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.
It takes a great deal of courage to open a restaurant in capricious Westwood Village. Eateries come and go faster than you can find a parking space. Sadly, it appears that Barbacoa Mexican Grill has thrown in the towel and vacated its space at 1030 Glendon Ave. No word on a replacement, and if you’ve developed a craving for their healthy brand of Mexican fare, you might have to drive a while as most of their other locations are in Utah.
It was only about a month ago I noticed that yet another poke restaurant was opening in voracious El Segundo. Wasting no time, California chain Poke Bar has moved in and is now dishing raw fish in the old Ugly Pie Company space at 2161B El Segundo Blvd. (next to Farmer Boys) . Read more and check out menus here.
I first noticed that something new was coming to the space at 11916 Wilshire Blvd. that formerly housed the fusty Western Los Angeles fixture Divita’s Pizzeria back in January, when window paper promised a new restaurant and wine bar brought to us by Vincent and Chase. Then in June, Divita’s iconic sign was changed and let us know the name of the new wine bar: Belle Vie Food & Wine. On Tuesday, Belle Vie (which means “beautiful life” in French) threw open its doors for the first time. The new eatery is helmed by Vincent Samarco and Cedric Nicolas, both of whom have cut their teeth in Paris restaurants. Expect a French-leaning menu (moules, frites, charcuteries, fromages, French wines) that also includes a few surprises like mac and cheese, gravlax, devilled eggs, and “Burgundy tacos“, all served in a cozy, neighborhood bistro and bar with warm service. Check out their website and read more here.
Neighborhood artisanal hand-crafted coffee and espresso expert Caffe Luxxe is turning 10 years old. To celebrate, they’ve created a special 10th Anniversary Blend, that you can sample for free starting today (Wednesday). And according to their website, tomorrow (August 4th) they will be handing out “FREE drinks all day” at all three locations in Santa Monica and Brentwood.
Back in August, I noticed that the windows of an erstwhile hair salon at 412 N. Bedford in Beverly Hills had been papered over with announcements that superfood bowl specialists Rawberri would soon be inhabiting the space. Well, something must have fallen trough… Recently, the announcements came down and a for lease sign went up. Apparently the space is again leased. I’ve no idea what may be coming, but I’ll keep watching.
The food scene in aerospace-centric El Segundo continues to expand. It was back in October that I told you about the impending arrival of a branch of mini-chain The Hummus Republic to the space in The Edge complex at 827 N. Douglas St. You’ll be happy to know that the “build your own” fast/casual Mediterranean grill recently opened. Read more and check out menus here.
Ever since I first told you about the upcoming arrival of Honeyboba to the space at 11573 W. Santa Monica Blvd. (corner of Federal) in West LA, a great many of you have been carefully tracking its progress. So here’s welcome news: Honeyboba is now open providing this neck of the woods with boba, egg pudding, coffee jelly, grass jelly, teas, and smoothies. Why it took so long is anyone’s guess…
Recently, French body care line L’Occitane vacated its diminutive jewel box space at 1301 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Wasting no time whatsoever, signs have gone up in the window indicating that Florida-based French pastry chain Le Macaron will soon be moving in, making this the LA area’s first branch. The window promises coffee, croissants, gelato, chocolates, and of course, macarons, or as they describe them, “a mouthful of heaven”.
I just noticed that Chicken Dijon at 2224 Sawtelle Blvd. in West Los Angeles has officially flown the coop. And replacing it? A branch of Orange County’s purveyor of Taiwanese poultry Popcorn Chicken.
Just what you need as the temperature continues to climb… Back in September of last year, I first noticed that a new shop offering a frozen alternative to yogurt was moving into the space at 729 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. After what seems like a long time, the Frozen Fruit Company is now up and running. Originally hailing from the UK, FFC offers a soft serve made entirely from fruit in flavors such as pineapple & passion fruit, mango & strawberry, raspberry & orange that you can read more about here.
We all know that since opening, the food scene at Santa Monica Place has had its share of troubles. The much-anticipated Market now sits mostly empty and largely untouched, as do a number of other restaurant spaces, even as the wildly popular Cheesecake Factory continues to be a big draw. Into this chaos, one plucky new eatery is making a courageous bid. Mall staple Great Khan’s Mongolian Grill is now open in the food court. We wish them luck.
Remember back in October of last year, when we were informed by Eater that Il Grano, Western LA’s fine Italian restaurant known for its truffle menus (and consequently La Bottega Marino next door) were closing? Since then, I’ve been watching things carefully. Recently, the façade was redone, and the windows papered over indicating that a new establishment was taking over. And now we know what is coming to the space at 11359 Santa Monica Boulevard. It turns out, the upcoming restaurant will be a new venture named The Nickel Bar, brought to you by the same people behind Studio City’s The Woodman and Cocina Condesa. I had a chance to speak to a rep, who gave me the skinny on the upcoming bar/restaurant. The focus here is local sourcing for drinks/food in a cozy neighborhood environment with a prominent bar. And while they’re still working things out, the menu will feature New York style pizza. We wish them the best of luck. Look for a projected August 1st opening.
This is a bit of a mystery… It appears that Santa Monica’s branch of perennially popular fast/fresh Mexican chain Poquito Mas has closed up shop at 2025 Wilshire Blvd., next to Veggie Grill. As you can tell from the photo, the space hasn’t yet lined up a new tenant, but I’ll keep watching.
Toddrickallen 