Congratulations Santa Monica, cartoon-themed pizza is heading your way! People are writing to tell me about the plywood on the space at 1444 3rd Street Promenade announcing the arrival of the first official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzeria. This location was once home to Johnnie’s New York Pizzeria, which closed nearly 10 years ago. And what can we expect? This announcement promises a “classic New York-style cheesy slice… worthy of the sewer squad”. Hmmm…
Buzzy Beverly Grove charmer Florence Osteria is opening a Downtown Santa Monica branch. Their website confirms it, and signs have recently gone up on the space at 413 Santa Monica Blvd. Florence Osteria boasts “authentic flavors of Tuscany”, while the sign on the front promises a focus on “pizza & vino”. They appear close to opening, but until then, get more details here.
It appears that LA’s preeminent pie shop is expanding from its original Pico-Robertson location to Palms. There’s window paper up on a space in the new Arya mixed-use complex at 10700 Tabor (corner of Overland) announcing the arrival of the much-lauded Pizzeria Sei. With a rare Michelin nod that describes it as possessing a “Japan-meets-Italy flair”, Pizzeria Sei has become legendary for its inventive and classic pies, and chewy crusts.
We have a plucky new contender throwing their hat into the ring of a very competitive pizza market in Brentwood. Window graphics are up on the space 11684 W San Vicente announcing the arrival of Flour Cafe and Pizzeria. Their website gives a wildly different address in the heart of a residential neighborhood in Santa Monica but confirms a Brentwood location. Flour has a location in the Palisades and offers a solid menu of New York style pies, as well as salads and sandwiches. 
At the beginning of the year, I told you about New York pie joint Prince St. Pizza moving into the old Honeybee Burger space at 326 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice. Wasting no time whatsoever, they are currently in a soft opening with evening hours only. But tomorrow, March 9th, they throw open their doors with a Grand Opening that they’re describing as a “Lincoln Blvd Block Party“. They will be handing out free pizza, with vendors and “festivities” in the back parking lot. Grab your free slice and check out the fun from 6pm to 10pm.
(Thanks Jeff!)
Remember a few weeks ago when I told you about a new restaurant landing in the old Red Ruby space at 109 Santa Monica Blvd? At the time, I had little information about Bar Monette except that it would be a pizza and wine bar. Since then, the good people over at Bar Monette were kind enough to reach out to me with more information. Bar Monette is described as a “Neapolitan pizza concept” with Chef Sean MacDonald at the helm. This is his first US restaurant. Chef MacDonald was previously chef/owner of Biga Pies and ēst Restaurant in Toronto, which recently made Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants List. (Incidentally, Bar Monette is named after MacDonald’s wife Monette.) Expect a “refined tapas” and wine bar menu with Spanish/Italian influences. I’ll let them describe the menu themselves:
“The menu will be split into five categories; Pizza (eg Pesto Dungeness Crab, Pine Nut, Basil, Aged Cheese), Piccoli Piatti (small plates designed to pair with the pizza eg. Butterleaf with Basil, Pine Nut and Passionfruit), Sugo (a selection of sauces and dips for the crusts (eg Burnt Romanesco and Jalapeño Tonnato) and a small selection of Addizionale (eg Shaved Truffle and Caviar). Desserts will be changed daily depending on seasonality and chef preference (eg Black Cacao, Reishi Mushroom and Mint). The menu will change seasonally and offer vegan and vegetarian options. The drinks menu will offer unique selection of natural wines and beers alongside a water menu highlighting a choice of carbonation level and mineral content.”
They are planning on opening any day now, pending liquor license approval. Bar Monette will be open for walk-ins only from Noon to Midnight, closed Sundays, and will be cashless. We wish them the best of luck.
Toddrickallen 