Bluestone Lane Bringing Flat Whites And Beer/Wine To Montana Ave. In Santa Monica

Posted on May 6, 2020 by toddrickallen

I’ve been hearing whispers that the construction on the corner of Montana Ave. and 10th St. in Santa Monica would eventually be the home of an “Australian” coffee shop. But I was unable to get concrete information until recently, when an ABC application was posted on the front. As you can see, no business name is listed. However, the ABC application online clearly spells out that this will be a branch of coffee experts Bluestone Lane. And this one will apparently have beer and wine on offer as well.

Fresh Corn Grill Confirmed For Santa Monica

Posted on May 3, 2020 by toddrickallen

I’ve been watching the space that was the home of erstwhile Baja Fresh at 720 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Lincoln). The space has been undergoing a remodel for a while now. An ABC application recently went up on the front confirming that Westwood’s Fresh Corn Grill is on the way. Expect a menu of healthy pizza, pasta, salad, tacos, and enchiladas. We wish them the best of luck.

Osteria Bigoli Done In Santa Monica?

Posted on May 2, 2020 by toddrickallen

I’ve been hearing from readers that Osteria Bigoli has permanently pulled the plug, so I went by their location at 714 Montana Ave. to have a look. Like many businesses right now, there’s a scrawled note on the front door saying that they’re closed until further notice. But as you can see, their sign above the front door has been removed and one reader (Thanks Kurt!) let me know that the interior decorations are gone, so it looks like they probably don’t have plans on reopening. Let me know if you hear anything different.

Meet Fresh Set To Bring Taiwanese Desserts To Westwood

Posted on April 29, 2020 by toddrickallen

Window banners are up on part of the old Jerry’s Deli space at 10923 Weyburn Ave. in Westwood Village announcing a future home for Taiwanese treat chain Meet Fresh. The numbers are impressive: With locations around the world, they currently have 800+ stores, there are more than 100 cold and hot desserts on offer, and they claim more than 100 million bowls of their icy grass jelly signature are sold globally every year. The dizzying array of choices will also include such things as tofu pudding, milk tea, egg waffles, and taro balls, all made with traditional Taiwanese methods and the finest ingredients. Interesting…

Ichi Tea & Sushi’s Grand Opening In Westwood

Posted on April 26, 2020 by toddrickallen

Looks like there’s a new bubble tea spot in Westwood. In the location that used to house Coco Fresh at 10912 Le Conte Ave., a banner over the front door announces the grand opening of Ichi Tea & Sushi. We wish them the best of luck.

Stan’s Donuts Calls It Quits In Westwood

Posted on April 25, 2020 by toddrickallen

I’ve been hearing from horrified fans that, after 55 years, beloved pastry purveyor Stan’s Donuts has permanently closed in Westwood. A gracious note from Stan Berman on the front thanks patrons for their “support and friendship”. It appears the decision to close was in the works anyway, but COVID-19 sped things up.

Starbucks Permanently Closed on Montana/15th St.

Posted on April 22, 2020 by toddrickallen

Back in early February, I mentioned to you that I had heard a rumor that Starbucks was closing its location at 15th St. and Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. At the time, I had no proof. This week, a note went up on the door that they have permanently closed. Expensive rents on Montana Ave. are to blame, or so I’m told.

King & Queen Cantina Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on April 19, 2020 by toddrickallen

Back in January, I told you about the disappearance of Plan Check from its space at 1401 Ocean Ave suite 104. Now a new restaurant is intending to make the space their home. Posters are up in the windows announcing the impending arrival of King & Queen Cantina. Originally hailing from San Diego, the chain has a smattering of locations and sister restaurants. Expect “Latin flavors” with Dia de los Muertos decor that is meant to feel like a “party, out of the box, but more casual”. Of course everything us up in the air right now, but we wish them the best of luck.

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Wabi-Sabi Done In Venice?

Posted on April 18, 2020 by toddrickallen

Sushi experts Wabi-Sabi have certainly survived their fair share of challenges. And now there’s a prominent “available” space hanging over the front. Does this mean the end?

Dave’s Doghouse Done In Santa Monica?

Posted on April 16, 2020 by toddrickallen

Three years ago, I first told you about a Josiah Citrin (Melisse, Charcoal) project moving into the old Santa Monica Electric Co. at 2428 Main St. Since then, furtive signs of work have continued on and off for Dave’s Doghouse, which led me to believe that the restaurant was still in progress. I know that many of you have been checking for updates on this project, but it appears it may have been abandonned. The review signs and ABC application have been taken down, and the space was being inhabited by a pop-up shop selling goods for an elephant charity prior to the shutdown. If you have any information, let me know…

Los Tarascos Bringing Taco Tuesday To Downtown Santa Monica Soon

Posted on April 12, 2020 by toddrickallen

The diminutive space at 725 Broadway in Santa Monica has seen its share of tenants, the most recent being an açaí bowl spot that closed over a year ago. Window covering is informing us that a new venture called Los Tarascos is moving in. The windows promise taco tuesdays and daily hand made tortillas.

Don Chuy’s Restaurant Replacing Shalimar Of India In Culver City

Posted on April 11, 2020 by toddrickallen

With all the self-isolation lately, I’m simply not out in the community as much as I normally would be, and I really appreciate when readers send me stories. Recently, one reader (Thanks Keith!) sent me this photo of an ABC application on the front of what was formerly Shalimar of India at 10708 Jefferson Blvd. in Culver City. As you can see, this will be the future home of Don Chuy’s Restaurant. There currently is a Don Chuy’s at 11800 Jefferson, but I’m unclear if they’re moving locations or if this will be a second branch for the Mexican restaurant.

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New Houston Brothers Bar In Santa Monica?

Posted on April 8, 2020 by toddrickallen

A new ABC application has popped up on the front of the old Tinga/Renee‘s space at 522 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. No business name is listed, but there is an applicant name: Ploenpidh Pola Houston. While this name is associated with a Koreatown bar, the Monte Carlo, after a bit of digging, I found that Ms. Pola is the mother of entrepreneurial brothers Jonnie and Mark Houston, who preside over an empire of themed nightclubs in Hollywood. I don’t have confirmation that this will be their newest project, so if you have any information please let me know. You can read more about the brothers in this LA Weekly story.

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.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest