New signs are up on the old Del Taco location at 2425 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of a new java joint and drive through. Makenna Koffee describes itself as a “beach themed coffee shop” and has a smattering of locations across SoCal. While you’re waiting for your Maui latte to debut in Santa Monica, you can read more about the company here and their plans of expansion. (Thanks Carol!)
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Carol!) noticed a small ‘coming soon’ notice in the window of 3117 Ocean Park Blvd in Santa Monica, previously home to beloved neighborhood eatery The OP Cafe. Another piece of paper lists the new restaurant as Pontu. I can’t find a lot of information on Pontu, other that their undeveloped Instagram page that promises two things: “Peruvian” and “Local”.
A charming new coffee spot is coming to an area of Pico desperately in need of one. The historic old A-frame at 3010 Pico, once the home of Wienerschnitzel, is getting spruced up to re-open as a branch of Intelligentsia Coffee. I’m so glad they have decided to keep the original structure that has long been such an landmark in this neighborhood. Intelligentsia began in Chicago in 1995 and has since spread a footprint across five American cities (Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York), as well as international locations, and strives to offer “the most extraordinary coffee in the world“. A spokesperson could not give me a specific opening date due to permitting reasons, but it looks like they’re close. (With Joe & The Juice landing a few blocks away, is the Pico Corridor in Santa Monica becoming a third-wave coffee hotspot?)
(Thanks Spencer!)
Here’s a NYE option for you. From my Inbox:
GA – 5-hour Premium Open Bar – $142.16 (includes fees) / GA – 2-hour Premium Open Bar – $72.09 (After Midnight Entry, inc. fees)
More info and tickets here.
Innovative coffee purveyor Go Get Em Tiger has abruptly closed its location at 930 Montana Ave in Santa Monica on Tuesday. Santa Monica’s other location on Main St. closed a while ago. GGET opened this location in 2022 with much excitement and an extended menu. I’m not sure what is happening with the chain, but their Culver City location, as well as other locations east of here are still open.
(Thanks Steve!)
A while back I told you that Raising Cane’s was moving into the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Here is the new location at 1401 Third St. Promenade, on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd, formerly the home of Bibibop. It looks like they are working on a complete build-out. This is part of a major expansion into the California by the beloved Louisiana-based poultry provider known for chicken finger meals and noontime lines out the door.
It’s that time of year again…
Tickets are $20 in advance for a single route, $35 in advance for VIP/All Access Route Hopper Tickets. Check out the routes here. Get your tickets here.
Santa Monica is finally getting an outpost of übercool international lifestyle/juice brand Joe & The Juice, albeit in a curious location. Their signature window paper is up on the free-standing building in the Whole Foods complex on the corner of Pico and Cloverfield. Hailing from Denmark, the chain of coffee and juice bars has locations across Europe, Asia and North America, and has a mission to promote a “contemporary educational platform for how to prepare all people of our movement for a healthy life filled with aspiration and meaning”… as well as coffee.
Apparently, I only gave you half the story when I reported to you that Sora Temaki Bar was taking over the Contempo Floor Covering store at 908 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood. They are moving into the space, but only part of it. Window paper has since gone up indicating that the spacious address is being divided with Sora moving into the right side, and Layla Bagels & Coffee taking over the rest of the space. Crazy-popular Layla has two other locations (Santa Monica and Beverly Hills) and specializes in “hand-rolled sourdough bagels baked fresh daily”, bringing yet another bold bagel choice to carb-saturated Brentwood.
(Thanks Madelyn!)
Congratulations lucky people of Century City and Malibu, ever-popular oenophile paradise Wally’s Wine & Spirits is landing at least two new locations in SoCal. Wally’s currently has three locations (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Las Vegas) that specialize in the “finest food, beverages, and gourmet foods”, drawing in large well-heeled crowds with their chic “cave à vin” vibes. Here is a look at the new Wally’s at Century Plaza location, located in front of the Fairmont Century Plaza on Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Wally’s Holiday catalog is also promising a new location in Malibu at Cross Creek Ranch. Both are planning on a Spring 2026 opening. Read more about the new Century City outpost here.
In a town packed with powerhouse restaurants, quiet little Sushi Kiyono has been happily serving devoted locals for 27 years at 255 S Beverly Blvd. Sadly, that is about to come to an end. A gracious note on the front door cites retirement and says that the final day of service will be this Saturday November 22. The note also welcomes their replacement: The Brothers Sushi. An ABC application on the front confirms it. With locations in Woodland Hills, Santa Monica, and Culver City, The Brothers Sushi is the much lauded and wildly popular “high-end” sushi spot that offers seasonal “Omakase Chefs courses or Ala Carte options”.
It appears that after 10 years, smoked fish experts Wexler’s Deli have closed up shop at 616 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. This is not the end: A gracious note on the front door explains that they are pivoting to a wholesale business and you will soon be able to find their proprietary lox at hotels and restaurants. In other exciting news, the note also explains that “Sichuan Superette” Suá, will be taking over the space. If you haven’t had a chance to visit their charming Larchmont location, you can expect delightful hand-stirred matcha and coffee drinks, organic Sichuan grab-and-go, Asian snacks, and carefully curated pantry and home goods.
From my Inbox:
LA Wine & Food Fest
Friday, Nov. 7th-Sunday, Nov. 9th / Barker Hanger Santa Monica
VIP 6:30pm, GA 7:30pm / $175-$389
“The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival hosted by Tastemade is a vibrant celebration of the city’s dynamic culinary scene, rich multicultural flavors, and boundless creativity taking place on November 7-9, 2025, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Over three days, guests will savor dishes from exciting local and internationally acclaimed chefs, sip beverage selections from top regional and international producers, and experience the cultural mosaic that makes this city a global food capital. From innovative tasting experiences to immersive pop-ups and artistic food installations, the festival is a feast for the senses—where food, culture, and art merge in the most delicious and Angelyne way.”
* FRIENDS OF SPIN * USE CODE “LAWine20” FOR 25% OFF TICKETS!
A small banner has appeared in the window of the space at 235 Main St. in Venice, previously home to The Anchor Venice. A new eatery named Three Flavors appears to be moving in. I don’t have much information on this establishment, other than the banner promises an interesting combination of “Thai, Sushi, Phở”.
Chicken finger experts Raising Cane’s is continuing its expansion across LA. The Louisiana-based poultry purveyor with noontime lines out the door has signage up on plywood on the corner of Century Blvd. and Doty, right next to SoFi in Inglewood. Look for upcoming branches in Westwood and Santa Monica as well.
This is a public service announcement: The brand-new and much-needed Vons, that is in the new luxury development on the corner of Broadway and Lincoln in Santa Monica, will officially open on October 17th. Ribbon cutting is at 7:15am and doors will open at 8am. We’re promised “Giveaways + Fun activities”, and the first 250 people will receive a “Game Card for a chance to win“. You’re welcome.
Santa Monica’s dining scene is white-hot right now. Yet more evidence: There’s renewed activity at 2820 Main St., a chunk of prime real estate that used to home to Santa Monica’s beloved gem World Cafe that closed about a decade and a half ago (after World Cafe, it was home to Areal for a period). The location has sat derelict ever since, but recently a new ABC application has appeared on the front. While no business name is listed, a close inspection of the application reveals some familiar names: Chloe, Brandon, and Tyler Makhani, the family team behind Woodland Hills’ Mediterranean charmer Casaléna. This property sounds familiar to Casaléna‘s concept of different dining rooms and a big outdoor space. I’ll keep my eyes on the project to see what may develop, but this is definitely exciting news.
Santa Monica is getting a gorgeous new dining room… La Monique will open on November 11 and is destined to become a sensation. La Monique has moved into the old Tower 8 restaurant space in the deliciously private and fashionable Hotel Oceana, at 849 Ocean Ave. You may recall Tower 8 opened with a Josiah Citrin menu but eventually closed to the public over a decade ago. The layout has been completely redesigned with a new entrance and the bar moved to the opposite wall. Expect a cozy, chic, elegantly designed space, with a clubby feel and attention to details. The self-described French brasserie (with Italian influence) offers a menu of classics like Le Plateau Royale, steak frites, Dover sole, grilled branzino, escargot poppers, and pastas, as well as Petrossian caviar service and specialty cocktails. I suggest you grab a reservation while you can….
We’ve long known that local institution Noma Sushi would be forced to close due to a proposed redevelopment of the property at 2031 Wilshire. Readers have been repeatedly asking me what would happen to the beloved neighborhood fave. Now we have answers: Signs are up indicating that Noma is moving across the street, to 2020 Wilshire (most recently occupied by Senator Jones), in a property owned by the same landlord as the current location. You’re welcome…
A German coffee concept is making its debut in Santa Monica. There’s window paper and a sign on the diminutive space at 2665#B Main St announcing the arrival of Codos Coffee Roastery. Codos began in 2014 in Hamburg and has since spread across Germany. Their focus is on “exceptional coffee” served in a “warm and welcoming space where every guest feels at home”. Willkommen!
Toddrickallen 