Tag Archives: Santa Monica

Kitchen United Mix Bringing New Food Options To Downtown Santa Monica

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A reader (Thanks Tom!) noticed new options coming to Downtown Santa Monica’s outpost of the rapidly expanding ghost kitchen enterprise Kitchen United Mix at 1315 Third St Promenade.  This location (formerly The Gallery Food Hall) has had a troubled past, and has seen many eateries come and go.  According to a banner on the front, we can soon expect take-away food from popular chains than previously were not easily accessed by the beach community: Chili’s To-Go, Maggiano’s, and It’s Just Wings.  Chili’s To-Go‘s website says that they will open on August 9th.

The Original Thai Dishes Gets A New Home In Santa Monica

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Ever since Argentinian steak house Malbec vacated the cavernous space at 2628 Wilshire, I’ve been keeping my eye on the location to see what would develop.  Leased notices went up a while ago, but I could detect no movement… until now.  An ABC application recently appeared on the front, spilling the beans that The Original Thai Dishes is setting up housekeeping (as opposed to the unrelated Thai Dishes on Broadway).  According to a spokesperson, this not a second location for the classic Thai eatery, but rather a move from their current space at 19th and Wilshire. 

Panini Kabob Grill Coming To MDR

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Don’t ever count out plucky Panini Kabob Grill.  While the chain has lost some prominent locations during The Pandemic (Santa Monica, Beverly Hills), they continue to open new ones.  A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Jennifer!) spotted a nonresponsibility notice on the door of the empty storefront at 13455 Maxella #250, on the second floor of the Villa Marina Marketplace in Marina del Rey.  The notice lets us know that there’s a new Panini Kabob Grill on the way.  PKG prides itself on fresh Mediterranean fare produced daily in their “scratch kitchen”.  You can peruse their menu here.

Hermanito Coming To Santa Monica…

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Some excellent sleuthing on the part of one of my readers (Thanks Helen!) uncovered the mystery of what has leased the former Swingers space at 802 Broadway (corner of Lincoln) in Santa Monica.  She was able to discover a municipal application that reveals the name of the new business.  Apparently, it is none other than a Sawtelle’s white-hot Mexican destination Hermanito.  And this guy’s company is doing the design and consulting.  Interesting…

GGET Opens On Montana Ave On…

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It was a long road to get here, but the end is in sight…  Originally, back in May of 2020 I reported that the space at 930 Montana Ave. was going to be home to a branch of Bluestone Lane.  Well, a lot happened between then and now.  Bluestone Lane dropped the space, and a year later window paper went up for Go Get Em Tiger.  It’s taken over a year, but GGET will officially throw open their doors to the Good People of Santa Monica on Monday, June 20th, according to a spokesperson.  Eater is reporting a brand spanking new prototype all-day menu at this location, which you can see here.

Kalaveras Bringing “Buenas Vibras” To Santa Monica

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Ever since the Belcampo closed down at 1026 Wilshire due to a spot of trouble, I’ve been keeping my eye on the commodious space to see what would move in.  The mystery is now over.  Signs went up this week announcing a branch of Kalaveras.  Kalaveras offers an immersive El Dia de Los Muertos celebratory fast/casual concept with “Latin American culinary classics” and a focus on mixology.  They have locations across LA County, with a serious expansion in the works including Long Beach, Silver Lake, Newport Beach, and others.

Shaka Shack Skedaddles Out Of Santa Monica

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Thanks to all the shocked readers who took the time to tell me that under-the-radar neighborhood fave burger joint Shaka Shack has abruptly quit its location at 1701 Ocean Park Blvd.  The place is completely gutted, their website no longer functions, and the signs have been pulled down.  Their Yelp page is promising a reopening on July 1, but that seems unlikely at this location.  I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep my eye on this corner strip mall space to see what may develop…

Izzy’s Is No More…

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There’s one question that I literally get asked daily: “When will Izzy’s Deli reopen?”  You may recall that Santa Monica’s storied  Izzy’s, at 1433 Wilshire, closed back in 2020 for what I reported at the time was an earthquake retrofit.  Soon afterwards, a cheery “We’ll be back” was painted on the windows and Santa Monicans let out a collective sigh of relief.  Well… you may want to sit down for this:  Those cheery signs have been taken down and replaced with for lease signs.  So even though their website still promises a June return, The Santa Monica Observer has confirmed the sad news that after almost 50 years, Izzy’s Deli is permanently closed.  My condolences…

MAINopoly: A Taste Of Main Street This Sunday May 29th In Santa Monica

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This landed in my inbox: This Sunday, May 29th from 12-5pm is the 7th 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, coffee spots, 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, Sweet Rose Creamery, June Shine, and Holey Grail Donuts.  The event takes place between Navy and Bay St. (check in at Ashland Hill) and benefits The Main St. Business Improvement Association.  Read more and get your tickets here.

Mochidoki Bringing East Coast Icy Treats To Montana Ave Soon…

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There’s window paper up on the corner spot at 1133 Montana Ave in Santa Monica announcing that a new frozen confection spot is moving in.  Mochidoki offers high-quality mochi ice cream and was founded in New York in 2015 where they still operate two locations.  This will be the first West Coast outpost.  Their menu consists of “imaginative and refined Japanese-inspired desserts” in such flavors as red bean, cake batter, and salted caramel.  According to their website, they are the “preferred provider” of mochi ice cream to such establishments as Nobu, Tao, and others.

Winston Pies Finds A New Location In Santa Monica

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Winston Pies unceremoniously quit the unlucky space at 1705 Ocean Ave., but the plucky pastry purveyor is not done with Santa Monica quite yet.  There’s window paper up on the front of the old Milo SRO space at 826 Pico Blvd. announcing the arrival of the expanding popular bake shop.  Winston produces pies that are handmade from scratch using natural ingredients and baked in the tradition of founder Brianna Abrams’ childhood home of Winston-Salem, NC.  Thanks to PHW for spotting the notices.

Flapjax Replacing Bread & Porridge In Santa Monica

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It was only a little over a month ago that I told you about the catastrophic loss of Santa Monica’s neighborhood fave Bread & Porridge.  Thank you to all the readers who wrote to tell me about what would be replacing the beloved breakfast eatery.  The windows are still papered over, but a notice on the front lets us know that something called Flapjax is quickly moving into the space at 2315 Wilshire.  A cursory search reveals one familiar name associated with the new restaurant: Ebru Fidan Caplan.  Caplan is the force behind another popular breakfast spot, Bru’s Wiffle.

Vamos Vamos Replacing The Drift Kitchen In Santa Monica

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A reader (Thanks Andrew!) wrote to tell me that he had noticed an ABC application in the window of the erstwhile location of The Drift Kitchen at 2917 Main St. in Santa Monica.  The application lists the name of the new restaurant as Vamos Vamos.  I can’t find any definitive information on this new eatery, so if you have any, let me know.  As for The Drift Kitchen, their website says they are searching for a new location, but in the meantime, they have a pop-up at their sister restaurant Rocketship Coffee on Melrose.

Update:  Read more about Vamos Vamos here.

Trader Joe’s Now Open Under Downtown Santa Monica

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We all know that Downtown Santa Monica has seen a flurry of construction in recent years.  I try to keep my eye on all the new developments, but this caught me totally by surprise.  Did you know that there is now a subterranean Trader Joe’s hidden in the block on 5th St between Colorado and Broadway?  I sure didn’t.  Nevertheless, Trader Joe’s has opened their newest location at 500 Broadway about a week ago.

Osteria Del Fornaio Opens In Santa Monica On…

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If you’ve ever been inside a branch of poineering Italian restaurant Il Fornaio, you probably walked past a marble slab etched with the names of their various locations.  Prominently featured on that list is Santa Monica.  There’s just one problem: There hasn’t been one in Santa Monica since it closed on the corner of Ocean Ave. and Colorado many years ago.  But that’s about to change (ok, so its not an Il Fornaio itself, but it is related according to the website).  I first told you about the triumphant return to Santa Monica back in 2019.  After 2 1/2 years, Osteria Del Fornaio will throw open their doors to the good people of Santa Monica on April 26 at 401 Wilshire Blvd suite 150 according to a spokesperson.   Expect a different menu than its closest sister restaurant in Beverly Hills.  There will still be pasta and pizza, but there is an emphasis on smaller share plates served in a bright dining room with communal tables that look into a central kitchen.  You’re welcome.

Nostalgia Bar & Lounge’s Grand Opening This Thursday In Santa Monica

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I heard from the good people over at Santa Monica’s brand new Nostalgia Bar & Lounge who asked me to pass on this information:  Nostalgia Bar & Lounge, which is described as a “New American eatery and watering hole”, will host its public Grand Opening this Thursday, April 7th at 8pm (reservations are required).  Nostalgia is the first brick and mortar concept from The Herbal Chef™ founder Chris Sayegh, who has experience in Melisse and Providence.  Expect a nostalgic Americana menu with such things as Kobe toast, oysters two ways, and lobster rolls.  Drinks are made using “naturally derived cannabis terpenes” and take their cues from “Otter Pops, PB&J’s, and Yoo-Hoos”.  Throughout the month of April, show proof of Santa Monica residency and receive a complimentary push-pop with purchase.  Nostalgic Bar & Lounge is located at 1326 Pico Blvd (formerly The Speakeasy).  We wish them the best of luck.

Savida Raw Seafood Bar Replacing Sushi Sho On Montana Ave.

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I’ve been carefully tracking the developments at the former location of Sushi Sho at 1303 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.  Last week I pointed out a nonresponsibility notice that named Best Bite LLC as the new tenant.  Window paper just went up announcing the name of the new establishment as Savida Raw Seafood Bar.  I can’t find much information on this business, but I think the name lets us know what to expect…

Update:  Savida’s website is up and running.  Check out more and get a look at the menu here.  

Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House Replacing P.F. Chang’s In Santa Monica

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Ever since I told you about the startling disappearance of Santa Monica’s branch of Asian-ish chain P.F. Chang’s, people have been demanding answers about what may replace it.  The commodious space on the corner of Wilshire and 4th was leased a few months ago, and construction on the interior had begun, but there was no indication of what the new restaurant would be.  Just this week and small sandwich board has appeared that lets us know that the new establishment is going to be Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House.

Sushi Sho’s Replacement in Santa Monica…

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Many of you are following this story carefully so I’ll pass info on as it becomes available… Here’s the latest on the replacement for NOMA’s beloved Japanese take-away joint Sushi Sho:   As I told you, construction is fast and furious ever since the sushi restaurant moved out of 1303 Montana Ave.  A sharp eyed reader (Thanks Kurt!) spotted the nonresponsibility notice taped to the front that lists the lessee of the property as Best Bite LLC.  I can’t seem to confirm much more than this right now.  Keep watching this space…  

Bread & Porridge Disappears From Santa Monica

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I heard from a reader (Thanks Debbie!) that Santa Monica’s perennially popular under-the-radar neighborhood breakfast joint Bread & Porridge had abandoned their longtime location at 2315 Wilshire.  I had been watching the space, which has been idle for a few weeks, to see what was going on.  Last month a notice in the window explained that they were taking a temporary “break from operations”.  Since then, a for lease notice has appeared in the window so I assume there is no hope for reopening at this location. They will be sorely missed by their legions of fans who have made this humble restaurant an A.M. fave since 1994.