Another sad closure on Montana Ave… Le Macaron burst onto the scene at 1301 Montana Ave back in 2017. At the time, this was LA’s first branch of the Florida-based chain and they introduced The Westside to their excellent selection of pastries, breads, chocolates, and coffees. Shocked readers have been writing to tell me they have now closed up shop after a truly valiant effort. If you’re missing their signature classic macarons, you can find other LA locations here.
A reader recently asked me what was going on at Savida, that opened only last year at 1303 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. So, I went by the raw seafood bar that got a mention in the most recent Michelin Guide to have a look. Their parklet on Montana has been dismantled and the space appears lifeless with mail piling up inside. While I don’t have confirmation, for all intents and purposes it appears closed. Let me kniow if you have more information.
(Thanks Narayan!)
This from my inbox: On Sunday, May 27th from 1pm-5pm is the 8th annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street. This event is a pet-friendly, boardgame-themed culinary walking tour of Main Street’s fave neighborhood eateries, bars, and treat shops. Attendees will use “MAINopoly dollars” and are encouraged to dress in “Monopoly-inspired or patriotic Memorial Day attire”. There will be a “Go to Jail” beer garden, cocktails, DJ, and prizes. Some (but not all) of the restaurants that will be participating are: Ashland Hill, Pasjoli, Papille Gustative, JuneShine, Jameson’s Pub, and Holey Grail Donuts. The event takes place between Navy and Bay St. (Check in at The Victorian, 2640 Main St.) and benefits The Main St. Business Improvement Association. Read more and get your tickets here.
It wasn’t that long ago when I told you about the closure of 35 year institution Bud’s Deli at 2727 Ocean Park Blvd, in the Sunset Park area of Santa Monica. Wasting no time, the address is getting a new tenant. There’s a notice in the window that this will soon be home to a branch of local fave Juicy Ladies. Juicy Ladies is an “organic juice bar & cafe” with two other locations (Pacific Palisades and Woodland Hills) and a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu with vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and keto options that emphasises healthy food, community, and the environment.
Sadly it appears that after about a year, local fave Blossom Vietnamese has quietly slipped out of the space at 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice. There’s no official statement, but the space is dark and gutted. A local was passing by and, noticing my interest, explained to me that this location is notoriously tricky for restaurants because it’s not easily seen from the street. Previously the space had been home to 3 Square Cafe. Whatever the reason, you can still visit Blossom’s Santa Monica location at 2821 Ocean Park Blvd. for their signature noodles.
I’m hearing from startled readers that popular gluten-free organic bakery and lunch spot Breadblok has abruptly closed all its locations including their first brick-and-mortar on Montana Ave in Santa Monica. An announcement on Instagram explains that “the combination of the impact of COVID as well as the inflationary pressure on our costs” is the culprit behind the sad news. We wish them the best of luck for their next chapter. (Thanks Tara and others!)
It’s been a cool minute since Truxton’s pulled up stakes at 1329 Santa Monica Blvd. Since then, a ‘leased’ notice was splashed across the front, and readers have been demanding answers. Now we have them. An ABC application on the front door spills the beans that BBQ superstar and cookbook author Kevin Bludso is expanding his operation to Santa Monica with a location of Bludso’s Bar & Que. Looks like they’re shooting for a June opening, but in the meantime, check out their menu here and try to stop your mouth from watering.
Congratulations Ocean Park! Top-rated icy treats are heading your way…. It was back in June of last year when I told you about quiet neighborhood spot Shaka Shack quitting its location at 1701 Ocean Park Blvd. Now it looks like this address is about to be the home of a new branch of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt. Handel’s Ice Cream had its beginnings in Youngstown, Ohio when a woman named Alice Handel began serving it in 1945. They operate 90 locations in a number of states and offer over 100 flavors of ice cream and yogurt that are made fresh daily at each location.
(Thanks Justin!)
Normally, I do my own investigating, but I’m hearing from so many people on this story that I’m simply passing on the information others have shared with me. With its buzzy bar and laid-back comfort food, the closure of local fave Ingo’s Tasty Diner, at 1215 Wilshire, was a real blow to neighborhood. Plywood went up on the front, and not much happened after that… until recently. Construction has been fast and furious, which prompted readers to check into what was going on. They’ve uncovered that Ingo’s will be reopening at this location (their website confirms a Summer opening) and that they are expanding into the old Vienna Bakery space next door, possibly meaning more baked goods on menu. Also there are whisperings of a beer garden in the back as well. Let me know if you have any more information. (Thanks to Kurt, Rob, and others)
A little over a year ago, I told you about some activity at 925 Wilshire Blvd.# C in Santa Monica. At the time, all I could discern wat the new establishment was associated with JP’s Bar and Grill, a fave neighborhood watering hole at Wilshire and 11th that had shuttered during the Pandemic. I even reached out to the people behind JP’s, but at the time, they didn’t wish to share any details, so I only referred to the location as “a new JP’s project”. Now a liquor license has gone up on the space, (perhaps) putting an end to the mystery. The business name is clearly listed as JP’s Bar & Grill.
A beloved neighborhood lunch spot, tucked away just off Ocean Park Blvd. appears to have shuttered. A reader wrote to tell me that he noticed Mrs. Winston’s at 3150 Ocean Park had closed. Mrs. Winston’s has been a beloved part of the neighborhood for quite a while and was well known for their popular salad and juice bar. But don’t worry, you can still get “LA’s Best Salad Bar” at their Century City and Santa Monica Water Garden locations.
A longtime provider of healthy juices to the yoga crowd in Downtown Santa Monica has mysteriously closed its doors. There’s a note on the front of Nekter Juice Bar, at 1422 2nd St. that says they are “currently not open to the public”, whatever that means. But don’t worry, Nekter has a number of other locations across SoCal, and the US.
Good news Marina del Rey! All you can eat sushi has arrived! There is now a branch of Santa Monica’s Non Stop Sushi & Sake Bar up and running at 4025 Del Rey Ave., in the shopping center on the corner of Washington and Lincoln. (Incidentally, part of the roof awning caved in during one of the storms earlier in the week at their popular Santa Monica location at 2645 Lincoln Blvd.)
The former bank building at 3032 Wilshire, on the corner of Berkeley and Wilshire in Santa Monica, continues its transformation into a food destination. There are the delightful Portuguese egg tarts from Paderia at the back of the building, and in the front, you can get your acai at Oakberry. Soon you can add one more choice. Signs recently went up on Suite B4, on the Berkeley side of the building, announcing a new “curry & sando” spot: Katsu Bar. Katsu Bar has a smattering of locations throughout SoCal and offers a menu of appetizers, salads, chicken or pork katsu sandwiches and sandos, and curry bowls.
San Diego’s Parakeet Cafe continues its push into LA County. Last year, I told you about the health-focused chain taking over the old Chin Chin space in Beverly Hills. Recently, window paper went up at 13050 San Vicente Blvd. suite 112, most recently home to a mysterious branch of Umami Burger ghost kitchen, announcing that a new branch of Parakeet Cafe is settling in at this address as well. Check out another location’s menu here to get an idea of what may be coming…
It was only back in December when I told you about the disappearance of lunch spot Kye’s from its location at 1518 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Recently, window paper went up on the space announcing the arrival of something called Bread Head. As it turns out, Bread Head has had a presence as a pop up since 2021 and is the project of Alex Williams and Jordan Snyder, two chefs from Trois Mec. They specialize in carefully crafted sandwiches on homemade bread. Read the full story on their website here. Definitely a welcome addition to the expanding and unexpectantly exciting Montana Ave. food scene.
The window paper at 1447 Lincoln Blvd. (corner of Broadway) in Santa Monica is announcing that a branch of Health Nut is taking over the space. Not sure what that is? Check with your friends who live in The Valley or The Southbay. Odds are, they’re huge fans of the celebrity fave that began as a vitamin store in 1988. They are known for their fresh, healthy sandwiches and salads with proprietary dressings that people go gaga for. Apparently, Culver City will soon be getting a branch as well at 8900 Venice Blvd #108.
A few weeks back, when I told you about the lineup of eateries coming to ghost kitchen Kitchen United MIX, (formerly The Gallery Food Hall) at 1315 Third St Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica, I included links to each listed restaurant… except one. At the time, I couldn’t find any information about Farmesa. But just this week, details began to trickle in. According to this Forbes article, Farmesa is a new fast/casual concept from none other than Chipotle Mexican Grill that will offer bowls with proteins, grains, greens, sauces, and toppings. The menu is curated by famous chef and cookbook author Nate Appleman, whose CV includes San Francisco’s A16 and SPQR. It looks like they’re shooting for a February opening.
Well that certainly took a long time… I first told you that Santa Monica’s popular Italian staple Rosti Tuscan Kitchen was opening another location in Brentwood almost two years ago. Since then, people have been demanding answers. While I’m not certain as to what caused the delay, I can tell you that they have recently opened for business at 11740 San Vicente Blvd. Suite 104, in what had once been an outpost of Industry darling La Scala. I’m told the menu is the same as the Montana Ave. location.
(Thanks Eric!)
The shopping center on the Southwest corner of Lincoln and Pico is a very busy place. It caters to a steady stream of students pouring out of nearby SaMo High. Already stacked with fast food options, a new contender appears to be moving in soon. A banner over the space at 1902 Lincoln Suite B is announcing a branch of “American Chinese” restaurant chain Panda Express.
Toddrickallen 