Well, this was a bit of a shocker… The other day, when I popped in for a green lemonade to M Café Beverly Hills, I was greeted with a note on the front informing me that after 10 years they had “officially closed”. Not sure what happened, but I’ll keep my eye on their space at 9433 Brighton Way to see what develops.
Remember back in January when I first told you about the impending arrival of a cult fave bakery to the space at 225 Main St. in Downtown El Segundo? Well, after what seemed like an eternity, Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery throws open their doors for their grand opening at 5pm today, with festivities and freebies the entire weekend. With over 200 locations, and appearances on Cupcake Wars, The View, and in USA Today, the confectionary treat shop is sure to become destination.
I’m passing this along… PS Science is an excellent cause that I personally support. I’ll see you there!
Looking for some post Halloween fun? Celebrate Día de los Muertos with us! Please join PS Science for an amazing night of fun to support exceptional science education in low-income elementary schools. Proceeds will go toward bringing the PS Science program to children in schools where science is otherwise rarely, if ever, taught.
Now an independent non-profit organization, PS Science began as a project of the Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation with critical seed funding from The Lemelson Foundation and the ongoing financial and operational support of Crossroads School.
Thanks to a tip from eagle-eyed reader Frank, who’s been keeping watch on the erstwhile home of O + O Sicilian Kitchen in Santa Monica, I went by to check things out. Easy to miss, a new ABC Application has gone up on the front door. It appears that a branch of Rakkan Ramen will soon be moving into the space 1705 Ocean Ave. Suite 111 (Behind the former Joan’s on Third). The Japanese chain has two other locations around LA, and is known for its plant-based dashi that is easily customized to accommodate vegans.
For all you who lament RFD’s club sandwich’s disappearance from Santa Monica, have hope! I have it on good authority that Real Food Daily will be triumphantly returning to Santa Monica sometime next year. Although I don’t have an actual address yet, look for a location somewhere along Ocean Ave. I’ll keep my eyes open…
So what’s the deal with the diminutive Biobar space at 11966 Wilshire in Brentwood? They haven’t opened in a while, recently the windows have been blacked out with blinds, and they are not answering their phone. For all intents and purposes, they appear closed even though they’ve left no clues. But a peek through the blinds (No, I’m not above such things) reveals a beehive of activity. Something is happening at Biobar, I just can’t figure out what. Let me know if you have more information…
Icy treat fave Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt has abandoned its conspicuous corner position at 3851 Main St. in Culver City. No idea what happened, but the for lease signs in the window confirm the departure. I’ll keep watching to see what may land in the prominent space.
Remember back in July, when I told you about some incredible detective work sent to me by a reader, Patricia? Practically out of thin air, she had deduced that the new building that was under construction at Montana Ave. between 15th and 16th streets was soon to be home to Santa Monica’s second branch of popular salad slingers, Sweetgreen. I couldn’t get confirmation, but I passed this info along based on her confidence and the evidence she provided. Turns out, she was right. Paper is now up on the window for all to see that Sweetgreen will soon have a new location on Montana Ave.
Well that didn’t take long… It was only back in August when I told you about the abrupt closure of local fave Pradeep’s at 1405 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Then, days later, window paper informed us that something called Prima Baja Cocina was swiftly moving in. With so many of you following this story, I’m amazed to tell you that Prima Baja Cocina officially opened last night (Wednesday, Oct. 3rd). If you follow the restaurant scene ’round these parts, then you know that such a fast turnaround in Santa Monica is practically miraculous. Look for a tight and well thought out menu of Baja-style tacos, salads, starters, and larger plates in a bright and airy atmosphere with friendly staff. (Check out the prototype menu below, but I’m told it’s still in development and subject to change.) We wish them the best of luck.
Update: Eater has more of the details here.
I’ve long reported on the redevelopment of The Gallery, at 1325 Third St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. What was formerly a fusty old collection of nondescript eateries has been transforming into a destination with some big names attached. You already know about Dialogue, and Voltaggio STRFSH, and recently you’ve been reading about Sumo Dog and Azulé Taqueria. And now add one more to the list. The Promenade-facing, second floor space is the future home of Paperboy. Paperboy appears to be the creation of Jeremy Fall (Nighthawk: Breakfast Bar), that in partnership with United Talent Agency, will deliver “a new innovative take on the classic pizza joint“.
A reader (Thanks Shawn L.!) has passed along information that EVO Kitchen has called it quits. Known for their vegan, vegetarian, organic, and gluten-free options, the restaurant has quietly vacated their home of nine years at 7950 Sunset Blvd. (corner of Hayworth) in LA. I’m not sure what happened, but you can read their gracious good-bye note below.
(Photo Courtesy Shawn L.)
Ever since I first told you about wine wonderland Wally’s impending arrival to the space at 214 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, a whole lot of you have been checking for details and peppering me with questions about an opening date. So here you go… A spokesperson informed me yesterday that Wally’s will officially throw open their doors on October 6th. You’re welcome.
If you read this blog, you probably know that Manhattan Village, the upscale shopping center on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, is getting tarted up with a major redo. I’ve been watching carefully to see what the new dining scene will look like. The latest news? It appears that the space that used to be the home of Sesame Moe’s will soon be a branch of San Diego-based Urban Plates. It looks like they’re shooting for a Spring Opening.
Update: Urban Plates is now open.
It looks like the lucky students at UCLA are about to get a new eatery. An ABC application taped to the front of the space that used to be the home of Saks Teriyaki at 1121 S Glendon Ave in Westwood let’s us know that a new restaurant, Violet, is moving in. Not sure of an opening date, or much else for that matter including whether or not it is related to previous restaurants bearing the same name, but I’ll keep watching…
Update: Eater got the skinny of Violet. Read the details here.
Last year, I told you that the name of the new brewpub taking over the cavernous and iconic Yamato space, at 1099 Westwood Blvd., was going to be Broxton. Since then, a great many of you have been checking for updates and asking me for an opening date. And now we have one: A notice taped to the front door lets us know that Broxton is shooting for a grand opening on October 7th. Check out Eater’s recent article for peek inside. You’re welcome.
Back in July, we learned that Swiss chocolate purveyor Teuscher had vacated their long-held corner space at 9548 Brighton Way to make way for a flashy new chocolatier with an SLS Hotel pastry chef cred. But all is not lost for the beloved chocolate institution. Paper is up in the window of the former Pretty Ballerinas shop just across the street at 371 N Camden Dr. informing us that this will soon be their new home. Meanwhile, their coffee shop The Café, continues to chug out cappuccinos in their temporary location at 430 N Camden.
Back in March, I told you about the impending arrival of cult coffee shop Alfred’s less-caffeinated offshoot Alfred Tea Room to the space at 11928 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. For all of you who have been eagerly checking for updates I have this happy news: Alfred Tea opened this week. Expect a menu of tea, milk tea, and matcha in a bright and cheery tiled setting with an outdoor patio.
In Santa Monica, where there’s a dearth of fast food choices, a drive-through restaurant closure stands out. On a tip from a reader (Thanks Joe!), I went to check out what was going on at the Carl’s Jr. at 2727 Santa Monica Blvd. The location is indeed closed, and the entire property has been fenced off. I’m not sure if this is permanent or a remodel, so I’ll keep watching…
Update: After much speculation, one reader has uncovered evidence that Carl’s Jr. is not gone, but rather remodeling. See for yourself here.
The astonishingly diverse food scene continues to develop in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. Window signs have gone up on one of the kiosks on the second floor informing us that Leaff will soon be dishing waffles. It looks like they’re shooting for an October opening…
Sadly, after a valiant effort, Santa Monica’s French charmer Chou Chou Café has closed up shop. A gracious note taped to the front of the troubled space at 313 Wilshire Blvd. thanks patrons and promises a relocation soon. We wish them the best of luck. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
Toddrickallen 