I heard from a number of devastated readers that beloved quiet neighborhood powerhouse Pizzicotto had permanently closed its doors at 11758 San Vicente in Brentwood, so I went by to have a look. Sure enough, the Italian bolthole has papered over their windows, and Yelp has pronounced them closed. They will be sorely missed by their legions of fans. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what may develop.
I noticed new window covering on the diminutive space that used to house short-lived Astro Donghnuts & Fried Chicken at 2309 Main St. in Santa Monica. Upon closer inspection, the covering reveals that something called Alfalfa is moving in. And what is Alfalfa? As it turns out, the only other branch is in Hoboken, New Jersey, so this will be their first LA area branch. Look for a menu of salads, soups, breakfast burritos, and doughnuts served in a “warm atmosphere”. While it looks like they’re still developing the Santa Monica menu, you can check out the menu of their Hoboken location here. We wish them the best of luck.
An eagle-eyed reader (Thanks Jennifer!) noticed that something was missing from the strip mall on the corner of Sepulveda and Olympic, so I went by to check it out. Sure enough, longtime resident and local go-to for Korean, Kalbis Grill has disappeared from their space at 11102 W Olympic. A sign of the times: the space has been quickly converted into a COVID-19 test center.
Update: Thanks J for keeping me straight, Kalbis turned into Poke Republic, Subway turned into the COVID testing center.
A sad day for movie goers on the Westside… Popular local institution Westside Tavern, at 10850 W Pico Blvd., has decided to pull the plug. Today (10/31/2020) is their last day of service. For over 10 years, their no-reservation policy ensured stampedes of people running from the theater above to be the first in line for their inventive, playful food and stiff cocktails. “Continuing challenges from the pandemic” are to blame. They will be missed. Read their gracious goodbye letter here.
I recently heard from one of the founders of Mrs. Winson’s, otherwise known as “L.A.’s Best Salad Bar”. He asked me to pass on to my readers that the beloved Century City branch has reopened at 1999 Avenue of the Stars as of last week. They are making available their “award winning salad bar online for carry out, [and] curbside pick up” and are open 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Good news for busy office workers nearby…
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Jeremy!) noticed a new banner hanging over the space that used to house a branch of Smashburger, at 10704B Venice Blvd. in Culver City. I went by to have a look. Sure enough, this address will soon be the home of a branch of Dave’s Hot Chicken. This will be the seventh location for the poultry purveyor, but they apparently have plans on a larger expansion, including branches in Northridge and Fountain Valley.
On a tip from a reader (Thanks Michael!), I went by the location of longtime neighborhood fave breakfast spot The OP Cafe a 3117 Ocean Park Blvd. to see what was going on. A banner hung on the front announces a new tenant, Order For Me Deli. OFMD describe themselves as a “restaurant tech company” where the concept is that diners order and pay on their phones (timely, no?). The menu is designed by Chef Greg Daniels of The Golden Bull (The OP Cafe‘s sister restaurant) and includes all-day breakfasts, salads, bowls, and something called beef on weck, which is sliced beef that is roasted overnight and served on a Kimmelweck roll. They are open from 7am to 8 pm (9pm Friday and Saturday) and have patio seating as well as take-out. We wish them the best of luck.
And while we’re on the subject of The Point... It appears that Umi by Hamasaku has given up the ghost at thier location at 8050 S Sepulveda in El Segundo. Umi caused quite a stir when it expanded to this neck of the woods from West LA, bringing Hamasaku chef Yoya Takahashi’s signature sushi and izakaya dishes.
It appears that a new restaurant is replacing the estwhile Superba in The Point, on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in El Segundo. Paper is covering the windows announcing that this will soon be a branch of Little Sister. With two locations and two more on the way (the other coming location will be in the Irvine Spectrum), Little Sister offers a unique take on cuisine resulting from “rich collisions of food and culture that was borne out of the European colonization of Southeast Asia”. Check out their menu here.
I heard from a reader (Thanks Stephanie!) that Santa Monica’s popular pick-up bar and restaurant Estate was now caput. So I went by their location at 1519 Wilshire to have a look. Sure enough, the large for lease signs on the front announce the sad news. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see if there will be any takers…
On a tip from a reader (Thanks SG!) I went by cavernous Argentinean steakhouse Malbec to see what was going on. The signs have been pulled down and their location at 2628 Wilshire Blvd. has been gutted. The for lease sign in the window confirms that they have indeed permanently closed. It appears that their other locations are still open.
About two years ago, Luna Grill started slinging its signature Mediterranean food from its newest location at 3001 Wilshire Blvd. While their website still lists this location as temporarily closed, last week a reader (Thanks Stephen!) questioned whether that was true. So I went by to have a look. Sure enough, the windows are papered over and a note on the front is announcing that they are closed, so it looks like they’ve no intention of reopening.
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.
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Toddrickallen 