There’s window paper up on the space at 9725 Culver Blvd. (previously home to the doomed Sestina) announcing the impending arrival of Nardò. With two other locations in West Hollywood and Huntington Beach, Nardò promises an authentic Southern Italian menu with such things as woodfired Neapolitan pizza and homemade pastas. Looks like they’re aiming for a late May opening. Until then, check out their West Hollywood location’s menu for an idea of what may be coming.
I know this is being widely reported in other places, but I’m still receiving messages from shocked readers so I’m passing this on as well. West LA’s fave nostalgic poultry purveyor Dinah’s Family Restaurant is closing at their longtime location of 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd. Open since 1959, Dinah’s drips with childhood memories for many locals, and I personally know people who make a pilgrimage to Dinah’s on their birthdays. All is not lost though, a large banner on the front informs us that they are moving to a new location at 4130 Sepulveda Suite G, with an opening date of May 6th. Thanks to all who wrote to let me know…
This was certainly a surprise… I’m hearing from shocked readers that Culver City’s branch of classic health food store Co-opportunity Market has disappeared from their location at 8770 Washington Blvd. The Co-op began life in 1974 in Santa Monica, where it continues to exist. This location opened in 2017 and appeared to be tracking a more Erewhon vibe than its old school hippie predecessor. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the space to see what may develop.
(Thanks again, Andrew!)
On a tip from a reader, I went by the tricky space that has hosted many restaurants, most recently Wise Sons, at 9552 Washington Blvd. There’s a banner on the front informing us that Vietnamese cafe Nong Lá is setting up housekeeping. Well known for their “Phở, Bún, and Bánh Mì“, Nong Lá has two other locations in LA and is planning on a Winter 2024 opening at this location.
(Thanks Andrew!)
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Sam!) wrote to tell me about the recent disappearance of Iron Teapot Dim Sum & Bar from its location at 10306 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles (Palms). Wasting no time whatsoever, a new eatery is settling into the address. Fire My Pasta will bring “Italian Inspired Cuisine & Bar”, with pasta and pizza on the menu.
Culver City is getting a whole lot sweeter, with the arrival of Handel’s Ice Cream and now this…. There’s a banner up on the space at 3865 Overland announcing a branch of Nothing Bundt Cakes is setting up housekeeping. Nothing Bundt Cakes’ handcrafted ultra moist confections inspire legions of fans. They began in 1997 in Las Vegas and have since expanded to 500 locations.
(Thanks Andrew!)
It was only a little over a month ago when I told you about the arrival of popular cookie purveyor Lei’d Cookies to 8588 Washington Blvd. in Culver City. Wasting no time whatsoever, they are opening this Saturday, Oct.7th. Doors open at 3pm and there will be gifts for the first 50 people. We wish them the best of luck…
Culver City is about to get Lei’d… And while I can’t take credit for that line (Thanks as always Andrew!), I can tell you that there’s a sign in the window of the former Coolhaus at 8588 Washington Blvd. announcing that Lei’d Cookies is moving in. It looks like this will be the first brick-and-mortar for the Smorgasburg LA food market fixture that has gained quite a popular following for their sweet treats with flavors such as mango sticky rice cookies and guava and goat cheese sugar cookies.
The window paper at 1447 Lincoln Blvd. (corner of Broadway) in Santa Monica is announcing that a branch of Health Nut is taking over the space. Not sure what that is? Check with your friends who live in The Valley or The Southbay. Odds are, they’re huge fans of the celebrity fave that began as a vitamin store in 1988. They are known for their fresh, healthy sandwiches and salads with proprietary dressings that people go gaga for. Apparently, Culver City will soon be getting a branch as well at 8900 Venice Blvd #108.
A very sharp-eyed reader spotted a banner hanging over the former Make Out spot at 9426 Washington Blvd, behind The Culver Hotel. The banner lets us know that Wrapstar is setting up housekeeping at this address. Wrapstar has a location in Beverly Hills and offers a menu of fast/casual “signature and build-your-own wraps” and salads. They are also opening another location at 8593 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood.
(Thanks Andrew!)
I’ve been hearing from excited readers who have noticed new window signage on the former home of Quicksand at 10868 Washington Blvd. While I don’t have confirmation, It appears that Cofax is settling into the location. Cofax has a location at 440 N Fairfax in LA, and is known for excellent coffee and popular breakfast burritos.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks again Andrew!) noticed some window paper up on one of the spaces on the studio side of The Culver Steps. The paper promises this to be the future home of Yunomi Handroll. Yunomi has a location in The Arts District and is known for traditional and innovative handrolls and sashimi.
Yes, Culver City, high-end groceries are heading your way! Popular (if pricey) natural foods market and place to be seen Erewhon continues its expansion with a new location at 9300 Culver Blvd. (in The Culver Steps complex). An ABC application went up just this week confirming the news.
People are demanding answers after an ABC application went up on the front of the beloved theater most recently home to ArcLight at 9500 Culver Blvd. in Culver City. Here’s what I can find out so far… It appears that Amazon is taking over the historic theater. And there will be food as well. The ABC app lists the name of the new business as LAX75, and the primary owner is listed as multinational foodservice company The Compass Group. There are a lot of rumors swirling around, so if you have more concrete info, please pass it along. (Thanks John!)
Erratum: This story originally reported the new restaurant as French 75. Thanks to all the readers who took the time to let me know.
A reader (Thanks Andrew!) wrote to tell me that he had spotted window signs up in the space that formerly housed Yalla Mediterranean at 9516 Culver Blvd. The signs let us know that Sweet Lily Bakery is settling in. Sweet Lily currently has a location on Cahuenga, and is the dream of two people from France, Marine and Thibaut, the latter of whom won “Best chocolate eclair of Paris”. Expect a solid menu of French favorites including pastries, cakes, sandwiches, tartines, and quiche.
It appears that Hollywood poultry purveyor Kismet Rotisserie is expanding to Culver City. A reader (Thanks Joyce!) noticed the window paper up on a space just to the right of the incoming Konbi at the One Culver complex in the 10000 block of Washington Blvd. Expect a “globally-inspired” menu of chicken, sandwiches, and salads. (The LA Times just gave them a glowing recommendation for picnic food at The Hollywood Bowl…)
It appears that something new will be filling the space created by the lamentable loss of Smitty’s Famous Fish & Chicken at 9032 Venice Blvd in Culver City. There’s a banner hanging on the front of the gutted shop that announces the impending arrival of Bernie’s Soul Kitchen. BSK hails from near Chicago and offers a menu of “jerk and soul food” including bowls, pizzas, wraps, and dinners. (Thanks Andrew!)
On a tip from a reader (Thanks Scott!) I went by a shopping center near the corner of Overland and Venice to see what was going on. Sure enough, signs are now up announcing that a branch of confectionary expert Crumbl Cookies is moving in to the space at 3810 Midway (corner of Venice Blvd.). Crumbl Cookies began life in Utah in 2017 before spreading to over 300 locations nationwide. They serve a selection of favorites like their proprietary milk chocolate chip, pink velvet cupcake, and lemon glaze along with a rotating menu of flavors and a “mystery cookie” all served in an iconic pink box.
There are notices in the window of the two spaces at 1330 and 1380 Main St. in Venice that let us know that coffee is coming soon. The notices also tell us that this is a new project from @superdomesticcxc. Super Domestic Coffee is a coffee and cyclery concept that has a location in Culver City and a location in LA. Besides coffee, tea, and kombucha, Super Domestic offers a menu of pastries, bagels, burritos, tartines, and cycle accessories.
I heard from a reader (Thanks Andrew!) about a new establishment taking over the old Bondi Harvest space in Culver City at 8820 Washington. In case you haven’t tried recently to navigate your way through the fresh hell that is Downtown Culver City, well… it is an unmitigated traffic disaster and you’ll be stuck there a very long time. Anyway, I did eventually make it to the location to see what was going on. Window paper up on the space announces the impending arrival of Fiish Los Angeles. I can’t seem to find much info on this business so if you know more send me a message. Just know I won’t be driving there anytime soon…
Toddrickallen 