Halo Top Scoop Shop Closes All Locations

Posted on November 20, 2019 by toddrickallen

When hometown low-calorie ice cream expert Halo Top laid down brick-and-mortar locations, people went crazy. Recently however, I’ve been hearing from readers that the locations have abruptly closed. So, I went by the Westfield Century City Shopping Center to check things out. Sure enough, a notice on the front proclaims the sad news that all Halo Top Scoop Shops are now finished. Could it have something to do with the recent acquisition of Halo Top by Wells Enterprises, the people behind Blue Bunny? But all is not lost: You can still find Halo Top in local grocery stores.

Trader Joe’s Wilshire Will Open On…

Posted on November 15, 2019 by toddrickallen

What must be the Westside’s worst-kept secret, Trader Joe’s arrival to the heart of Santa Monica has long been established. Ever since I first confirmed it to you earlier this year, I’ve been deluged with questions about an opening date from adoring fans who were geographically challenged by not having one in their backyard. So here ya go: Trader Joe’s Wilshire officially opens tomorrow, November 16th at 2300 Wilshire Blvd. You’re welcome.

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Starbucks Replacing Iconic Coffee Bean In Westwood

Posted on November 14, 2019 by toddrickallen

A great many of you were shocked to learn that the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf had closed its doors back in August at its iconic stand-alone location at 1500 Westwood Blvd. Die hard CBTL fans have been mourning the loss, but there is more coffee on the way… A banner recently went up announcing Starbucks as the replacement.

Angry Chickz Landing In Encino

Posted on November 13, 2019 by toddrickallen

Every once in a while, I get out of the Westside and check out the food scene farther afield. I recently noticed that Hollywood’s Nashville hot poultry purveyor Angry Chickz is opening a location in Encino. A banner is up on the space once held by Tasty Chicken at 16101 Ventura Blvd. announcing the news. It appears the Nashville hot craze charges on unabated…

Sharetea Bringing Hope And Boba To Westwood; More News…

Posted on November 8, 2019 by toddrickallen

Signs of life in Westwood Village… After an alarming number of eateries closed recently, it’s good to see some plucky contenders attempting the risky area. It was originally reported earlier this year that Taiwanese boba brand Sharetea was going into the space previously occupied by The Poke at 935 Broxton. But that didn’t happen for some reason. Now window paper covering the front of the old Nushii location at 1055 Broxton is announcing Sharetea’s intent to move in. And I also previously reported House of Meatball’s closure back in September in order to “freshen up”. Readers have been quick to point out that, despite other Westwood restaurants that have closed for remodeling only to eventually permanently close soon after, House of Meatballs has happily reopened at 1076 Gayley.

Meet In Paris Bids Adieu To Brentwood

Posted on November 7, 2019 by toddrickallen

Well THAT didn’t take long… It was only back in May when I told you that Culver City’s Meet In Paris was expanding into the old La Scala space at 11740 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. (At the time, I was told the name was going to be Café Parisien) I’m not sure what happened, but readers have been letting me know that after only a few months, Meet In Paris has closed down. I’ll keep watching the space to see what develops.

Mio Babbo Taking Over Enzo & Angela in Brentwood

Posted on November 5, 2019 by toddrickallen

Inhabiting a space on the second floor of the strip mall at 11701 Wilshire, old school red sauce joint Enzo & Angela has stood like a sentinel over the corner of Wilshire and Barrington in Brentwood for a really long time. A little over a month ago, a handwritten note appeared on the front door saying that they would be closed for a short period after which they promised to reopen. Sadly, it looks like that didn’t work out so well. They have vacated the space and it is currently being gutted. But it looks like a new restaurant is lined up to move in. An ABC application on the front lists the new venture as Mio Babbo. The name on the application is Umberto Ferri. While I don’t have any confirmation, I’m assuming this is the same truffle hunting restaurateur that is behind Casa Modena in Culver City.

Mr. Rice Taking Over Falafel King Space In Westwood Village

Posted on November 1, 2019 by toddrickallen

If you follow this blog, then you know I’ve been carefully following the volatility of the Westwood Village food scene. You may remember that, with great sadness, I reported back in September about the disappearance of Westwood’s beloved institution Falafel King from its 1010 Broxton Ave. location. Wasting no time, a plucky new contender appears to be giving the space a go. Signs are up announcing that Mr. Rice is settling in. An employee at Mr. Rice in Rowland Heights told me that this is “same company”, but I can’t absolutely confirm it.

Kippy’s! Kicks The Bucket In Venice

Posted on October 30, 2019 by toddrickallen

Having opened in 2013, Kippy’s! Non-Dairy Ice Cream Shop had high hopes when they moved their location from Lincoln Blvd. to 245 Main St. in Venice. Last week, however, a sad note was taped to the front door pronouncing Kippy’s! as closed. A more detailed notice on their website graciously thanks their customers and promises a comeback. We wish them the best of luck.

A Message From Toddrickallen…

Posted on October 30, 2019 by toddrickallen

It is extremely difficult to watch as flames ravage through parts of our community. The next couple of days have the potential to bring challenging winds. It is my sincerest wish that you all stay safe and vigilant during this particularly destructive fire season.

Pinkberry Disappears From Downtown Santa Monica…

Posted on October 25, 2019 by toddrickallen

Once a darling with posing celebrities, Pinkberry lead the pack in the frozen yogurt explosion a number of years back. Could this be an indication that times and tastes have moved on? I was surprised to see that Pinkberry has vanished from its prime location at 1456 Third Street Promenade. I’ll keep watching to see what may take over the space.

Good Food, Good Drink, And A Good Cause

Posted on October 24, 2019 by toddrickallen

If you follow this site, then you know that Toddrickallen is your trusted Westside food news source. In order to keep as clean as possible, you will never see reviews, and I generally don’t do endorsements… except for one time a year. This is an organization I thoroughly support and is worthy of your consideration. Proceeds will go toward bringing the PS Science program to children in schools where science is otherwise rarely, if ever, taught. AND there’s excellent food and drink as well…

Go Get Em Tiger Coming To Culver City

Posted on October 22, 2019 by toddrickallen

Window paper is up on one of the ground floor spaces in the mixed-use One Culver complex that sits between Washington and Culver Blvd. announcing a branch of innovative coffee purveyors Go Get Em Tiger. This branch will be their farthest west to date and sits on the Culver Blvd. side of the property, in space 104. GGET began as a pop-up in the Sqirl Café in 2012 and has currently expanded to seven locations. No word on an opening date yet.

NC’s Jazz Shack Swings Into Santa Monica

Posted on October 18, 2019 by toddrickallen

I’ve been watching the commodious space at 1413 5th St. in Downtown Santa Monica ever since its longstanding tenant, Wokcano, disappeared about a year ago. It finally looks like a new venture is moving in. An ABC application recently went up announcing the impending arrival of NC’s Jazz Shack. I can’t seem to find much information out there on NC’s, but I’ll keep watching…

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Ladurée X Matthew Kenney Takes Beverly Hills By Storm

Posted on October 17, 2019 by toddrickallen

Here’s some eyebrow-raising news… Beverly Hills’ branch of chic Parisian patisserie Ladurée, in an astonishing feat of vegan ingenuity, has recently gone 100% plant based! The collaboration with plant-based superstar Matthew Kenney has produced Ladurée X Matthew Kenney, the first of its kind in the world. On the menu? Standards such as Ladurée benedict, French onion soup, croque monsieur, and salade niçoise. And in case you’re wondering, the pastries, viennoiseries, cakes, and macarons (now including hemp flavor) are all there in full glory. According to the website, the collab is being extended to other locations throughout the world as well.

Free Market Coming To Playa Vista

Posted on October 16, 2019 by toddrickallen

Plywood recently went up on a big chunk of Runway Playa Vista announcing the arrival of something called Free Market. The retail and restaurant scene in Playa Vista has been sputtering for some time now. According to this LA Times article, in an effort boost the area, Runway will soon be closed to cars and turned into a pedestrian mall. Free Market is being described as a complex that will include a “mix of small stores and restaurants”. I’ll keep watching to see what develops…

Manhattan Village’s New Eateries…

Posted on October 11, 2019 by toddrickallen

You may know that Manhattan Village, the shopping center on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, is undergoing a major over-haul including adding new buildings and outdoor walkways… and new restaurants as well. I’ve already told you about Mercado (already open), and upcoming Urban Plates. But as you can see at least three more are announced: A branch of Edoardo Baldi’s coffee and nibbles bar Edo Little Bites, Dan Modern Chinese (which still hasn’t opened in Westwood), and Joey Restaurants are all on their way.

What’s Going On At Mizu 212 on Sawtelle?

Posted on October 10, 2019 by toddrickallen

A reader (Thanks SG!) sent me concerns about Sawtelle’s cavernous temple to shabu-shabu Mizu 212. A hastily written note taped to the front door says they are closed for remodeling. Nothing has been touched inside for a bit now, and… well, hopefully I’m wrong, but we’ve seen this before. I’ll let you know if anything changes.

Eddie V’s Bringing Unmistakable Elegance To El Segundo

Posted on October 8, 2019 by toddrickallen

With locations scattered across the US, it looks like an upscale seafood restaurant is making its first inroad into LA County. Banners are up on the fencing surrounding the renovation at 2101 Rosecrans in El Segundo announcing the impending arrival of Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. If you recall a while ago, the location used to be home to a branch of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks. Eddie V’s is a brand of parent company Darden Restaurants Inc. whose other brands include Olive Garden, The Capital Grille, and Yard House as well. Expect the “finest seafood and steaks”, “world-class wine”, and live jazz all served with “unmistakable elegance”.

What’s Going On In Westwood Village?

Posted on October 4, 2019 by toddrickallen

If you follow this blog, then you know about Westwood Village’s recent alarming deluge of restaurant closures. Add two more to the list: El Pollo Loco has vanished from its location at 1081 Gayley, and for all intents and purposes Coco Fresh Tea & Juice has stopped functioning. If you have any information on why the sudden exodus of eateries, let me know…

(Thanks Ivy for the tips!)