Breezy Italian charm is coming to 252B S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. With one location in Venice Beach, Castanea Sicilian Cafe appears to be opening a second location at this address. According to the website, “castanea” means chestnut, and the cafe is named after a famous chestnut tree on Mount Etna. Castanea Sicilian Cafe is passionate about “authentic Sicilian flavors and coffee culture”. They are opening another location in Hollywood as well.
Paper has gone up on the space at 1541 Ocean Ave ste 105 in Santa Monica proclaiming that famous San Francisco chocolatier Ghirardelli is moving in. Obviously, the shop is super close to The Pier and will cater to tourists, as it does in San Francisco, New York, and Hollywood. According to their website, Ghirardelli has been making quality chocolate for nearly two hundred years, thereby making it the “longest continually operating chocolatier in America”. They’re aiming for a Winter 2024 opening.
(Thanks Frank!)
Pink signs are up on the space at 215 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica announcing the arrival of Turn Dough. The address was previously the longtime home of hostel favorite breakfast spot Interactive Cafe. Turn Dough has two other LA locations (Venice and Hollywood) and offers a menu where “European traditions merge seamlessly with American creativity”. Look for “18 signature Chimney cakes with Soft Serve Gelato… Milkshakes, refreshing Dole Whip, irresistible Homemade French Crepes, heavenly Belgian Waffles, and a delightful selection of espresso”.
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 was a sad day when, after a brave effort, the people behind Chou Chou French Patisserie decided to pull the plug at 313 Wilshire Blvd. Now a new tenant is poised to move in. With one location on Hollywood Blvd., it appears that Hollywood Burger will soon be delivering “gourmet-style burgers” to the good people of Santa Monica. 
Signs recently went up on a space in The Point, on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in El Segundo, announcing that a branch of “modern organic Mexican” chain Tocaya Organica is continuing its unrelenting expansion. Not sure of an opening date yet. According to their website, they’re also opening locations soon in Westwood, Century City, Hollywood, San Diego, Scottsdale, and Chicago.
Ever since short-lived Aestus vacated their space at 507 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, I’ve been carefully watching to see what would move in. Well, now we know… The windows were recently papered over informing us that the good people of Santa Monica will soon be able to partake of “modern organic Mexican” at an upcoming branch of Tocaya Organica. With branches in West Hollywood, Venice, and Miami, it looks like in they will also be expanding to Westwood and Hollywood as well, according to their website.
Toddrickallen 