Il Fornaio Triumphantly Returning To Santa Monica…

You may recall that a branch of Il Fornaio used to anchor the corner of Ocean Ave. and Colorado (where Del Frisco’s Grill now resides) until its closure many years ago.  But now it appears that the beloved Italian bakery/restaurant is about to make its return to Santa Monica.  The space at 401 Wilshire Blvd, suite 150, has just completed a major renovation, turning it into a bright and airy storefront with a large deck and a mid-century feel.  Recently an ABC application was affixed to the front informing us that this will be the location of Osteria Del Fornaio, a slightly different business name, but the applicant is listed as the Il Fornaio America Corporation, parent company of Il Fornaio and Canaletto Ristorante Veneto.  Right now, the space is completely gutted, so we may have to wait a while to find out more…

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Falafel King Dethroned… Westwood Weeps

Well this was a shocker…  After having anchored the Westwood Village food scene since, well… forever, Falafel King has closed up shop at 1010 Broxton Ave.  I’m not sure what took out the neighborhood institution, but a gracious handwritten note on the door thanks their loyal supporters for “50 wonderful years” and suggests that they are looking for a new location.

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Café De Mundo Bringing World-Inspired Coffee To Santa Monica

Santa Monica is white hot for new eateries right now…  Now it looks like they’re about to get a new neighborhood caffeine joint.  Construction appears to be nearing completion on Café de Mundo at 1502 Broadway.  Crafted coffee drinks “inspired by how the world drinks it” and Farmshop pastries and sandwiches will be on offer.  They’re shooting for a Fall opening.

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Tartine’s Santa Monica Location Will Be…

We first got tipped off about Tartine’s expansion into Santa Monica by Eater, but no location was given.  Then an excited reader recently spotted this, which seems to imply that Tartine will be landing in a new development on the corner of 20th and Arizona (1925 Arizona to be exact), site of the former Gates, Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy Funeral Directors building!  So I went by to check things out.  The funeral parlor closed a while ago, and the lot was sold.  The expansive corner space is currently under construction, and an application posted out front indicates that a five story building will eventually stand on the corner.  There’s no indication from the permits that Tartine will be part of the new development.  So I reached out to a rep for Tartine, who confirmed that yes, they will be opening at this location.  The medical/residential neighborhood at first seems an odd choice for San Francisco’s darling of rustic bread and pastries.  But remember that Susan Feniger’s and Mary Sue Milliken’s upcoming project Socalo is only a block away, and sleek The Rooster is two blocks away, so it appears the area is turning into a something of a food destination.

Necco Uprooted In Westwood

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.

Brandini Toffee Bringing Celebrated Confections To Century City

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.

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Bok Bok Chicken Landing In Culver City Soon

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.

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Bake Cheese Tart Bringing Legendary Hokkaido Treats To Century City

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.

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Qwench (Finally) Opens In Westwood…

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 BeanQwench 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.

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Kameo Shave Ice Joins Social Eats In The Gallery, Santa Monica

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.

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Pita House Sets Up Housekeeping In Santa Monica

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”.

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Ms. B’s M & M Soul Food Restaurant Opening A Second Location In Inglewood…

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”.

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Signature Burger Signs Off In Culver City

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.

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Tapizon Bringing Brazilian Tropical Living To Downtown El Segundo.

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”.

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ELA Greek Eats Landing In Venice

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.

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Headline’s Diner Replacing Lollicup In Westwood

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.