Suá Replacing Wexler’s In Downtown Santa Monica

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.

Levain Bakery Beverly Hills Opens On…

This from my Inbox:

“On Friday, August 8, 2025 at 8:00am, Levain Bakery will celebrate its Beverly Hills grand opening – and third opening in the Los Angeles area – with a team ribbon cutting. The first 100 people in line will receive a custom Levain Bakery Beverly Hills tote bag filled with fun bakery swag celebrating the Beverly Hills community.
To further celebrate the opening of their Beverly Hills bakery, Levain will offer a brand new limited edition cookie flavor available exclusively at the new Beverly Hills bakery – Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chip. This cookie, available for just one month, is a new twist on a classic, and a tribute to Levain’s original Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookie. All proceeds from Levain Bakery’s Beverly Hills opening day will support Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles, whose mission is to combat hunger by providing meals, love, unity and community. To that end, OBKLA mobilizes volunteers in Los Angeles to cook and package meals for those facing food insecurity.”

Levain Bakery is located at 130 S Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, and is open from 7:00am to 10:00pm daily (on opening day, we will open at 8am).

Awan Bringing Celebrated Vegan Ice Cream To Venice

Directly behind the incoming Dayglow coffee shop on the corner of Rose and Rennie in Venice, window paper indicates a new branch of Awan. While their website doesn’t reveal much, Awan appears to specialize in coconut-based ice creams in flavors like Balinese vanilla bean, blood orange, and black sesame cherry chocolate chip. They currently have two other locations, in West Hollywood and Larchmont, with another location coming to 843 N Spring St. in Chinatown. (Thanks Jason!)

Levain Bakery Opens In Larchmont Village This Saturday (June 24)

This from my inbox:

Levain Bakery, the wildly popular bakery that was founded in NYC is opening on SATURDAY, JUNE 24th!  At 8:00am the bakery will celebrate its grand opening with a team ribbon cutting. The first 100 people in line will receive a special Levain Bakery Larchmont Village tote with bakery swag. Throughout opening day, there will be activities for families to enjoy, such as balloon twisting and face painting. The proceeds from Levain Bakery Larchmont’s opening day will be donated to Alexandria House – a transitional home for women and children located in Wilshire Center.”

Erin McKenna’s Bakery Expands To Santa Monica

Ever since Blue Plate exited the space at 1415 Montana Ave., I’ve been watching to see what might develop.  The wait is over.  According to signs that went up this week, the site will soon be home to a branch of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC.  With locations in New York, Orlando, and on Larchmont, you can expect confectionary treats that are vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and kosher.

Erin'sBakery.jpg