A large announcement on the second floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center, next door to the upcoming HaiDiLao Hot Pot, lets us know that this will be the future Westside home of China-based tea experts Denong Tea. With one other US location in Pasadena and specializing in Pu-erh tea, a rare and special tea from Yunnan Province, Denong Tea considers themselves “guardians of the world’s best”. Looks like they’re shooting for a January 2019 opening.
Back in July, Eater let us know that Koreatown’s hip hot dog spot Sumo Dog was planning a move to Santa Monica, but they couldn’t confirm the location. Now it appears that we have evidence for their new digs. An ABC application taped to the wall of one of the interior spaces of The Gallery, at 1320 Third St. Promenade, provides the proof that Sumo Dog will indeed be landing in the same desirable location as STRFSH, Dialogue, and Sloan’s.
If you follow this blog, then you know about Burgerim’s unstoppable plan to take over the world. The latest evidence? A sign in the window of the old Subway space at 250 S. Beverly Dr. proclaims the location will soon be serving the chain’s signature Lilliputian burgers.
It looks like Malibu will get its very own Whole Foods. I recently noticed the development on the corner of Cross Creek and Civic Center Way with a big sign confirming it. Not sure of an opening date. The sign says Spring 2019, but it looks like they’ve a ways to go…
It appears that Pasadena’s popular frozen treat shop Bloomfield Creamery is expanding west. A small sign in the window promises their arrival to the former nail salon space at 1427 Westwood Blvd. (Although a large “coming soon” banner was recently removed). Not sure of an opening date, but it looks like we can expect “artisanal ice cream, edible cookie dough, and frozen yogurt” soon…
What’s going on at Panera Bread? Recently, the (newish) Westwood branch abruptly closed up shop. On a tip from a reader (Thanks Shawn!), I went to check out the (also newish) Beverly Hills location at 239 S Beverly Dr. Sure enough, a note taped to the front door explains that they have “permanently closed”. Could this indicate trouble for the popular bakery/sandwich chain?
Comfort food expert Fork-In Aussie Pie Kitchen is closing its beach adjacent location at 2510 Main St. Suite B in Santa Monica. But no need to feel sorry for them. They are actually closing this location so they can focus on expanding the brand, including into retail according to a spokesperson. And what’s next for the prime space? I was informed by the Aussie Pie folks that a new French restaurant is moving in. An ABC application is posted, but no business name is listed. The applicant, Maison Thouvard LLC, has ties to Santa Barbara.
It was only about 2 weeks ago that I told you about the sad demise of Santa Monica institution Pradeep’s at 1405 Montana Ave. At the time I had heard that a new Mexican restaurant was expected, but I had no details. The wait is over: Paper recently went up in the windows giving us the name of the new eatery. There isn’t much information out there on Prima Baja Cocina, except for a developing website that promises us tacos and a September opening.
Could this indicate a slowdown in the build-your-own pizza trend? On a tip from a reader (Thanks Joey!), I went to check out what was going on at Pieology Pizzeria at 920 Broxton Ave.in Westwood Village. As it turns out, it has closed down. A note taped to the front door confirms it. I’m a bit surprised by this. Even in pizza saturated Westwood, it’s hard to comprehend why ever-popular Pieology, of all places, would pull up stakes. I’ll keep watching to see what may develop…
After a sad and disastrous year, it is inspiring to watch the rebuilding of Montecito. From time to time, I like to check out what’s happening in the resilient and plucky seaside town. Recently, I noticed that a branch of Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro is opening in the space at 1187 Coast Village Road (Suite 7). Renaud’s bills itself as “A taste of Paris without the trip to France”, and has a smattering of locations in Southern California, mostly in various Gelson’s. In addition to patisserie, and a light menu of salads, sandwiches, pasta, and quiche, the ABC application posted on the front indicates a that a beer and wine license is on the way. Glass of Sancerre with that pain bagnat? Mais oui!
There’s a big banner up on the side of the erstwhile Flavor Of India corner space at 9045 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. It reveals that a new pizza joint, Crustica, will soon be moving in. There isn’t a great deal out there yet on Crustica, but a developing website promises the “best pizza you’ve never tasted, and the best you ever will”.
If you read this blog, then you know that I’ve been tracking the progress as Manhattan Village, on the corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans, undergoes its massive overhaul. Here’s the latest: California Pizza Kitchen is getting a flashy new home across from the branch of US Bank. Check out more details on the mall’s transformation here.
Sadly, after 23 years, beloved neighborhood institution Pradeep’s Indian Cuisine has closed up shop at 1405 Montana Ave. Check out their gracious goodbye note below. Wasting no time whatsoever, a new eatery appears to be moving in. While I don’t have any concrete information, I’m hearing whispers that it will be a Mexican restaurant. I’ll keep watching…
Well I didn’t see this coming… It appears that Santa Monica’s ever-popular branch of burrito specialist Baja Fresh has quietly disappeared from their anchor position on the corner of Wilshire and Lincoln in Santa Monica. Not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
Ever since Blue Plate exited the space at 1415 Montana Ave., I’ve been watching to see what might develop. The wait is over. According to signs that went up this week, the site will soon be home to a branch of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC. With locations in New York, Orlando, and on Larchmont, you can expect confectionary treats that are vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and kosher.
It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about the sudden demise of Boba Loca in boba-laden Westwood. Wasting no time whatsoever, a new contender has arrived to the humble space at 10946 Weyburn Ave. It’s Bobatime is now up and slinging neon multicolored teas to the thirsty students of UCLA.
When it comes to finding noodles in Westwood, you’re spoiled for choice. Add one more to the list. Paper is covering the windows of the space at 1118 Westwood Blvd. indicating that Dan Dumpling & Noodle is intent on delivering comfort food to the good people of Westwood soon…
I’ve been hearing from a great many of you about a new ABC application pasted to the front of the old Hungry Cat space at 100 W Channel Rd. in LA (Santa Monica). The Hungry Cat vacated the space back in November of 2016. It has sat empty since then, but the notoriously tricky spot is showing signs of life. The application, which reveals no business name, lists the applicant as PCH @ Channel LLC. A search turns up little info, but the online application reveals a name associated with a real estate office in Pacific Palisades. I’ve reached out to the agent for more information, but until that happens, I don’t have much more to tell you. This is a developing story…
The last remaining soldier in the Market, that once promised us a Ferry Building-style experience atop Santa Monica Place, has finally found a new home. The popular culinary academy The Gourmandise School has now opened in their elegant new space across the way, next to the also recently relocated The Curious Palate. And what of the Market at Santa Monica Place? As I’ve already told you, it looks poised to become a children’s museum, thereby completely extinguishing any further gastronomic hopes.
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a brief and cheery pop up that has landed in the Third Street Promenade. Celebrating 70 years of flavored milk, Nesquik Milk Stop is up and running at 1228 3rd Street. In a bright and playful space described as an “immersive, multisensory pop-up event”, expect multiple counters of treats, Instagram worthy photo ops, interactive activities, and giveaways. But you’d better hurry, the event ends on July 27th.
Toddrickallen 