San Diego’s Parakeet Cafe continues its push into LA County. Last year, I told you about the health-focused chain taking over the old Chin Chin space in Beverly Hills. Recently, window paper went up at 13050 San Vicente Blvd. suite 112, most recently home to a mysterious branch of Umami Burger ghost kitchen, announcing that a new branch of Parakeet Cafe is settling in at this address as well. Check out another location’s menu here to get an idea of what may be coming…
Thanks to a sharp-eyed reader, I went by the new Boardwalk MDR shopping center at 4625 Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey to see what was going on. A small notice of nonresponsibility posted on one of the vacant shop fronts spills the beans that mercurial dessert specialist Winston Pies is moving in. And right next door, in a commodious space in the same shopping center, work is fast and furious on a massive Planta Cocina. Planta Cocina is a concept from the rapidly expanding plant-based eatery Planta with a menu of burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and ensaladas. (Thanks Trevor!)
Winston Pies' new location
Planta Cocina
The Westwood Village restaurant scene took a serious hit when once-popular Napa Valley Grille closed a few years back. The cavernous space at 1100 Glendon Ave. has sat empty ever since, but that’s (possibly) about to change. Thank you to all the readers who wrote to tell me about a new “general eating place” ABC application on the front door that says STK is taking over the address. You may recall that STK Steakhouse moved into The W Hotel, just up the street in 2015. I’ve contacted both The W and STK and neither claimed to know anything about this application. On the contrary, I was assured by both that they knew of no plans to move STK out of The W Hotel. Therefore, at the time of this writing, I don’t have any information on whether this is a move, a duplicate, a subsidiary company, or something else entirely. Let me know if you have any info, otherwise, I guess we’ll have to wait and see…
At the beginning of the year, I told you about New York pie joint Prince St. Pizza moving into the old Honeybee Burger space at 326 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice. Wasting no time whatsoever, they are currently in a soft opening with evening hours only. But tomorrow, March 9th, they throw open their doors with a Grand Opening that they’re describing as a “Lincoln Blvd Block Party“. They will be handing out free pizza, with vendors and “festivities” in the back parking lot. Grab your free slice and check out the fun from 6pm to 10pm.
(Thanks Jeff!)
In a recent post about Mid-City, I opined about the plethora of empty storefronts along Wilshire Blvd. One plucky contender appears to be bucking the trend and is moving into a space along the storied stretch of boulevard. There’s a banner up at 6254 Wilshire (formerly home to Pita Kitchen) announcing the impending arrival of Laki Ramen.
It was only back in December when I told you about the disappearance of lunch spot Kye’s from its location at 1518 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Recently, window paper went up on the space announcing the arrival of something called Bread Head. As it turns out, Bread Head has had a presence as a pop up since 2021 and is the project of Alex Williams and Jordan Snyder, two chefs from Trois Mec. They specialize in carefully crafted sandwiches on homemade bread. Read the full story on their website here. Definitely a welcome addition to the expanding and unexpectantly exciting Montana Ave. food scene.
The window paper at 1447 Lincoln Blvd. (corner of Broadway) in Santa Monica is announcing that a branch of Health Nut is taking over the space. Not sure what that is? Check with your friends who live in The Valley or The Southbay. Odds are, they’re huge fans of the celebrity fave that began as a vitamin store in 1988. They are known for their fresh, healthy sandwiches and salads with proprietary dressings that people go gaga for. Apparently, Culver City will soon be getting a branch as well at 8900 Venice Blvd #108.
Beverly Hills is about to get a whole lot sweeter… There’s a small notice in the window of the space at 255 1/2 S Beverly Dr. (previously home to Chokolatta) announcing the impending arrival of Beverly Hills Cookies. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because they’ve had a presence at many of LA’s top events for years. I had a chance to talk to company rep Barry, who gave me the skinny on the new brick-and-mortar. Beverly Hills Cookies specializes in proprietary artisan gourmet cookies, but this store will have a whole lot more on offer. They will also have new and unique “soft-serve gelato” cups and milkshakes in flavors such as Beverly Hills Chocolate Chunk and Tripple Chocolate. There will also be rich European-style hot chocolate and coffee drinks that I’m guaranteed will be completely different from other shops in the area. Expect an opening in a few weeks, and I’m told they’re also looking to expand as well. We wish them the best of luck.
A concerned reader (Thanks Lisa!) took the time to let me know about some recent blows to the Mid-City food scene. Korean eatery Genki Grill is now closed at 6355 Wilshire. A little farther East, gastropub Spare Tire Kitchen & Tavern has completely disappeared from its erstwhile location at 5370 Wilshire. I’m not sure what this portends, but there do seem to be an awful lot of empty storefronts along Wilshire Blvd.
Like many in LA, Santa Barbara is one of my preferred destinations for a quick weekend getaway. And while the restaurant scene is constantly evolving there (Hello? A wildly popular new L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele?), I’m sure that we all have our tried-and-true classics that we return to time and time again. With its romantic fireplace patio, one hidden gem that was a favorite of the graying Hollywood set for years was Italian eatery Piatti at 516A San Yisidro Rd. in Montecito’s Upper Village. Sadly, that closed down a few years ago and was replaced by a wine bistro, also now closed. Now there is an ABC application on the front announcing that a new restaurant is moving into the cozy, nostalgic space. There doesn’t seem to be much information yet on East Valley Kitchen (except this little tidbit), but I’m hoping they keep that back patio.
The troubled Market Pavillion at 1260 Third St. Promenade has had its share of tenants, from magazine stands to coffee shops. I first told you about two eateries moving in challenging location back in early 2022. Sadly, it appears that Bubbletopia LA and Dogbite Gourmet Hotdogs have now abandoned the address. I’ll keep my eyes on the tricky space to see what courageous contender will give it a try…
A few weeks back, when I told you about the lineup of eateries coming to ghost kitchen Kitchen United MIX, (formerly The Gallery Food Hall) at 1315 Third St Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica, I included links to each listed restaurant… except one. At the time, I couldn’t find any information about Farmesa. But just this week, details began to trickle in. According to this Forbes article, Farmesa is a new fast/casual concept from none other than Chipotle Mexican Grill that will offer bowls with proteins, grains, greens, sauces, and toppings. The menu is curated by famous chef and cookbook author Nate Appleman, whose CV includes San Francisco’s A16 and SPQR. It looks like they’re shooting for a February opening.
Well that certainly took a long time… I first told you that Santa Monica’s popular Italian staple Rosti Tuscan Kitchen was opening another location in Brentwood almost two years ago. Since then, people have been demanding answers. While I’m not certain as to what caused the delay, I can tell you that they have recently opened for business at 11740 San Vicente Blvd. Suite 104, in what had once been an outpost of Industry darling La Scala. I’m told the menu is the same as the Montana Ave. location.
(Thanks Eric!)
The shopping center on the Southwest corner of Lincoln and Pico is a very busy place. It caters to a steady stream of students pouring out of nearby SaMo High. Already stacked with fast food options, a new contender appears to be moving in soon. A banner over the space at 1902 Lincoln Suite B is announcing a branch of “American Chinese” restaurant chain Panda Express.
You may recall that the Pandemic Closures hit bars particularly hard, and Brentwood’s local watering hole Bru Haus at 11831 Wilshire Blvd. was no exception: It closed in 2020. Then it appeared that the location was going to get an island-themed restaurant named Morabeza, but that never materialized. Now there’s a new ABC application posted on the front listing the new tenant as The Auld Fella. The Auld Fella describes itself as “an Irish joint” and currently has a location in Culver City. Hopefully their arrival will bring new life to Brentwood’s once-thriving bar scene.
(Thanks John!
And while we’re on the subject of icy treats… You may be inclined to believe that the frozen yogurt craze of a few years back is long over, and you’d probably be right. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still vestiges. Never count out one of the originators of the fad, Pinkberry. A new outpost has popped up in El Segundo, at 730A S Allied Way, in The Works shopping center.
I’m hearing from readers that Brentwood’s beloved icy treat shop Yogurtland appears to have vacated its longtime location at 11706 San Vicente Blvd. I’m not sure what happened, but as real estate prices rise, the busy retail and food section along San Vicente appears to be undergoing a transformation. Kreation recently skedaddled, and so did Hollywood old school fave Vicenti, both with big splashy replacements on the way. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what may develop.
(Thanks Stephen!)
“Certified Clean” ghost kitchen concept Goop Kitchen is now in El Segundo, at 710 South Allied Way in The Works shopping center, or more specifically, the recently christened The Works Food Hall. In case you live under a rock, Goop is the “modern lifestyle brand” created by Gwyneth Paltrow. Goop Kitchen offers a clean-food take-away menu of bowls, salads, handhelds, and more.
A new fast-food option is landing in Rancho Park in West LA. There’s a banner up on the space at 11201 National Blvd. announcing that a branch of poultry purveyor Wingstop in taking over the space. The strip mall where the address is located, at the corner of National and Sepulveda, has long been the home of another fan favorite Hamburger Habbit.
News has been slowly dripping out on the latest batch of contenders in the saga of the Kitchen United MIX (formerly The Gallery Food Hall) at 1315 Third St Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. I’ve already told you about Duck Donuts and Santa Monica Brew Works, but now we have more news because of a sign that recently went up on the front. Here’s the impressive lineup: Lolo’s Tacos, Calico Fish House, 101 Burger, Mad Scientist Ice Cream, Go Go Ya, Ms. Cluck’s Deluxe Chicken & Dumplings, Farmesa, and breakfast experts Blu Jam Xpress.
Toddrickallen 