More Changes To Century City…

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You already know that when it comes to the upcoming changes to the food scene at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center (and there will be many)… I got this.  So here’s the latest:  The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf that inhabits the prominent location in the erstwhile center of the mall is closing.  But a new branch will be reopening nearby.  It is taking over the old space built for the long-gone Potato Corner near the recently new See’s Candies.  It looks like the move will be complete sometime in February.  We’ll have to see what takes over the old space…

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Bravo Cucina Bites The Dust In Santa Monica

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While there’s no notice announcing it and their website is still up and running, it appears that longtime Santa Monica resident Bravo Cucina has abruptly closed down at 1319 Third Street Promenade.  A peek inside reveals that the Italian restaurant long known for its hard-working hostesses who stood outside enticing tourists to eat there, has already essentially been gutted and Yelp users confirm the sad closure.  There’s no indication of what may take its place, but I’ll keep my eye on it.

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Beverly Hills Beignet Landing Soon In BH…

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It was only back in July when I noticed that longtime Beverly Hills fixture Papa Jake’s Sub Shop had permanently closed its doors at 9527 Santa Monica Blvd.  Wasting no time, it appears that a new resident is settling in.  Signs are going up indicating that Beverly Hills Beignet will soon inhabit the space.  There’s not a lot of information out there yet, and I’ve no idea when the pillowy doughy treats will commence, but until then read more at their Facebook page here.  

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KC Chocolatier Coming Soon To Santa Monica

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Located just to the left of upcoming Espresso Cielo at 1431 B 2nd St., signs are up in the window indicating that the new tenant will be an outpost of Belgian chocolate purveyor KC Chocolatier.  With a flagship in Chicago, KC is an offshoot of Kim’s Chocolates from Tienen, Belgium.  No word on an opening date, and it looks like they’ve a way to go, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

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Flower Child Set To Deliver Good Vibes Soon To Santa Monica

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We’ve long known that the renovation of the erstwhile dusty old Laemmle Theater at 1332 Second Street in Santa Monica was going to bring us (possibly) two new restaurants.  And now we know for sure what one of them will be.  A recently posted ABC license application informs us, and the company website confirms that a branch of Arizona’s earthy eatery Flower Child is on the way to the sparkling new movie palace.  Offering a menu that is organic, locally sourced, and additive free, Flower Child promises “healthy food for a happy world”.  No word on an opening date, and construction is fast and furious, but I’ll keep watching…

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Bombay Cafe Runs Into A Spot Of Trouble…

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While it appears to have happened a while ago, I only just noticed that popular Indian restaurant Bombay Cafe, at 12021 W. Pico Blvd., has a little problem.  A notice posted in the front window informs us that ABC has suspended their liquor licence for a violation.  When exactly will you again be able to order an IPA with your makhni paneer?  It might be a while.  The notice says the suspension is “indefinite”.

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New Dining Options Coming To Baldwin Hills Crenshaw

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Going a little bit farther afield, I recently noticed construction on some upcoming new eateries heading to the land of Post & Beam behind Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.  According to signs, Michelle’s Country Diner is remodeling an existing building.  And close by, a branch of the Cajun seafood chain The Kickin’ Crab is being built.  No word on opening dates, but I’ll keep watching…

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Alfred Coffee’s Century City Gift Box…

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Snazzy upscale coffee purveyor Alfred Coffee has the perfect idea for your last-minute stocking stuffer.  If you can’t make it into one of their stylish branches on Melrose, in Brentwood, or in Silverlake, just pop into the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.  There, you’ll find The Alfred Coffee gift box, essentially a vending machine filled with bags of coffee, gift cards, and Alfred gear.  You’ll find these little treasures near J.Crew.

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Salad Creations Bites The Dust In El Segundo

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The food scene around El Segundo has become quite a mercurial affair, with openings and closings almost daily.  The latest change?  LA’s only branch of the East Coast chain Salad Creations has permanently closed its doors in The Edge complex as of Friday.  One employee told me that keeping it open was simply, “too much work”.  No word on a replacement, but I’ll keep watching…

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H.O.M.E. Returns To Beverly Hills

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Swanky jazz club  H.O.M.E. (House of Music & Entertainment) burst onto the scene back in 2012, taking over the cavernous old Camden House space at 430 N. Camden Dr. in Beverly Hills.  Then, earlier this year, they hit a sour note.  We never completely knew what the kerfuffle was, but the prominent notice posted in the window did provide a clue.  Well, H.O.M.E. is back up and running with new owners and management according to a spokesperson.  We wish them the best of luck.

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See’s Now Open In Century City

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With all of the changes coming to the Century City food scene, I’m keeping a close eye on all the developments.  Back in August, I told you about the relocation of the Century City Shopping Center’s branch of beloved chocolatier See’s.  Their previous address in the mall was completely torn down to make way for the upcoming expansion.  Wasting no time whatsoever, See’s Candies is now open in its new location, near Breadbar, and just in time for Holiday shopping…

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All About The Bread Opens In Century City

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The Westfield Century City Shopping Center is a flurry of activity and construction lately.  We’ve been promised 15 new eateries (including Eataly).  The latest?  Melrose’s specialty sandwich shop All About The Bread has opened a branch in the food court.  The concept here is a focus on artisan, handcrafted bread that is baked fresh every 30 minutes delivering a product with a crunchy exterior and fluffy interior which is then used to make any one of a number of signature sandwiches.  Check out the menu and read more here.

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Starbucks Now Open In SMP

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For many restaurateurs and businesspeople, opening a new food spot in Santa Monica can be a nightmare.  Red tape and delays make the process a long, dragged out affair. (Am I right Lemonade, Creams & Dreams? And Caffe Primo… we feel your pain.)  But for some magical reason known only to the god of multinational coffee chains, a new Starbucks can open in days in the notoriously challenging city.  It was only back in mid-October that I told you about a new branch of the ubiquitous coffee purveyor being built on the ground floor of Santa Monica Place near Bloomingdale’s.  One month and a half later, Starbucks is open and probably giving Ugo Café a run for its money.

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W XYZ Bar Heads To El Segundo

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It looks like El Segundo will soon be home to a branch of W XYZ Bar, the signature bar of the Aloft Hotels chain that is currently under construction at 475 N. Sepulveda.  Look for a menu of “specialty cocktails”, a “snack-attack” menu, and “sassy dj mixes”.  According to the website, the new Aloft El Segundo will be up and running on April 12th, 2016.

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Wellfed Landing Soon In Playa Vista

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Remember back in October when I first noticed a sign on the front of 13020 W. Pacific Promenade #7 in Playa Vista informing us that Great Food was soon heading our way?  Well, construction is fast and furious on a build-out of what will soon be Wellfed.  Recently, I had a chance to chat with the owners.  While they’re still working out all the details, here’s what I can tell you.  The new owner operated gastropub will feature an open kitchen dishing up a creative market-driven California/Asia menu.  The concept here is fast/casual served over a super snazzy monkeypod wood wrap-around countertop.  The vibe at Wellfed will be chill with a serious emphasis on food.  And they’ve scored a chef with serous cred although I’m not at liberty to divulge.  While beer and wine are still a few months away, they’re shooting for a December 21st opening.  We wish them the best of luck.

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