A reader wrote to tell me that the branch of Corner Bakery at 10759 W Pico Blvd (corner of Malcolm) in West Los Angeles has given up the ghost. I’m not sure what the reasons are, but the space is completely gutted. I’ll keep my eye on the address to see what may develop. (Thanks Stepen!)
On a tip from a reader, I went by the old Deja Brew/Billboard Bar + Taproom space at 10928 W Pico Blvd. to see what was going on. Sure enough, new signage alerts us to the news that The Boil Daddy is moving in. The Boil Daddy is a rapidly expanding chain with locations in California and Texas that offers a menu focused on Cajun seafood. (Thanks Blake!)
In a recent post about Mid-City, I opined about the plethora of empty storefronts along Wilshire Blvd. One plucky contender appears to be bucking the trend and is moving into a space along the storied stretch of boulevard. There’s a banner up at 6254 Wilshire (formerly home to Pita Kitchen) announcing the impending arrival of Laki Ramen.
A concerned reader (Thanks Lisa!) took the time to let me know about some recent blows to the Mid-City food scene. Korean eatery Genki Grill is now closed at 6355 Wilshire. A little farther East, gastropub Spare Tire Kitchen & Tavern has completely disappeared from its erstwhile location at 5370 Wilshire. I’m not sure what this portends, but there do seem to be an awful lot of empty storefronts along Wilshire Blvd.
A new fast-food option is landing in Rancho Park in West LA. There’s a banner up on the space at 11201 National Blvd. announcing that a branch of poultry purveyor Wingstop in taking over the space. The strip mall where the address is located, at the corner of National and Sepulveda, has long been the home of another fan favorite Hamburger Habbit.
The news was first reported on this two years ago. And then nothing happened. But just this week, an ABC application has appeared on the front of the space at 202 Main St. in Venice confirming that Melrose’s Standing’s Butchery IS moving into the address after all. This means Standing’s selection of ethically sourced local meats, with burgers and beer and wine, but you can read the full skinny on what this will mean for the Seaside Neighborhood on Eater’s original story here.
Kye’s opened at 1518 Montana Ave. in November of 2014 and has maintained a solid fanbase ever since. Their signature “KyeRito” (essentially a wrap that they describe as a “handheld bowl or salad”) was popular among the carb-conscious crowds of NoMa. So I was quite surprised when readers began messaging me to let me know that Kye’s has closed at this location. But don’t panic, they are moving the operation to West LA’s “smart kitchen” Colony at 11419 Santa Monica Blvd. Their website also says that they will be opening in a new Colony at 411 Lincoln in Venice as well.
(Thanks Casey!)
It appears that folks in the new Google building on Pico will have a sweet choice for lunch. Jennifer Pinnifer Bakes is moving from their old location on National to 10839 W Pico Blvd, directly across from the complex. Jennifer Pennifer Bakes, known for their handcrafted gourmet cheesecakes, also boasts a menu organic sandwiches, salads and other treats. It looks like they’re planning on opening in the new location on 11/22, or at least that’s what the chalkboard in the window says. (Thanks Brad!)
It looks like a new java joint is heading to the Del Rey neighborhood of LA. Signs are already up in the new multi-use complex at 11612 Culver Blvd. announcing a branch of Commissary. Commissary has been on the go for 10 years and has a smattering of locations across LA serving fair-trade, single origin coffee as well as teas, pastries, and selected food.
If you’re travelling South on Lincoln through Westchester, you might have noticed a large banner hanging on the wall of the former location of Chicago For Ribs at 8311 Lincoln Blvd. The banner lets us know that The Nook Breakfast Spot is taking over the space. The Nook Breakfast Spot has one location in Lomita and promises “homemade meals from scratch”. Check out their Lomita location’s menu here.
I must confess, I never entirely understood the concept of Pudu Pudu, the pudding specialists brought to you by German megabrand Dr. Oetker. Apparently, I wasn’t alone. After opening only in February of this year, they have thrown in the towel at their second-floor location inside the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. And that’s not all. They have closed all of their LA locations, as indicated by this sad good-bye notice on their website.
A sign has gone up at 11688 Gateway Blvd. (corner of Barrington) announcing that a new Thai eatery is coming to the Sawtelle neighborhood. La La Rice appears close to opening. I can’t seem to find out a lot about the new restaurant except that they have applied for a beer and wine license, so I guess we’ll have to wait on details.
Update: I’ve since heard from the good people over at La La Rice who asked me to pass along this link to their website.
(And yes, it officially is in “Sawtelle”, I carefully checked.)
A new tea shop is coming to the space at 11138 Palms Blvd (corner of Sepulveda). With a handful of locations in Northern California, Ume Tea is expanding Southward. Expect a menu of milk teas with boba and/or mochi, fruit teas, and snacks.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Kiko!) noticed window paper up on the former home of Veggie Grill at 10916 Lindbrook in Westwood Village. The paper promises us a branch of “modern fast-casual Indian eatery” Tulsi. Tulsi has two other locations in LA (with the ambitious goal to eventually bring “Indian food into every neighborhood”) and offers a menu of plant-based faves including dosa, samosas, kathi rolls, dabeli, and even a few tacos.
A reader (Thanks Andrew!) wrote to tell me that he had spotted window signs up in the space that formerly housed Yalla Mediterranean at 9516 Culver Blvd. The signs let us know that Sweet Lily Bakery is settling in. Sweet Lily currently has a location on Cahuenga, and is the dream of two people from France, Marine and Thibaut, the latter of whom won “Best chocolate eclair of Paris”. Expect a solid menu of French favorites including pastries, cakes, sandwiches, tartines, and quiche.
People were devastated when favorite neighborhood French charmer Belle Vie fell victim to the Pandemic. According to new signs, the space will soon be a branch of up-and-coming pie joint The Upper Crust Pizzeria. You may recall that before Belle Vie, this space was the home for 40 years of Divita’s Pizzeria, so I guess this is a bit of a full circle. The Upper Crust has locations in Massachusetts and California and offers a menu of “sort of famous” pizza, wings, lasagna, and calzone.
A reader (Thanks Andrew!) wrote to tell me that he had noticed an ABC application in the window of the erstwhile location of The Drift Kitchen at 2917 Main St. in Santa Monica. The application lists the name of the new restaurant as Vamos Vamos. I can’t find any definitive information on this new eatery, so if you have any, let me know. As for The Drift Kitchen, their website says they are searching for a new location, but in the meantime, they have a pop-up at their sister restaurant Rocketship Coffee on Melrose.
Update: Read more about Vamos Vamos here.
It appears that something new is coming to 8320 W 3rd St. in Beverly Grove, formerly home to vegan burger joint Subito’s. Window paper is announcing that Seoulmates is moving in. Their Instagram page promises “Korean Street Fusion: Korean tacos, sandwiches and rice bowls”.
It appears a new burger joint is close to opening in Santa Monica. Almost overnight, signs went up at 2307 Main St. announcing that a branch of Urban Skillet is moving in. Urban Skillet hails from Minnesota with a location in The Valley as well, and is known for their Halal burgers, as well as chicken burgers, wings, fries, and hand-blended shakes. They will be throwing open their doors on Friday, March 11th at 12pm. For their Grand Opening, they are offering a free burger when you buy a burger with this coupon.
Schwartz’s has been a stalwart presence in Pico-Robertson for a long time. They opened in 1954, when they became the first kosher bakery in LA. They have since increased to five retail locations, two of which are on Pico. Now they’re expanding just a few doors down from their location at 8856 W Pico. A spokesperson confirmed that the banner hanging over the front of 8820 W Pico is announcing the impending arrival of Schwartz’s Deli & BBQ.
Toddrickallen 