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.
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.
Sadly, it appears that glittering West Hollywood institution Ago has called it quits, having served their last meal over the weekend. Ago has stood like a sentinel near the corner of La Cienega and Melrose for 20 years. It was a quiet fortress for industry power players who, dripping in Chanel and LV, would make their way from the string of Bentleys and Lamborghinis in the car park to the twinkling patio to dine on branzino, deftly deboned tableside, washed down with multiple rounds of excellent negronis. The Tuscan menu, created by Chef/partner Agostino Sciandri (in partnership with Robert DeNiro and others) was good and reliably served by polished Italian natives. I’d been hearing whispers of trouble for a while now, and some long-time employees had been let go, so it wasn’t necessarily a surprise, but it does feel like the end of an era. I for one, will miss it.
I’m told the space has been sold and a new venture is expected by March or April. As always, I’ll keep watching…
A prominent window display at 8360 Melrose in West Hollywood proclaims the impending triumphant arrival of Sweet Jesus, a Toronto-based ice cream chain. While cheekily-named, Sweet Jesus’ website makes it clear that they don’t want to “offer commentary on anyone’s religion”, but rather deliver “pimped out” soft serve ice cream cones with lofty heights and creative add-ons. They also do cakes, shakes, and frappés as well. Sweet Jesus has locations across Canada, and one other US location on the East Coast. I’m predicting that Sweet Jesus and Paul Smith‘s nearby notorious pink wall will be a social media match made in heaven…
Back in February, I told you about the closure of all the branches of Orchard Flats Juicery. It appears that their erstwhile location at 7970 Melrose Ave. has found a new tenant. Papered-over windows and a notice on the door informs us that the space will soon be an outlet of Hollywood’s fave online delivery expert Sugar Mama’s Gourmet Cupcakes. It looks like Chef Elizabeth Gousse will start churning out the sugary treats sometime this November.
Toddrickallen 