Way back in August 2012, I first noticed that signs had gone up announcing a new frozen yogurt shop going into the building on the corner of Centinela and Washington Place. Since then, locals have waited, and waited, and waited… Well, the wait is over. After a mysteriously long time, the Culver City location of self-serve frozen yogurt chain Cherry On Top is finally open. Read more here.
Here’s welcome news if you’ve been tortured by the thought of having to walk more than a block for fresh juice anywhere on the Westside: The new Groundwork on the corner of 16th and Montana Ave. in Santa Monica now carries a range of cold-pressed juices from rapidly expanding Pressed Juicery.
Back in October, I told you about a sign that went up on a storefront in a strip mall at 12201 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA announcing Another Burger Joint: Carnivores and Vegetarians Welcome. Well, as you can see from the photo, it looks like they’ve settled on a name: Quicksand and they’re shooting for a March 4th opening. Until then, read more about them and check out their menu here.
It took a bit longer than the December projected opening, but diminutive coffee shop Comoncy recently opened in the old Boule space at 413 N. Bedford in Beverly Hills. Brought to you by the people at Coral Tree Cafe, Comoncy (which according to the website mean “coming together and sharing” in case you’re wondering) offers a menu of coffee, pastries, salads, and sandwiches that you can read more about here.
The controversial Starbucks on the corner of 11th and Wilshire in Santa Monica opened for business today. And while the opening of a new Starbucks isn’t exactly headline-making news, this particular one is notable because it became a poster child for Santa Monica’s inexorable drive toward over-development and loss of local character, even garnering a petition drive to retain the previous tenant, Farrah’s Florist. But the coffee giant has prevailed, and now sits firmly in command of the prominent corner across from Melisse.
The next time you’re in Santa Monica and craving a cup of great coffee, but don’t feel secure enough to venture south of Colorado to ultra-hip Urth Caffé on Main, head over to the corner of Lincoln and California, above Wilshire. Nestled quietly in the residential neighborhood is a coffee-house newly opened in the recent development complex of St. Monica’s Church. Holy Grounds at Saint Monica offers a menu of Urth coffee, teas, and selected bakery items and is open from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and Sunday noon to 7pm. Confessions optional…
Self-described trendy sweet shop It’sugar is coming soon to the space at 1427 Third St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. The giant candy, novelty item, and “candy-inspired” apparel retailer already boasts over 70 locations worldwide. Look for a Spring 2014 opening.
With two restaurants in Downtown LA, Simply Salad is going into the space to the left of Taberna Arros y Vi at 1401 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica. Offering a menu that focuses on fresh and healthy custom-built salads and wraps, Simply Salad gives you over 65 toppings and over 25 dressings to choose from. Read more here.
With locations throughout the US, Canada, and the world, Fresh Healthy Café is moving into the space that used to house Sushi Itto in the food court of Santa Monica Place. The eco-friendly chain offers a menu of wraps, grilled panini, salads, soups, smoothies, and fresh juices. No word on an opening date, but until then, you can read more about them here.
The cold-pressed juice craze continues unabated… If you thought that Century City was a juice desert, think again. You can now get your fix on the first floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center at a free-standing kiosk selling various cold-pressed juices, shots, and blends by Downtown LA’s eco-friendly Juicelove.
Just when you thought the Westside couldn’t possible squeeze in another Starbucks, looks like the good folk of the Pacific Palisades Highlands will soon have their very own brand-spanking new one right on the corner of Palisades Dr. and Sunset in the Highlands Village shopping center…
The Beverly Hills outpost of ubiquitous Belgian café chain Le Pain Quotidien is hosting a children’s cookie decorating event in honor of Valentine’s Day. The little ones can try their luck with heart-shaped cookies this Saturday, February 8th from 4pm to 5pm. Space is bound to be tight so call (310) 859-1100 as quickly as your little fingers can dial to reserve your spot.
Construction is underway on a new Japanese restaurant, Moku Sushi, in the Highlands Village shopping center on the corner of Palisades Dr. and Sunset in Pacific Palisades. No word on an opening date, but it looks like they’re fairly close. Until then, you can read more and check out their menu here.
And while we’re on the subject of the Manhattan Village Shopping Center on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, a new hole-in-the-wall, Toscana Café has recently opened inside the mall. With a menu of sandwiches, salads, bakery treats, and ice cream, the diminutive café is an offshoot of popular, nearby Toscana Deli, which you can read more about here.
If you’re heading to Manhattan Village for the Mediterranean food at local fave Open Sesame, you might be surprised to see that Open Sesame appears to have been taken over by a new place, Sesame Moe’s. But it hasn’t really… The restaurant has changed its name, but the owner, menu, and staff remain the same. Why? According to the owner Moe Bonakdar, he just needed “a little self-recognition”. sesamemoes.com
Having sat vacant for a while now, the space at 1026 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica that formerly housed the club Dakota Lounge is about to get a new tenant. Liquor license application notices recently went up announcing the impending arrival of the Belcampo Meat Company, a NoCal purveyor of premium meats making inroads across the state including Downtown’s Grand Central Market. Known for its high-end butchery, according to the notice the Santa Monica location will be featuring a “general eating place” as well. Read more at: Belcampo Meat Company.
Who knew? Turns out, Monday, January 27th is National Cake Day. And to celebrate, SusieCakes at 11708 San Vicente in Brentwood is giving away free chocolate cake slices to the first 200 guests, making this particular Monday just a little bit sweeter… SusieCakes
A few months ago, I told you about a new venture going into one of the stalls in The Market at Santa Monica Place. Santa Monica Merchant opens its doors today (Wednesday, Jan. 22nd). With a strong emphasis on home delivery of locally sourced produce, meats, and cheeses, they will also be offering retail products at their new location. Read more at: SantaMonicaMerchant.
Looks like the outpost of sandwich chain Charley’s Grilled Subs has quietly slipped out of the food court at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. No indication of a replacement just yet, but I’ll keep my eye on it. Until then, if you find you can’t live without their Philly Steak sandwich, you can locate one of their other 500 locations here.
Taking over the prominent corner space that housed unfortunately named and recently closed local fave sushi restaurant Misofishy at 1928 Lincoln Blvd. (corner of Bay) in Santa Monica is a brand new venture, Sushi Hanashi. Wasting no time whatsoever, they are now celebrating their grand opening.
Toddrickallen 