Westfield Century City Expands Its Food Court Space Considerably

Posted on July 20, 2017 by toddrickallen

Because so many of you are tracking the progress of the developing Westfield Century City Shopping Center, I’m giving you the details as I encounter them. The latest? The food court has expanded its floor space by a great deal. I know it’s hard to tell from these photos, but a new glass wall has been built creating increased floor space. If you look at the first photo, what you’re looking at is the erstwhile news stand that stood in the outdoor area across from the former Coral Tree Express ( on the far right of the photo). You can see that the area is now enclosed. The second photo is standing where the old doors used to be and looking toward Meizhou Dongpo, that is now just outside the new entrance. What’s going to occupy all this extra space? I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

New Life For Willie Jane In Venice?

Posted on July 18, 2017 by toddrickallen

When Govind Armstrong’s southern-inflected hot spot Willie Jane disappeared at 1031 Abbot Kinney in Venice, it caused a great deal of hoopla. Known for its popular biscuits, it closed up shop abruptly back in December. But something new is coming to the space. And according to the recently posted ABC change of ownership application, the new restaurant is named as Willie Jane as well, although this doesn’t necessarily indicate the final name of the new eatery. A name listed on the application is one long associated with Abbot Kinney, Dan Abrams. I don’t have much information on this, but if you’re curious, here’s a place to start looking…

Samosa House Takes Over The Counter Space In El Segundo

Posted on July 14, 2017 by toddrickallen

Is competition in the food scene getting too stiff in the El Segundo area? New multi-use complexes are popping up right and left. There’s the developing Elevon project, Apollo Landing, and Manhattan Village is getting a much-needed redo. But there are signs that things are wearing thin. Many empty spaces still sit in the newish The Point. And older shopping centers are beginning to bleed tenants. Plaza El Segundo has had a number of vacant storefronts for a while. Recently, customized burger joint The Counter pulled up stakes there. Courageous expanding Indian restaurant chain Samosa House has settled in and is giving it a go, making this their fifth location. We wish them the best of luck.

Helados La Michoacana Starts Dispensing Icy Treats

Posted on July 13, 2017 by toddrickallen

Just in time for a hot summer… Since I first told you about indications of a new icy treat shop moving into the commodious space at 11813 W. Santa Monica Blvd. in LA, a great many of you have been following its progress. Helados La Michoacana has recently thrown open its doors for business. A cursory peek inside reveals what looks like miles of wrap-around freezer counters loaded with every imaginable ice cream, frozen pop, and juice.

Z Pastabar Opens, More Changes To Santa Monica Place…

Posted on July 12, 2017 by toddrickallen

It’s often been said that when God closes a frozen yogurt joint, he opens a fast food pasta restaurant… Here are the latest changes to the stumbling Santa Monica Place food scene. Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt has closed up shop just outside the food court. And plucky contender Z Pastabar has opened inside the food court, which is now completely occupied.

Del Taco Replacing Jack In The Box On Wilshire In Santa Monica

Posted on July 7, 2017 by toddrickallen

Along Wilshire Blvd. In Santa Monica, drive-through fast food is a rarity. And it got even rarer when Jack In The Box closed down at 2423 Wilshire. But fear not time-pressed commuters! The building will eventually be converted into a Del Taco according to the design review notice posted in the window.

Nawab Of India Closes In Santa Monica

Posted on July 6, 2017 by toddrickallen

A sad day for Indian food on the Westside… Longstanding Santa Monica institution Nawab of India has vacated its cavernous space at 1621 Wilshire Blvd. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.

Rock’n Pies Pizza Co. Opens In Santa Monica

Posted on July 5, 2017 by toddrickallen

It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about the closure of N.Y.&C. Pizzeria at 1120 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Wasting no time whatsoever, it looks like a new contender has taken over the spot. Rock’n Pies Pizza Co. is currently in soft opening for lunch, with the eventual goals of an expanded menu, late-night delivery, and beer and wine.

Uovo Pasta Bringing Handmade Italian To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on June 30, 2017 by toddrickallen

What was once a very quiet section of Downtown Santa Monica is quickly transforming into a restaurant destination. Just to the right of Cava and the upcoming HiHo, at 1320 2nd St. Suite A, a brand new handmade pasta joint calling itself Uovo Pasta will soon be joining the list. And it looks like they’re fairly close to opening…

Santa Monica Yacht Club Replaced By… Santa Monica Yacht Club With Nyesha Arrington On Board?

Posted on June 28, 2017 by toddrickallen

Santa Monica Yacht Club closed its doors at 820 Santa Monica Blvd. a bit ago so Andrew Kirschner could focus his attention on Tar & Roses, his other restaurant a block away, at least according to the notice taped to the front door. Recently however, an ABC ownership change application has appeared and names the new restaurant as… Santa Monica Yacht Club. If you examine the application online, you can see that a familiar name is listed as an officer: Nyesha Arrington, who left Leona in Venice back in February to pursue other projects.

Capital One Café Comes To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on June 27, 2017 by toddrickallen

In a push to make banking more friendly, financial giant Capital One has been opening community cafés across the country. And now Santa Monica looks like their next target. Going into a brand new building on the corner of 4th and Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica, on what used to be an unsightly parking lot, the new Capital One Café will offer Peet’s beverages and “local pastry” in addition to internet and banking services.

Tocaya Organica Lands In Westwood

Posted on June 23, 2017 by toddrickallen

“Modern Organic Mexican” restaurant Tocaya Organica continues its inexorable march toward world domination. The latest evidence? The rapidly expanding chain has landed a spot at 1140 Gayley Ave. in Westwood.

Broxton Moves Into The Yamato Space In Westwood

Posted on June 21, 2017 by toddrickallen

Late last year, Eater gave us information about Artisanal Brewers Collective’s take over the iconic Yamato space at 1099 Westwood Blvd. It appears that plans are going forward, as late last week, an ABC license application was pasted to the front confirming just that. And the name of the new craft beer establishment? It is listed on the application as Broxton.

Capriotti’s Gives Up The Ghost In Beverly Hills

Posted on June 20, 2017 by toddrickallen

Sadly, it appears that quotidian sandwich shop Capriotti’s has quietly slipped out of their Golden Triangle location at 9683 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills. Signs have come down and the space is gutted. I’ll keep watching to see what might move in.

Capriotti's.jpg

Here’s A Glimpse Inside The New Food Court Of The Westfield Century City Shopping Center…

Posted on June 16, 2017 by toddrickallen

Hey, I get it… A great many of you are riveted by the transformation of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center and are constantly checking for updates. I’m eagerly watching as well. This is what the food court looks like right now…

St. Supery Winery… Beverly Hills?

Posted on June 15, 2017 by toddrickallen

In oenophile news… You could be forgiven if you didn’t expect to see an ABC license application posted to the front of one of the big flashy storefronts on tony Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills. Yet there one is taped to the door at 408 Rodeo, a cavernous space that used to house luxury porcelain maker Lladró . The location has sat empty for a while, but according to the application, it will soon be the SoCal home of Napa Valley’s St. Supery Winery. The license application is a “02 Winegrower“, which means a non-retail type, so I’m not certain what’s going on here. I guess we’ll just have to keep watching…

Publique Taking Over The Border Grill Space In Santa Monica

Posted on June 12, 2017 by toddrickallen

Ever since the tragic demise of Santa Monica’s beloved branch of Border Grill, I’ve kept a careful watch on the space at 1445 4th St. I’ve been hearing whispers, and a design review mentioned something called Publique, but I couldn’t get confirmation. But then late last week the for lease signs came down, and an ABC application was posted on the front informing us the Le Zinc Bar (Zinqué) will be opening a restaurant called Publique. You can check out the design review, including plans for an open air patio, and an artist’s rendering here.

Kona Sushi Dishing Fish To El Segundo Soon

Posted on June 10, 2017 by toddrickallen

Back in February, I told you about the closure of Romano’s Macaroni Grill at 2321 Rosecrans Ave. in El Segundo. Since then, construction has been fast and furious on a brand new restaurant. According to the ABC license posted out front, something called Kona Sushi will soon inhabit the cavernous space.

Z Pastabar Expands Into Santa Monica Place… And Just About Everywhere Else

Posted on June 8, 2017 by toddrickallen

It takes a brave eatery to give it a go in the sputtering food scene that is Santa Monica Place. Apparently Westside Pavilion’s Z Pastabar believes it has what it takes. They are moving into the last open space in the food court. But that’s not all: The courageous carb purveyor is moving into the new Westfield Century City Shopping Center, and is opening locations across LA according to their website. As a grand opening promotion, the upcoming Santa Monica location is giving away free food if you download their app.

The Market At M Café Brentwood Gives Up The Ghost…

Posted on June 6, 2017 by toddrickallen

Sadly, “contemporary macrobiotic” food source The Market at M Café has quietly closed down its location at 11678 San Vicente Blvd. in competitive Brentwood. But all is not lost: The notice on the door lets us know that they have a new location at 1800 Highland in addition to their other two locations and are looking to expand further. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what develops…

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest