Carvery Kitchen Quits Santa Monica, Lands In LA

Posted on April 18, 2018 by toddrickallen

Recently, I discovered that popular sandwich spot Carvery Kitchen had vacated its space at 3101 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. The space is completely gutted and all signs have been removed. But all is not lost… According to their website, Carvery Kitchen is moving to 8832 Pico Blvd. in LA, previously the home of Mexikosher. I went by to check out their progress. The plucky “Ultimate Deli” had planned on a soft opening April 16th, but they appear to be behind schedule and have a way to go.

The old and the new location…

Kreation Organic Coming To Brentwood… With Beer And Wine!

Posted on April 13, 2018 by toddrickallen

Just a few weeks ago, I told you about the collective gasp from locals when Gaucho Grill quit its location at 11754 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. Wasting no time whatsoever, an ABC application taped to the front of the space indicates that Kreation Organic is moving in. Known for their “pressed juices” and “kleanses”, you probably wouldn’t automatically associate Kreation Organic with beer and wine. I’ll keep my eye on this one…

Mendocino Farms Opens Today (April 12) In Brentwood

Posted on April 12, 2018 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of openings… It was back in December of last year when I figured out that upscale sandwich shop Mendocino Farms was landing in the old Noah’s Bagels space at 11911 San Vicente Blvd. Mendocino Farms officially opens today (April 12th), providing farm-to-table artisan sandwiches and salads to the good people of Brentwood.

Erewhon Opens April 11 In Santa Monica

Posted on April 10, 2018 by toddrickallen

I first noticed that natural foods grocer Erewhon was coming to Santa Monica late last year. After extensive construction, it appears they are about to open. According to the notices pasted on the front, the bright shiny new Erewhon officially opens at 9am on April 11th at 2800 Wilshire Blvd., and features a “beautiful patio, terraced courtyard, and a street-level view of Erewhon’s open kitchen”.

Bluestone Lane Coffee Shop Bringing Flat Whites To Santa Monica

Posted on April 6, 2018 by toddrickallen

Apparently almost over night, a new coffee shop has landed in the old space of the disappeared chain Juice Served Here. With locations on both coasts, and 2 other locations in the LA area, Bluestone Lane is now up and running at 631 Wilshire Blvd. Besides coffee and tea, the Australian coffee shop offers a menu of cold-pressed juices, “grab and go items”, oatmeal, and open-faced toasts including, you guessed it, avocado toast.

Frankland’s Crab & Co. Opens April 5th In Montecito; Phillip Frankland Lee Gives Us A Glimpse Inside

Posted on April 4, 2018 by toddrickallen

A few months ago, we learned from Eater that Phillip Frankland Lee (Scratch Restaurants) was taking over the restaurant spaces in the Montecito Inn. After a number of delays one is about to open, bringing new lifeblood to a community devastated by the Santa Barbara Fires and Mudslides. Recently, I had a chance to speak with the energetic and affable Lee, who was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to give me a glimpse inside his newest eateries. Frankland’s Crab & Co. is set to open April 5, and offers a menu of seafood in a bright and airy casual space with high stools and communal tables. His other Montecito Inn restaurant will be named The Monarch and has a menu of local Santa Barbara products cooked over almond wood: think pizza, pasta, and “We’ll see”. Look for an opening in late summer or early autumn. We wish him the best of luck.

Phillip Frankland Lee inside Frankland’s Crab & Co.

The progress inside The Monarch

Frankland’s Crab & Co. at night

Del Taco Opens In Santa Monica… You’re Welcome

Posted on April 3, 2018 by toddrickallen

Every once in a while, I’m caught off guard by the amount of attention that a post gets. Perhaps its due to the relative lack of fast food options on Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, but ever since I first wrote to tell you about the construction of a Del Taco in an old Jack In The Box location, a great many of you have been checking for updates. So you’ll be pleased to know that Del Taco has opened in its shiny new space at 2423 Wilshire.

Sachi Bringing Coffee And More To Centinela Ave.

Posted on March 30, 2018 by toddrickallen

A big wooden sign informs commuters that coffee is coming soon to the storefront at 4574 Centinela Ave. in LA. Upon closer inspection, the name of the new shop will be Sachi. Their website promises a “welcoming space influenced by Japanese culture and values- devoted to offering high quality coffee and food, stylish vintage clothing, healthy potted plants, and local artisan products”.

Alfred Tea Room Coming To Brentwood…

Posted on March 28, 2018 by toddrickallen

It looks like specialty coffee purveyor Alfred is expanding in Brentwood. Just a few storefronts away from their location on the corner of Montana and San Vicente, paper has gone up on the front of the space at 11928 San Vicente Blvd. announcing that a branch of Alfred Tea Room is moving in. Not sure when they’re opening, but I’ll keep watching…

Kopan Ramen Arrives In Westwood

Posted on March 27, 2018 by toddrickallen

Famished students at UCLA now have a new dining option… Billing itself as Japanese izakaya, Kopan Ramen recently opened its doors at 1091 Broxton Ave. in Westwood. With a smattering of locations across the Southland, Kopan offers a menu of customizable ramen, bowls, and bibimbob.

Matthew Kenney’s New Deli Opening April 15th In Venice

Posted on March 23, 2018 by toddrickallen

I first noticed that something was happening to the space at 2524 Pacific Ave. in Venice back in February of last year. A sign on the front informed us that a new organic, plant-based deli was moving in. As it turns out, the deli is a project of a familiar name, Chef and restaurateur Matthew Kenney. A little over a year later, the new deli, whose name is New Deli, will open April 15th (according to Plant Based News) with a selection of coffee, juice, beer, wine, and sundries.

Mason Taking Over Sam’s By The Beach In Santa Monica

Posted on March 21, 2018 by toddrickallen

It wasn’t that long ago that Santa Monica Canyon staple, Sam’s by the Beach went belly up in its location at 108 W Channel Rd. Since then, I’ve been watching to see what would take over the location. An ABC application posted on the front lists the new business as Mason. According to the application, the people behind Mason are Change the Channel LLC. I’ve tried to dig up more information on the mysterious enterprise, but there’s not much out there yet, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

Update: Check out a reader’s reply below for more info… Thanks R.W.

Wall Street Pizza (Finally) Opens

Posted on March 20, 2018 by toddrickallen

I can’t tell you why it took so long (I first told you about construction back in August of 2016)… And I can’t confirm any of the wildly imaginative conspiracy theories that some of you offered as explanation… But what I can tell you is that Wall St Pizza has finally thrown open its doors at 11955 W. Washington Blvd. in Culver City.

Mother’s Market & Kitchen Coming To Manhattan Beach

Posted on March 16, 2018 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed an ABC application announcing that Orange County’s natural/organic powerhouse Mother’s Market & Kitchen is taking over the old Fresh & Easy space at 1700 Rosecrans Ave. in Manhattan Beach. Apparently, this is part of a greater push into LA County that has also resulted in the recent opening of a branch in Signal Hill. Expect a “wide selection for specialized diets, top quality local and organic produce, [and] the county’s largest selection of supplements”, as well as a “beer and wine eating place”.

Update: Mother’s opens on March 16th.

Il Forno Caldo Closes In Beverly Hills

Posted on March 15, 2018 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of stunning closures… Long time Beverly Hills traditional Italian restaurant Il Forno Caldo has quit its location at 9705 S Santa Monica Blvd. I’m not sure what happened, and their website doesn’t give any clues, but as I’ve mentioned before, this is a notoriously fickle stretch of Beverly Hills when it comes to restaurants.

Gaucho Grill Closes After 25 Years In Brentwood

Posted on March 13, 2018 by toddrickallen

What’s going on in Brentwood? Recently a widely popular Peet’s Coffee closed up shop, allegedly due to a jack-up in the rent, sending out shock waves among locals. And now, right next door at 11754 San Vicente Blvd , a perennially busy Gaucho Grill has pulled out as well. The melancholic letter on the door lets us know that the date of closure was March 12th. Even while taking these photos, stunned Brentwood residents who had come for dinner were expressing their disbelief and protestations to me. With cultish Pizzana, and upcoming Mendocino Farms and Jon & Vinny’s Italian, the Brentwood dining scene appears to be rapidly changing…

Guyi Restaurant Soft Opens In Brentwood

Posted on March 9, 2018 by toddrickallen

Well that didn’t take long… It was only last month when I noticed a small poster on the space at the top of the Brentwood Gardens, at 11677 San Vicente Blvd., inscrutably announcing a new restaurant. Wasting no time whatsoever, Guyi Restaurant is now in their soft opening. I had previously wondered if they were related to a restaurant in China, but have since discovered that this is their first outpost. Look for a menu of authentic Sichuan/Northern Chinese food in a bright airy setting. And, until March 14th, you get 30% off the check.

Spumoni’s March Monday Deal

Posted on March 8, 2018 by toddrickallen

Good news for fans of Spumoni’s imported Italian wood burning oven… During the month of March, they’ll take 50% off your entire bill on Monday nights. Offer is for dine-in only.

Spumoni 713 Montana Ave. Santa Monica 90403

Three Twins Ice Cream Vanishes From Santa Monica

Posted on March 6, 2018 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that Three Twins Ice Cream has vacated its space at 2726 Main St. in Santa Monica. The windows are papered over and the website is reporting it closed as of March 4th. It looks like they recently closed their San Francisco branch as well. Could this indicate trouble for the brand?

Caffe Luxxe Comes To Pacific Palisades

Posted on March 2, 2018 by toddrickallen

I’ve known for a while that there was going to be a branch of luxury artisanal coffee purveyor Caffe Luxxe in Pacific Palisades. But now I know where… The signs are up on the window of the space at 15200 W. Sunset Blvd. #105, across the street from the upcoming Palisades Village development, announcing the impending arrival. I’m not sure of an opening date, but construction is fast and furious.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest