And just like that, a new bakery has appeared in Santa Monica. Modern Bread & Bagel has moved into the old Breadblok space at 1511A Montana Ave. Modern Bread & Bagel currently has two locations in New York, and one in The Valley. They specialize in breads and famous bagels that are organic and gluten-free, and also offer a menu of bagel sandwiches, salads, bowls, and breakfast items.
There’s a new restaurant coming to the diminutive space at 625D Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, formerly home to a Subway. The window paper names the new eatery as Galvin Bakery & Cafe. There’s not much info out there on Galvin, but it appears coffee, alfajores, sandwiches, and salads will be on offer.
There’s new window paper up on the space at 912 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. This address was previously home to the popular salad joint Greens Up!, which mysteriously vanished only days ago. The new business, B & T’s Deli, will specialize in “casually gourmet” plant-based subs. We wish them the best of luck.
Well that certainly took a long time… We all know that opening a new eatery in Santa Monica can be an arduous affair. The latest business to make it through the gauntlet is Mochidoki at 1133 Montana Ave in Santa Monica. Just in time for the Labor Day weekend, they finally threw open their doors in a soft opening yesterday. Read more about the East Coast company with mochi ice cream so good they supply the likes of Nobu and Tao in my original post here.
It appears that Montana Ave. is about to get yet another exciting dining option. It was only back in June when I told you about the abrupt closure of Le Macaron at 1301 Montana Ave. Wasting no time, another French-inspired eatery and treat shop is opening at this location. There is window covering up at announcing the arrival of Le Cafe de la Plage Santa Monica. Le Cafe de la Plage has a location in Malibu, and offers a menu of breakfast, lunch, pastries, and Intelligentsia Coffee. They are also known for their proprietary line of classic and vegan ice cream. We wish them the best of luck.
I normally don’t continuously post updates about businesses, but there is so much interest in this story that I feel compelled to pass this on. Last week I told you that “lifestyle cafe” Sogno Toscano would be opening this Thursday (July 20th), and that was originally the plan. However, they were able to clear a few of the permits early, so I can pass on this happy news: Sogno Toscano opened as of Tuesday (July 18th) and trust me, you’ll want to get in there before the crowds come.
Cozy brunch/lunch/take-away spot Marmalade Cafe is opening a second branch in Santa Monica. They already have their popular original location that opened on Montana Ave in 1990. Now there’s a banner announcing their impending arrival hanging over the space at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 120 in Downtown Santa Monica, previously home to Sunnin Lebanese Cafe. This will be the eighth branch of the “fresh, high quality, eclectic, California-inspired” cafe.
Update: Marmalade is closing their Montana Ave. store and moving to this location.
Update: Marmalade is now open at this location.
Wow, that took a long time. I first told you about the arrival of “lifestyle cafe, wine bar, & specialty market” Sogno Toscano to 1512 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica almost a year ago, and since then, I’ve been peppered with questions from excited locals about when it would open. While Sogno Toscana (Tuscan Dream) is “USA’s largest Italian online food store”, known for delivery of fine Italian foods, they do operate two lifestyle cafes in New York. This will be The West Coast’s first branch. I had a chance to speak with the people behind the new cafe, who recently let me have a look. While I wasn’t able to take photos due to the fact that they are still unpacking and stocking, I can tell you the space is breathtaking, sort of Tuscany by way of Tulum. Appearing deceptively small from the street, the interior is bright and airy, with light wood, a long deli counter, coffee bar, and wine bar. There is also a large, charming wrap-around patio. They are still finalizing the menu, but you can get an idea of what may be on offer by looking at their West Village location’s menu here. There will also be wine tastings and other events. I can share that Sogno Toscano will officially open on Thursday, July 20th. Hours will be 8am to 10pm. Judging by what I’m hearing, I predict big crowds. You’re welcome….
This is a surprise…. Having long anchored the corner of Lincoln and Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, it appears that icy treat purveyor Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt has unceremoniously disappeared. The space at 732 Montana is largely gutted and there’s a for lease sign up on the front. Not sure what happened to this branch of the popular self-serve yogurt chain, but I’ll keep my eye on the address to see what may develop.
Another sad closure on Montana Ave… Le Macaron burst onto the scene at 1301 Montana Ave back in 2017. At the time, this was LA’s first branch of the Florida-based chain and they introduced The Westside to their excellent selection of pastries, breads, chocolates, and coffees. Shocked readers have been writing to tell me they have now closed up shop after a truly valiant effort. If you’re missing their signature classic macarons, you can find other LA locations here.
A reader recently asked me what was going on at Savida, that opened only last year at 1303 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. So, I went by the raw seafood bar that got a mention in the most recent Michelin Guide to have a look. Their parklet on Montana has been dismantled and the space appears lifeless with mail piling up inside. While I don’t have confirmation, for all intents and purposes it appears closed. Let me kniow if you have more information.
(Thanks Narayan!)
I’m hearing from startled readers that popular gluten-free organic bakery and lunch spot Breadblok has abruptly closed all its locations including their first brick-and-mortar on Montana Ave in Santa Monica. An announcement on Instagram explains that “the combination of the impact of COVID as well as the inflationary pressure on our costs” is the culprit behind the sad news. We wish them the best of luck for their next chapter. (Thanks Tara and others!)
It was only back in December when I told you about the disappearance of lunch spot Kye’s from its location at 1518 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Recently, window paper went up on the space announcing the arrival of something called Bread Head. As it turns out, Bread Head has had a presence as a pop up since 2021 and is the project of Alex Williams and Jordan Snyder, two chefs from Trois Mec. They specialize in carefully crafted sandwiches on homemade bread. Read the full story on their website here. Definitely a welcome addition to the expanding and unexpectantly exciting Montana Ave. food scene.
Well that certainly took a long time… I first told you that Santa Monica’s popular Italian staple Rosti Tuscan Kitchen was opening another location in Brentwood almost two years ago. Since then, people have been demanding answers. While I’m not certain as to what caused the delay, I can tell you that they have recently opened for business at 11740 San Vicente Blvd. Suite 104, in what had once been an outpost of Industry darling La Scala. I’m told the menu is the same as the Montana Ave. location.
(Thanks Eric!)
For much of 2022, Montana Ave. was buzzing about a new Asian eatery landing on the tony avenue in Santa Monica, but few details emerged. Now we know exactly what’s coming. Billing itself as “Fresh Asian Fusion”, Bun & Mi will officially soft open on Monday Jan. 16th at 1004 Montana. Look for a menu of banh mi, salad bowls, rice and noodle bowls, spring rolls and more, with take away and limited seating options. If you order online, you will 15% off your first order with code word WELCOME. We wish them the best of luck.
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!)
Good news People of Venice, honey lavender cakes are heading your way! Popular organic gluten-free bakery/cafe Breadblok is moving into the space at 512C Rose Ave. Ever since the French Provencal bakery moved from farmers’ markets to brick-and-mortar back in 2020, they’ve been slowly expanding with locations in Santa Monica, Silverlake, Studio City, and an upcoming location in Beverly Hills as well.
Ever since I first spotted the ABC application over a year ago, people have been demanding answers about an opening date for The Brothers Sushi at 1008 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. The Brothers Sushi is the insanely popular high-end sushi spot in Woodland Hills and folks were excited by the idea of getting a branch on the Westside. I’m happy to report that they are now in soft opening. Their hours are: Tuesday through Friday 12pm to 2pm and 5:30 pm to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday for dinner only from 5:30 to 9:30. You can snag a rezzie by calling (424) 330-0270 or locating them on Tock. You’re welcome.
While no one was looking, the tiny branch of massive sandwich chain Subway quietly slipped out of its long-time location at 625D Montana Ave. And why does this matter? While this may be welcome news to some, this particular branch served as one of the very last quick and inexpensive lifelines for employees on a street that has been completely taken over by expensive restaurants, high-end delis, and fourth-wave coffee joints. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what may move in.
Something fresh and new is coming to the tiny space at 1512 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Windowpaper covering the front lets us know that Sogno Toscano is moving in. And what is that? While the name might not be immediately familiar, they are the “USA’s largest Italian online food store”. Maybe you’ve even spotted their delivery trucks ferrying their wide selection of Italian meats, cheeses, pasta, and oils. While they currently have a coffee and wine bar in New York, this location is being described as a “lifestyle cafe, wine bar, & specialty market”. (Thanks Kurt!)
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