On a tip from a reader (Thanks Adrian!), I went by to check on the suspect state of affairs at 508 and 510 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. The reader had told me that next door neighbors Seasalt Fish Grill and Yogiyo Korean BBQ had closed down. Sure enough, both are locked tight. However, both also have exactly the same sign in the window saying that they will be “re-opening soon”. I don’t want to pronounce them permanently closed, but we’ve seen this before…
It started out as a teaser, with the word breadblok scrawled on the plywood covering the renovation of the old Spazio Caffe at 1511A Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Eventually, window notices went up, and I reported back in March of last year that local farmer’s market staple Breadblok was indeed moving in. Breadblok opened last week, offering the good people of Santa Monica a menu of Provence-inspired artisan breads, pastries, and tartines that are “organic, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, gum-free, [and] refined sugar-free”.
After being peppered with questions from curious readers who noticed activity at the erstwhile location of local bolthole Le Petit Café at 2842 Colorado Ave., I went by to have a look. Sure enough, a brand new awning declares the new restaurant to be Le Petit Chez Mimi. Fortunately, I was able to have a chat with the delightful proprietor, Micheline Hébert (nicknamed Mimi), the beloved and irrepressible force behind the Chez Mimi empire. (Chez Mimi closed at 26th and San Vicente almost 10 years ago.) She explained that she is excited by this new project: They have retained the chef from Le Petit Café and the menu will be similar as well… as in, thoroughly French. Think sole meunière, truite amandine, and boeuf bourguignon. They are planning on a March opening. In the mean time, check out the photo Ms. Hébert provided to get a glimpse inside this new French charmer.
Update: Le Petit Chez Mimi is now open. Read more here.
And while we’re on the subject of sad closings… I have it on a solid inside tip that Santa Monica’s chic palace of all things kitchen-related, Williams Sonoma is set to close its doors. It is currently still open, and I do not have a time line, but I believe the intel is trustworthy. Williams Sonoma has been a sparkling anchor on the east end of Montana, and its demise will leave a cavernous hole in the upscale shopping district. By the way, I’m also hearing that the Starbucks on the corner of 15th and Montana is set to close as well due to high rents.
Update: I strive for accuracy because I know many of you trust me for food news. At the time that I wrote this post in February, I had it from a good source that they were planning on closing. However, this appears to have changed. Unlike their Beverly Hills branch, this one appears to be remaining open, for now. This pandemic has been rough on local business. If you wish to keep Williams-Sonoma open, I encourage everyone to shop here as often as possible, and support other local businesses as well. (written 12/30/2020)
I’ve been carefully watching the branch of international Italian brand Obica at 606 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. Recently, the restaurant went silent, and the shades have been pulled down. A sign on the door promises a renovation, new management, and a new concept… all by February 10th. But things look a bit dodgy: While I was checking for progress, a self-identified former employee approached me and told me that the staff were unceremoniously sacked with no promise of rehire. His assumption is that Obica Mozzarella Bar is permanently gone. A cursory glance inside the front door reveals that nothing has been touched and no work has commenced. I’ll keep watching but we’ve seen this kind of thing before…
Yikes! It appears that an exodus of eateries has occurred in Downtown Santa Monica after the Holidays. Plan Check has checked out of 1401 Ocean Ave. Le Pain Quotidien has said adieu to 316 Santa Monica Blvd. (A note in the window blames an expiring lease agreement.) And, after a valiant effort, Creams & Dreams has closed their nitrogen ice cream outpost at 219 Arizona after four years. Sad…
(Thanks SG!)
Back in June of 2017, I applauded Z Pastabar’s courageous decision to brave the sputtering food scene in Santa Monica Place. At the time, Z Pastabar had high hopes of a big expansion across the LA area. Sadly, it appears that things did not go as planned: Following their other SoCal locations, Santa Monica Place‘s branch of Z Pastabar is now closed.
A reader (Thanks Charlie!) sent me this article in the SMDP about the end of Santa Monica’s beloved hidden airport restaurant Spitfire Grill. According to the article, current owner John Clarizio has sold the restaurant citing that he needs a break. The new owner is Irish restaurateur Sean Martin, who has had successes in London. The eatery is to be called The Cloverfield and will feature Italian food in an atmosphere that is reminiscent of a “London Bistro with Southern California elements”. Spitfire will stay open for a while during the finalization of the sale.
Many of you have been asking for answers about what is happening behind the construction at LA’s legendary fine dining space Melisse. This just landed in my inbox: Josiah Citrin’s highly anticipated new restaurant is named Citrin and will open on December 12th at the Melisse location (1104 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica). The food is being described as “modern Californian” and the space a “fun, welcoming, and approachable room” with a large bar and an a la carte menu. Reservations are now being accepted here. And we’re being told to expect a new “Melisse experience” soon. I’ll keep you posted…
It appears that casual outdoor burger spot Cowabunga Republic has closed up shop at 2912 Main St. in Santa Monica. The giant for lease sign on the front confirms the sad news. Cowabunga Republic burst on the scene earlier this year with a lot of initial attention from locals. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the unusual space to see what new venture may take a chance.
What must be the Westside’s worst-kept secret, Trader Joe’s arrival to the heart of Santa Monica has long been established. Ever since I first confirmed it to you earlier this year, I’ve been deluged with questions about an opening date from adoring fans who were geographically challenged by not having one in their backyard. So here ya go: Trader Joe’s Wilshire officially opens tomorrow, November 16th at 2300 Wilshire Blvd. You’re welcome.
Once a darling with posing celebrities, Pinkberry lead the pack in the frozen yogurt explosion a number of years back. Could this be an indication that times and tastes have moved on? I was surprised to see that Pinkberry has vanished from its prime location at 1456 Third Street Promenade. I’ll keep watching to see what may take over the space.
I’ve been watching the commodious space at 1413 5th St. in Downtown Santa Monica ever since its longstanding tenant, Wokcano, disappeared about a year ago. It finally looks like a new venture is moving in. An ABC application recently went up announcing the impending arrival of NC’s Jazz Shack. I can’t seem to find much information out there on NC’s, but I’ll keep watching…
Well this came as a bit of a shock… After what seems like, well… forever (in reality, 26 years), it appears that Santa Monica’s branch of retro diner Swingers has thrown in the towel at its 802 Broadway location. So what happened to the neighborhood’s fave late night hang out joint? A note affixed to the front door cites rising labor and food costs, and operating expenses as the culprits.
You may recall that a branch of Il Fornaio used to anchor the corner of Ocean Ave. and Colorado (where Del Frisco’s Grill now resides) until its closure many years ago. But now it appears that the beloved Italian bakery/restaurant is about to make its return to Santa Monica. The space at 401 Wilshire Blvd, suite 150, has just completed a major renovation, turning it into a bright and airy storefront with a large deck and a mid-century feel. Recently an ABC application was affixed to the front informing us that this will be the location of Osteria Del Fornaio, a slightly different business name, but the applicant is listed as the Il Fornaio America Corporation, parent company of Il Fornaio and Canaletto Ristorante Veneto. Right now, the space is completely gutted, so we may have to wait a while to find out more…
Santa Monica is white hot for new eateries right now… Now it looks like they’re about to get a new neighborhood caffeine joint. Construction appears to be nearing completion on Café de Mundo at 1502 Broadway. Crafted coffee drinks “inspired by how the world drinks it” and Farmshop pastries and sandwiches will be on offer. They’re shooting for a Fall opening.
We first got tipped off about Tartine’s expansion into Santa Monica by Eater, but no location was given. Then an excited reader recently spotted this, which seems to imply that Tartine will be landing in a new development on the corner of 20th and Arizona (1925 Arizona to be exact), site of the former Gates, Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy Funeral Directors building! So I went by to check things out. The funeral parlor closed a while ago, and the lot was sold. The expansive corner space is currently under construction, and an application posted out front indicates that a five story building will eventually stand on the corner. There’s no indication from the permits that Tartine will be part of the new development. So I reached out to a rep for Tartine, who confirmed that yes, they will be opening at this location. The medical/residential neighborhood at first seems an odd choice for San Francisco’s darling of rustic bread and pastries. But remember that Susan Feniger’s and Mary Sue Milliken’s upcoming project Socalo is only a block away, and sleek The Rooster is two blocks away, so it appears the area is turning into a something of a food destination.
What was in distant memory once a dusty old Third Street Promenade tourist pit stop, The Gallery Food Hall, has been systematically transforming into a remarkable food destination over the past few years. Joining such lofty names as STRFSH, Paperboy, Dialogue, and the fascinating Social Eats concept, there’s now another name to add to the list. Kameo Shave Ice has opened in the old Everytable space on the ground floor. But you’d better hurry, the website promises a “limited time” only.
About two years ago, the strip mall popular with SaMoHi students on the corner of Lincoln and Pico in Santa Monica underwent a major remodel. Some of the storefronts mysteriously remain vacant, but it appears that is changing. Work is fast and furious on a new restaurant moving into the corner location. A new sign promises us that Pita House will soon be bringing us “Mediterranean cuisine”.
Toddrickallen 