The unassuming space at 10912 Le Conte Ave in Westwood Village has seen a number of food and drink vendors come and go. The most recent (I believe) was Ichi Tea & Sushi, and before that, Coco Fresh. Now a new contender is giving the tricky space a go. We Roll Nori has set up housekeeping at this address and is delivering a menu that focuses on onigiri, misubi, and hand rolls.
Congratulations Good People of El Segundo, carby goodness is heading your way! There’s an awning up on the space at 213 Richmond St. in Downtown El Segundo letting us know that Uncle Stevey’s Bagels is moving in. Uncle Stevey’s will offer a menu of classic and seasonal (think cheddar hot honey and rosemary garlic) East Coast style bagels that promise a “quintessential crunchy exterior and chewy interior”. Looks like they’re shooting for a late Summer opening.
Well that certainly took a long time… We all know that opening a new eatery in Santa Monica can be an arduous affair. The latest business to make it through the gauntlet is Mochidoki at 1133 Montana Ave in Santa Monica. Just in time for the Labor Day weekend, they finally threw open their doors in a soft opening yesterday. Read more about the East Coast company with mochi ice cream so good they supply the likes of Nobu and Tao in my original post here.
Congratulations Lucky People of Santa Monica, you’re getting a new branch of cult fave San Francisco bakery Tartine. If you’re craving an impossibly flaky croissant and the lines are too long at their ridiculously popular spot at 1925 Arizona Ave., you can soon head over to their new location at 2903 Suite 110 Lincoln Blvd, in the new The Wilson development. There are bright orange banners in the windows announcing the happy news. This is a developing story…
Yet more from white-hot El Segundo…. There’s a new watering hole coming to the space at 225 Richmond St. in Downtown El Segundo, in the old Deluca Pasta location right next to the sleek new steakhouse Porterhouse. The name of the new establishment will be G’s Il Capo Dei Bar according to the banner and the barely legible ABC application for a “general eating place”. What Now Los Angeles was able to dig up a bit more information which you can read here.
If you’re a fan of Korean hot dogs, I’ve got good news for you! There’s a recently opened shop named RiceCups at 130 E Grand Ave, Unit K in El Segundo offering the sought-after delicacies. But their main focus appears to be rice cups. Described as an “homage to the time-honored Korean lunchbox”, they are bowls comprised of “a bed of rice, mixed salad with goji berries, Asian vinaigrette, macaroni salad, lotus root chips, cheddar ketchup & mayo sauce” with toppings such as beef bulgogi, sweet soy fried chicken, and fried tofu gangjung. Check out their drool-worthy menu here.
Culver City is about to get Lei’d… And while I can’t take credit for that line (Thanks as always Andrew!), I can tell you that there’s a sign in the window of the former Coolhaus at 8588 Washington Blvd. announcing that Lei’d Cookies is moving in. It looks like this will be the first brick-and-mortar for the Smorgasburg LA food market fixture that has gained quite a popular following for their sweet treats with flavors such as mango sticky rice cookies and guava and goat cheese sugar cookies.
I first noticed that plant-based pioneer Matthew Kenney was bringing his New York pizzeria concept Double Zero to 1700 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice back in 2019. Recently however, the space has gone dark. There’s no notice up and the tables inside are still set, but there hasn’t been any activity for a few weeks. A reader (Thanks Sasha!) managed to snap a picture of an eviction notice on the front that has since disappeared. Does this mean the end of Double Zero at this location?
Sawtelle Japantown is white-hot for opening new eateries right now. Add yet another to the list… There’s a sign in the window of 11301 W Olympic Blvd Suite 105 (previously home to a branch of Coco Fresh Tea & Juice and other shops) announcing a new beverage spot, Sweetcane Juice. On offer will be sugarcane juice, which their website says provides “electrolytes, vitamin, minerals, and powerful phytonutrients that hydrates more effectively than water alone”. Look for a menu of sugarcane juice paired with other juices and toppings.
Yet more news coming from Sawtelle Japantown. There’s a small notice in the papered-over window of 11301 W Olympic Blvd unit 122 (previously home to La Crepe) announcing the impending arrival of Ohana’s Kitchen by Aloha Fridays. I don’t have much information on this business, so if you have more, let me know…
There’s window paper up on the space at 11301 W Olympic Blvd UNIT 124 announcing a new milk tea joint. But not just any one: This one appears to be the winner of the Taiwan Milk Tea Festival in 2022. Odd One Out Craft Milk Tea hails from Taipei and according to their website, they are opening a shop in Downtown Santa Monica as well. I think they’re close to opening at this location, but while you’re waiting, get a peek at their menu here.
This has been a full circle for one of my my readers… Back in March of 2022, JP wrote to tell me about an exciting new project coming to 1136 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood Village. What was exciting was that the self-described “largest bubble tea brand in America”, Kung Fu Tea, was opening a storefront in collaboration with Taiwanese brand TKK Fried Chicken at this address. Sadly, JP recently wrote to me again to let me know that the experiment appears to have folded and the space is now empty once again.
(Thanks JP!)
Congratulations Good People of Pacific Palisades, carby baked treats are heading your way! There’s a banner up at the 76 gas station at 15400 Sunset Blvd (on the corner of Via de la Paz). It appears that mall staple Wetzel’s Pretzel’s will soon be distributing their signature snacks from this very station.
It was only back in 2020 when I first told you about Amirah Kassem‘s famed New York bakery Flour Shop landing in the space at 9495 S Santa Monica Blvd. Sadly, they have abandoned the cavernous location. But for those devotees of their famous “explosion cake” all is not lost: A note on the door promises that they are moving to a new yet-unnamed LA location.
(Thanks Tony!)
Sadly, it appears The Overland Cafe, at 3601 Overland Ave. has finally given up the ghost. The cozy Palms neighborhood fave had been on the go for 50 years and fought hard to keep their doors open, including a rebrand as Overland Tap + Kitchen. There is a notice of closure and a brief message of thanks on their website. I’ll keep my eye on the commodious space to see what may develop.
(Thanks Michael!)
It appears that Montana Ave. is about to get yet another exciting dining option. It was only back in June when I told you about the abrupt closure of Le Macaron at 1301 Montana Ave. Wasting no time, another French-inspired eatery and treat shop is opening at this location. There is window covering up at announcing the arrival of Le Cafe de la Plage Santa Monica. Le Cafe de la Plage has a location in Malibu, and offers a menu of breakfast, lunch, pastries, and Intelligentsia Coffee. They are also known for their proprietary line of classic and vegan ice cream. We wish them the best of luck.
I heard from a disheartened reader (Thanks Sam!) that beloved coffee, tea, and boba purveyor Percolate had closed up shop from its ghost kitchen location at 11419 Santa Monica in the Sawtelle neighborhood of West LA. But apparently that’s not all. They appear to have closed all their LA locations as well. I’ll keep watching to see what may develop.
I normally don’t continuously post updates about businesses, but there is so much interest in this story that I feel compelled to pass this on. Last week I told you that “lifestyle cafe” Sogno Toscano would be opening this Thursday (July 20th), and that was originally the plan. However, they were able to clear a few of the permits early, so I can pass on this happy news: Sogno Toscano opened as of Tuesday (July 18th) and trust me, you’ll want to get in there before the crowds come.
Cozy brunch/lunch/take-away spot Marmalade Cafe is opening a second branch in Santa Monica. They already have their popular original location that opened on Montana Ave in 1990. Now there’s a banner announcing their impending arrival hanging over the space at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 120 in Downtown Santa Monica, previously home to Sunnin Lebanese Cafe. This will be the eighth branch of the “fresh, high quality, eclectic, California-inspired” cafe.
Update: Marmalade is closing their Montana Ave. store and moving to this location.
Update: Marmalade is now open at this location.
Wow, that took a long time. I first told you about the arrival of “lifestyle cafe, wine bar, & specialty market” Sogno Toscano to 1512 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica almost a year ago, and since then, I’ve been peppered with questions from excited locals about when it would open. While Sogno Toscana (Tuscan Dream) is “USA’s largest Italian online food store”, known for delivery of fine Italian foods, they do operate two lifestyle cafes in New York. This will be The West Coast’s first branch. I had a chance to speak with the people behind the new cafe, who recently let me have a look. While I wasn’t able to take photos due to the fact that they are still unpacking and stocking, I can tell you the space is breathtaking, sort of Tuscany by way of Tulum. Appearing deceptively small from the street, the interior is bright and airy, with light wood, a long deli counter, coffee bar, and wine bar. There is also a large, charming wrap-around patio. They are still finalizing the menu, but you can get an idea of what may be on offer by looking at their West Village location’s menu here. There will also be wine tastings and other events. I can share that Sogno Toscano will officially open on Thursday, July 20th. Hours will be 8am to 10pm. Judging by what I’m hearing, I predict big crowds. You’re welcome….
Toddrickallen 