Go Get Em Tiger Pounces On Santa Monica

Posted on October 8, 2020 by toddrickallen

Recently, I’d been keeping my eye on the space at 2645 Main St. in Santa Monica, a space previously occupied by Amelia’s Espresso & Panini. Readers were noticing that something was going on, but I couldn’t get any confirmation. Then one reader (Thanks Joe!) let me know that the new java joint was none other that innovative coffee purveyors Go Get Em Tiger. They wasted no time and threw open their doors two days ago (10/06/2020), pretty remarkable at a time like this. We wish them the best of luck.

Le Petit Chez Mimi Opens In Santa Monica…

Posted on October 7, 2020 by toddrickallen

Ever since I first told you about the impending arrival of the latest incarnation of beloved French restaurant Chez Mimi back in February, thousands of you have been checking for updates and demanding answers. Here you go: Le Petit Chez Mimi opened a delightful outdoor dining room on Friday (10/07/2020)). Le Petit Chez Mimi is helmed by local legend Chef Mimi. Read more about her newest eatery in my original piece here. De rien…

Update: While I don’t normally endorse restaurants, I’ve been overwhelmed with requests for contact information… Le Petit Chez Mimi’s website is now up and running. Check it out here. Or call (310) 264-4464 to make a reservation. Encore de rien…

Kaz The Soba Place Coming To Sawtelle Japantown

Posted on October 4, 2020 by toddrickallen

Flashy signage and window coverings are up on the old Lemonade space at 2047 Sawtelle announcing that a new noodle joint is moving into the neighborhood. Kaz The Soba Place appears to be well underway and close to opening. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of information out there on this business, so I don’t know what will be on the menu besides buckwheat noodles. If you have more information, let me know…

Creamistry Melts Down In Beverly Hills

Posted on October 3, 2020 by toddrickallen

It looks like Beverly Hills’ branch of liquid nitrogen ice cream experts Creamistry has vacated their location at 253 S Bevely Dr. The prominent for lease sign lets us know they aren’t coming back. It looks like the space has already been leased, so I’ll keep my eye on it to see who’s moving in.

Jyan Isaac Bread Coming To Santa Monica

Posted on September 30, 2020 by toddrickallen

It appears a new bread shop is landing in the space 1622 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. An ABC application on the front doesn’t list a business name. But a note scrawled on a paper bag on the front door directs us to Jyan Isaac Bread. What is Jyan Isaac Bread? The website explains that the baker, Jayan Isaac Horwitz, is passionate about bread and trained under Travis Lett at Gjusta Bakery in Venice. According to this story in The LA Times, when he found himself out of work due to COVID, he started his own business. And while he’s already running a delivery service, this location looks like it will be a storefront with food, beer, and wine. We wish him the best of luck.

Burger Lounge Launching A New Plant-Based Menu

Posted on September 27, 2020 by toddrickallen

What’s going on over at Burger Lounge in Santa Monica (and presumeably other locations as well?). The windows are papered over at their 213 Arizona location with promises of an evolution coming this fall. A visit to the website explains that a new plant-based menu is on the way. This from their website: “Everything from our burgers, fries and even shakes are going to have a plant-based option that will trick your tastebuds and please your “thought-buds.” And yes, the “thoughtfully sourced” meats will still be on the menu as well.

Jonah’s Kitchen + Bar Coming To Santa Monica

Posted on September 26, 2020 by toddrickallen

The troubled space at 2518 Wilshire Blvd. has sat idle ever since LDH Kitchen The Robata closed up shop early last year. You may remember that before that, the space was given an extensive remodel to accomidate the then-buzzy restaurant Cadet. Recently I noticed some activity behind the papered-over windows. Finally, a new sign is hanging over the door announcing that the new tenant will be Jonah’s Kitchen + Bar. While I don’t know for sure what will be on offer, a still-developing website shows images of tacos, tortilla chips, peppers, and salsa, so I think we’re heading in that direction. Apparently they were shooting for a summer opening, so it looks like they’re a bit behind. We wish them the best of luck.

Ugo Cafe Gone From Santa Monica Place

Posted on September 23, 2020 by toddrickallen

Sadly, I fear many businesses, and restaurants in particular, will not outlast the current COVID crisis. I’ve been reporting on multiple closures across The Westside. Yet another appears to be the beloved Italian coffee bar Ugo Cafe, set on the first floor of Santa Monica Place. If you’re missing their proprietary coffee or pastries, they still have two other locations.

Edobox Coming Soon To Santa Monica

Posted on September 20, 2020 by toddrickallen

Late last year I told you about the exit of popular burger joint Cowabunga Republic from it’s tiny spot at 2912 Main St. in Santa Monica. Now it looks like a new eatery is willing to give the space a go. A banner on the front is announcing that something called Edobox is on the way. I’ve attempted to reach them but have so far been unsuccessful, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see what will be on offer.

Update: I heard from a number of readers on this restaurant who had sharper eyes than mine. Here’s what it says on their FB page, “Design your own Bento Box at chef Makoto Okuwa’s fresh new fast-casual restaurant on Main Street in Santa Monica with breezy outdoor dining.” Thanks to all who reached out to tell me…

Viva Vegan Now Closed In Santa Monica

Posted on September 19, 2020 by toddrickallen

The below-the-radar bolthole Viva Vegan appears to be no more. While there’s still a note on the front door saying that they are temporarily closed, as you can see there are two prominent for lease signs across the front of their location at 1028 Wilshire. This will be a sad loss for the devoted followers of their signature plant-based food.

Sur La Table Set To Close In Santa Monica

Posted on September 16, 2020 by toddrickallen

The emporium of all things culinary, Sur La Table looks like it is set to close at 301 Wilshire Blvd. There’s a giant banner across the front announcing the sad news. This particular branch has long been the go-to for local cooks needing just the right size springform pan or imported dijon and will be sadly missed.

Uovo Also Coming To MDR

Posted on September 13, 2020 by toddrickallen

And finally, this last bit of news about the coming attractions to the new development in Marina Del Rey… It almost appears that Downtown Santa Monica is cloning itself in the Marina: The latest to join the list of new eateries is none other that Jonathon Gold’s fave Italian restaurant Uovo, which is opening a location at 4635 Admiraly Way Suite 105. You may recall that the diminutive Santa Monica bolthole has a cult-like following due to their expertly sauced pasta that is flown in daily from Bologna. Along with Kazu Nori and HiHo Cheeseburger, the dining scene in The Marina is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

HiHo Cheeseburger Landing In MDR

Posted on September 11, 2020 by toddrickallen

The other day I told you about a new Kazu Nori moving into the massive development along Admiralty in Marina Del Rey. It’s about to get neighbor… An ABC application is up announcing a new branch of HiHo Cheeseburger will be arriving to 4625 Admiralty Suite 109 soon. This will be the third branch for the minichain known for their much-admired “100% grass-fed and 100% grass-finished Wagyu” burgers.

Kazu Nori Coming To MDR

Posted on September 9, 2020 by toddrickallen

We’re beginning to get details about what’s coming to that giant new development that’s been slowly arising along the west side of Admiralty in Marina Del Rey. An ABC application has just gone up announcing that one of the new eateries will be a branch of hand roll experts Kazu Nori at 4635 Admiralty, suite 107. Expect more details soon…

Pudu Pudu Bringing “Edible Art” To Abbot Kinney Soon…

Posted on September 4, 2020 by toddrickallen

If you’ve been wondering about that neon pink cow-like creature covering the window at 1432 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, it appears that your wait is about to be over. Pudu Pudu looks like they’re close to opening and is promising us a “flavor adventure to transform pudding into edible art” using “locally sourced organic milk and health-boosting superfoods”. Yes, pudding… But wait, this pudding comes with a pedigree. Pudu Pudu is a project of the Dr. Oetker Hospitality Group. Does the name Dr. Oetker sound familiar? Dr. Oetker is the German megabrand that is on those baked goods mixes in Cost Plus World Market, as well as other stores. It has been supplying bakers since the late 19th Century, so there are some serious dessert bona fides here. We wish them the best of luck.

Cultured Creamery Closes Permanently In Santa Monica.

Posted on September 3, 2020 by toddrickallen

Sadly, it appears that plant-based food folks Cultured Creamery have decided to throw in the towel. Notices are up in the window of their location at 828 Pico announcing their closing sale this weekend. We certainly wish them the best of luck.

Panini Grill Gone From Beverly Hills

Posted on September 1, 2020 by toddrickallen

The Golden Triangle in general, and S. Santa Monica Blvd. in particular, have long been tricky locations for restaurants, but the current COVID crisis appears to be accelerating the departures. Panini Kabob Grill stood like a sentinel on the corner of Camden and S. Santa Monica, and was a popular lunch destination. But sadly, a large for lease sign now indicates that they have indeed permanently thrown in the towel at this location.

Endless Color Bringing Fresh Pies To Topanga

Posted on August 30, 2020 by toddrickallen

It’s really refreshing to hear of a restaurant opening at this bleak time of closures. A devoted reader (Thanks T!) let me know that there’s a new eatery that just opened in Topanga, in the space at 123 S Topanga Canyon Blvd. that Rocco’s In The Canyon called home for years. Endless Color is now serving a variety of organic pizzas that are being described by T as “thin, chewy crust perfectly browned”. Also on the menu are salads, beer, wine, sake, and hard kombucha. We wish them the best of luck.

Steak ‘n Shake Quits The Third St. Promenade

Posted on August 29, 2020 by toddrickallen

It appears that Santa Monica’s branch of Steak ‘N Shake has abandonned any hope of returning to pre-COVID life as usual. While their website still lists them as temporarily closed, their location at 1455 Third St. Promenade is gutted and a large for lease sign in the window says they’ve no plans to reopen. Their departure leaves a cavernous hole in the Downtown Santa Monica food scene. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see if there will be any takers…

Amorino Gelato Melts Down In Beverly Hills

Posted on August 26, 2020 by toddrickallen

Amorino Gelato brought a certain frisson to The Golden Triangle when it opened late in 2014 at 9605 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Sadly, it appears the Parisian superstar of icy treats has vacated the cavernous location. A large for lease sign confirms the news that is sure to be a blow to its devoted fans. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what develops.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest