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…
It’s been a week of juice news. I recently noticed that Santa Monica’s branch of healthy drink provider Orchard Flats Cold Pressed Juicery has closed its doors at 705 Montana Ave. And their other locations in Burbank, Studio City, La Canada Flintridge, and on Melrose have closed as well, according to Yelp. So it looks like this is the end of yet another juice shop. Could this be a trend? Hmmm…
Snazzy upscale coffee purveyor Alfred Coffee has the perfect idea for your last-minute stocking stuffer. If you can’t make it into one of their stylish branches on Melrose, in Brentwood, or in Silverlake, just pop into the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. There, you’ll find The Alfred Coffee gift box, essentially a vending machine filled with bags of coffee, gift cards, and Alfred gear. You’ll find these little treasures near J.Crew.
Melrose’s darling little charmer Bo Nuage appears poised to descend upon Beverly Hills in a pink cloud of confectionary magic very soon. I recently noticed that the Parisian-themed purveyor of meringues and cakes is taking over the old Shoe Wiz storefront at 9523 Santa Monica Blvd (near Rodeo). No word on when this little chunk of fabulousness will be open, only that they’re predicting some time this year. Until that enchanting day, read more about them here and in this interview in Eater LA.
Apparently actress Jessica Biel has long wanted to bring her organic restaurant idea Au Fudge into existence, and now it looks as though she’s almost there. I recently noticed an application posted in the window of the space that used to house Smoke and Artichoke’s Heart at 9010 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood announcing the impending arrival of Au Fudge. The concept? A kid-friendly environment that New York Magazine is calling a “Soho House for kids”… and by kids, we mean well-heeled and connected kids. According to an announcement on the website Jessica Biel Central, looks like the A-list little ones can expect an opening sometime between February and April of next year.
Toddrickallen 