Tag Archives: Los Angeles

LA Wine & Food Festival Nov. 7 – Nov. 9 In Santa Monica

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From my Inbox:

LA Wine & Food Fest

Friday, Nov. 7th-Sunday, Nov. 9th / Barker Hanger Santa Monica

VIP 6:30pm, GA 7:30pm / $175-$389

“The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival hosted by Tastemade is a vibrant celebration of the city’s dynamic culinary scene, rich multicultural flavors, and boundless creativity taking place on November 7-9, 2025, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Over three days, guests will savor dishes from exciting local and internationally acclaimed chefs, sip beverage selections from top regional and international producers, and experience the cultural mosaic that makes this city a global food capital.  From innovative tasting experiences to immersive pop-ups and artistic food installations, the festival is a feast for the senses—where food, culture, and art merge in the most delicious and Angelyne way.”

* FRIENDS OF SPIN * USE CODE “LAWine20” FOR 25% OFF TICKETS!

 

Hank’s Bagels Bringing Carbs Back To Brentwood

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Everyone’s favorite breakfast staple, the humble bagel, appears to be having a resurgence after a dark period of carb avoidance. There are lines out the door at the hip outpost of New York’s H&H Bagels, also Layla Bagels, Pop’s Bagels, Sam’s Bagels, and others. Now a new contender is throwing its hat into the ring. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Blair!) noticed window decals up on the space that used to be the home of Yu Cake, at 11725 Barrington Ct in Brentwood, announcing the arrival of a branch of Hank’s Bagels. Hank’s Bagels has locations in Burbank and Sherman Oaks and offers a menu of a variety of handmade bagels, spreads, and sandwiches that you can read more about here.

Wildbird Landing In Culver City

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There’s window paper up on the space at 10601 Washington Blvd #103 (corner of Overland) announcing the impending arrival of Wildbird. Wildbird specializes in locally sourced free-range chicken that has been “raised right“. They then marinate it for 24 hours, slow cook it, and carve it to order. They have five other locations around LA.

For The Win Coming To West LA

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Consistently rated as one of LA’s best burgers, For the Win has a very devoted fan base. With 10 locations across SoCal, it appears they are adding one more. A sharp-eyed reader noticed the small notices in the window of 1947 Westwood Blvd. (right next to Feast from the East) announcing the impending arrival of the celebrated burger joint.

(Thanks Stephen!)

For the Win coming to West Los Angeles.

Tres Dos Tres Coming To Sawtelle Japantown

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Right next door to upcoming Slizeria, a new fast casual Mexican restaurant is moving into the space at 11301 W Olympic #116. Window paper is up and work is fast and furious on the new Tres Dos Tres. 323 will be featuring a build-you-own fast casual Mexican concept that you can read more about at What Now Los Angeles.

GGiata Landing In Brentwood Soon…

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Yet more Brentwood news… I heard from a sharp-eyed anonymous reader that a new sandwich spot will be taking over the old New York Bagel spot at 11640 San Vicente Blvd, in the Town & Country shopping center. While there’s no signage up yet, the website confirms that GGiata is moving in. With five other locations around LA, GGiata bills itself as an “East Coast-style Italian deli”. Check out their menu of sandwiches, salads, breakfasts, and seasonal items here.

Doner Corner Coming To Brentwood

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The space at 11916 Wilshire in Brentwood has gone through a number of incarnations over the last few years.  Most recently it was The Upper Crust Pizza.  Before that it was a French restaurant, and before that another pizzeria.  But now a new name has gone up on the iconic sign: Doner Corner is moving in and refurbishing the space.  Promising “the true essence of Turkish cuisine”, you can expect a menu of doner, falafel, kibbeh, hummus, and more.

The Lineup at Venice’s New Colony…

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As signs recently went up at Venice’s new “smart kitchen” The Colony at 401 Lincoln Blvd (previously home to a large encampment) readers have been excitedly asking me what would be on offer.  Here’s a partial list of what I know so far: Crumbl, Kakkoi, Main Chick, Goop Kitchen, Muy Thai, Good Steak, Behold Burger, Sweet Rose, Culture Crush, Xenia, and Jennie’s House.  You’ll notice that this list is very similar to The Colony on Santa Monica Blvd. You’re welcome.

Black Sugar Boba Coming To West LA

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It appears there’s a new sweet treat shop landing at 11918 Wilshire Blvd in LA.  A banner us up announcing the arrival of Black Sugar Boba.  It looks like they were aiming for an earlier opening, but their website still promises this location.  Look for a menu of high-quality milk tea, matcha, cereal milks, smoothies, slushes, and fruit tea.  

Mimi Ice Cream Combining Pickles and Ice Cream In Brentwood Soon

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It appears that Brentwood is getting a new icy treat shop.  The Now (formerly Granville Plaza) development, at 11819 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles, has been undergoing a remodel for a quite a while now.  In space #102, the new tenant will be the first US location of Mimi Ice Cream.  According to the website, Mimi Ice Cream was created in Armenia, where they operate 20 locations.  They describe themselves as “leaders in the soft-serve ice cream market”.  This location will carry 20 flavors, 12 of which will be permanent with 8 rotating flavors.  And yes, I’m not kidding, there will be a curious emphasis on pickled vegetables and fruit.  Interesting….

Baskin-Robbins Coming To West LA

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Ice Cream people, you’re in luck.  A brand-new branch of old school ice cream brand Baskin-Robbins is opening in the strip mall at 11870 Santa Monica Blvd. (near Bundy).  Baskin-Robbins began life in 1945 in Glendale offering 31 flavors.  It has since spread to over 2,400 US locations, and according to the website, 1,400 flavors are now on offer.

Presotea Coming To West Edge, West LA

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There’s window paper on one of the spaces in the retail section of the massive new West Edge development at 12121 W Olympic Blvd, near the flashy new Gelson’s, announcing the arrival of Presotea.  Presotea is a brand from Taiwan that boasts some very impressive numbers: over 400 stores in over 50 cities worldwide with over 3,000 employees.  Look for a menu of handcrafted milk teas, fruit teas, blended drinks, and coffees.

Clean Juice Coming To West Edge, In West LA

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It looks like a new healthy option is heading to the new West Edge development, on the corner of Bundy and Olympic, at 12121 W Olympic Blvd.  There’s window paper on one of the spaces in the retail section of the massive complex, near the flashy new Gelson’s, announcing the arrival of Clean Juice.  Clean Juice has locations throughout the US, but the closest current one to LA is in Agoura Hills.  They offer a menu of juices and food that is “delicious, organic, fresh, and clean”.  Check out their selection of juices, smoothies, salads, bowls, and sandwiches here.

 

Yes, Dinah’s Family Restaurant Is Moving…

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I know this is being widely reported in other places, but I’m still receiving messages from shocked readers so I’m passing this on as well.  West LA’s fave nostalgic poultry purveyor Dinah’s Family Restaurant is closing at their longtime location of 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd.  Open since 1959, Dinah’s drips with childhood memories for many locals, and I personally know people who make a pilgrimage to Dinah’s on their birthdays.  All is not lost though, a large banner on the front informs us that they are moving to a new location at 4130 Sepulveda Suite G, with an opening date of May 6th.  Thanks to all who wrote to let me know…

Kakkoi Sushi/Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi Now Open In The Colony

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A fresh new dining option opened last Friday (April 19th) in community “smart kitchen” The Colony at 11419 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA.  Plant-based sushi specialists Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi has partnered with Kakkoi Sushi to create an exciting menu that combine’s Kakkoi‘s “Russian-Spanish-European fusion” with Niku Nashi‘s innovative vegan sushi.  Hours are 11am to 9pm and you can dine in on their patio or opt for take-away or delivery.  We wish them the best of luck.

Met Her At The Bar’s Location In Santa Monca

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We’ve known for a while that cozy neighborhood darling Met Her At A Bar was expanding to Santa Monica.  Now we know where.  There’s an ABC application posted on the front of the extensive build-out at 2615 Main St. in Santa Monca that lets us know this is the future branch of Met Her At The Bar.  The self-described “hip little neighborhood cafe” has a location on S. La Brea Ave. and is known for Belgian waffles and coffee.

Fire My Pasta Replacing Iron Teapot Dim Sum In Palms…

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A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Sam!) wrote to tell me about the recent disappearance of Iron Teapot Dim Sum & Bar from its location at 10306 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles (Palms).  Wasting no time whatsoever, a new eatery is settling into the address.  Fire My Pasta will bring “Italian Inspired Cuisine & Bar”, with pasta and pizza on the menu.

Bonsai Coffee Bar Replacing Honeyboba In West LA

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Short-lived Honeyboba abandoned the space at 11573 W. Santa Monica Blvd. (corner of Federal) in West LA (officially Sawtelle) quite some time ago.  Now a plucky new contender is going to give the tricky corner a chance.  Signs are already up announcing the arrival of Bonsai Coffee Bar.  Not much info yet on this establishment, so if you know more, pass it along…

Update:  A rep for Bonsai reached out to me with more information.  ” [Bonsai is] owned by two first-generation Asian Americans, and it’s a spacious, minimalist cafe serving Andytown Coffee (from the owner’s old neighborhood in SF) and Ippodo matcha (the legendary tea house in Kyoto). They have some really cool specialty lattes that might not be familiar to a lot of LA coffee drinkers–like a mango espresso latte and a matcha/espresso combo latte. There’s a range of seating inside from the hightop bar (tons of outlets, great wifi) and cozier nooks for coming in with friends or meeting for work.”  They are currently in soft opening.  (02/07/2024)