Oops… A New Spot Of Trouble For Sweet Lady Jane In Santa Monica

Posted on March 8, 2024 by toddrickallen

The entire Westside heaved a sigh of relief when I reported that bakery darling Sweet Lady Jane had been saved from oblivion. (Read the story of how that happened here.) But, after a triumphant opening of some locations this week, Santa Monica’s newly opened branch has apparently hit a snag. There’s an LA County notice of closure affixed to the front door. There’s also an explanation from the current owner, who places the blame squarely on “ex-owners who didn’t request permits for their remodels”. They are apparently scrambling to make things right as soon as possible. The drama of the triple berry cake continues…

Strings Ramen “Upgrading” To A Curry House In Beverly Hills

Posted on June 15, 2023 by toddrickallen

I first told you about Strings Ramen, the Chicago-based Japanese concept, back in early 2021, when it began to take form at 255 S Beverly Dr in Beverly Hills. It was open briefly but is now closed again. A note in the window lets us know that this is a temporary closure and that they will be “upgrading to a Curry House”. Looks like they’re aiming for an August re-opening.

Sweetfin Dishing Fish In Beverly Hills Soon

Posted on June 12, 2023 by toddrickallen

Planet Smoothie made a brief appearance at 193 1/2 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills, then unceremoniously disappeared. Now the address is getting a new tenant. Window paper is up announcing the arrival of Sweetfin. Sweetfin describes itself as a “healthful, chef-driven, California-inspired poke and plant-based bowl concept” that has locations throughout SoCal.

Beverly Hills Cookies Bringing Famous Treats To Beverly Hills

Posted on February 27, 2023 by toddrickallen

Beverly Hills is about to get a whole lot sweeter… There’s a small notice in the window of the space at 255 1/2 S Beverly Dr. (previously home to Chokolatta) announcing the impending arrival of Beverly Hills Cookies. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because they’ve had a presence at many of LA’s top events for years. I had a chance to talk to company rep Barry, who gave me the skinny on the new brick-and-mortar. Beverly Hills Cookies specializes in proprietary artisan gourmet cookies, but this store will have a whole lot more on offer. They will also have new and unique “soft-serve gelato” cups and milkshakes in flavors such as Beverly Hills Chocolate Chunk and Tripple Chocolate. There will also be rich European-style hot chocolate and coffee drinks that I’m guaranteed will be completely different from other shops in the area. Expect an opening in a few weeks, and I’m told they’re also looking to expand as well. We wish them the best of luck.

Chin Chin Bids Ciao To Beverly Hills

Posted on July 14, 2022 by toddrickallen

I’m a little late in reporting this, but I’ve been hearing from shocked readers that Chin Chin has closed its doors at 206 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. I’m not entirely sure what happened, but the Asian-ish eatery has been a staple of the Beverly Hills dining scene for 25 years. One reader (Thanks Steve!) claimed it was due to leasing issues, and noted that the nearby branch in Brentwood is getting a much-needed scrub-up so don’t count Chin Chin out yet. It appears that the space is already leased, and as always, I’ll keep an eye out to see what may develop.

Update: While I have not confirmed this, a reader (Thanks Robin!) reports that this will be a branch of San Diego’s own Parakeet Cafe.

Philz Coffee Coming To Beverly Hills

Posted on November 7, 2021 by toddrickallen

Congratulations Good People of Beverly Hills, mojito mint coffee is heading your way… Beverly Hills lost its branches of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the company’s mass extinction event that occurred over a year ago when multiple SoCal locations closed (there are still a smattering of branches around). But the chain’s previous address at 233 S Beverly Dr. is destined to be a java joint once more. According to window paper, the Bay Area’s third wave darling, Philz Coffee, will be replacing the second wave CBTL at this location.

Ben & Jerry’s Opens In Beverly Hills

Posted on July 28, 2021 by toddrickallen

You know the old saying; When the Lord closes an ice cream shop, somewhere he opens another. People were devastated by the recent closure of Santa Monica’s longstanding and beloved branch of popular icy treat brand Ben & Jerry’s. But from out of nowhere, a brand new location has opened at 253 S Beverly Dr. (formerly home to Creamistry). You’re welcome.

Sweet Lady Jane Bringing Triple Berry Cake To Beverly Hills

Posted on April 3, 2021 by toddrickallen

I first learned of Cinderella Cakes arrival to 214 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills back in Summer of 2019. Sadly, they have vacated the location, leaving an opportunity for a new star bakery. There’s now a notice on the front that this will be the new home of a branch of ever-popular Sweet Lady Jane. And according to their website, they will soon be bringing their signature Triple Berry Cakes to Manhattan Beach as well.

Strings Ramen Bringing Chicago’s “Monster Hell Challenge” To Beverly Hills

Posted on February 12, 2021 by toddrickallen

It looks like Beverly Hills is about to get a fresh new noodle shop. A sign is up on the space at 255 S Beverly Dr., formerly home to The Coral Tree Cafe, announcing that Strings Ramen is moving in. While I don’t have confirmation, I believe this is the same Strings Ramen that has been voted Chicago’s best ramen and is famous for their “Monster Hell Ramen Challenge“, or a challenge to empty their level 5 hell ramen bowl in 20 minutes to recieve a $50 gift certificate and a t-shirt. There’s an ABC application on the front as well, so beer and wine will be on offer. Check out this concept video to get a glimpse of what’s coming…

Creamistry Melts Down In Beverly Hills

Posted on October 3, 2020 by toddrickallen

It looks like Beverly Hills’ branch of liquid nitrogen ice cream experts Creamistry has vacated their location at 253 S Bevely Dr. The prominent for lease sign lets us know they aren’t coming back. It looks like the space has already been leased, so I’ll keep my eye on it to see who’s moving in.

Peet’s Coffee Disappears From Beverly Hills

Posted on June 17, 2020 by toddrickallen

Times have most certainly not been good for coffee joints. If you’ve been reading this site, you know that The Coffee Bean has been hit particularly hard. But just recently, I noticed that Peet’s Coffee has quit its location at 258 S Beverly Dr. in Bevery Hills. I don’t think we’re done with this trend yet…

Peets

Another Coffee Bean Gone From The Westside…

Posted on May 17, 2020 by toddrickallen

Earlier this week, I told you about the permanent closure of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. I reader was quick to point out that the CBTL that anchors the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and S Beverly Glen Blvd. was also closing as of Sunday, May 17th. I went by the coffee shop and checked it out: A notice in the window confirms that this branch is now permanently closed. What’s going on with CBTL?

CBTL

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Permanently Closed On S Beverly Dr.

Posted on May 13, 2020 by toddrickallen

I’m not sure what the circumstances were, but it appears that the normally crowded Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at 233 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills has permanently closed. There’s a notice in the window thanking customers for their support. I’ll keep my eye on the space.

CBTL1 CBTL2

Coral Tree Cafe Uprooted In Beverly Hills

Posted on February 7, 2020 by toddrickallen

So far, as you can see from reading this blog, 2020 has seen a shocking number of restaurant closings. And we’re not done yet… Coral Tree Cafe is now closed at 225 S Beverly Blvd. in Beverly Hills. A gracious note on the front door blames rising costs of labor and rent. That leaves just two locations left (Encino and Brentwood) for the coffee and sandwich chain founded by Brentwood residents in 2002.

(Thanks Mike!)

Burgerim Quits Beverly Hills

Posted on November 26, 2019 by toddrickallen

You know I’ve been tracking the massive expansion of the Israeli chain obsessed with lilliputian burgers, Burgerim. But could there be a bump in the road to SoCal domination? As a reader pointed out (Thanks Tony!) the new-ish Burgerim at 250 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills has already called it quits after about a year. Not sure what happened, but the reader suspects competition from Burger Lounge, which is directly across the street, could have had something to do with it.

Chokolatta Bringing Ancient Mayan Chocolate To Beverly Hills Soon…

Posted on July 13, 2019 by toddrickallen

It looks like a new chocolate shop is landing in Beverly Hills soon. Window paper is heralding the arrival of Chokolatta to the diminutive space at 255 1/2 S Beverly Dr. Apparently the focus here is small batch, handmade chocolates, desserts, and drinks with an emphasis on “Pre-Hispanic recipes and the ancient Mayan culture” that you can read more about here.

Cinderella Cakes Bringing Artful Confections From OC To BH Soon…

Posted on July 10, 2019 by toddrickallen

Back in December of last year, I told you about the demise of sandwich shop Cabbage Patch at 214 S Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. And now it looks like a new tenant is moving in. Window displays announce the arrival of Cinderella Cakes. Cinderella Cakes has been an Orange County staple for over 65 years, and are famous for producing decorated cakes that are “edible works of art”, but they also produce an array of other sweet treats and host cake decorating parties as well. It looks like they’re shooting for a Fall opening.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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