Crazy popular Levain Bakery continues its LA expansion. There’s window paper up at 130 S Beverly Dr, previously home to a poke shop, announcing the latest branch. Levain Bakery began in NYC in 1995 and has since grown to a smattering of locations around New York and other locations including Larchmont Village, and a new location in Venice. They are famous for ridiculously good handmade cookies that they describe as, “crispy, chewy, soft and melty”.
This from the folks at Levain Bakery, at 1161 Abbot Kinney Blvd:
Levain Bakery on Abbot Kinney will open Friday, April 4th!
“And as a special flavor… we will be offering our Black & White Chocolate Chip Cookie ONLY at the Venice bakery, for a limited time
Our co-founders, Connie McDonald & Pam Weekes will be here for the occasion
We’re doing a ribbon cutting at 8am
The first 100 people in line will get a free Levain tote bag!
ALL proceeds from our opening day will be donated to St Joseph Center in Venice.”
New York’s crazy/popular purveyor of baked goods is opening a second LA location. There’s window paper up on the old Lemonade space at 1661 Abbot Kinney announcing the arrival of Levain Bakery. Levain Bakery began in NYC in 1995 and has since grown to a smattering of locations around New York and other locations including Larchmont Village. They are famous for ridiculously good handmade cookies that they describe as, “crispy, chewy, soft and melty”.
(Thanks Robert!)
I first caught wind a New York-based “high-quality mochi ice cream” shop was opening its first West Coast location back in May of 2023. It took a long time (this is Santa Monica after all), but Mochidoki finally threw open their doors at 1133 Montana Ave in August of last year. Sadly, after a little more than a year, it appears Mochidoki has closed up shop at this location. If you’ve become a fan, you can still find their icy treats at the locations listed s on the poster below.
Paper has gone up on the space at 1541 Ocean Ave ste 105 in Santa Monica proclaiming that famous San Francisco chocolatier Ghirardelli is moving in. Obviously, the shop is super close to The Pier and will cater to tourists, as it does in San Francisco, New York, and Hollywood. According to their website, Ghirardelli has been making quality chocolate for nearly two hundred years, thereby making it the “longest continually operating chocolatier in America”. They’re aiming for a Winter 2024 opening.
(Thanks Frank!)
Ever since Marmalade Cafe closed up shop at its longtime location of 710 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, readers have been demanding answers as to what would take over the space. Construction began quickly and the speculation was wild. I’d been hearing whispers of the incoming tenant, but now we have proof. New York’s celebrated H&H Bagels is taking up residence at this location, as confirmed by their website. H&H began in New York in 1972 and uses the “artisanal water bagel method” that produces results for which fans go crazy and many consider to be the quintessential bagel. They are in the midst of a national expansion, and this will be their first West Coast store.
While there is already a (sort of) branch of British powerhouse sandwich chain Pret a Manger at Tom Bradley in LAX, Los Angeles is about to get its very own stand-alone location. Also simply known as Pret, there is new window paper up at 901 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood Village announcing the happy news. If you are unfamiliar with the brand, Pret a Manger (which means ready to eat in French) is a popular grab-and-go prepared sandwich chain that began life in 1983 in London and has since spread to many countries and locations across the globe (including New York and Chicago), and soon here as well. While I don’t know what the menu will be like here in LA, I can tell you that when I’m in London, which is usually about once a year, I never miss the opportunity to grab one of their delectable super fresh sandwiches. I usually stuff a few in my suitcase as well. This is certainly exciting news….
Update: This is apparently a developing story, and readers are writing to let me know a branch is heading for the old Breadblok space in Studio City, as well as possibly at least one more somewhere else…
Montana Ave, Santa Monica’s preeminent shopping/dining street, is becoming a sweet destination. Rori’s Artisanal Creamery, Pinkberry, and Frozen Fruit Company are just a few of the places to score a frozen treat. And now one more is on the way… Window paper is up on the space that used to be home to Erin Mckenna’s Bakery, at 1415 Montana, announcing another ice cream spot. Van Leeuwen, which started out in 2008 in New York as a food truck, will soon be bringing their signature artisan ice creams, vegan ice creams, sundaes, vegan chocolate chip cookies, and shakes to the tony neighborhood.
(Thanks Sara!)
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.
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….
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!)
Beverly Hills lost its branch of international gelato brand Amorino during the Pandemic. Now it looks like another icy treat company is moving to the space at 9605 Santa Monica Blvd. The address was recently rented, but no signs have appeared. There is, however, a small legal notice taped to the front door. It lists the new tenant at Ample Hills Sub LLC, the company behind Ample Hills Creamery. Ample Hills make their ice cream from scratch in their Brooklyn “plant” where they actually pasteurize their own dairy and bake their own mix-ins. They have locations in New York, New Jersey, and in Long Beach CA.
Note: I do not yet have confirmation on this story.
A reader (Thanks Jeremy!) noticed a banner hanging over the front of the space that used to be home to D’Amore’s Pizza at 1136 Westwood Blvd. The banner announces a collab between Kung Fu Tea and TKK Fried Chicken. Kung Fu Tea originated in Queens NY and is the self-proclaimed largest bubble tea brand in America. TKK Fried Chicken began life in Taipei in 1974 and promises to have us say, “Cluck yeah”.
Amirah Kassem is a superstar of confectionary creations, most notably, her legendary explosion cake. And now it looks like LA will get a chance to sample the legendary baked treat. Window paper is up on the spot that used to be the home of Sugarfina, at 9495 S Santa Monica Blvd, announcing that Ms. Kassem is planning on bringing a branch of her famed New York bakery Flour Shop to the good people of Beverly Hills.
I noticed a few weeks ago that something was moving into the vacant space that used to house erstwhile tapas joint Taberna Arros Y Vi at 1403 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica. A recently posted development application lists the new tenant as Ippudo Restaurant. I can’t confirm it, but could this be an upcoming branch of the famous cult tonkotsu ramen chain from New York, that is also moving into the Bay Area? I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops…
Toddrickallen 