Modest Sushi Sho has been quietly dishing fish to the good people of NoMa from its humble storefront at 1303 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica for a very long time. Sadly, almost overnight it has completely pulled up stakes. But something appears to be quickly moving in. As soon as I find out what that is I’ll let you know…
The A-frame of Santa Monica’s fossilized outpost of tube steak chain Wienerschnitzel has been a fixture along Pico Blvd. for as long as anyone can remember. But alas, no longer. A reader (Thanks John!) wrote to tell me of its closure at 3010 Pico. Sure enough, all signs have been pulled down, the place is gutted, and a hastily-written note proclaims it permanently closed. Wienerschnitzel was founded in Wilmington CA in 1961 and was a marvel of midcentury fast food chains. Truly the end of an era.
It appears a new burger joint is close to opening in Santa Monica. Almost overnight, signs went up at 2307 Main St. announcing that a branch of Urban Skillet is moving in. Urban Skillet hails from Minnesota with a location in The Valley as well, and is known for their Halal burgers, as well as chicken burgers, wings, fries, and hand-blended shakes. They will be throwing open their doors on Friday, March 11th at 12pm. For their Grand Opening, they are offering a free burger when you buy a burger with this coupon.
Vietnamese noodle shop Blossom appears to be broadening their horizons. On a tip (Thanks CG!) I went by the space that used to be home to Uplifter’s Kitchen at 2819 Ocean Park Blvd. New signs and an ABC application in the window are announcing a new project from Blossom, which incidentally sits right next door at 2821 Ocean Park. I’m told by a spokesperson that the new project, Blossom and Friends, will be a departure from Vietnamese. While the menu is still in development, it appears Italian will be on offer. I’m also told that they are looking to open by the end of March. We wish them the best of luck…
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks RB!) let me know that there was a pending conditional use notice in the window of the space at 925 Wilshire Blvd Ste C (corner of 10th), former home to Classic Tile. (I’ve long thought this would be a great location for a restaurant) The notice doesn’t give a business name, but lists the proposed project as, “ABC license 47 bar and restaurant for the onsite service and consumption of food and alcohol”. The applicant is named as Bonus Eventus LLC. A little digging reveals that Bonus Eventus is the parent company of JP’s Bar and Grill, everyone’s favorite neighborhood sports bar at Wilshire and 11th that shuttered since the Pandemic closures and remains so to this day. I’ve reached out to the man behind JP’s and I’ll pass on more information as it becomes available.
Ghost kitchen chain Kitchen United Mix is exploding across our region bringing a myriad of delivery choices. They describe themselves as, “the nation’s first ‘Multi-Restaurant Ordering’ to-go experience”. Back in October of last year, I told you about a branch moving into the old Gallery space at 1325 Third St. Promenade. That branch recently opened and here are your choices: Camile Thai, Continental Empanadas, Fuku (chicken sando and fingers), and Wow Bao. I’m told more are on the way…
There’s window paper up on the space that used to be home of Ben & Jerry’s, at 2441 Main St. in Santa Monica, announcing a new fried confectionary shop is on the way. Holey Grail Donuts has locations in Hawaii as well as a pop-up in Culver City and specializes in donuts made with “Hawaiian grown taro root [that] has been pounded and fermented to create a dough base” which is then fried in coconut oil and sold individually or in weekly “tasting boxes”. Coffee, matcha, and chai are also on the menu.
McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. has certainly generated a buzz in Santa Monica. Ever since I first posted about the expansion of Los Feliz’ beloved “gourmet neighborhood market” to 1426 Montana Ave (Ste 7) late last year, people been demanding answers as to an opening date. After much anticipation, McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. will officially throw open their doors today (Wed. 26 January) at 10:00am (or possibly 10:30am, the website and notice on the door don’t agree). Expect the “highest quality meats, fish, produce, pastries, and retail accompaniments”. You’re welcome…
Obica ended its LA run back in 2020. The Downtown Santa Monica location of the Italian mozzarella chain, at 606 Broadway Ste 100, has sat empty since at least January of that year. But that’s about to change. An ABC application has recently gone up on the space informing us that this will soon be a branch of Tu Madre. Tacos Tu Madre has four other locations across LA and specializes in creative Mexican food in bright, colorful surroundings.
Ever since I told you about the heartbreaking closure of Hurry Curry of Tokyo in Sawtelle Japantown, many readers reached out to me to express their shock and sadness. Well, you can take a breath. A reader (Thanks JC!) let me know they have found a new location in a small space at 2901 Ocean Park Blvd #125, formerly home to Ocean Park Ramen House. Looks like they’re shooting for an early 2022 opening. You’re welcome…
This was certainly a long time coming… It was back in March of 2020 when I first noticed window paper on the front of the space at 726 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden. Then nothing happened. Well, they recently (finally) opened. Expect a strong emphasis on the “experience”, “sensation”, and “journey” of tea, as well as sweet and savory baked goods with a “California Coastal” vibe. We wish them the best of luck.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Andrew!) spotted a note taped to the front door of of Grey Block Pizza at 1811 Pico Blvd. The note simply says, “Grey Block Pizza closed Prime Pizza coming soon”. You may recall that Prime Pizza recently opened a branch in West LA, as well as other locations, and promises “authentic NY style Pizza”.
That didn’t take long… Back in February, I told you about the arrival of SMiZE Cream to the space formerly occupied by Ugo Cafe in Santa Monica Place. You may recall that TV personality and model Tyra Banks was behind the premium ice cream project. Sadly, it appears that they have cleared off from Downtown Santa Monica. Their website says that they are switching to a delivery model.
A popular sushi and sports bar has quietly disappeared from Santa Monica. Kimuya was a neighborhood fave go-to spot, known by locals for its happy hour. Sadly, a for lease sign has appeared on the front of their location at 2830 Wilshire. I’ll keep watching to see what may develop…
Kaido Japanese Cuisine has had a difficult time of it. They were forced to relocate to 1049 Gayley in Westwood when their original location in a strip mall in Santa Monica was cleared to make room for another big development. And now, sadly, it appears they are done at their current location. There’s a large “available” sign on the front announcing the news.
It appears that Santa Monica is getting its very own branch of a popular high-end “gourmet neighborhood market”. There’s a notice in the papered-over windows of the former home of Earthbar at 1426 Montana Ave. letting us all know that this will be the future home of a branch of Los Feliz’s much-lauded McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. McCall’s prides itself on delivering the “highest quality meats, fish, produce, pastries” all while “keeping in mind the health and nature of the animals”. Interesting…
It appears that Taiwanese boba brand Sharetea is continuing on its inexorable path to world domination. Signs are already up on the space just to the right of Joe’s Pizza at 113 Broadway announcing the impending arrival. Not sure how far off they are from opening, but they look close…
Lovers of cultish confectionary empire Sprinkles will soon be able to get their fix in Santa Monica. Just outside the sluggish and half-closed food court of Santa Monica Place a brightly painted storefront has appeared almost overnight. I looks like this outlet will only be a home to one of their signature ATM’s, but when you’re desperate for cupcakes, does it matter?
When NY-style coal-fired pizza joint Grimaldi’s closed in El Segundo, it was reported that they were moving to a Santa Monica takeaway operation in the office complex at 2501 Colorado. What wasn’t reported was that the new location will be inside yet another outpost of rapidly expanding ghost kitchen/food hall Kitchen United Mix, making this Santa Monica’s second branch. Currently at address there is an erstwhile Daily Grill and, more suitably, a cafeteria called Colorado Kitchen. Both Santa Monica locations of Kitchen United were shooting for an October opening, but as it stands, little work has been done at either. Nearby Westwood is also getting a branch as well.
Devoted fans were crushed last year when their favorite Westside dark bar for martinis and nostalgia, Pacific Dining Car, permanently closed during the Pandemic. But the door had been left open for a possible conversion of the iconic location into a new restaurant. Recently, a new “leased” sign appeared on the front and a renewed hope inspired my readers to pepper me with questions regarding the new establishment. Sadly, it appears that it will not be a new eatery. A notice posted on the front announces a hearing to to “allow a 24-hour emergency veterinary services to the existing building”. And sorry, I still don’t have any information on what may replace another Wilshire institution that fell victim to the Pandemic: Casa Escobar.
Toddrickallen 