This is a public service announcement: Finding a great weekend brunch spot in LA is essential, and also not easy. Freshly opened new neighborhood fave Diner Antonette, at 1215 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica, will open with their inaugural brunch this Saturday and Sunday on their new back patio. You’re welcome.
For five long years, people have been demanding answers about what would take over the old Ingo’s Tasty Diner space at 1215 Wilshire Blvd. I’ve occasionally given updates as they became available, but due to various obstacles, the new restaurant took a frustratingly long time to open. So, to all those people who’ve been waiting comes this happy news: Diner Antonette officially threw open their doors on Tuesday (June 17). In addition to the eatery, which is still an LGO Hospitality Group brand, there is now a retail “La Grande Orange Grocery” (wine, gifts, books) in the old Vienna Bakery location next door. The menu has some of the old Ingo’s classics like crispy brussel sprouts and mezze spreads, and there are new items like Bombay crispy chicken, and dungeness crab & lobster with handmade pasta. They are currently open from 4pm to 10:30pm. You’re welcome.
Local laid-back neighborhood spot Ingo’s Tasty Diner, at 1213 Wilshire in Santa Monica, has been closed for years. What was expected to be a quick remodel started… and then completely stopped. Over a year ago, a new spate of construction prompted me to write an update. Not much happened after that and many believed that the project was dead. Recently however, there is renewed activity. As you may recall, Ingo’s has taken over the old Vienna Bakery space next door. Window paper has gone up with images of New York, LA, and even Julia Child, and there is a paper in one of the windows with the name Diner Antonette. LGO Hospitality Group (the parent company for Ingo’s, The Misfit, Luggage Room Pizza, and others) is still behind the project, and the website promises a return of Ingo’s Tasty Diner. Why the delay? I’m told that parts of the building are historic and complicated the permit process. But now construction is fast and furious (although they appear to have a way to go) and I’m also told they are hoping to be open by “The Holidays”.
Toddrickallen 