With one location in the Manhattan Village Shopping Center (right behind Macy’s), it looks like Johnny Memphis’ Smokehouse is expanding with another branch in Downtown El Segundo. A banner is up over the old Mandy’s Café space at 241 Main St. announcing the upcoming arrival. No word on when the grills will be fired up, but I’ll keep watching…
I’ve long heard whispers that a change was coming to secret celeb hideaway Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano, that has inhabited the small space at 714 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Apparently, hard-working and gregarious Chef Vincenzo Nicoletta has decided it’s time to move on. Recently plywood has covered the front, and a change of ownership ABC license application is letting us know that the name of the new restaurant will be Osteria Bigoli. Tortano LLC and the name on the application indicate that perhaps Osteria Bigoli will have some relationship with a restaurant in Covina called Osteria Pane e Vino. In the mean time, Vincenzo remains open. I’ll keep following this for more details.
A great many of you have been carefully watching the space that used to house St. Urbain Street Bagels at 451 North Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. Well, now we know what’s taking over. A small notice of non-responsibility taped to the front door indicates that a new branch of “never conventional” expanding juice company Juice Served Here is moving in.
I recently noticed an ABC license application posted in the window of 204 Main St. in El Segundo, just across the street from newish popular Sausal, requesting to sell beer and wine in their “eating place”. The name listed on the application is The Brewport Market. I can’t find much information on the new restaurant, but a name on the application gives us a clue that it may have some association with the El Segundo Brewing Company.
Le Bon Dieu of heavenly French patisserie continues to shower confectionary benevolence upon the good people of LA… I’ve been starry-eyed ever since Eater told us about the upcoming arrival of Paris’ legendary pastry shop and restaurant Ladurée to The Grove. But guess what happy surprise I stumbled upon on the corner of Beverly and Dayton in Beverly Hills: It appears that Ladurée is taking over the space that used to house Vosges Haut-Chocolat at 311 N. Beverly Dr. Plywood covers the front, obscuring the diminutive shop and kitchen as it transforms into the jewel box that is their signature style, but I’m confident it’ll be magnifique and I personally can’t wait. Quelle Bonne Chance!
Asian-fusion standard Chaya Venice has long held down the corner of Navy and Main in Venice. And it looks like it’s about time for a little revamp. The place is gutted, and a notice in the window lets us know that they have closed for a remodel. They’re promising to throw the doors back open by late September with their shiny new look.
It was back in December of last year that I noticed printing on the door of the diminutive space next to upcoming Espresso Cielo at 1431 B 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica informing us that something called KC Chocolatier was moving in. A little digging revealed that KC Chocolatier has a flagship store in Chicago, and is an offshoot of Kim’s Chocolates from Tienen, Belgium, that according to their website is the “number 1 chocolate exporter to Canada and the United States”. Then the space sat idle for months, with no activity. Finally, a flurry of construction and a flashy new sign confirm that KC is indeed coming soon, and that they will be bringing with them “fresh Belgian chocolate”, ice cream, and hot chocolate. We with them the best of luck.
A sign recently went up in the window of artisan coffee purveyor Caffe Luxxe at 925 Montana Ave. indicating that they are seeking to expand to much stronger stuff. The notice posted in the window informs us that they are requesting an ABC license, and that the City of Santa Monica is currently reviewing their request. But before you get excited about the prospects of a glass of cab with your cappuccino and croissant, the license they are requesting is an ABC type 20, meaning the beer and wine will only be “off-sale”, or purchasable to be consumed off the premises.
It looks like one of the last enduring restaurants in the challenged Market at Santa Monica Place is finally pulling out. But for once, the news isn’t catastrophic. Tenacious farm-to-table hold out The Curious Palate is moving from the space inside The Market, to the outside space directly opposite (space 331), just to the right of The ArcLight Cinemas. The space has mostly sat empty since the post-remodel orginal restaurant Ozumo pulled out back in 2012. They are apparently not using the entire Ozumo space, and construction has yet to begin, so it may take a while yet…
I recently noticed that a change is coming to the little strip mall on the corner of Inglewood and Rosecrans in Hawthorne. Tacos El Chicano used to inhabit the space at 14201 Inglewood Ave. But a sign recently went up informing us that a new, unnamed Vietnamese restaurant specializing in pho will soon be taking over. They’ve done a fairly extensive remodel and it appears that they are very close to opening.
And while we’re on the subject of juices… It appears that a branch of Qwench Juice Bar is opening in the space once occupied by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at 1001 Gayley Ave. in Westwood. Look for a menu of juices, smoothies, bowls, sandwiches, kombucha, tea, and coffee.
It looks like the juice empire Pressed Juicery is continuing to expand. A branch is about to throw open its doors in the center of The Point, on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in El Segundo. They are shooting for an opening this weekend, but couldn’t absolutely guarantee it.
I’ve been watching the space at 115 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica for a while. Early last year, the Yelp-eviscerated Gate of India pulled up stakes and the windows were papered over. Finally, an ABC application taped to the front informs us that something called Tumbi Bar and Restaurant will soon be moving in. I can’t find out much information on the new eatery, but I’ll keep watching…
I’ve long known that something was taking over the old star-crossed Fraiche space at 312 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. But for whatever reason, it has taken a ridiculously long time. Well, construction has finally begun, and an ABC application posted high above the door indicates that a branch of Panini Café will soon occupy the troubled address.
Sadly, the sputtering food scene that is the third floor of Santa Monica Place is about to produce another casualty. According to a spokesperson, after a 6 year run, Pizza Antica will permanently shut down the ovens the day after Labor Day, September 5th. (That means your last day for the Tuesday half-priced wine deal will be August 30th.) No word on what may take its place, and if you’ve grown fond of their seasonal salads and crispy pies, you’ll have to travel a bit as all their other locations are in the Bay Area.
I just noticed that a new pizzeria appears to be heading to Culver City. There’s a sign up on the corner space in The Oliver complex at 11955 W. Washington Blvd. announcing that Wall St. Pizza will soon be moving in. Can’t find out much info on this restaurant, but I’ll keep watching…
This took a bit of digging… I recently noticed that an ABC application was pasted on the front of yet another big build-out just a short distance from the upcoming Nushii, at 1061 Broxton, the old Five Guys space. No business name is listed. Likewise, the online application lists no business name either, so I tried a search on the applicant. Turns out, Dignified Foods International LLC has another ABC application pending in Eagle Rock. And on that application they list the restaurant name as SpireWorks. A search for SpireWorks reveals a statement on LinkedIn that describes it as a build-your-own eatery with a focus on Turkish Döner, or spit roasted meats served with bread and toppings. Finally, their website doesn’t divulge much, but it does confirm that they are aiming to open this Fall in Westwood, and this Winter in Eagle Rock.
It looks like “something big” is coming to Westwood Village soon, to the old Le Pain Quotidien space at 1055 Broxton Ave. to be exact. What appears to be an extensive build-out will soon be the home of Nushii. The still developing website doesn’t give us much of a clue as to what type of restaurant Nushii will be, but The Daily Bruin informs us that sushi will be on the menu.
I just noticed that long-term Brentwood fixture Chang’s has served its last egg roll at 11726 San Vicente Blvd. And replacing it? Apparently we can expect a branch of the expanding chain Simply Salad.
And while we’re on the subject of closures… Sadly, storied Westwood institution The Glendon Bar & Kitchen will be serving its last cocktail today (August 12th). Not sure what happened to end their six and a half-year run, but I’m willing to bet that the party tonight will be a good one.
Toddrickallen 