Yet Another CBTL Gone…

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The story that has garnered the most interest on this blog recently has been the disappearance of neighborhood coffee shops, and in particular, the mass extinction of SoCal’s beloved The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.  Thank you to all the readers who sent me news that the CBTL at 9th and Wilshire in Santa Monica has now also succumbed.  There is still one extant Coffee Bean in the Third St. Promenade, and I went in today to have a look.  The lack of customers, and low inventory of food left me wondering what its future may be…  What’s going on?  I’m not certain, but perhaps there’s a clue here.

Bluestone Lane Checking Out Of Beverly Hills

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As you know if you read this blog, coffee shops are getting hammered right now.  Peets, The Coffee Bean, and even Starbucks have all been closing locations recently.  And now it looks like the newish Bluestone Lane is leaving its location at 9523 S. Santa Monica, in the Golden Triangle.  The large for lease sign in the window appears to confirm it.

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The Best New Restaurant You Haven’t Eaten At… Yet

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Despite this difficult time, a charming new eatery has descended to earth to spread a little love.  Meet Papille Gustative (“taste bud” in French), which recently opened its bright and sunny storefront at 2823 Main St. in Santa Monica.  The menu was described to me as modern farm-to-table healthy California cuisine using regionally-sourced ingredients.  Currently, they are only open for breakfast and lunch, but plans are underway for dinner and a liquor license as well.  And with the repurposing of Main St. to accomidate outdoor dining, there are also tables for al fresco eating.  Check out that menu, and read more here.  We wish them the best of luck.

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Zinqué  Coming To Century City

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We could all use more good news right now…  While many restaurants are challenged or closing, it’s encouraging to see new eateries on the way.  On the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, in the erstwhile Petros space, plywood is covering the front with an announcement that Zinqué is bringing its sunny vision of French charm to the mall.  Looks like they’re shooting for a Fall opening.

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Oh No! Ono Hawaii BBQ Runs Into A Spot Of Trouble

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It appears that West LA’s branch of Ono Hawaii BBQ has gotten into a bit of hot water at 12115 Santa Monica Blvd.  There’s a closure notice affixed to the front door from the Department of Public Health citing “live cockroaches”.  Not sure what their path forward will be, but we wish them the best of luck.

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Cafe Landwer Coming To Century City

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Plywood is up on a commodious space on the first floor of the Westfield Century City Shoping Center announcing the arrival of Cafe Landwer.  The Cafe, which has two other US locations in Boston, started out as a coffee bar in Germany in 1919, later moving to Israel, where it continues to roast coffee and operate a number of locations of Cafe Landwer.  Expect a menu with a variety of choices including shakshuka, bowls, schnitzel, burgers, pizza, and pasta.

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Dun Huang Bringing Noodles To Westwood Soon…

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With all the depressing news of closures, it’s good to see new restaurants coming.  Back in October of last year, I told you about the disappearance of El Pollo Loco from its location at 1081 Gayley in Westwood.  It appears a new eatery is going to give the space a go.  Signs are up announcing that Dun Huang is moving in.  I believe its the same Dun Huang that has locations in New York and one CA location in Rowland Heights.  If that is the case, we can expect Northwestern Chinese food on offer, and apparently epic handmade noodles.  We wish them the best of luck.

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Even More CBTL Losses!

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Yikes!  Ever since I first started telling you about the mass extinction of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf from the Westside, I’ve been hearing from horrified fans mourning the loss of even more neighborhood CBTLs.  The Coffee Bean on the corner of Second and Santa Monica Blvd. is now gone.  The CBTL on the corner of Wilshire and Federal has disappeared.  And, while I haven’t checked it out personally, readers are telling me that The Coffee Bean on the corner of Lincoln and Manchester is now caput.  Lots of you have been sending me theories on why this is happening, but if you have definite information, please let us know…CBTL1.jpgCBTL2

Mirame Coming Soon To Beverly Hills

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I looks like The Golden Triangle is about to get a fresh eatery.  Almost immediately after Gratitude Kitchen & Bar moved out of its location at 419 N Canon Dr. in February, work on a new restaurant began.  Now we know what’s coming.  The new restaurant’s name is Mirame, and  I’m told the menu will be “Mexican”.  They are shooting for a July 11 opening.  We wish them the best of luck.

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Peet’s Coffee Disappears From Beverly Hills

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Times have most certainly not been good for coffee joints.  If you’ve been reading this site, you know that The Coffee Bean has been hit particularly hard.  But just recently, I noticed that Peet’s Coffee has quit its location at 258 S Beverly Dr. in Bevery Hills.  I don’t think we’re done with this trend yet…

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Wahoo’s Fish Taco Quits Santa Monica…

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SoCal native Wahoo’s Fish Taco appears to be quiting their longtime address at 418 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica.  A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Trent!) spotted the for lease sign hanging on the front.  Since their Brentwood location closed last year, there are currently no Westside location except in LAX.  Not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching to see what develops.

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Wine At Fred Segal Malibu?

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Recently, I noticed an ABC application affixed to the window of Malibu’s branch of cutting-edge retailer Fred Segal, at 3822 Cross Creek Rd.  The application is a “winegrower” type and promises us that we’ll be able to sample libations from Summer Somewhere Wines sometime soon.  Wine and shopping?  Sounds perfect…

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Piccolo By Barrique Replacing Bowl Kitchen In Santa Monica

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There’s an ABC application hanging in the window of the erstwhile Bowl Kitchen at 2127 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica.  The applicant is listed as Mure Black Inc.  If the first name sounds familiar, it’s because its the name of “Michelin awarded” chef Antonio Mure, the man behind Barrique in Venice.  And sure enough, the name of the new restaurant is listed as Piccolo by Barrique.  Very exciting.

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Alfred Tea Room Quitting Brentwood

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Back in September of 2018 I told you about the opening of Alfred Tea Room at 11928 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood.  Recently, I heard from a reader (Thanks Jill!) that there was a for lease sign hanging on the front so I went by to have a look.  Sure enough, the sign is there indicating that Alfred is vacating the space.  I’ll keep watching to see what may develop.

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A Message From Toddrickallen…

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We’re living in challenging times.  It felt hopeless watching the sickening death of George Floyd, followed by the senseless destruction of our community’s restaurants and businesses which were struggling to survive mandated COVID-19 closures.  Toddrickallen is committed to standing with our community as we rebuild, and with other communities as they address racial violence and discrimination.  Together, may we all find the hope and courage to move forward…

Yet Another CBTL Gone?

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I’ve been watching the mass extinction of The Westside’s beloved Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.  It appears yet another one may have bitten the dust.  The popular CBTL at 2901 Main St. in Santa Monica appears to be closed.  While it doesn’t have the poster announcing the closure as the other ones have had, the windows are papered over and the equipment has been removed.  What is going on?

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