The antioxidant-packed goji berry is having its moment right now. Not since kale have we seen anything in the vegetable kingdom become so au courant. And now they’ve even gotten a namesake shop: Goji Juice + Vitamins opened this week at 408 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Check out their menu of “organic, fresh squeezed juices and smoothies, healthy food, supplements, and more” here. 
I’ve been watching the space that used to house now-defunct sports bar South at 3001 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica for a while now. First, it was reported that a new farm-to-table restaurant was to take over. Then, late last year we learned of legal problems with the previous tenants and so it has sat empty for a long time. Now a new branch of popular SoCal restaurant chain Maria’s Italian Kitchen has quietly slipped into the space and opened last week. However the website states that this is only a temporary pop-up to service the needs of the poor people of Brentwood while the Maria’s location there is closed for remodeling because heaven knows there is no other place to eat Italian in Brentwood…
Fresh Healthy Café is now open in the space that used to house Sushi Itto in the food court of Santa Monica Place. With locations throughout the US, Canada, and the world, the eco-friendly chain offers a menu of wraps, grilled panini, salads, soups, smoothies, and fresh juices that you can read more about here.
If you’re looking for something to do near the beach on Saturday, June 28th from 11:00am to 3:00pm, check out the California Cook-Off at Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica. The cooking competition will be judged by Chef Ben Ford (Ford’s Filling Station) and there will be cooking demos, free samples, and a host of prizes from event sponsor Dole and Weber Grills. Check out more about the cook-off here.
While there continues to be about a billion branches of Mexican chain Baja Fresh located across the LA area and the country, recently we’ve seen their number decrease somewhat. The latest casualty appears to be the long-standing outpost located in the Manhattan Village Shopping Center on the corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans in Manhattan Beach. Find other locations and read more here.
It was slow, it was painful, and we all saw it coming: With stories of a Chapter 11 late last year, the exodus of staff to other Italian restaurants across town, and gossip of no wine inventory, it seemed that Villetta had been doomed for a while. And now comes the final sad news from a piece of paper propped up in the window that Villetta closed on Friday, June 13th. Open in the old Chez Mimi space (246 26th St.) since March 2011, everyone was hopeful for a long successful run, but that, however, was not meant to be. All is not lost though, as the paper in the window does seem to hint at a reopening at some point in the future, so we’ll just have to see. Until then, you can read my original review here.
The scene on Friday evening…
Charming little lunch boîte Café Lucy, on the corner of Lincoln and Wilshire (1227 Lincoln) in Santa Monica, has posted signs indicating that they have temporarily closed down for renovations. Long a favorite of the local business crowd, they are planning on being back up and running in July. Until then, their other location is still open on the corner of Wilshire and 7th.
The latest to throw their hat into the juice ring, Orchard Flats Cold Pressed Juicery officially opened its doors to the spoiled-for-choice residents of Santa Monica on Monday. With a smattering of stores across LA, their newest is located at 705 Montana Ave. and boasts an organic selection of antioxidant, detox, and anti-aging blends as well as cleanses, elixirs, and a honey bee line that you can read more about here.
Having overshot their original Spring planned opening, Ocean Prime the steak/seafood restaurant going into the cavernous old El Torito space at 9595 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Camden) in Beverly Hills, is planning on a September debut according to new banners and the official announcement that you can read here. Brought to you by the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant Group, this will be the first outpost of the chain that promises a modern American supper club and piano bar. Read more about the latest steak house in BH and check out their menu here.
It appears that the charming little French café La Petite Creperie has closed at 3809 Grand View Blvd. (corner of Venice Blvd.) in Mar Vista. Opened in 2010, LPC is quickly vacating the space and windows are papered over to make room for some new venture. No word yet on what’s replacing it, but I’ll keep my eye on it…
I guess Louis Vuitton and deep-fried potatoes don’t really go together after all… Looks like Westfield Century City Mall’s branch of Philippines-based international spud giant Potato Corner has ended it courageous year-and-a-half run. But with locations throughout the world, including nearby Culver City, you can easily locate their signature tuberous treats and read more here.
Popular burrito chain Chipotle continues its inexorable expansion. Looks like they’re building their latest outpost in the food court of the Westfield Culver City (Fox Hills) Mall. According to the sign, they’re shooting for a July opening. Until then, read more here.
Recently, popular Bay-Area purveyor of coffee, Philz Coffee announced that it was intending to ride the Silicon Beach wave right into the heart of Santa Monica. And now we know where: Signs have gone up on the brand new building at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. (between 5th and 6th, north side of the street) announcing the impending arrival. Promising “Rock Star Talent”, you can read more about the passionate coffee company here.
About this time of year, do you find yourself waxing nostalgic when the grand European Perigord Truffle season is but a distant memory? Did you know that since the 1990s, Australia has been cultivating these culinary gems and that their season, the opposite of its European counterpart is about to begin? To celebrate, Melisse in Santa Monica has invited Chef Peter Gilmore from Quay Restaurant in Sydney, Australia to help host a “celebration of the commencement of Australian Perigord Black Truffle Season” on Friday June 13th. There will be two seatings; one at 5:30pm and the second at 8:15pm. Cost is $185 and reservations are bound to go like hotcakes, so secure yours by dialing (310) 395-0881 just as fast as your little fingers can or click here.
After over two years of having its “coming soon” sign in the window at 452 Canon Dr. in Beverly Hills, Encino-based Israeli restaurant Itzik Hagadol has abandoned its plans at this address as evidenced by the replacement of their “coming soon” signs with new “for lease” ones. Hope is not lost however. A spokesperson explained that they have had difficulties at this location and are currently searching for a new one in the area.
This week…
February 2012…
Only just a few weeks ago I told you about a new venture taking over the Maya Japanese Food space in the tiny strip mall on the corner of Yale and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica. The brand spankin’ new Mahi Mahi Seafood Grill is now open, serving fish in a variety of ways including: grilled, sandwiches, pasta, burritos, tacos, even Hawaiian and teriyaki plates. Hours: 11:00am to 9:30pm (8:30pm Sundays).
Open since only late last year, signs are up in the window of Shophouse Southeast Asian Kitchen on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and the Third Street Promenade declaring that the Santa Monica branch of the fresh Asian chain is temporarily closed for a kitchen refurbishment. And while a notice originally stated that they would be open by Tuesday (May 20th), clearly things did not go as smoothly as they imagined because it remains closed, and the part of the note saying they would being open by Tuesday has been blackened out and replaced with a scrawled promise of opening “as soon as we can”. Hopefully they’ll be up and running again shortly.
National sandwich and bakery chain Panera Bread continues its steady expansion. The latest branch appears to be going into the space at 1145 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood. Until then, check out their menu and read more about them here.
Remember Wild Oats? Long before a certain other large chain burst on the scene, Wild Oats was the go-to grocery store for organic, healthy foods in sharp contrast to what was being passed off as edible at regular supermarkets. All those cozy, neighborhood markets disappeared almost over night due to dubious circumstances and all of you who were dedicated to the pioneering cult brand thought all was lost, right? Wrong! Wild Oats is once again back on the SoCal grocery scene with a limited line being carried by Fresh & Easy grocery stores at local locations. Check out Wild Oats’ cheery new image and learn more about the company’s philosophy here.
A “preview” of the upcoming Belcampo Meat Co. Restaurant and Butcher Shop, the Belcampo Farm Kitchen is now open for a trial run Tuesday through Saturday 5pm to 10pm at the corner of Wilshire and 11th in Santa Monica. You can check out a sample of their menu that features meats that are grass-fed, organic, and humanely raised at their farm in Northern California and learn more here.
Toddrickallen 