Tag Archives: Downtown Santa Monica

Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen Replacing Tumbi In Downtown Santa Monica

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It looks like a new South Asian concept is coming to Santa Monica. There’s a window poster up on the old Tumbi space at 115 Santa Monica Blvd. announcing the arrival of Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen. With two other SoCal locations and a Michelin nod, Khan Saab is a “bold, modern expression of South Asian cuisine” and offers a menu that is 100% halal, including a craft non-alcoholic bar. Expect steak, kabobs, a wide selection of curries, biryani, and street eats. Read more about this exciting new eatery, including the backstory of the chef and his association with the previous tenant Tumbi, here.

Mezemex Mexican Grill Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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With the depressingly high number of vacant storefronts in Downtown Santa Monica, one glimmer of hope is that there appears to be a number of new eateries moving in. There is a small Coastal Commission pending application on the front of 1403 Third St. Promenade that gives us the name of Mezemex Mexican Grill as one of these new eateries. This space was previously the longtime home of a branch of Wetzel’s Pretzels. I can’t find much information on this business, so if you have info, let us know.

Raising Cane’s, The Win-Dow Will In Santa Monica Open On…

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Two hotly anticipated new Santa Monica eateries are ready to throw open their doors. There’s a sandwich board outside of the new Downtown Santa Monica branch of crazy/popular poultry purveyor Raising Cane’s announcing their June 10 opening at the corner of Third St. and Santa Monica Blvd. And a window poster over on the new Montana Ave location of The Win-Dow gives the opening date as Tuesday, June 9. The Win-Dow has a full opening week of activities including free double cheeseburgers (with purchase) on opening day. You’re welcome.

Update: The flashing new Westwood branch of Raising Cane’s is scheduled to open June 29.

Cotti Coffee Bringing “Comfortable Coffee Lifestyle” To Downtown Santa Monica

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After sitting vacant for a few years, the space right on the corner of Lincoln and Broadway, at 1447 Lincoln, is getting a new tenant. Window paper has gone up on the location announcing the arrival of Cotti Coffee. If you’ve been paying attention, you may have heard of Cotti and its meteoric rise. It has a smattering of locations in SoCal and is known for its buzzy lifestyle brand. Cotti Coffi began in China in 2022 and has quickly risen to a presence in “33 countries with 18,000+ stores, [and is] ranked 3rd globally.” On offer will be innovative drinks, light meals, and merch.

Bacio Di Latte Blessing Montana Ave. Soon

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In other icy treat news… Congratulations good people of Santa Monica, a second Bacio di Latte is on the way! It appears that Italian gelato is continuing its inexorable conquest of The Westside. Here is the location of the upcoming second Santa Monica branch of Italian-born brand Bacio di Latte, at 1510 Montana Ave, right next to another Italian brand, Sogno Toscano. Because why should anyone have to drive more than a few blocks for luscious, creamy, artisanal gelato?

Dragon Alley Coffee Shop Bringing Inspiration To Downtown Santa Monica

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The capricious food/beverage world of Santa Monica’s Third St. Promenade is a nearly constant environment of change. The City’s renewed push to improve conditions for businesses will hopefully bring a fresh crop of arrivals. But there are already new businesses moving in. There are the heavy hitters like Raising Cane’s, and there are also some new enterprises willing to chance Downtown SM. One of these is a new java joint, Dragon Alley Coffee Shop, that is currently setting up housekeeping at 312 Santa Monica Blvd. The still-developing website reveals that Dragon Alley is the dream project of Sage and Richard Chand, whose inspiring story you can read about here. We wish them the best of luck.

Kogen Omakase Coming To Downtown Santa Monica.

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Adorable, but short-lived Bar Monette caused quite a sensation when if opened in 2023. Then it quietly slipped out of its location at 109 Santa Monica Blvd in Downtown Santa Monica. Now the troubled space (also previously home to another flashy eatery Red Ruby before Bar Monette) is getting a new tenant. There’s a new ABC application in the window announcing the impending arrival of Kogen Omakase. I can’t seem to find a lot of information on the new Japanese restaurant, so if you have more info let me know.

(A reader (Thanks Jorge!) found this website.)

Raising Cane’s New Santa Monica Location…

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A while back I told you that Raising Cane’s was moving into the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Here is the new location at 1401 Third St. Promenade, on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd, formerly the home of Bibibop. It looks like they are working on a complete build-out. This is part of a major expansion into the California by the beloved Louisiana-based poultry provider known for chicken finger meals and noontime lines out the door.

Suá Replacing Wexler’s In Downtown Santa Monica

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It appears that after 10 years, smoked fish experts Wexler’s Deli have closed up shop at 616 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. This is not the end: A gracious note on the front door explains that they are pivoting to a wholesale business and you will soon be able to find their proprietary lox at hotels and restaurants. In other exciting news, the note also explains that “Sichuan Superette” Suá, will be taking over the space. If you haven’t had a chance to visit their charming Larchmont location, you can expect delightful hand-stirred matcha and coffee drinks, organic Sichuan grab-and-go, Asian snacks, and carefully curated pantry and home goods.

Raising Cane’s Coming To Westwood, Santa Monica

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I have it on good authority that popular chicken finger restaurant Raising Cane’s is coming to Westwood Village. What you are looking at in the photo is the build-out for the beloved poultry purveyor at 10948 Weyburn in Westwood Village. Louisiana-based Raising Cane’s is (thankfully) expanding in California, with yet another location planned for nearby Third Street Promenade.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzeria Coming To Santa Monica

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Congratulations Santa Monica, cartoon-themed pizza is heading your way! People are writing to tell me about the plywood on the space at 1444 3rd Street Promenade announcing the arrival of the first official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzeria. This location was once home to Johnnie’s New York Pizzeria, which closed nearly 10 years ago. And what can we expect? This announcement promises a “classic New York-style cheesy slice… worthy of the sewer squad”. Hmmm…

Florence Osteria Bringing Pizza & Vino To Downtown Santa Monica

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Buzzy Beverly Grove charmer Florence Osteria is opening a Downtown Santa Monica branch. Their website confirms it, and signs have recently gone up on the space at 413 Santa Monica Blvd. Florence Osteria boasts “authentic flavors of Tuscany”, while the sign on the front promises a focus on “pizza & vino”. They appear close to opening, but until then, get more details here.

SoCal Vibes Co. Bringing Beachy Chill To Downtown Santa Monica

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Construction is fast and furious at the site of the old Craftsman bar at 119 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. An ABC application on the front lists the new business as SoCal Vibes Co. This is the tap room/restaurant branch of Carson’s very own Honest Abe Brewery. With locations in the South Bay and Venice, SoCal Vibes Co. offers “unique food and beverage offerings in a beachy, chill atmosphere” with live music and game nights.

The Courtside Lounge Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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There’s construction and a new ABC application at 123 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. This address has been a number of different eating places over the years with the most recent being Monty’s Good Burger and Thai Dishes before that. The ABC application lists the new “beer & wine eating place” as The Courtside Lounge. Other than what I would imagine will be a sports theme, we’ll have to keep watching for more details.

Bacio Di Latte Blessing Santa Monica Soon…

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People go crazy for the luscious gelato at Bacio di Latte in The Westfield Century City Shopping Center, Brentwood, and other locations.  Now fans in Santa Monica won’t have to drive so far. Window paper is up on the corner space that was once the home of Jamba Juice, at 331 Santa Monica Blvd #A in Downtown Santa Monica, proclaiming the triumphant news that Bacio di Latte is moving in.  You’re welcome.

Din Tai Fung Santa Monica Opens On…

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While this is being widely reported in other sources, I’m hearing from excited readers that Santa Monica’s hotly anticipated branch of dumpling experts Din Tai Fung is about to throw open their doors on the third floor of Santa Monica Place in Downtown Santa Monica, across from always-busy The Cheesecake Factory.  According to the website, they are soft opening with a limited preview menu on February 20th, with a grand opening scheduled for February 28th.  Hours are 11am to 9pm, and you can reserve a spot here.  With its sleek, stylish design and loads of space, could it bring a revival to the sputtering mall?

Ippudo Bringing Celebrated Ramen To Culver City

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With its much-lauded tonkotsu ramen that once caused a sensation in New York, award-winning Ippudo has been slowly making inroads into the West Coast.  A sharp-eyed reader noticed that they are moving into the space at 3847 Main St. in Downtown Culver City.  Founded in 1985 in Fukuoka City, Japan, they opened their first US location in 2008 in New York and have since spread to locations in Bay Area and West Hollywood.  This will be the second LA location for the exacting noodle chain (although there was briefly a Santa Monica outpost).

(Thanks Mitch!)

What’s New In The Original Farmers Market, Santa Monica?

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Here are some upcoming changes coming soon to The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax:  Eastern European experts Stara are bringing pierogi and kielbasa the mix.  Here’s a look at their menu.  And on the Northern side of the food court, there’s a banner up declaring the new inhabitant to be none other than beloved iconic Italian sandwich chain All’Antico Vinaio.  Their website also spills the beans of a new Santa Monica location as well.  SMDP has the full skinny on the upcoming Downtown Santa Monica location here.

New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl

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This from my inbox:

New Years Eve Pub Crawl

Tue., Dec. 31 / Various Santa Monica Bars / 6pm-2am / $20+

Say goodbye to boring and hello to a night filled with VIP treatment, exclusive drink specials, and a whole lot of fun!

Spend the night hopping between the hottest bars in Santa Monica with VIP entry and drink deals as low as $4 drafts and 2-for-1 premiums & champagnes! 

Here’s the scoop: Registration: 6-10pm @ Barney’s Beanery or Jameson’s Pub, party till 2am, free entry to multiple hotspots, VIP access to exclusive after-party, unforgettable happy hours, no cover charges, and deals all night!

Whether you’re a local or just here to party, we’ve got the best NYE plans!

Tickets and more information here.