Japanese convenience chain Famima!! appears to be abandoning its experimental foray into Southern California. The purveyor of prepared foods and sundries has closed its doors in the Third Street Promenade as of last week. According to the Wikipedia page, all stores in SoCal will be closed as of this month. Too soon to tell what might replace it, but I’ll keep watching.
Ambitious Taberna Arros Y Vi sprang onto the Santa Monica dining scene back in 2013 with its Spanish tapas theme and dark and moody interior. Lately though, I’ve been hearing rumblings of a closure. Every time I walked by to check (usually before they opened), they had appeared ready for service: The tables were set and the bar was stocked. So yesterday, I dropped by after their opening time of 6pm. Sure enough, the door was locked and there was no activity inside. While there is no official announcement or news anywhere, Yelpers are reporting it closed and Opentable no longer carries its listing. So, I’m calling this one: Taberna Arros Y Vi is now closed. Let me know if you have any other information…
Normally, that den of skimpily-clad servers Hooters is off my radar. So while I can’t exactly say when it happened, I only recently noticed that the Hooters that used to inhabit the space at 321 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica had closed down. However, their Yelp page promises that they are temporarily closed until November 1st. But judging by the notices posted in the windows, it looks like that won’t be the case. Health emporium Dragon Herbs will be moving from their current location on Wilshire Blvd and taking over the space in a “few months” according to a spokesperson.
As you may know, the old Yankee Doodles space at 1410 Third St. Promenade in Santa Monica has sat vacant since a fire closed the sports bar back in 2013. Last month I noticed new signs of life but couldn’t come up with specific details. But recently, an artist’s rendering posted on the front of the space appears to spill the beans that the new tenant will be Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches. With several locations mostly to the South and East of LA, Bruxie is known for breakfasts and sandwiches served between their signature waffles, sort of like a panini according to their website. But they also offer salads, frozen custard, sundaes, and floats. Check out their website and learn more here.
Back in April of 2014 I told you that the decrepit food hall at 1315 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica was destined for a make-over. Work has finally begun and all of the restaurants (McDonald’s, Chinese Gourmet Express, The Candy Baron, Sushi Shogun, etc.) that had previously occupied the space except for Subway (that you now have to enter through a sleazy back alley entrance) have now closed. Not sure which one’s will be returning but I’ll keep watching…
It’s been a long time coming but it appears that the old Yankee Doodle space at 1410 Third St. Promenade in Santa Monica will finally get a new restaurant. Ever since the sports bar closed due to a fire back in 2013, the space has mostly sat vacant. Construction recently began and signs went up declaring that the cavernous space will be divided into two spaces; one will be a T-Mobile, and one will be a new restaurant. I don’t think they’ve settled exactly on which restaurant as there is still a commercial lease notice online, but I’ll keep my eyes on it…
It looks like Westwood’s popular Middle Eastern restaurant Sunnin Lebanese Café is expanding west into Santa Monica. A conditional use permit notice recently went up on the empty space just to the right of Philz Coffee at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 120 announcing the impending arrival. According to the notice, the hours of the new café will be 11AM to 11PM Monday through Sunday, and there will be beer and wine. No word on a planned opening date, but I’ll keep watching…
I think the finger is out of the dyke on this one… With more and more movie theaters on the Westside either redesigning themselves with food and drink menus or being built with restaurants comes news of one more to join the stampede: It appears that the dusty AMC Santa Monica 7 on the corner of 3rd and Arizona is getting a remodel. And according to the advertisements on the fencing outside, they’ll soon be offering beer, wine, and cocktails to the bill of fare as well as reclining chairs. Not sure if they’ll have food service like the Marina AMC, but I’ll keep watching…
While I can’t confirm this, I have it on good authority what the “new restaurant operation” promised by the closure notices posted on the front of what used to be Monsoon Café will eventually become. Looks like the same people behind Monsoon will be transforming the commodius space at 1212 3rd St. Promenade into a brand new concept restaurant 12 Twelve. The idea? Even though it looks like the new name is a nod to the address, 12 Twelve in fact refers to the new menu that will feature food from 12 different countries. No word on which 12 countries are highlighted though. At this point, they’re shooting for a Summer opening.
It was only a short while ago that farmer’s market fave Rockenwagner abruptly closed its doors at 311 Arizona Ave. in Santa Monica. And now we know what’s taking its place. Looks like the “seasonal Southern California comfort food” chain Lemonade will be moving in shortly, according to the notices pasted on the front. No word on an opening date, but until then, read more about the fast-casual chain here.
Well I sure didn’t see this one coming, but it looks like one of Santa Monica’s favorite pan-Asian restaurants (and occasional salsa dance lounge) Monsoon Cafe, has ended its long run of 18 years at 1212 3rd St Promenade. According to the goodbye letter posted on the front door, those giant Nepalese Buddha eyes that have gazed down on this quieter section of the Promenade between Wilshire and Arizona will soon be painted over to make way for a new, unnamed “restaurant operation”. Whether this means the new eatery will be by the same owners or an entirely different company, I’m not certain. No word on what the replacement will be, but it appears they’re aiming at being up and running by April of this year.
The food scene continues to sputter in the Santa Monica Place Mall, despite the upcoming ArcLight Cinema and Cheesecake Factory. The latest evidence? Wetzel’s Pretzels appears to have quietly slipped out of its third floor space. But fear not: If you find yourself craving the doughy treat, you can easily find other locations, including the one just one block away in The Promenade by looking here.
I just noticed the signs up at 219 Arizona (Third St. Promenade) in Santa Monica announcing the future arrival of a brand new venture, Creams & Dreams Ice Cream Shop. The space had recently housed clothing boutique Hydrate and previously Frey Wille. Not much news out there yet and no word on an opening date, but I’ll keep watching…
Back in February, I told you about the impending arrival of a new novelty and candy emporium to the space at 1427 Third St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. After an extensive and lengthy renovation of the storefront, It’Sugar is now open. With over 70 locations worldwide, It’Sugar delivers a wild ride through the world of confection with such TV gag products as Sweddy Balls, Colon Blow, and sacchariferous versions of edible intimate apparel as well as classic and retro candies that you can read more about here.
Downtown Santa Monica continues to be a flurry of urban renewal. I’ve been carefully watching the development on the corner of 7th and Arizona, which until recently has been concealed by scaffolding and plywood. All that came down this week to reveal an ABC application in the window. With locations in West Hollywood and Downtown LA, looks like popular casual eatery Caffe Primo is expanding west, to 702 Arizona Ave. to be exact. No word on an opening date yet, but until that magical day, you can read more here.
Toddrickallen 