanzy Artisinal Italian Opening Soon In Westwood

Posted on April 14, 2014 by toddrickallen

Have you been wondering what’s been going on at the Avco Center at 10850 Wilshire in Westwood? The space has been undergoing a major renovation to transform it into the luxury iPic Theater. The new complex will include a brand new “artisanal” restaurant, Tanzy. Described as “fresh market Italian”, you can expect an opening about a week after the official opening of the theater on May 2nd. Until then, read more about the Scottsdale-based restaurant here.

Formaggio Coming Soon To Montana Ave.

Posted on April 11, 2014 by toddrickallen

It’s been many incarnations over the years, but the 17th St. Cafe/Jack’s on Montana/On Montana space at 1610 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica is about to transform again. The most recent, On Montana will be closing down on July 1st to make way for a brand new Italian restaurant/cheese bar named Formaggio. Brought to you by the people behind Pecorino in Brentwood, they are hoping for a September 1st opening, but this is Santa Monica after all…

A Glimpse Inside Santa Barbara Public Market…

Posted on April 10, 2014 by toddrickallen

A bit farther afield than usual, I got a chance to take a look inside the highly anticipated upcoming Santa Barbara Public Market that’s been under construction for… well, almost forever. Located on the corner of West Victoria and Chapala in Santa Barbara, SBPM looks like it will live up to its comparison to San Francisco’s Ferry Building. The new public market will open any minute (I’m told “Friends and Family” could begin this weekend), and consist of a multitude of individual artisanal food stalls, groceries, and even a brewery including Belcampo Meat Company, Santa Monica Seafood, and local favorite Crazy Good Bread Company. Your staycation just got a whole lot more interesting…

The Georgian Hotel’s Veranda Gets A Makeover…

Posted on April 7, 2014 by toddrickallen

The iconic Veranda at the Georgian Hotel at 1415 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica is currently getting a remodel. The gussied-up porch is looking to make its debut in about a week according to hotel staff. But whereas in the past it was for hotel guests only, the new space will serve the public, officially making it one of the loveliest places in LA to have a drink with an ocean view.

Heritage Fine Wines Coming Soon To Beverly Hills

Posted on April 4, 2014 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed an ABC application in the window of the corner space at 9400 S. Santa Monica Blvd. (corner of Canon) announcing an “off sale beer and wine” store. Looks like the applicant, Wine Societe, will be opening a tony new oenophilic palace by the name of Héritage Fine Wines. Not much information out there yet, but judging by the choice location, I wouldn’t exactly expect to see many bottles of Ernest & Julio…

Mahi Mahi Seafood Replaces Maya Japanese In SM

Posted on April 2, 2014 by toddrickallen

Maya Japanese Food has closed down in the little strip mall on the corner of Yale and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica. Going into the space is a brand new venture, which I’m told will be named Mahi Mahi Seafood. Expect a menu of grilled fish and an opening sometime this month.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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