Yoga-urt Replacing Treats In Santa Monica

Posted on October 3, 2021 by toddrickallen

It was in late August when I told you about the devastating closure of local hang-out spot Treats Frozen Yogurt at 1700 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. But thankfully, the neighborhood is getting a new frozen treat shop. A banner is up on the front of Treats‘ former location announcing a branch of Yoga-urt. Yoga-urt has two other locations (Glendale and Echo Park) and offers a menu of plant-based soft serve, smoothies, and shakes “made from scratch, starting with hand squeezed almond milk with all organic and dairy free ingredients and added probiotics”.

The Red Chickz Set To Burn Up Culver City

Posted on October 1, 2021 by toddrickallen

Have you been wondering what’s going on at 10100 Venice Blvd. in Culver City? The windows are papered over and there’s a sign up announcing something called The Red Chickz. The Red Chickz has a location on Spring St. in DTLA and offers a menu of Nashville Hot Chicken and jumbo shrimp in such forms as sandwiches, French toast, tacos, and loaded wedges. What Now Los Angeles has more on this as well as a major proposed expansion for the chain.

Allora Pizza Gone From El Segundo

Posted on September 29, 2021 by toddrickallen

Sadly, it appears that Allora Pizza has quit its location at 829 N. Douglas St. in El Seguno after less than a year. Allora took over the space from short-lived Il Romanista, which made a splash claiming to be LA’s first Roman-style pizza al taglio. Allora was the third pizza joint in a row to inhabit the unlucky address.

Sidecar Doughnuts Coming To Culver City

Posted on September 26, 2021 by toddrickallen

Good news Culver City, huckleberry doughnuts are heading you way! There’s window covering up on one of the spaces in Culver Center (space 350 to be exact) on the corner of Overland and Washington Blvd., announcing a future coveted branch of Sidecar. Promising “The World’s Freshest Doughnuts”, innovative and wildly popular Sidecar began in Costa Mesa and has since expanded to currently 5 locations, making this the 6th. It appears they plan on opening in early 2022. You’re welcome.

Everytable Coming To Venice Blvd. @ Motor in LA

Posted on September 25, 2021 by toddrickallen

It wasn’t that long ago I thought that Everytable was down for the count. But as it turns out, not a chance! Only this week I told you about the massive and impressive proposed expansion for the socially-conscious chain that intends to make sure that “good food is affordable and accessible to all”. Here’s another branch going into the space at 10419 W. Venice Blvd Suite 101-A (corner of Motor). This location is planning on a November 12th opening.

Everytable Expanding Across SoCal

Posted on September 22, 2021 by toddrickallen

Don’t count out plucky Everytable… The nobly inspired concept chain aimed to bring fresh, nutritious, made-from-scratch meals to a fast food world at price points based on what a community could afford. Then they ran into a spot of trouble a while ago and closed various outlets. But hope springs eternal. There’s window paper covering the prominent space at 11049 Santa Monica Blvd Suite A in West LA (former site of a CBTL) announcing that they are opening a new branch at this location… and just about everywhere else as well. Check out this impressive list of upcoming Everytables, including Long Beach, Van Nuys, and Torrance. This branch is planning on a November 5th opening.

Market Chicken Coming To The Original Farmers Market

Posted on September 18, 2021 by toddrickallen

It appears there’s a new poultry purveyor landing in The Original Farmers Market, on the corner of 3rd and Fairfax. One of the spaces (#334 to be exact, it’s near Monsieur Marcel) has a sign up announcing the impending arrival of a new venture named Market Chicken. A still-developing website promises “rotisserie chicken, wraps, salads, sides and more”.

Primo’s Donuts Opens This Saturday In Westwood

Posted on September 16, 2021 by toddrickallen

It was only back in April of last year when I told you about the devastating closure of local landmark Stan’s Donuts at 10948 Weyburn in Westwood. But all is not lost. Another longstanding legend, Primo’s Donuts, has taken over the space. Primo’s has been an LA institution on Sawtelle for over 60 years. This week the good people of Primo’s reached out to me to let me know that they will be throwing open their doors this Saturday, September 18th, and from 12pm to 1pm they will be handing out free “buttermilk bites”. Look for a menu of “espresso-based beverages and ice-cream donut sandwiches”, as well as well as classic raised donuts, and vegan and gluten-free options in a fresh, fully remodeled space. We wish them the best of luck.

(Photo: Michael Mallory)

Le Macaron Bringing French Pastries To Century City

Posted on September 15, 2021 by toddrickallen

‘Lette Macarons disappeared during The Pandemic from its freestanding shop/kiosk just outside the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. But pretty French confections have made a comeback to the mall: Le Macaron French Pastries opened last week in ‘Lette‘s former digs. With locations throughout the US, this is only the second LA-area shop for the Florida-based chain (the other is in Santa Monica). Besides macarons, look for a selection of pastries, French gelato, and European-style beverages.

Sol-Agave Bringing “Authentic Mexican” To Santa Monica and LA

Posted on September 12, 2021 by toddrickallen

Santa Monica’s branch of Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern disappeared during the pandemic restaurant closures, leaving a gaping hole at 1733 Ocean Ave. But a new contender is stepping forward to give the space a go. There’s a banner off to the side of the patio announcing the impending arrival of Sol-Agave. This will be the fourth location for the Mexican chain that started out as a food truck in in 2014 in San Juan Capistrano. According to their website, it appears that they are also planning on a location at 800 W Olympic #A130, near STAPLES Center. We wish them the best of luck.

Pink Daisy Cafe In Santa Monica…

Posted on September 11, 2021 by toddrickallen

Were you wondering what was going on in the tiny space at 321 Santa Monica Blvd? The location has been a number of different incarnations over the years from coffee shops to, most recently, a boba spot. Now it has transformed into something called the Pink Daisy Cafe. As it turns out, Pink Daisy is a sister restaurant to Santa Monica’s perennially favorite brunch eatery Blue Daisy. Now you know…

The Santa Monica Whaler Set To Make A Splash In Downtown SM…

Posted on September 8, 2021 by toddrickallen

The Venice Whaler has been the go-to destination in Venice since 1944. Now they are bringing their beachy vibes and fish tacos to the Good People of Santa Monica. Ma’Kai, on the corner of Broadway. and Ocean Ave. in Downtown, closed up shop during the pandemic. A number of months ago plywood went up on the front, and eventually a help wanted notice hinted at what the new bar/eatery was going to be. But now it’s official: Recently installed signs declare that this will indeed be a new outpost of the legendary Beach party spot, The Santa Monica Whaler.

Lobster And Beer Coming To Santa Monica

Posted on September 5, 2021 by toddrickallen

There’s a new ABC application up on the front of the diminutive space at 530 Wilshire Blvd., formerly home to any number of nondescript cafes, that should bring hope to all Santa Monicans. With three other locations across LA, self-described “Neighborhood Lobster Joint” Lobster And Beer is expanding to Downtown Santa Monica. What more do you need to know?

Another Starbucks Comes To Santa Monica Blvd.

Posted on September 3, 2021 by toddrickallen

I’m sure you’ve noticed that Santa Monica Blvd. on the Westside has been undergoing a major gentrification of late. An indication of this is the new Starbucks that is coming to the corner of Purdue and SMB, at 11401 W Santa Monica Blvd. This would normally be unremarkable news, except that this will only be the third stand alone branch of the coffee chain on the Boulevard between the 405 and The Beach (the others being at 26th and Bundy), and that is a little remarkable for this neck of the woods.

Breadblok Expanding To Beverly Hills?

Posted on September 1, 2021 by toddrickallen

A new tenant may have been found to fill the vacancy left by the closure of Yojisan Sushi at 260 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. While there’s no sign up or even any indication of life, a “leased” sign has been slapped on the front. There is, however, a “notice of non-responsibility” taped to the front door. Careful inspection of that appears to spill the beans that the new shop will be nonother than a branch of popular organic and gluten-free bakery Breadblok. You may recall that the farmer’s market fave opened a brick-and-mortar about a year and a half ago in Santa Monica. So yes Beverly Hills, honey lavender cakes may indeed be heading your way…

Angelini Ristorante & Bar Coming To Palisades Village

Posted on August 29, 2021 by toddrickallen

Angelini Osteria, on Beverly Bvd., has been charming Angelenos for 20 years with their solid menu of consistently pleasing pizza, pasta, and “secondi”. Now the Good People of Pacific Palisades won’t have to drive so far for Gino Angelini’s celebrated fare. There’s plywood up on one of the spaces on Palisade Village‘s mini “restaurant row” on Swarthmore Ave. announcing the arrival of Angelini Ristorante & Bar. Looks like they’re shooting for a Winter opening.

Treats Frozen Yogurt Quits Santa Monica

Posted on August 27, 2021 by toddrickallen

I heard from a concerned reader (Thanks Justin!) who was lamenting the closure of Treats Frozen Yogurt at 1700 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. The icy confection shop was a neighborhood gathering spot and much beloved by locals. A gracious hand-written note on the front door thanks “family and friends” for a “decade of fun”. Sad.

Sweetgreen Slinging Salads In Westwood Soon…

Posted on August 25, 2021 by toddrickallen

There’s new window paper up at 10922 Kinross Ave. (corner of Gayley) in Westwood Village announcing a new eatery. I believe this was previously the home of Headlines Diner & Grill before it moved to Westwood Blvd., but I’m not sure… correct me if I’m wrong. At any rate, this corner space will soon a new branch of the popular purveyor of salads and bowls Sweetgreen.

Bluestone Lane Bringing Flat Whites To Westwood

Posted on August 22, 2021 by toddrickallen

A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Ely!) let me know that a new coffee shop is landing in Westwood. Window paper is announcing that expanding Australian coffee chain Bluestone Lane is moving into the former home of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at 950 Westwood Blvd. (corner of Weyburn). And check out their offer for free coffee everyday during opening week by scanning the code in the window (or in my photo below)…

El Se-Nodo Grill & Bar Coming To El Segundo

Posted on August 20, 2021 by toddrickallen

It looks like the busy aerospace people in El Segundo are about to get a new eatery. There’s a big banner on one of the spaces in the Elevon complex on the corner of Maple and Douglas Street announcing that something called El Se-Nodo Grill & Bar is on the way. The banner seems to indicate that noodles will somehow feature, otherwise I wasn’t able to find out much more so if you have any information let me know…

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest