Good news, South Bay folks! Huckleberry doughnuts are heading you way… This is the future home of cult-fave treat shop Sidecar Doughnuts, in the new section of the massive Manhattan Village remodel, on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach.
And while we’re on the subject of pizza al taglio (Roman-style pizza baked in large rectangular pans and cut with scissors), a new pizza joint recently opened at 1091 Broxton in Westwood Village, formerly the home of Kopan Ramen which disappeared over the Summer. Prince of Venice Pasta & Pizza is apparently run by an actual Italian prince, Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, and started life as a food truck, making this location their first brick-and-mortar. In addition to pizza al taglio, there is a pasta lab where “guests will be able to watch hand-crafted, authentic Italian pasta being made” and sauced with fresh hand-made sauces. As you can see, the ABC application in the window lets us know that beer and wine are on the way. We wish them the best of luck.
A new pizza restaurant has moved into the space most recently occupied by Il Romanista. You may recall that Il Romanista made headlines as LA’s first Roman-style pizza al taglio, or pizza baked in large rectangular pans and cut with scissors. Don’t know what happened, but the space is now Allora Pizza. Allora boasts a pizzaiolo with 20 years experience in the “finest restaurants in Italy and the US”. This is the third pizza restaurant to occupy this location at 829 N. Douglas St. We wish Allora the best of luck.
If you read this blog you know that Manhattan Village, the shopping complex on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, is undergoing a major redo. Loads of new retail and restaurant spaces are on the way, with many new eateries already slotted to move in. Add one more to the list: Signs recently went up on one of the new spaces announcing that a branch of expanding burger chain Smashburger is on the way. Looks like they’re shooting for a Spring opening.
I recently noticed that something new appears to be coming to Brentwood. An eye-catching new paint job and signage lets us know that the space at 11906 Wilshire that used to be the home of Marsa Mediterranean Cuisine and Layali LA Hookah Cafe is in the process of converting into something called Westside Kitchens and Acqua on Wilshire. However, I am completely unable to find ANY information on these two businesses. If you have insider info send it my way and I’ll pass it along…
Of all businesses affected by COVID, bars have been some of the hardest hit. They were forced to close early in the pandemic, and most have remained dormant since. One wonders if the industry will survive. Sadly, it appears one bar didn’t. I’ve been keeping an eye on the plywood covering Brentwood’s popular pick-up spot Bruhaus, at 11831 Wilshire Blvd., for any signs of life. Recently a reader (Thanks Tara!) who’d been doing the same let me know that confirmation of Bruhaus‘ fate recently appeared on the front. A prominent for lease sign lets us know that Bruhaus won’t be reopening.
In other bar news, an ABC application recently appeared on the front of the normally crowded neighborhood dive JP’s Sports Bar & Grill, on the corner of 11th and Wilshire in Santa Monica. The application is a transfer to a new owner, so it appears JP’s may be returning. We wish them the best of luck.
Well this is sad news indeed. Look at this photo in the window of Beverly Hills’ bright, beautiful Williams-Sonoma. Yes, it’s true: this location at 339 N Beverly Dr., known for having the best selection in the area, will be permanently closing its doors. They will remain open through the end of January. Their locations in Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and Pasadena will stay open, for now…
More good news Culver City! Sandwiches are heading your way… Window notices are up on a space in the new Culver Steps devlopment at 9300 Culver Blvd. announcing that a branch of popular lunch spot Mendocino Farms is moving in.
It was back in 2015 when I first learned that the commodious corner space at Wilshire and Barrington was going to be Maradentro. Known for their stiff cocktails and excellent crab dip, Maradentro has largely sat idle since the first round of shutdowns. I’d been watching the restaurant to see signs of life since I had no confirmation of permanent closure. Until now… A reader informed me that there is now a for lease sign out front so I think it’s safe to say they don’t intend on reopening.
Another sad restaurant loss… Like its counterpart in Beverly Hills before it, Panini Kabob Grill appears to have permanently pulled the plug on its location at 312 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. The space is gutted and signs have been pulled down, and a for lease sign hangs on the front. I’ll keep my eyes on the location to see if any brave eateries will give it a go, but I won’t hold my breath.
Cheer up good people of Culver City! Mint mojito coffee is heading your way! It looks like a branch of popular Bay-Area coffee darling Philz Coffee is moving into one of the spaces in the new The Culver Steps development at 9300 Culver Blvd. in Downtown Culver City.
Thanksgiving might look and feel different this year. Managing COVID-19 has brought many changes to our lives, and I’m guessing this Holiday will not be exempt. But it is still a good time of year to reflect on gratitude. I’m very grateful to all my dedicated readers for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the LA food scene. Wishing all of you a joyous and meaningful Holiday, whatever it looks like. Happy Thanksgiving from Toddrickallen! Stay safe…
Opening a new restaurant during COVID is dicey. One plucky contender throwing caution to the wind is Potato Chips Deli. They are moving into the space formerly occupied by Wexler’s Deli in the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Potato Chips Deli currently operates two other locations (Beverly Grove and Culver City). Sandwiches are their specialty: check out their menu here. We wish them the best of luck.
With all the restaurant closures taking place, I’m cheered to see new ones on the way. A big banner hangs above the space at 8730 S Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester announcing that a new “fresh, authentic Mediterranean” eatery is close to opening. Kebab Bar promises a menu of hummus, falafel, and kebab based on “multi-generational family recipes”. We wish them the best of luck.
It was back in 2016 when I first noticed that caterer and restaurateur Lisa Erikson was bringing a branch of her brick and mortar eatery Lisa’s Cafe & Bakery to a space in the Elevon multi-use complex at 741 N. Douglas St. in El Segundo. Sadly, it appears she has decided to close this branch. But you can still pick up her signature breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches at her Torrance location…
Sadly, I just noticed that Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean has vacated its location in The Works development, at 700A S. Allied Way in El Segundo. It was only back in February of last year when I first told you about Soom Soom‘s expansion into area’s rapidly changing dining scene. This particular address hasn’t had much luck keeping tenants: This is the third restaurant that has called it quits.
I recently heard from a devastated reader who had just discovered that The Halal Guys had quit their West Hollywood location at 8919 Santa Monica Blvd. (They actually closed in June). But I went by to check out the space anyway. As it turns out, there was an ABC application posted on the front. No business name is listed, but the online license information states that the name of the new establishment will be Gym Sportsbar and Grill. You may recall that LA’s branch of Gym Sportsbar operated a location for 10 years at 8737 Santa Monica Blvd., but closed down in June due to challenges related to COVID-19. Gym Sportsbar bills itself as “the first and only gay sports bar in Los Angeles”. We wish them the best of luck.
It appears that after a solid run in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, Italian cheese specialist Obicà Mozzarella Bar Pizza e Cucina has vacated its second floor location. Windows are papered over and signs are pulled down. I bellieve that means that only two locations in New York are the last U.S. vestiges of the international chain, known for flying in fresh Mozzarella di Bufala weekly.
I’ve been hearing from excited readers about the latest addition to the Westwood dining scene. So I went by to check it out. Nick The Greek Souvlaki & Gyro House is now up and running in the space that used to house D1 Cafe at 10959 Kinross. Nick The Greek operates a number of locations, mostly north of here. Look for a menu of, you guessed it, souvlaki and gyro, as well as falafel, burgers, salads, and soup. We wish them the best of luck…
I first told you about the expansion of Sunnin Lebanese Cafe into Downtown Santa Monica back in 2015. Sadly, it appears that the times have gotten the better of them. All signage has been pulled down and the windows are papered over, a sure indication that they have vacated their location at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 120.
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