La Puglia Landing On Wilshire In Santa Monica

Posted on April 5, 2020 by toddrickallen

Ever since longtime resident Nawab of India pulled out of its spot at 1621 Wilshire Blvd. back in 2017, I’ve been peppered with questions about what might move in. Dark, mysterious plywood has covered the space for a number of months, but I had no clues… until now. An ABC application went up last week and spilled the beans that something called La Puglia is setting up housekeeping. I don’t have any information on La Puglia, but I think its a safe bet to say Italian will be on offer…

Update: La Puglia is now up and running for take out.

Shake Shack Santa Monica’s Sleek Look…

Posted on April 3, 2020 by toddrickallen

About a year ago, I told you about mega-popular Shake Shack‘s intention to build an outpost at 501 Wilshire Blvd, formerly the site of Panera and Polly’s Pies before that. Recently, an artist’s rendering of what the new building will look like was pasted on the front. It seems like they’ve a way to go since no construction has begun yet, and these are uncertain times…

The New Face Of Santa Monica

Posted on April 1, 2020 by toddrickallen

We’re living with madness right now, and shops and restaurants are really feeling it. If you haven’t been out much, you may not have seen that stores have begun boarding over their windows. Sur La Table at Wilshire and Third is covered, and Williams Sonoma on Montana Ave. is also boarded. What they’re anticipating is anyone’s guess…

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop Heading To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on March 28, 2020 by toddrickallen

After sitting idle for a while, the restaurant at 331 Wilshire Blvd., that used to be the home of short-lived The Gables, is finding a new tenant. A banner is hanging over the entrance announcing that a branch of the salad, sandwich, and bowl chain Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop is moving in. However, the banner is delcaring that this branch will be called Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails. An ABC application in the window confirms the cocktails part. No word on an opening date, and I would expect big delays right now…

Kitchen Story Closed In Sawtelle Japantown

Posted on March 27, 2020 by toddrickallen

Kitchen Story burst onto the scene back in 2015, when it began serving its signature Korean food from its location at 2129 Sawtelle Blvd. A reader recently pointed out to me that they are now permanently closed, so I went by to check it out. A gracious note on the front door announces the closure and thanks its customers for the support. The closure actually happened in January and preceded the current state of affairs.

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden Coming To Montana Ave.

Posted on March 26, 2020 by toddrickallen

It appears that a new tea room is heading for the space that used to house a florist shop at 726 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Window paper is up announcing that Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden is moving in. The window paper promises us orgainic fair-trade tea, baked goods, afternoon tea, ceremonial events, and an outdoor patio.

Menya Musashi Permanently Closed in Sawtelle Japantown

Posted on March 22, 2020 by toddrickallen

It was only back in June of 2018 that I told you about the arrival of Menya Musashi to 2012 Sawtelle Blvd. But as we know, ramen competition in Sawtelle Japantown is fierce. Sadly, they have given up the ghost. A gracious note on the front confirms that they have permanently closed, and thanks patrons for the support.

Somi Somi Bringing Some Cheer To Downtown Santa Monica…

Posted on March 21, 2020 by toddrickallen

Back in October of last year, I told you about the disappearance of Pinkberry from 1456 Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. Wasting no time whatsoever, expanding chain Somi Somi has opened in the space and is now serving their signature brand of “Korean-inspired” soft service ice cream. And, at the time of this writing, while other places have currently closed (or are offering take away), they are still open, giving us all a little needed cheer right now.

A Message From Toddrickallen…

Posted on March 18, 2020 by toddrickallen

We’re living in extraordinary times. COVID-19 is on everyone’s mind right now, and it is especially affecting the restaurant business to which this site is devoted. I started this blog 13 years ago as a reliable food news source with a simple dictum; at least three posts a week. But we are experiencing unprecedented disruption. As I suspect all of you are, I simply am not out in my community as much as I normally would be and therefore may, for the first time ever, have to break my founding dictum. But I’m still here. Over the next few weeks, I will do the very best I can to deliver what news I may encounter. I realize your attentions may be elsewhere right now and as always, I appreciate your continued support. In the mean time, you are all on my mind and I wish you and yours health and safety. Together we will get through this…

100% Ice Cream & Coffee Coming To Santa Monica Place

Posted on March 14, 2020 by toddrickallen

As you know, mall food courts have been hit hard with closures. The third floor of Santa Monica Place is no exception. But one plucky contender is going to give it a try. Plywood is up on the space just to the left of the food court announcing that something named 100% Ice Cream & Coffee is moving in. I don’t have much information on this place, but the sign says that organic grass fed ice cream will be on offer.

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Tartine Santa Monica’s Opening Date Will Be…

Posted on March 13, 2020 by toddrickallen

This just landed in my inbox… Ever since I first told you about Tartine‘s expansion to Santa Monica, a great many of you have been checking for updates, so here ya go: Tartine Santa Monica will throw open their doors on March 17 at 1925 Arizona. Hours are Monday – Friday: 7:00am – 3:00pm, Saturday – Sunday: 8:00am – 4:00pm. You’re welcome…

What’s Going On At Yogiyo And Seasalt In Santa Monica?

Posted on March 11, 2020 by toddrickallen

On a tip from a reader (Thanks Adrian!), I went by to check on the suspect state of affairs at 508 and 510 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. The reader had told me that next door neighbors Seasalt Fish Grill and Yogiyo Korean BBQ had closed down. Sure enough, both are locked tight. However, both also have exactly the same sign in the window saying that they will be “re-opening soon”. I don’t want to pronounce them permanently closed, but we’ve seen this before…

Beach & Brew Replacing Kifune In Venice

Posted on March 6, 2020 by toddrickallen

When landmark Kifune Sushi Bar closed up shop at the end of last year after 34 years due to the owner’s retirement, it left a giant hole at 405 Washington Blvd in Venice. Now it looks like a new venture is giving the prominent corner a go: An ABC application taped to the front door informs us that something called Beach & Brew is moving in. I can’t seem to find much on B&B, so if you have information let me know…

The Beverly Hills Tea Room Replaces Bedford & Burns In Beverly Hills

Posted on March 5, 2020 by toddrickallen

Readers have been letting me know that Bedford & Burns has disappeared from Beverly Hills. The American bistro and bar has had a long history in Beverly Hills, but had been in its current incarnation at 369 N Bedford Dr. since 2013. Apparently something new has quickly and quietly slipped in to take its place. An ABC application in the window lists the business as The Beverly Hills Tea Room. But a notice in the window explaining the current closure due to floor repair lists the name as The Bar & Tea Room. Let me know if you have more information…

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Bok Bok Continues Its Expansion Westward With Two New Locations…

Posted on March 4, 2020 by toddrickallen

The recent turnover in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center is breathing new life to into the dining scene there. Plywood is up on the space that used to house Bibigo Kitchen (which has moved locations in the mall) announcing the impending arrival of Bok Bok Mediterranean. And that’s not all: According to their website, they will be opening a location at 235 Main St. in Venice as well. Look for a menu of panini, pitas, and plates of shawerma, falafel, rotisserie chicken, with other Mediterranean specialties.

Gratitude Kitchen & Bar Not Feeling It In Beverly Hills…

Posted on February 28, 2020 by toddrickallen

Competition for diners’ attentions can be stiff in Beverly Hills. A recent casualty appears to be The Golden Triangle’s branch of plant-based powerhouse Gratitude Kitchen & Bar, which has closed its location at 419 N Canon. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what may develop.

Curry House Closed On Sawtelle, And Everywhere…

Posted on February 27, 2020 by toddrickallen

I’ve been hearing from panicked readers that their fave nostalgic Sawtelle Japantown institution Curry House Japanese Curry & Spaghetti had closed down so I went by to have a look. Sure enough, the restaurant at 2130 S Sawtelle, suite 200 has closed after over 30 years. But that’s not all: According to this article, ALL Curry House locations in California abruptly closed their doors on Monday. Employees apparently had no idea and showed up for work only to find they had no jobs. This is tragic news for its many fans, many of whom are telling me they celebrated milestones and had first dates at the local fixture.

Dan Modern Chinese Expanding To Sawtelle Japantown

Posted on February 26, 2020 by toddrickallen

With so many restaurant closures across town, it’s encouraging to see an area retain its vibrancy… Dan Modern Chinese is continuing its push into the Westside. In addition to the upcoming Manhattan Village location, window paper is up on the space at 2051 Sawtelle, squarely in the middle of Sawtelle Japantown, announcing the imminent arrival of their signature dumplings and noodles.

New York’s Via Quadronno Coming To Santa Monica

Posted on February 22, 2020 by toddrickallen

[Breaking News] I have it on good authority that New York’s famed Via Quadronno is opening a West Coast outpost in the old Chez Mimi space at 246 26th St. (across from Brentwood Country Mart). And from what I’m hearing, the space, already charming, will be upgraded by well-known architect firm Marmol Radziner. Via Quadronno is the Upper East Side’s purveyor of “unforgettable cappuccinos and paninis” (as well as a full dining menu) that is a fave with celebrities and has appeared in such shows as Sex and the City and Gossip Girl. This is a developing story, but way too delicious and exciting not to pass on…

Breadblok Opens In Santa Monica

Posted on February 20, 2020 by toddrickallen

It started out as a teaser, with the word breadblok scrawled on the plywood covering the renovation of the old Spazio Caffe at 1511A Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Eventually, window notices went up, and I reported back in March of last year that local farmer’s market staple Breadblok was indeed moving in. Breadblok opened last week, offering the good people of Santa Monica a menu of Provence-inspired artisan breads, pastries, and tartines that are “organic, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, gum-free, [and] refined sugar-free”.