What’s Going On At Gate Of India In SM?

Posted on March 18, 2014 by toddrickallen

Long-standing Indian restaurant Gate of India at 115 Santa Monica Blvd. has closed down and appears to be a total mess inside due to a recent February fire, according to the Santa Monica Mirror. In a further stroke of bad luck, the City of Santa Monica has closed the building due to structural damage and has posted on the door a “limited entry” notice making it a misdemeanor to occupy the building. Next-door neighbors Stout and Bar Pintxo remain open. No word on if they plan on re-opening but I’ll keep my eye on it…

Nespa Cafe To Replace 360 Cafe In Beverly Hills

Posted on March 14, 2014 by toddrickallen

It was only about two years ago that 360 Café opened next to the Jose Eber Salon at 360 N. Camden in Beverly Hills. The diminutive coffee shop recently closed down and is getting a redo as well as a new name: Nespa Cafe. Look for an opening in “about 10 days”, according to staff.

What’s Going On At South In Santa Monica? (Part II)

Posted on March 12, 2014 by toddrickallen

Back in November of last year, I told you about the legal problems going on at the space that used to house defunct sports bar South at 3001 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Earlier in 2013, it was reported that the space was to give way to a new restaurant, The Huntley Kitchen & Bar. Well, apparently plans have fallen through. Signs went up last week announcing that the space is once again back up for lease. As always, I’ll keep my eye on it…

Brixton Restaurant Coming Soon To Santa Monica

Posted on March 10, 2014 by toddrickallen

Construction is underway and an ABC application recently went up on the corner space at 2827 Pico Blvd. (corner of Yorkshire) in Santa Monica that used to house ill-fated The Joker dive bar announcing an upcoming new venture, Brixton Restaurant. Not much information out there yet and no known opening date, but I’ll keep my eye on it…

Art’s Table Replaces Babalu In Santa Monica

Posted on March 7, 2014 by toddrickallen

There has been a lot of confusion over much-beloved neighborhood haunt Babalu on the corner of 10th and Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Indeed, Carmen Miranda’s smiling face has been gazing down on traffic from their sign for 27 years. Locals have been wildly speculating about recent odd hours and closures, but now it’s final: Babalu is officially closed. After a quick redo to replace tropical kitch with a cool industrial vibe, a new venture, Art’s Table has moved in and is now open. Brought to you by businessman, restaurateur, and owner of Westside Rentals Mark Verge, his latest offers a menu of burgers, salads, and sandwiches in a cozy neutral setting. Read Babalu’s parting message here.

Food Fare 2014 This Thursday In SM

Posted on March 5, 2014 by toddrickallen

The 35th anniversary of Food Fare takes place this Thursday, March 6th at Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport. Benefitting Planned Parenthood, the event began in 1979 with a cooking demo from Julia Child. This year’s Food Fare honors Celestino Drago as Chef of the Year and includes an auction and offerings from over 100 participants such as Chi Spacca, Craft, Border Grill, Salt’s Cure, Lucques, and Kreation. Read more and purchase tickets here.

Cherry On Top Now Open In Culver City

Posted on March 3, 2014 by toddrickallen

Way back in August 2012, I first noticed that signs had gone up announcing a new frozen yogurt shop going into the building on the corner of Centinela and Washington Place. Since then, locals have waited, and waited, and waited… Well, the wait is over. After a mysteriously long time, the Culver City location of self-serve frozen yogurt chain Cherry On Top is finally open. Read more here.

Pressed Juicery Now Available On Montana In SM

Posted on February 28, 2014 by toddrickallen

Here’s welcome news if you’ve been tortured by the thought of having to walk more than a block for fresh juice anywhere on the Westside: The new Groundwork on the corner of 16th and Montana Ave. in Santa Monica now carries a range of cold-pressed juices from rapidly expanding Pressed Juicery.

Quicksand Opening March 4th In West LA

Posted on February 27, 2014 by toddrickallen

Back in October, I told you about a sign that went up on a storefront in a strip mall at 12201 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA announcing Another Burger Joint: Carnivores and Vegetarians Welcome. Well, as you can see from the photo, it looks like they’ve settled on a name: Quicksand and they’re shooting for a March 4th opening. Until then, read more about them and check out their menu here.

Comoncy Now Open In Beverly Hills

Posted on February 25, 2014 by toddrickallen

It took a bit longer than the December projected opening, but diminutive coffee shop Comoncy recently opened in the old Boule space at 413 N. Bedford in Beverly Hills. Brought to you by the people at Coral Tree Cafe, Comoncy (which according to the website mean “coming together and sharing” in case you’re wondering) offers a menu of coffee, pastries, salads, and sandwiches that you can read more about here.

Starbucks Now Open On 11th And Wilshire

Posted on February 21, 2014 by toddrickallen

The controversial Starbucks on the corner of 11th and Wilshire in Santa Monica opened for business today. And while the opening of a new Starbucks isn’t exactly headline-making news, this particular one is notable because it became a poster child for Santa Monica’s inexorable drive toward over-development and loss of local character, even garnering a petition drive to retain the previous tenant, Farrah’s Florist. But the coffee giant has prevailed, and now sits firmly in command of the prominent corner across from Melisse.

Holy Grounds At Saint Monica Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on February 19, 2014 by toddrickallen

The next time you’re in Santa Monica and craving a cup of great coffee, but don’t feel secure enough to venture south of Colorado to ultra-hip Urth Caffé on Main, head over to the corner of Lincoln and California, above Wilshire. Nestled quietly in the residential neighborhood is a coffee-house newly opened in the recent development complex of St. Monica’s Church. Holy Grounds at Saint Monica offers a menu of Urth coffee, teas, and selected bakery items and is open from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and Sunday noon to 7pm. Confessions optional…

It’sugar Coming Soon To The Third Street Promenade

Posted on February 17, 2014 by toddrickallen

Self-described trendy sweet shop It’sugar is coming soon to the space at 1427 Third St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. The giant candy, novelty item, and “candy-inspired” apparel retailer already boasts over 70 locations worldwide. Look for a Spring 2014 opening.

Simply Salad Coming Soon To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on February 13, 2014 by toddrickallen

With two restaurants in Downtown LA, Simply Salad is going into the space to the left of Taberna Arros y Vi at 1401 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica. Offering a menu that focuses on fresh and healthy custom-built salads and wraps, Simply Salad gives you over 65 toppings and over 25 dressings to choose from. Read more here.

Fresh Healthy Cafe Coming Soon To Santa Monica Place

Posted on February 12, 2014 by toddrickallen

With locations throughout the US, Canada, and the world, Fresh Healthy Café is moving into the space that used to house Sushi Itto in the food court of Santa Monica Place. The eco-friendly chain offers a menu of wraps, grilled panini, salads, soups, smoothies, and fresh juices. No word on an opening date, but until then, you can read more about them here.

Juicelove Now Available In CC

Posted on February 11, 2014 by toddrickallen

The cold-pressed juice craze continues unabated… If you thought that Century City was a juice desert, think again. You can now get your fix on the first floor of the Westfield Century City Shopping Center at a free-standing kiosk selling various cold-pressed juices, shots, and blends by Downtown LA’s eco-friendly Juicelove.

Starbucks Coming Soon To The PP Highlands

Posted on February 7, 2014 by toddrickallen

Just when you thought the Westside couldn’t possible squeeze in another Starbucks, looks like the good folk of the Pacific Palisades Highlands will soon have their very own brand-spanking new one right on the corner of Palisades Dr. and Sunset in the Highlands Village shopping center…

Le Pain Quotidien Hosts Cookie Decorating In BH

Posted on February 5, 2014 by toddrickallen

The Beverly Hills outpost of ubiquitous Belgian café chain Le Pain Quotidien is hosting a children’s cookie decorating event in honor of Valentine’s Day. The little ones can try their luck with heart-shaped cookies this Saturday, February 8th from 4pm to 5pm. Space is bound to be tight so call (310) 859-1100 as quickly as your little fingers can dial to reserve your spot.

Moku Sushi Coming Soon To Pacific Palisades

Posted on February 4, 2014 by toddrickallen

Construction is underway on a new Japanese restaurant, Moku Sushi, in the Highlands Village shopping center on the corner of Palisades Dr. and Sunset in Pacific Palisades. No word on an opening date, but it looks like they’re fairly close. Until then, you can read more and check out their menu here.

Toscana Cafe Now Open In Manhattan Village

Posted on January 31, 2014 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of the Manhattan Village Shopping Center on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, a new hole-in-the-wall, Toscana Café has recently opened inside the mall. With a menu of sandwiches, salads, bakery treats, and ice cream, the diminutive café is an offshoot of popular, nearby Toscana Deli, which you can read more about here.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest