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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
[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…
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”.
Mall food courts are being hit hard this year. More evidence? Pinches Tacos has vacated its prominent spot in Santa Monica Place. That leaves three empty eateries in the sputtering court.
With all the bad news about restaurant closures in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, it’s refreshing to see that a new venture is taking a chance. Plywood is up on the food court spot that used to house Everytable declaring that West Hollywood’s “simple European-style nook” La Créme Café is planning on a Spring opening. Look for a menu of organic coffee & smoothies, waffles, crêpes, and panini.
After being peppered with questions from curious readers who noticed activity at the erstwhile location of local bolthole Le Petit Café at 2842 Colorado Ave., I went by to have a look. Sure enough, a brand new awning declares the new restaurant to be Le Petit Chez Mimi. Fortunately, I was able to have a chat with the delightful proprietor, Micheline Hébert (nicknamed Mimi), the beloved and irrepressible force behind the Chez Mimi empire. (Chez Mimi closed at 26th and San Vicente almost 10 years ago.) She explained that she is excited by this new project: They have retained the chef from Le Petit Café and the menu will be similar as well… as in, thoroughly French. Think sole meunière, truite amandine, and boeuf bourguignon. They are planning on a March opening. In the mean time, check out the photo Ms. Hébert provided to get a glimpse inside this new French charmer.
Update: Le Petit Chez Mimi is now open. Read more here.
Yikes! Still more closures… Westfield Century City Shopping Center food court is starting to look like a ghost town. Spice Affair is now boarded up. And longtime resident Ajisen Ramen has closed its doors as well.
And while we’re on the subject of sad closings… I have it on a solid inside tip that Santa Monica’s chic palace of all things kitchen-related, Williams Sonoma is set to close its doors. It is currently still open, and I do not have a time line, but I believe the intel is trustworthy. Williams Sonoma has been a sparkling anchor on the east end of Montana, and its demise will leave a cavernous hole in the upscale shopping district. By the way, I’m also hearing that the Starbucks on the corner of 15th and Montana is set to close as well due to high rents.
Update: I strive for accuracy because I know many of you trust me for food news. At the time that I wrote this post in February, I had it from a good source that they were planning on closing. However, this appears to have changed. Unlike their Beverly Hills branch, this one appears to be remaining open, for now. This pandemic has been rough on local business. If you wish to keep Williams-Sonoma open, I encourage everyone to shop here as often as possible, and support other local businesses as well. (written 12/30/2020)
So far, as you can see from reading this blog, 2020 has seen a shocking number of restaurant closings. And we’re not done yet… Coral Tree Cafe is now closed at 225 S Beverly Blvd. in Beverly Hills. A gracious note on the front door blames rising costs of labor and rent. That leaves just two locations left (Encino and Brentwood) for the coffee and sandwich chain founded by Brentwood residents in 2002.
(Thanks Mike!)
Amirah Kassem is a superstar of confectionary creations, most notably, her legendary explosion cake. And now it looks like LA will get a chance to sample the legendary baked treat. Window paper is up on the spot that used to be the home of Sugarfina, at 9495 S Santa Monica Blvd, announcing that Ms. Kassem is planning on bringing a branch of her famed New York bakery Flour Shop to the good people of Beverly Hills.
Toddrickallen 