Icy treat specialists Yogurtland continue their inexorable march across LA. A new branch just popped up in the shopping center on the corner of Lincoln and Pico in Santa Monica. Because no one should have to walk more than a block for frozen yogurt…
The shop that replaced Santa Monica’s dubious branch of Joan’s on Third appears to have closed at 1705 Ocean Ave. While there are no obvious signs, the shelves have been stripped and there is no activity at H B Daisy, and I when I called their phone number, I received a message that the number is unassigned. Please let me know if you have any further information, but until then I’ll keep my eye on the troubled corner space at Ocean and Olympic…
At this time of year, I like to say a heart-felt thank you to all who read and support this blog. It looks like we can look forward to another year of LA food scene craziness. And I’ll be right there with you in 2017… Let’s see what happens next. Until then, wishing you all a Happy New Year! Cheers!
Look what I came across on a recent visit to The Landmark Theaters… You can now get your frozen treat fix at this handy gelato machine located on the ground floor. Flavors include tiramisu, banana cheesecake, and peanut butter cup, and will set you back $3.75.
It’s that time of year when popular vegan chain Veggie Grill unveils its Winter menu. Included on this year’s menu are: Turkey Dinner Sandwich, Koreatown Tacos, Pumpkin Spice Cake, and a new item from the Beyond Meat people that they’re referring to as a “game changer”, the VG Beyond Burger. Check out the entire menu of seasonal additions to their regular here.
I’m so very grateful to all who visit this blog and wish all readers a very Happy Holiday Season filled with laughter, joy, and of course, delicious food! (The diet can start Monday…)
Years ago, if you went to a movie in Westwood (yes, people used to do that), chances are you stopped by Jerry’s Deli beforehand. Unfortunately, Jerry’s went extinct in Westwood three years ago and the iconic, cavernous space at 10925 Weyburn Ave. has sat empty ever since. I’ve been watching to see who would finally take down the decrepid for lease sign and breathe new life into an old classic. Well, signs did come down recently, and sadly, according to the notice of public hearing posted on the front, the old Jerry’s will be a future “financial service center”.
Selling pizza to hungry students in Westwood is like shooting fish in a barrel, but competition is stiff. Back in 2014, the build-you-own concept Open Oven Pizza opened its doors to the hungry masses at 1131 Westwood Blvd. While there is no clear indication of closure, it has sat idle for a while and Yelp is declaring it closed, so I’m calling it closed as well.
When I popped into buzzy Erven, the eatery that inhabits the old RFD space at 514-516 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, to sample the much-lauded beer battered tofu sandwich, the staff that evening looked particularly chuffed. I assumed that was because of the recent attention being showered on the vegan restaurant, and a good review from Jonathon Gold. So when I congratulated them on their review, I got this response: “Which one?” While it’s not out in print yet, turns out that Erven has just been named #1 of Los Angeles’ Best New Restaurants of 2016 by Los Angeles Magazine. You can see for yourself here. Congratulations!
Ummm… I can’t entirely grasp the concept here, but if you’ve ever lamented the fact that you had to stop in two places to satisfy your pizza and macaron fix, you’re in luck! It appears that both will be the bill of fare at an upcoming new restaurant at 2029 Westwood Blvd. Apparently, the man associated with this venture, Aman Shekarchi, knows a thing or two about macarons. He’s the name behind a wholesale pastry site Monkey Macarons. Not sure when The Pizza Mac will open, but the world will be waiting with bated breath.
The good folks of Santa Monica and environs are fiercely loyal to their small independent markets such as Vicente Foods, Bob’s Market, and The Farms. But the king of them all? That would have to be Co+opportunity Market and Deli, with its fanatically dedicated local following. I recently noticed that Co+opportunity will soon be spreading the love in Culver City, with a second location going into a bright and airy space in the new Access development at 8770 Washington Blvd., across from that palace of all things culinary, Surfas. Expect an opening sometime next year.
I’ve been carefully watching the bleeding of eateries from the food court of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. While I don’t have confirmation, I’m beginning to wonder if the restaurants must leave because of an upcoming renovation to the court to keep it in line with the flashy new mall, set to be unveiled sometime next year. The latest casualty: Asian bun and noodle joint Take A Bao recently disappeared. As always, I’ll keep my eye on things…
It was only back in September that I told you that clandestine celeb fave Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano at 714 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica was going to be taken over by a newcomer. I’d known for a while that hard-working restaurateur Vincenzo Nicoletta was looking to move on. Now it’s official: Osteria Bigoli has thrown open its doors and is now serving pasta to the good people of NoMa. Even though I’m hearing from readers who are lamenting the loss of their old favorite dishes from Vincenzo, check out what the new restaurant offers here.
Back in May, San Diego’s Luna Grill opened its first LA area location in La Canada Flintridge. Looks like they’re expanding. Paper is covering the windows on the corner space of the new Harlow apartment building at 9901 Washington Blvd. (corner of Dunn Dr.) in Culver City announcing that Luna Grill is moving in. Look for a “fresh Mediterranean” menu of salads, hummus, wraps, falafel, and kabob that you can read more about here.
It appears that the Westside’s fave go-to spot for mini cupcakes is heading east. Signs are up in the window and their website confirms that Vanilla Bake Shop will soon be opening at 88 E. Colorado Blvd. in Old Town Pasadena. No word on when that opening date will be, but you can still pick up your macarons at their Santa Monica or Culver City locations.
It was only just back in August when I noticed that something was taking over the erstwhile Chang’s space at 11726 San Vicente Blvd. Wasting no time whatsoever, Simply Salad is now open and dispensing kale to the good people of Brentwood. They may get some competition from the upcoming Sweetgreen just a few blocks up the road…
It was way back in October of 2015 when I first noticed that a new outpost of coffee, tea, and patisserie purveyor Espresso Cielo was moving into the space at 1431C on 2nd Street in Downtown Santa Monica. Originally they had predicted a Fall 2015 opening, but then it sat largely untouched for an extraordinarily long time. Espresso Cielo has finally thrown open its doors for business. Why it took so long to open is anybody’s guess, but I’m looking at you City of Santa Monica…
Recently, a reader pointed out to me that Santa Monica’s outlet of David Lentz’s seafood joint, The Hungry Cat appeared to be closed. When I went by to inspect last week, a note in the window stated that they were closed for renovations (frequently restaurant code for permanently closed). However, in the past week, a prominent sign announcing restaurant space available went up that lets us know that they have indeed closed. Any mention of the Santa Monica branch has been scrubbed from the website and Yelp lists it as closed. But that’s not all: The website also declares that the Santa Barbara branch will also be shutting down. They list a number of reasons including; declining business, the current economic climate, and an offer they couldn’t refuse. They will be open until Christmas. The Hollywood branch will apparently remain open.
I’d like to take this moment to thank all my dedicated readers and everyone who visits this site and wish all a very Happy Thanksgiving. You make the writing of this blog a very gratifying experience. May your Holiday be filled with great food, family and friends, fun, and all manner of deliciousness!
Back in August, I told you about “something big” that was moving into the old Le Pain Quotidien space at 1055 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village. That something big turned out to be Nushii, who officially opened today (Monday). Their menu offers a choice of a sushi burritos or sushi bowls with a selection of items that includes ahi tuna, teri-racha chicken, curry lemongrass tofu, or hearty herb cauliflower.
Toddrickallen 