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.
We wait with bated breath for the changes that are coming to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. And as things dramatically transform in the food scene, yet another eatery falls to the wayside. It was only just two years ago that I told you that Vietnamese restaurant NiBi Pho Bistro had secured a space in the famously capricious food court. Plywood recently went up over the space informing us that they have closed. That leaves only eight eating places left in the court by my count…
I’ll never completely understand the process of opening a restaurant in Santa Monica. Many restaurateurs that I’ve spoken with over the years have complained of endless red tape and countless inspections with the result being an extraordinarily long time from inception to completion. But every once in a while, I’m astonished when an eatery opens in the blink of an eye. It was only just back in late August that I noticed the first signs of life stirring in the old Fraiche space at 312 Wilshire Blvd. Wasting no time whatsoever, Panini Café has officially thrown open its doors and is now serving “healthy Mediterranean” to the good people of Santa Monica. I’m sure many would love to get their hands on the magic charm they used to accomplish this feat.
The popular and always-crowded Whole Foods Market at 760 South Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo recently opened a new restaurant and bar named The 2nd in a newly constructed space just to your right as you walk in. On offer here are 36 beers on tap, over 12 wines by the glass, and a creative menu of small plates (such as cauliflower nachos, jackfruit “crab” cakes, buttermilk marinated calamari), salads, toasts, sushi, various burgers, and desserts (like boozy gelato). There’s also a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm Monday through Friday, and a brunch. Check out the full menu here.
Popular caterer and restaurateur Lisa Erikson is expanding her mini empire. Signs have gone up on the space behind the upcoming Petros Kafe in the enormous Elevon development at 741 N. Douglas St. in El Segundo informing us that a second location of Lisa’s Café & Bakery will be moving in. No word on an opening date, but I’ll keep my eye on it…
I noticed a few weeks ago that something was moving into the vacant space that used to house erstwhile tapas joint Taberna Arros Y Vi at 1403 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica. A recently posted development application lists the new tenant as Ippudo Restaurant. I can’t confirm it, but could this be an upcoming branch of the famous cult tonkotsu ramen chain from New York, that is also moving into the Bay Area? I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops…
If you’ve been in the iconic Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills (A Four Seasons Hotel) recently, you may have noticed that the space opposite Cut restaurant that housed the popular watering hole Sidebar has been boarded over. A notice on the front of the plywood promises “something new”. According to a representative, the something new will now be called Cut Lounge. It looks like everything is getting a makeover: There will be new décor, new cocktails, and a new menu. They’re intending on unveiling everything on November 14th.
I’ve been keeping my eye on the massive Elevon business/retail development, parts of which are still under construction in El Segundo. In June, Bowlology was the first eatery to open, but since then news has been sparse. That’s beginning to change. An ABC license application, posted on the front of the empty space at 743 N. Douglas St, Bldg 16, Suite 3, lets us know that the new inhabitant will soon be none other than that fine purveyor of “Hellenic California cuisine” Petros Kafe. More news to come…
After a 20 year run in El Segundo, iconic Mexican-themed Cozymel’s Coastal Mex has closed its doors at 2171 Rosecrans Ave. If you find yourself struggling without their much-lauded guacamole, the popular lunch spot has two sister restaurants in Wheaton, Ill. and Westbury, NY. No word on what may be taking over the sizeable and prominent stone building, but I’ll keep my eye on it.
DC’s Greek/Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava Grill continues to expand. After opening their Westwood location only a couple of months ago, they are adding another location in Downtown Santa Monica. Paper is covering the windows of the recently constructed building housing the Chelsea apartment complex at 1320 2nd Street announcing the impending arrival. If you check out their website, you’ll see that they are also opening soon in Venice, Culver City, and Irvine.
I am dynamic… I am present… I am expanding…
Back in May I told you that Beverly Hills fixture Coupa Café had vacated its space at 419 N Canon Dr. Recently, I noticed that the place had been leased. A small notice pasted on the front states that the new owners have filed for an open air dining permit with the City. If you look closely at the lower left of the intent notice, you’ll see that the name of the business is listed as “Gratitude Beverly Hills”. A closer inspection of the projects list of the Beverly Hills Planning Commission (page 24) reveals that the request is being made by none other than popular organic plant-based restaurant chain Café Gratitude. While I haven’t confirmed this myself, it’s all there in black and white.
Westwood Village has a notoriously capricious food scene. Only the bravest make a stand here, and not always with the best results. Sadly, Garlo’s Aussie Pie Shop has thrown in the towel at 1010 Glendon Ave. as evidenced by the for lease sign on the front. All may not be lost though: A message on their website states that they are “on the move” and promises big news soon…
Signs are up in the window of the building on the corner of Abbot Kinney and Venice Blvd. (1645 Abbot Kinney Blvd., the same building that houses Lemonade) indicating that a branch of popular and prolific cold-pressed juice folks Pressed Juicery are soon moving in. If their window paper is to be trusted, this location will be serving their proprietary frozen treat Freeze, which they describe as “soft-serve made from 100% whole fruits, nuts & vegetables”. No word on an opening date, but I’ll keep watching…
Recently I told you about the move of Johnny Memphis’ Smokehouse from its location in the Manhattan Village Shopping Center to Downtown El Segundo. A reader was quick to let me know that the move was necessary to make room for the upcoming expansion of the mall. One other casualty was the popular Eastern European restaurant Doma Kitchen (the name means “home” in Slavic), that sat just to the right of Johnny Memphis’. But the plucky little eatery isn’t done yet… They have indeed pulled up stakes in Manhattan Beach, but they’ve landed in a brand new location. Doma Kitchen is now open in Marina del Rey in the Villa Marina Marketplace at 4325 Glencoe Ave. #8.
For some reason that I don’t entirely comprehend, a great many of you are BIG fans of Chik-fil-A. Well then, here’s some welcome news for those of you that count yourselves in that group: Signs recently went up on the old defunct Del Taco at 4050 Lincoln Blvd. (just south of Washington) announcing that the structure is being converted into a branch of the popular poultry purveyor. No word on an opening date yet, so y’all will just have to wait…
I recently noticed that after a long run at 1442 2nd St., Santa Monica’s branch of the kitschy old school Italian chain Buca di Beppo has finally pulled up stakes. I didn’t see this coming and I’m not sure what happened. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what the future holds, and in the mean time, if you find yourself craving ginormous portions of red sauce pasta, you can locate one of their other branches here.
Ocean Park Boulevard’s popular sandwich shop is about to up its game. An ABC license posted in the window informs us that Carvery Kitchen is looking to add beer and wine to their repertory of drinks. Hopefully, the libations will begin flowing soon…
Toddrickallen 