Ago Says Arrivederci To West Hollywood After 20 Years

Posted on December 18, 2019 by toddrickallen

Sadly, it appears that glittering West Hollywood institution Ago has called it quits, having served their last meal over the weekend. Ago has stood like a sentinel near the corner of La Cienega and Melrose for 20 years. It was a quiet fortress for industry power players who, dripping in Chanel and LV, would make their way from the string of Bentleys and Lamborghinis in the car park to the twinkling patio to dine on branzino, deftly deboned tableside, washed down with multiple rounds of excellent negronis. The Tuscan menu, created by Chef/partner Agostino Sciandri (in partnership with Robert DeNiro and others) was good and reliably served by polished Italian natives. I’d been hearing whispers of trouble for a while now, and some long-time employees had been let go, so it wasn’t necessarily a surprise, but it does feel like the end of an era. I for one, will miss it.

I’m told the space has been sold and a new venture is expected by March or April. As always, I’ll keep watching…

Van Leeuwen Scooping Soon In El Segundo

Posted on December 13, 2019 by toddrickallen

Van Leeuwen, who started out in 2008 in New York as a food truck, is turning into an empire with locations on both coasts. Paper is up the windows of the kiosk (that was previously Lil’ Simmzy’s) in the center of El Segundo’s The Point informing us that they are about to land an outpost of the popular purveyor of frozen treats. On offer? Artisan ice creams, vegan ice creams, sundaes, vegan chocolate chip cookies, and shakes.

Petros Disappears From Century City

Posted on December 12, 2019 by toddrickallen

After the major overhaul of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, Greek eatery Petros snagged one of the choice locations on the second floor. Sadly however, it appears that they has quietly vacated the commodious space. Not sure what happened, but you can still visit their other locations in Manhattan Beach, Solvang, or Santa Barbara.

Chin Chin, BBCM Now Open In El Segundo

Posted on December 10, 2019 by toddrickallen

I first told you about the arrival of a brand new Chin Chin and BBCM (The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker) to the space that used to be occupied by P.F. Chang’s back in early April. Since then, there has been a deluge of people checking for updates, so here you go… Both Chin Chin and BBCM are now up and running in their new locations at 2041 Rosecrans in El Segundo. You’re welcome.

Breaking News: Citrin Opens On…

Posted on December 6, 2019 by toddrickallen

Many of you have been asking for answers about what is happening behind the construction at LA’s legendary fine dining space Melisse. This just landed in my inbox: Josiah Citrin’s highly anticipated new restaurant is named Citrin and will open on December 12th at the Melisse location (1104 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica). The food is being described as “modern Californian” and the space a “fun, welcoming, and approachable room” with a large bar and an a la carte menu. Reservations are now being accepted here. And we’re being told to expect a new “Melisse experience” soon. I’ll keep you posted…

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Mesa Burger Bringing Famous Burgers To Montecito…

Posted on December 5, 2019 by toddrickallen

Meanwhile, a but farther north… Apparently there have been rumors for a while, but proof is now up in the form of a window banner announcing that a branch of Santa Barbara’s mini chain of “craft burgers with heart and soul”, Mesa Burger, is landing in the old Tutti’s/Coffee Bean location at 1209 Coast Village Road in Montecito. If you don’t know about Mesa Burger, you should: Celebrity Chef Cat Cora is part owner and force behind the menu of gourmet, handcrafted burgers, farm fresh salads, hand-spun shakes, and other items that are made using conscientiously-sourced and sustainable ingredients. Local beers and wines are also on offer. It looks like they’re shooting for a Spring opening. Well worth the drive.

Northern Cafe Continues Its Conquest Of Westwood

Posted on December 3, 2019 by toddrickallen

Asian food specialist Northern Café has quietly been leading the recent tenuous revival of Westwood Village. In 2016 they opened a dumpling restaurant on Gayley, followed by a noodle joint on Weyburn earlier this year. Now a banner is up on the space at 1061 Broxton, former location of SpireWorks, announcing their intention to open a Chinese hot pot restaurant. We wish them the best of luck…

Cowabunga Republic Wipes Out In Santa Monica

Posted on November 29, 2019 by toddrickallen

It appears that casual outdoor burger spot Cowabunga Republic has closed up shop at 2912 Main St. in Santa Monica. The giant for lease sign on the front confirms the sad news. Cowabunga Republic burst on the scene earlier this year with a lot of initial attention from locals. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the unusual space to see what new venture may take a chance.

Toddrickallen Wishes You A Very Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 27, 2019 by toddrickallen

Wishing all readers a joyous holiday filled with good food, family, and dear friends. I’m very grateful to all my dedicated readers for giving me the inspiration and support to keep exploring the excitement of the LA food scene. Happy Thanksgiving from Toddrickallen!

Burgerim Quits Beverly Hills

Posted on November 26, 2019 by toddrickallen

You know I’ve been tracking the massive expansion of the Israeli chain obsessed with lilliputian burgers, Burgerim. But could there be a bump in the road to SoCal domination? As a reader pointed out (Thanks Tony!) the new-ish Burgerim at 250 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills has already called it quits after about a year. Not sure what happened, but the reader suspects competition from Burger Lounge, which is directly across the street, could have had something to do with it.

Norms Now Open In Inglewood

Posted on November 21, 2019 by toddrickallen

Sometimes, for reasons I don’t immediately understand, the amount of interest in a story of mine catches me by surprise. This is exactly the case here. Ever since I told you about the impending arrival of the iconic sign that inspired Ed Ruscha to the corner of Imperial and Crenshaw, a great many of you have been asking for updates. Well, today is the day you’ve been waiting for: Popular SoCal diner Norms opened today (November 21) in Crenshaw Imperial Plaza to long lines of excited fans. You’re welcome.

Brandini Toffee Now Open In Century City

Posted on November 21, 2019 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of Century City… It was back in early September when I told you about the arrival of Palm Springs’ Brandini Toffee to the space vacated by Yagourt & Bougatsa on the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. For those of you who have been waiting to try to celebrated sweet treats comes this happy news: Brandini Toffee officially threw open their doors on Tuesday, November 19th.

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.