I heard from a saddened reader (very sorry JS) that the diminutive Japanese restaurant popular with locals, Necco, has closed up shop over the weekend in Westwood. Necco burst onto the scene in 2014 with a concept of healthy Japanese tapas and a minimalist interior. The website gives no explanation, but confirms the closure. All may not be lost though: The website also promises new projects. We wish them the best of luck.
It was only last month that I told you about the disappearance of Yagourt & Bougatsa from the free-standing kiosk on the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. But it looks like the space is about to get a new tenant. Window paper is announcing that Brandini Toffee intends to set up housekeeping. Based in Palm Springs, this is the first LA location for the almond toffee makers featured on Oprah Winfrey’s O List, The Martha Stewart Show, and the Food Network.
It looks like popular Las Vegas Mediterranean chain Bok Bok Chicken is expanding its presence in LA. Back in June, they opened a location in Downtown LA. And now, a banner affixed to the front of a space in the Culver Crossroads shopping center on the corner of Washington and Sepulveda is announcing the expansion. Look for a menu of panini, pitas, and plates of shawerma, falafel, rotisserie chicken, with other Mediterranean specialties.
Plywood on the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center is announcing the impending arrival of Bake Cheese Tart. Originally hailing from Japan, the chain has locations throughout Asia and another US location in San Francisco. The website explains that the tarts start with a double-baked crust, into which goes fresh cream cheese from Hokkaido. They are produced in Japan, then flown around the world where they are baked in their retail stores. Apparently, they’re so popular that they sell one tart per second worldwide.
Update: Bake Cheese Tart opened on Saturday, October 5 to long lines and big crowds.
You could be forgiven if you thought that the food scene at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center has stabilized after the remodel. Latest case in point? The capricious food court is gaining a new resident: Fuwa Teriyaki Grill.
It was an astonishing 3 years ago that I told you about the development of the space at 1001 Gayley, erstwhile home of a Coffee Bean. Qwench Juice Bar has officially thrown open its doors and is now dishing juices, smoothies, bowls, sandwiches to the good people of Westwood. What on earth took so long? According to a spokesperson, investor issues and city permit problems are to blame.
What was in distant memory once a dusty old Third Street Promenade tourist pit stop, The Gallery Food Hall, has been systematically transforming into a remarkable food destination over the past few years. Joining such lofty names as STRFSH, Paperboy, Dialogue, and the fascinating Social Eats concept, there’s now another name to add to the list. Kameo Shave Ice has opened in the old Everytable space on the ground floor. But you’d better hurry, the website promises a “limited time” only.
About two years ago, the strip mall popular with SaMoHi students on the corner of Lincoln and Pico in Santa Monica underwent a major remodel. Some of the storefronts mysteriously remain vacant, but it appears that is changing. Work is fast and furious on a new restaurant moving into the corner location. A new sign promises us that Pita House will soon be bringing us “Mediterranean cuisine”.
I just noticed a new banner and sign in front of the space at 11737 W Washington Blvd. in Culver City. I looks like something named Green Apple Café is moving in. Not much information out there on Green Apple, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops.
This doesn’t happen very often… It appears that the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has closed its popular free-standing location at 1500 Westwood Blvd. I’m not sure what happened, but there is construction going on at the location. We’ll have to wait and see…
A new eatery is coming to the commodious space last occupied by Charly’s Restaurant at 4549 Imperial Hwy. A banner on the front is announcing the impending arrival of Ms. B’s M & M Soul Food Restaurant. This will be the second location for the Inglewood institution, home to “World Famous Mississippi Home Cooking”.
The Culver City mercurial food scene continues its rocky ride… There’s a big for lease sign in the window of what used to be Signature Burger at 3835 Main St. in Downtown Culver City. Could it be due to the new Burgerim about to open just a few doors down? I’ll keep watching to see what may take its place.
Ever since longtime El Segundo fixture Main St. Café closed its doors a while back at 450 Main St., I’ve been watching to see what may take a chance on the iconic location. We now have a taker… A new ABC application spills the beans that Tapizon is intent on moving in. Notices in the window promise to connect people with the “abundant health benefits of natural Amazonian ingredients” and to create a Tropi-Cali Lifestyle, which they describe as a “fusing of natural ingredients, authentic settings and original recipes with local flavors and culture”.
Construction is fast and furious on a new Greek restaurant landing in the strip mall on the corner of Rose and Lincoln in Venice. A new sign lets us know that ELA Greek Eats is well underway. ELA is a project from the man behind the erstwhile Waterloo & City in Culver City and Inotheke in Santa Monica, Carolos Tomazos. We wish him the best of luck.
If you’ve been reading this blog, you’re aware of the recent mass exodus of restaurants from Westwood. But the news isn’t all doom and gloom… One plucky eatery appears to be doing just fine. A banner above the recently deceased Lollicup at 1131 Westwood Blvd. is announcing that longtime Westwood fixture Headline’s Diner is moving into the front and center location.
Well this is a shocker… I’ve been hearing from readers who were astonished to learn that West LA landmark Lenny’s Deli abruptly shut its doors for good over the weekend at their 2379 Westwood Blvd. location. Sure enough, a hand-written note pasted on the front declares that they are “officially closed”. I’m not sure what has happened, or what will become of the massive space, but I’ll keep watching…
Update: Eater has the full skinny here.
As you can tell if you read this blog, it’s been a hard Summer for restaurants… But seriously, what’s going on in Westwood? A quick jog around the Village left me gobsmacked, with no less that four restaurants recently deceased. Last week I told you about the disappearance of long-standing Westwood anchor Tanino. But add to the list Nushii, Lollicup, and perhaps most surprising, Spireworks. If you recall, Spireworks burst on the scene back in 2016 and caused a stir by introducing The Westside to its signature Turkish döner (spit-roasted meat). I’m not sure why the sudden exodus, but I’ll keep watching.
For those of you who take your staycations in Montecito comes this news: A popular name in Santa Barbara Italian fare is opening a branch in the Coast Village Plaza at 1187 Coast Village Road. Ca’Dario Trattoria & Pizzeria will be battling stiff competition along the already red sauce laden strip. We wish them the best of luck…
Beverly Hills can be a tricky location for casual lunch spots. Sadly, one that has survived the sturm und drang for 10 years recently closed shop. A gracious note on the front door lets us know that Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop has quit its location at 9671 Wilshire Blvd. Greenleaf has six other locations across the LA/OC area.
Well this came as a bit of shock, but longstanding red sauce joint Tanino Ristorante Bar appears to be finished at 1043 Westwood Blvd. Tanino anchored the mercurial Westwood food scene for 20 years, but sadly paper is now covering the windows. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching to see what develops…
Toddrickallen 