This is a big day for Westside restaurant openings… Back in November, I told you about a new restaurant taking over the old Café Montana space at 1534 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. To those of you (and there are many of you) who have been carefully following this story comes this welcome news: Ox & Son is expected to open its doors tonight, March 9th.
Beaming opened in the completely redone sunny space at 1426 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica yesterday (Tuesday January 6th). This is the third branch of the organic superfood cafe that offers a menu of juices, smoothies, salads, bowls, and baked treats. Look for an upcoming branch to open in West Hollywood later in the year, but until then, read more here.
Back in April, I told you about a new Italian restaurant taking over the 17th St. Cafe/Jack’s on Montana/On Montana space at 1610 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Brought to you by the people behind Pecorino in Brentwood, at the time, it was reported to me that the new eatery was to be called Formaggio. We have since learned that the name had been shortened to Forma. Originally I was told that they were hoping for a September opening, but this being Santa Monica and all, restaurants seldom make their projected opening dates. But we do know that Forma Restaurant and Cheese Bar is shooting for a February opening as indicated by the announcement that was recently placed on the plywood covering the space. I’ll keep checking…
Update: Forma is now open. formarestaurant.com
You may have been wondering what was going on over at neighborhood fave Cafe Montana at 1534 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Recently, they closed down. Then a sign went up in the window that announced they were remodeling and promising to reopen soon. That sign quickly disappeared. Then came the black plastic covering the windows… According to a source, Cafe Montana will not be reopening, ending a 20 year long run. The space is being developed for a new venture, tentatively named Ox & Son by businessman, restaurateur, and owner of Westside Rentals Mark Verge, who recently opened Art’s Table in Cafe Montana’s sister restaurant, the now-defunct Babalu. No details on an opening date or menu, but I’m told the concept will be “high-end”.
Well that didn’t take long… Back in June, I told you about a new “superfood” concept restaurant poised to take over the space at 1518 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica that used to house pizza restaurant BricoLA. And by some miracle of planetary alignment (for that’s what’s needed to open a restaurant this quickly in Santa Monica), Kye’s opened yesterday (November 5th). Look for varied menu of salads, shakes, smoothies, breakfasts offerings, and their proprietary “kyerito”, which is essentially a wrap of such favorites as BBQ pork, reuben, paleo tuna, as well as many veg and vegan options such as bean taco, and “Nahm Jim“, the latter consisting of “assorted veggies, herbs, lotus root, woodear, Nahm Jim fish sauce or Veg Nahm Jim sauce, hemp seeds, macadamia nuts, sliced almonds, red/black rice blend, and nori” (whew!). Read more and check out their complete menu here.
Toddrickallen 