I’m hearing from shocked readers that everyone’s favorite neighborhood take-away spot Yalla Mediterranean had completely disappeared from its location at 9516 Culver Blvd. The space is completely gutted and the signs have been taken down, leaving no trace whatsoever. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep an eye on the location to see what develops. (If you can’t live without Yalla‘s salmon salad, they still have a location in Burbank.)
Vietnamese noodle shop Blossom appears to be broadening their horizons. On a tip (Thanks CG!) I went by the space that used to be home to Uplifter’s Kitchen at 2819 Ocean Park Blvd. New signs and an ABC application in the window are announcing a new project from Blossom, which incidentally sits right next door at 2821 Ocean Park. I’m told by a spokesperson that the new project, Blossom and Friends, will be a departure from Vietnamese. While the menu is still in development, it appears Italian will be on offer. I’m also told that they are looking to open by the end of March. We wish them the best of luck…
Beverly Hills lost both of their branches of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the mass extinction event the chain experienced during the Pandemic closures. Their location at 445 N Beverly Dr. has sat empty ever since, but that’s about to change. A notice of intent for an open air dining permit posted on the front door spills the beans that an outpost of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is on the way. Founded by Jeni Britton Bauer and headquartered in Columbus Ohio, Jeni’s boasts a frozen treat with “a uniquely smooth texture and buttercream body, with bright flavor and clean finish” for which people go crazy, including President Joe Biden.
It appears a new purveyor of poultry is coming at 10917 Lindbrook Dr. in Westwood Village, previously home to Think Halal Grill. Window paper is up on the space announcing that a second branch of Hollywood’s Wildbird is settling in. Wildbird prides itself on offering chicken that is “antibiotic free, hunanely raised, [and] free-range… from local farmers we trust like Jidori”. The birds are marinated overnight in a “citrus-herb blend of spices”, then seared, and finally slow-roasted and served with a variety of sides and salsas.
Looks like there’s a new sandwich spot coming to 1049 Gayley in Westwood Village, formerly home to Kaido. Window paper is announcing the arrival of Alligot Sandwich. A cursory search turns up recipes for pommes aligot (French mashed potato with cheese) and alligator sandwiches (apparently a thing in Louisiana), but nothing on Alligot Sandwich. If you have more information, pass it along…
I must confess that I’m a just a little unclear on the concept here. Apparently pudding is on offer at the newly-opened Pudu Pudu, on the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. For some reason, it took almost a year to open, but you can now step inside a “pudding gallery” brought to you by German megabrand Dr. Oetker to sample pudding that is made with “high-quality ingredients, health-boosting superfoods and toppings so incredible they could be works of art.” They also have a branch on Abbot Kinney in Venice.
When I write a story about a coming new restaurant, I can expect a barrage of people asking about an opening date. The thing is, I often don’t know. There can be a number of reasons why some eateries may be delayed for years while others appear overnight. Often city-specific red tape gets in the way (I’m looking at you Santa Monica). At any rate, since I first told you about Angelini Ristorante & Bar expanding to Palisades Village, I’ve been peppered with queries about an opening date, so here you go: Angelini Ristorante & Bar will throw open their doors to the public tomorrow (February 11) at 1038 N Swarthmore in Pacific Palisades. Expect a bright airy space with large doors on all sides that spill out onto the sidewalk and a patio for al fresco enjoyment of Gino Angelini’s much-lauded and beloved fare. You’re welcome.
It was back in June of last year when I noticed that a new healthy “fast food” option was moving into the second floor the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Oakberry is now officially open. Oakberry prides itself on bowls and smoothies based on acai that is 100% natural with no food coloring, artificial preservatives, or guarana syrup. They hail from Brazil and claim to have “more than 400 units” across the world.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks RB!) let me know that there was a pending conditional use notice in the window of the space at 925 Wilshire Blvd Ste C (corner of 10th), former home to Classic Tile. (I’ve long thought this would be a great location for a restaurant) The notice doesn’t give a business name, but lists the proposed project as, “ABC license 47 bar and restaurant for the onsite service and consumption of food and alcohol”. The applicant is named as Bonus Eventus LLC. A little digging reveals that Bonus Eventus is the parent company of JP’s Bar and Grill, everyone’s favorite neighborhood sports bar at Wilshire and 11th that shuttered since the Pandemic closures and remains so to this day. I’ve reached out to the man behind JP’s and I’ll pass on more information as it becomes available.
Congratulations good people of SpaceX, smoothies are heading your way! There’s window paper up in the shopping center on the corner of 120th and Crenshaw (2909 W 120th St) announcing an upcoming branch of Robek’s Juice. Robek’s began right here in SoCal in 1996 and offers a menu of smoothies, toasts, bowls, and juices.
Ghost kitchen chain Kitchen United Mix is exploding across our region bringing a myriad of delivery choices. They describe themselves as, “the nation’s first ‘Multi-Restaurant Ordering’ to-go experience”. Back in October of last year, I told you about a branch moving into the old Gallery space at 1325 Third St. Promenade. That branch recently opened and here are your choices: Camile Thai, Continental Empanadas, Fuku (chicken sando and fingers), and Wow Bao. I’m told more are on the way…
There’s window paper up on the space that used to be home of Ben & Jerry’s, at 2441 Main St. in Santa Monica, announcing a new fried confectionary shop is on the way. Holey Grail Donuts has locations in Hawaii as well as a pop-up in Culver City and specializes in donuts made with “Hawaiian grown taro root [that] has been pounded and fermented to create a dough base” which is then fried in coconut oil and sold individually or in weekly “tasting boxes”. Coffee, matcha, and chai are also on the menu.
I know people are scrambling to get their hands on Rams-themed treats as the football team charges toward The Super Bowl. Thankfully the good people at Primo’s Donuts wrote to tell me they are offering “blue and gold LA-themed, limited edition donuts shaped like a football” this weekend and next, (Friday through Sunday) until February 13th. Primo’s is at 2918 Sawtelle Blvd, and in Westwood at 10948 Weyburn Avenue. I would advise getting there early…
McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. has certainly generated a buzz in Santa Monica. Ever since I first posted about the expansion of Los Feliz’ beloved “gourmet neighborhood market” to 1426 Montana Ave (Ste 7) late last year, people been demanding answers as to an opening date. After much anticipation, McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. will officially throw open their doors today (Wed. 26 January) at 10:00am (or possibly 10:30am, the website and notice on the door don’t agree). Expect the “highest quality meats, fish, produce, pastries, and retail accompaniments”. You’re welcome…
A large painted sign has popped up on the space at 326 Lincoln Blvd., previously home to a branch of CAVA. The new resident will be vegan specialist Honeybee Burger. With two other outposts in LA, Honeybee Burger offers a menu of 100% plant-based sandwiches, burritos, and breakfasts that have made multiple “best of ” lists including VegNews‘ best LA vegan burger.
S. Santa Monica Blvd. is notorious for being a revolving door for restaurants, so it takes a brave contender to give it a go. One courageous eatery is about to try their luck. There’s window paper up on a former jewelry store space at 9529 S Santa Monica Blvd. announcing the arrival of something called Lorenzo California. According to the announcement, Lorenzo will be introducing a “Florence style schiacciata sandwhich” to The Golden Triangle. As near as I can tell, a schiacciata sandwich is a Tuscan sandwich composed of a specialty regional bread with various cuts of meats and cheeses. I don’t have much information on Lorenzo other that this, so if you know more, please send it along.
Congratulations Good People of Culver City, fabled burgers are heading your way! Plywood on one of the free-standing spaces in the food court of the Westfield Culver City Shopping Center (Fox Hills Mall) is proclaiming the news that this will soon be home to a branch of Shake Shack. As you know, Shake Shack began life about 20 years ago as a pet project of legendary New York restaurateur Danny Meyer and has ever since embarked on an inexorable march toward world domination fueled mostly by cultish devotion of fans. The ABC app on the front lets us know beer and wine will be on offer as well as shakes. Looks like they’re very close to opening…
Obica ended its LA run back in 2020. The Downtown Santa Monica location of the Italian mozzarella chain, at 606 Broadway Ste 100, has sat empty since at least January of that year. But that’s about to change. An ABC application has recently gone up on the space informing us that this will soon be a branch of Tu Madre. Tacos Tu Madre has four other locations across LA and specializes in creative Mexican food in bright, colorful surroundings.
Compartes Chocolates closed down fairly early into the Pandemic, leaving their first floor Westfield Century City Shopping Center location vacant for months. But a new tenant is on the way. A reader (Thanks M!) wrote to tell me that this will soon be a branch of Cha Cha Matcha. CCM currently has two other LA locations and four NYC outposts and “specializes in all things matcha” using only ceremonial-grade powder from Uji, Japan. Looks like they’re shooting for a Spring opening.
People were absolutely gutted when I reported that beloved Westside institution Bandera, which closed during the lockdowns, would not be reopening at 11704 Wilshire in Brentwood. Even now I still hear from gob-smacked fans wondering what will replace it. Now we know… A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Durendal_et_joyeuse!) wrote to tell me that this location will soon be the home to a branch of Wood Ranch. Their website and a notice of nonresponsibility on the front door confirm the news. For those unfamiliar, Wood Ranch has locations throughout SoCal and specializes in wood-fired BBQ, oak-grilled steaks, seafood, burgers, and sandwiches.
Update: Wood Ranch opened on 04/22/2022
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