La Dolce Vita (Possibly) Coming Soon To SM

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.

photo-3 copy

photo-3

 

Yummy Cupcakes Closed In Brentwood

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.  

photo-3

 

Tanzy Artisinal Italian Opening Soon In Westwood

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.

photo-3

Formaggio Coming Soon To Montana Ave.

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…

photo-3

 

A Glimpse Inside Santa Barbara Public Market…

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 CompanySanta Monica  Seafood, and local favorite Crazy Good Bread Company.  Your staycation just got a whole lot more interesting…photo-2

photo-3 copy 2

photo-3

photo-3 copy

photo-3 copy 3

The Georgian Hotel’s Veranda Gets A Makeover…

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.

photo-2

 

Heritage Fine Wines Coming Soon To Beverly Hills

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

wine

 

Falafel King Closed in SM; Food Hall Getting A Makeover

Long-standing purveyors of Middle Eastern food, Falafel King has closed its doors in the tired and dated food court in the Third Street Promenade between Arizona and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica (1315 3rd St. Promenade).  In other news, the food court may not be so tired and dated for long…  A new sign has gone up promising a much-needed redo to the space.

falafel1

falafale2

The Detour Coming Soon To Culver City

Construction is underway and an ABC application is posted on what will become a new restaurant, The Detour at 12473 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, right next to The Corner Door.  While there isn’t a lot of information out there yet and no word on an opening date, you can read more about the parent company, Great Dane Catering and Events here.

detour1

detour2

 

Hunt + Gather Begins Construction In Santa Monica

Paper has covered the windows and an ABC application is posted in the window of what will soon be a brand new “eating place”, Hunt + Gather going into the revamped but long-vacant space at 507 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 102 in Downtown Santa Monica.  There’s not much that I can seem to track down on this place yet but I’ll keep watching…

photo-2

photo-2

 

Problems At The Fraiche Space In Santa Monica?

Back in January, I told you about the notices in the window announcing the development of the vacant star-crossed Fraiche space at 312 Wilshire Blvd. into an outpost of iPad-friendly, customizable restaurant chain Stacked: Food Well Built.  Well, it appears that things may have changed…  The Stacked announcements and permits have all been taken down and the “For Lease” signs are once again prominent.  This isn’t the first time this has happened.  Last year, the space became available after plans for a mysterious Chinese restaurant fell through.  Could it be bad feng shui?

fraiche

 

 

The Ugly Pie Company Coming Very Soon To El Segundo

Back in December, signs went up on the space at 2161B El Segundo Blvd. next to Farmer Boys in the old fire station announcing an outpost of Long Beach’s Toppings Custom Fired Pizza.  Looks like things have changed.  Instead, a brand new venture The Ugly Pie Company is taking over the space.  This will be their first restaurant with their eyes on eventual expansion.  Look for a menu of custom pizza ready in 90 seconds, salads, Lavazza Coffee, and eventually beer and wine.  They are shooting for an April 1st opening and you can check out a YouTube video explaining the company here.

ugly

.

Goji Juice + Vitamins Coming Soon To Downtown SM

Signs recently went up in the papered-over window of the space that used to house Jewels by Kurt at 408 Wilshire Blvd. announcing a brand-new venture is taking over, Goji Juice + Vitamins.  Can’t seem to find much out there yet on this place, but the window announcement promises a menu of “organic, fresh squeezed juices and smoothies, healthy food, supplements, and more.”  As always, I’ll keep watching…

goji

Added bonus for dedicated readers:  Normally I take great pains to make sure there are no traces of me in my photos, but by carefully studying the admittedly grainy photo taken late last night, you can tell that apparently I raise my left little finger while photographing…

What’s Going On At Gate Of India In SM?

Long-standing Indian restaurant Gate of India at 115 Santa Monica Blvd. has closed down and appears to be a total mess inside due to a recent February fire, according to the Santa Monica Mirror.  In a further stroke of bad luck, the City of Santa Monica has closed the building due to structural damage and has posted on the door a “limited entry” notice making it a misdemeanor to occupy the building.  Next-door neighbors Stout and Bar Pintxo remain open.  No word on if they plan on re-opening but I’ll keep my eye on it…

india1

india2

What’s Going On At South In Santa Monica? (Part II)

Back in November of last year, I told you about the legal problems going on at the space that used to house defunct sports bar South at 3001 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica.  Earlier in 2013, it was reported that the space was to give way to a new restaurant, The Huntley Kitchen & Bar.  Well, apparently plans have fallen through.  Signs went up last week announcing that the space is once again back up for lease.  As always, I’ll keep my eye on it…

south

 

 

Art’s Table Replaces Babalu In Santa Monica

There has been a lot of confusion over much-beloved neighborhood haunt Babalu on the corner of 10th and Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.  Indeed, Carmen Miranda’s smiling face has been gazing down on traffic from their sign for 27 years.  Locals have been wildly speculating about recent odd hours and closures, but now it’s final:  Babalu is officially closed.  After a quick redo to replace tropical kitch with a cool industrial vibe, a new venture, Art’s Table has moved in and is now open.  Brought to you by businessman, restaurateur, and owner of Westside Rentals Mark Verge, his latest offers a menu of burgers, salads, and sandwiches in a cozy neutral setting.  Read Babalu’s parting message here.

art

 

 

Food Fare 2014 This Thursday In SM

The 35th anniversary of Food Fare takes place this Thursday, March 6th at Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport.  Benefitting Planned Parenthood, the event began in 1979 with a cooking demo from Julia Child. This year’s Food Fare honors Celestino Drago as Chef of the Year and includes an auction and offerings from over 100 participants such as Chi Spacca, Craft, Border Grill, Salt’s Cure, Lucques, and Kreation.  Read more and purchase tickets here.

PPLA_logo_2014_Gray_300dpi_FINAL-01