Just a few weeks ago, I told you about the collective gasp from locals when Gaucho Grill quit its location at 11754 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. Wasting no time whatsoever, an ABC application taped to the front of the space indicates that Kreation Organic is moving in. Known for their “pressed juices” and “kleanses”, you probably wouldn’t automatically associate Kreation Organic with beer and wine. I’ll keep my eye on this one…
And while we’re on the subject of openings… It was back in December of last year when I figured out that upscale sandwich shop Mendocino Farms was landing in the old Noah’s Bagels space at 11911 San Vicente Blvd. Mendocino Farms officially opens today (April 12th), providing farm-to-table artisan sandwiches and salads to the good people of Brentwood.
It looks like specialty coffee purveyor Alfred is expanding in Brentwood. Just a few storefronts away from their location on the corner of Montana and San Vicente, paper has gone up on the front of the space at 11928 San Vicente Blvd. announcing that a branch of Alfred Tea Room is moving in. Not sure when they’re opening, but I’ll keep watching…
What’s going on in Brentwood? Recently a widely popular Peet’s Coffee closed up shop, allegedly due to a jack-up in the rent, sending out shock waves among locals. And now, right next door at 11754 San Vicente Blvd , a perennially busy Gaucho Grill has pulled out as well. The melancholic letter on the door lets us know that the date of closure was March 12th. Even while taking these photos, stunned Brentwood residents who had come for dinner were expressing their disbelief and protestations to me. With cultish Pizzana, and upcoming Mendocino Farms and Jon & Vinny’s Italian, the Brentwood dining scene appears to be rapidly changing…
Well that didn’t take long… It was only last month when I noticed a small poster on the space at the top of the Brentwood Gardens, at 11677 San Vicente Blvd., inscrutably announcing a new restaurant. Wasting no time whatsoever, Guyi Restaurant is now in their soft opening. I had previously wondered if they were related to a restaurant in China, but have since discovered that this is their first outpost. Look for a menu of authentic Sichuan/Northern Chinese food in a bright airy setting. And, until March 14th, you get 30% off the check.
The cavernous space at the top of Brentwood Gardens, at 11677 San Vicente Blvd., has had a troubled history of turnover. It has sat empty ever since Elaine’s Bakery moved out in 2014. Recently however, paper has covered the windows, and now a poster has been affixed to the front that appears to indicate a new eatery called Guyi Restaurant is intent on moving in. There’s not much information out there. The only other Guyi that I can find is a much-lauded Hunan restaurant in Shanghai China, but I’m unclear if they’re related. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see…
So this was a bit of a shocker… Ever popular local fave caffeine shop Peet’s Coffee has abruptly pulled up stakes almost overnight from its historically significant landmark location at 11750 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. Even while I was taking photos, locals were coming up to me and expressing shock at the loss of the neighborhood institution. Maybe competition from nearby Alfred Coffee has been taking its toll. I’ll keep watching…
Update: I’ve had lot of people ask why Peet’s has closed… I don’t have a confirmed answer, but a reader has heard that the lease renewal was too expensive, which is all-to-frequent in this neck of the woods.
Moo Greek Yogurt burst onto the scene back in July of 2016, riding a popular yogurt mini-wave. Things seem to have slowed a bit, and Moo has been closed down for a while in their location at 11753 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. Since then, I’ve been watching to see what develops. Their Yelp page promises a return in 2018, and their website doesn’t offer many clues, but the place is essentially gutted. I’ll keep my eye on things, but it doesn’t look good…
International lifestyle brand Joe & The Juice continues its inexorable conquest of the hip juice scene in LA. First came news back in April that a location was landing on Melrose. Then I noticed window paper in Beverly Hills. And recently, yet more window paper has popped up on the corner spot of San Vicente and Montana in Brentwood, right next to Alfred Coffee at 11906 San Vicente Blvd., announcing the Danish company’s impending arrival. When will the “hunky guys” start pouring? We’ll have to watch and see…
Those of you looking for a quick sandwich fix in Brentwood might have to go a bit farther afield. It looks like quotidian sandwich chain Subway has vacated the space at 11762 San Vicente Blvd. Not sure what happened or what may take over the location, but I’ll keep watching…
It was only just back in August when I noticed that something was taking over the erstwhile Chang’s space at 11726 San Vicente Blvd. Wasting no time whatsoever, Simply Salad is now open and dispensing kale to the good people of Brentwood. They may get some competition from the upcoming Sweetgreen just a few blocks up the road…
I just noticed plywood covering the corner space in the Brentwood Gardens, at 11677 San Vicente, that informs us that a branch of healthy bowl expert Sweetgreen is soon heading that way. The notices only just went up, so I imagine they’ve a way to go. Until then, check out their menu here.
Toddrickallen 