It looks like Westwood Village is getting a new sandwich shop. There’s window paper up at 901 Westwood Blvd in Westwood Village, formerly home to the UK grab-and-go sandwich chain Pret A Manger, announcing the arrival of Ghost Sando Shop. Ghost Sando Shop has a smattering of locations around LA (and one in Idaho) and offers a menu of proprietary sandwiches made with house-made specialty sauces.
(Photo credit: Barry Nelson Brams)
There’s new window paper up on the space at 1348 3rd Street Promenade, previously home to a convenience store and Trimana before that. The new resident is BROT Doner Cafe Bakery. While I don’t yet have confirmation, there is another BROT in LA, on Hollywood Blvd., and I’m assuming that the two are related. The Hollywood BROT prides itself on the “authentic taste of Berlin street food”, and you can check out their menu here. This should be a welcome addition to Downtown Santa Monica’s rapidly evolving entertainment zone.
Recently, there has been a lot of activity in the old Overland Cafe location at 3601 S Overland in Palms. Construction has been fast and furious, and now we know what’s going on. Signs recently went up on the space with one stylishly lettered word: Starlings. As it turns out, this will be the home of the new Cafe Starlings. What is that? What Now has more information on the new eatery here.
People have been asking me what was going on in the old Pita Bar + Grill space at 1168 S Barrington (corner of Wilshire) in Los Angeles. There has been a lot of noticeable activity at the location. Recently, small window notices went up with pictures of Vietnamese dishes and a name: Vue Ve. Vue Ve has locations in Little Tokyo and NoHo and boasts a broad menu of “classic Vietnamese dishes at a great price”.
A delightful new icy treat shop is setting up housekeeping at 11301 W Olympic Blvd in Sawtelle Japantown. The Korean Ice Co. is planning on throwing open their doors this Saturday, April 18 at 12pm. On offer is bingsu, or Korean shaved ice in flavors such as mango, red bean, ube, and matcha. We wish them the best of luck.
This photo of a space in the West Edge development, at Olympic and Bundy, doesn’t reveal too much. But it is the future home of a new restaurant named Kinkan. I believe this will be another outpost of the LA restaurant Kinkan, which specializes in “Thai cuisine with Japanese influence”. This Kinkan promises “made-to-order chirashi bento boxes” and is aiming for an opening sometime in 2026.
The name Sudachi is written on the door of space 122 in the new-ish West Edge complex on ther corner of Olympic and Bundy in the Sawtelle neighborhood of Los Angeles. Little else gives away that this will be the location of a new Japanese restaurant bearing that name. There’s not much information out there on Sudachi, but the West Edge website promises us “world-class sushi”.
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!
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.
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.
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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….
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.
Signs are up and the construction is nearly complete at the new poultry purveyor moving into 10914 W Pico Blvd. Saucy Bird looks ready to throw open its doors soon. While their website is still being developed, I believe wings will be on offer.
(Thanks Spencer!)
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