Tag Archives: Santa Monica

The Kitchen United MIX Food Lineup In Downtown Santa Monica

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News has been slowly dripping out on the latest batch of contenders in the saga of the Kitchen United MIX (formerly The Gallery Food Hall) at 1315 Third St Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica.  I’ve already told you about Duck Donuts and Santa Monica Brew Works, but now we have more news because of a sign that recently went up on the front.  Here’s the impressive lineup: Lolo’s Tacos, Calico Fish House, 101 Burger, Mad Scientist Ice Cream, Go Go Ya, Ms. Cluck’s Deluxe Chicken & Dumplings, Farmesa, and breakfast experts Blu Jam Xpress.

The Full Skinny On Bar Monette, Downtown Santa Monica’s Newest “Refined Tapas” Spot

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Remember a few weeks ago when I told you about a new restaurant landing in the old Red Ruby space at 109 Santa Monica Blvd?  At the time, I had little information about Bar Monette except that it would be a pizza and wine bar. Since then, the good people over at Bar Monette were kind enough to reach out to me with more information.   Bar Monette is described as a “Neapolitan pizza concept” with Chef Sean MacDonald at the helm.  This is his first US restaurant.  Chef MacDonald was previously chef/owner of Biga Pies and ēst Restaurant in Toronto, which recently made Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants List.  (Incidentally, Bar Monette is named after MacDonald’s wife Monette.)  Expect a “refined tapas” and wine bar menu with Spanish/Italian influences.  I’ll let them describe the menu themselves:

“The menu will be split into five categories; Pizza (eg Pesto Dungeness Crab, Pine Nut, Basil, Aged Cheese), Piccoli Piatti (small plates designed to pair with the pizza eg. Butterleaf with Basil, Pine Nut and Passionfruit), Sugo (a selection of sauces and dips for the crusts (eg Burnt Romanesco and Jalapeño Tonnato) and a small selection of Addizionale (eg Shaved Truffle and Caviar). Desserts will be changed daily depending on seasonality and chef preference (eg Black Cacao, Reishi Mushroom and Mint). The menu will change seasonally and offer vegan and vegetarian options. The drinks menu will offer unique selection of natural wines and beers alongside a water menu highlighting a choice of carbonation level and mineral content.” 

They are planning on opening any day now, pending liquor license approval.  Bar Monette will be open for walk-ins only from Noon to Midnight, closed Sundays, and will be cashless.  We wish them the best of luck.

Standing’s Butchery Is Coming To Venice At Last

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The news was first reported on this two years ago.  And then nothing happened.  But just this week, an ABC application has appeared on the front of the space at 202 Main St. in Venice confirming that Melrose’s Standing’s Butchery IS moving into the address after all.  This means Standing’s selection of ethically sourced local meats, with burgers and beer and wine, but you can read the full skinny on what this will mean for the Seaside Neighborhood on Eater’s original story here.

Flower Child Uprooted In Downtown Santa Monica

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I’m hearing from many of you who are really not that surprised that Santa Monica’s branch of Fox Restaurant Concepts‘ Flower Child appears caput at 1332 Second Street in Downtown Santa Monica.  You may recall, Flower Child started spreading their good vibes back in 2016 with a sunny menu aimed at the health conscious.  I’m not sure what may have gone wrong, but I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what will develop.

Bun & Mi Bringing “Fresh Asian Fusion” To Montana Ave.

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For much of 2022, Montana Ave. was buzzing about a new Asian eatery landing on the tony avenue in Santa Monica, but few details emerged.  Now we know exactly what’s coming.  Billing itself as “Fresh Asian Fusion”, Bun & Mi will officially soft open on Monday Jan. 16th at 1004 Montana.  Look for a menu of banh mi, salad bowls, rice and noodle bowls, spring rolls and more, with take away and limited seating options.  If you order online, you will 15% off your first order with code word WELCOME.  We wish them the best of luck.

Ma’am’s International Foods’ New Location In Santa Monica

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As you might know, sourcing quality Thai and Asian ingredients can be really difficult on The Westside.  The preeminant destination for groceries and culinary advice has been the delightful Ma’am’s International Foods.  If you don’t know about Ma’am’s, it is your one-stop shop for a carefully curated selection of Asian groceries, cooking school, deli and take-away, and encyclopedic culinary wisdom freely displensed by an affable Ma’am herself.   So I was in shock recently when I went by their location near the corner of Pico and 23rd and noticed that they had cleared out.  But we can all breathe a sigh of relief.  Ma’am’s has only just moved and is open at their new address at 306 Pico Blvd in Santa Monica.

Duck Donuts Coming In For A Landing In Downtown Santa Monica

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I haven’t quite figured out the revolving door situation at Kitchen United MIX (formerly The Gallery Food Hall) at 1315 Third St Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica.  Restaurants seem to come and go with alarming rapidity.  But at least two new eateries are giving the location a go.  Recently, I told you about a branch of Santa Monica Brew Works that is settling in.  And it now appears that Duck Donuts will be occupying the front space.  Duck Donuts has locations across America and offers customizable made-to-order donuts with choices for coatings, toppings, and drizzle.

Everytable Celebrates Grand Opening In Santa Monica With Free Food

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It was back in September when I told you about Everytable‘s triumphant return to Santa Monica with a new location at 1005A Wilshire.  Everytable believes that “nutritious food is a human right”, and aims to bring communities fresh, ready-to-eat chef-prepared meals at price points based on what is affordable for that area.  While this location has already been in soft opening, Everytable will host their Grand Opening this Thursday December 15 at 11:00am.  There will be a live DJ, and you can score a free meal if you’re one of the first 200 people who sign up for their rewards program.

Kye’s Quits Montana Ave, Opening In Colony And Venice’s New Colony

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Kye’s opened at 1518 Montana Ave. in November of 2014 and has maintained a solid fanbase ever since.  Their signature “KyeRito” (essentially a wrap that they describe as a “handheld bowl or salad”) was popular among the carb-conscious crowds of NoMa.  So I was quite surprised when readers began messaging me to let me know that Kye’s has closed at this location.  But don’t panic, they are moving the operation to West LA’s “smart kitchen” Colony at 11419 Santa Monica Blvd.  Their website also says that they will be opening in a new Colony at 411 Lincoln in Venice as well.

(Thanks Casey!)

SANTA Monica Pub Crawl Returns Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

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This from my inbox:

“The largest pub crawl on the West Coast and Santa Monica’s most cherished holiday fundraiser returns with the 14th Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 at 5 p.m. Featuring more than 25 of the city’s best bars and restaurants, three routes and thousands of crawlers, this famous charity crawl brings the community together to raise money for those in need through the Westside Food Bank. Attendees dress in their finest holiday garb and receive discounted food and drink specials at popular bars such as The Victorian, Red O, The Viceroy, Circle Bar, Santa Monica Whaler, Barney’s Beanery, Harvelle’s, Lanea, Ashland Hill, and Ye Olde King’s Head. Over the last 13 years, the SANTA Monica Pub Crawl has raised more than $160,000, enough money for half a million meals for the less fortunate over the holidays.

Tickets range from $20- $35 and are available at www.santamonicapubcrawl.com.“

Sweet Maple Bringing San Francisco’s Famous Bacon To Santa Monica

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The commodious space at 1705 Ocean Ave. In Downtown Santa Monica has hosted a number of different restaurants including (maybe) a Joan’s on Third, H B Daisy, and Winston Pies.  The location has been vacant for a cool minute, but that’s about to change.  Self-described “laid-back and unpretentious neighborhood restaurant, coffeehouse and meeting place” Sweet Maple is moving into the address.  Their website confirms it.  This will be the first SoCal location for the San Francisco-based restaurant famous for their Millionaire’s Bacon, which is “extra-thick, sweet and spicy bacon” that is “slow-cooked for hours with brown sugar and spicy peppers to a chewy perfection”.  Check out the menu of their original branch for an idea of what may be coming.

(Thanks Frank!)

KC Chocolatier Closes In Downtown Santa Monica

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It was back in 2017 when I told you about the exciting arrival of KC Chocolatier to Downtown Santa Monica.  Impressive chocolates, ice cream, and hot chocolate flown in from Belgium put KC squarely on the map for chocolate lovers.  Sadly, fan adoration didn’t appear to be enough.  KC Chocolatier appears to have closed up shop at 1431B 2nd St.  All is not lost though… You can still order online. 

Breadblok Coming To Venice

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Good news People of Venice, honey lavender cakes are heading your way!  Popular organic gluten-free bakery/cafe Breadblok is moving into the space at 512C Rose Ave.  Ever since the French Provencal bakery moved from farmers’ markets to brick-and-mortar back in 2020, they’ve been slowly expanding with locations in Santa Monica, Silverlake, Studio City, and an upcoming location in Beverly Hills as well.

See’s Candies Now Open In Downtown Santa Monica

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Holiday pro tip… There’s one yearly tradition that many of us don’t relish:  Standing in a long line at a local See’s Candies to buy essential gifts for hosts, coworkers, out-of-town relatives, and service folks.  But this year, to ease the burden on Santa Monicans, See’s has opened a full size pop-up that practically no one know about yet.  It’s on the ground floor of Santa Monica Place, near Nordstrom, and it promises to save you a lot of time.  You’re welcome.

Bud’s Deli Disappears From Santa Monica

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A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks John!) noticed that beloved local institution Bud’s Deli has closed up shop at 2727 Ocean Park Blvd.  The hole-in-the-wall breakfast and sandwich shop had been on the go for 35 years.  The unassuming space is currently being gutted and there is a hand-written sign in the window thanking fans for years of patronage and blaming “issues with the lease” for the closure.  I’ll watch the location to see what may develop.

Santa Monica Brew Works Expanding To Downtown Santa Monica?

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The space at 1315 Third St Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica has had a turbulent history.  A while ago, it was The Gallery Food Hall.  That cleared off to make room for mega ghost kitchen Kitchen United MIX, which as recently as July was promising new food options.  I’m not sure what’s going on, but while the Kitchen United signs are still up, the place is closed and gutted with construction underway.  And last week, a new ABC application went up on the front announcing that Santa Monica’s very own Santa Monica Brew Works is moving in.  As you know, Santa Monica Brew Works is that crazy-busy complex on the corner of 20th and Colorado with proprietary brews and famous square pizza.  I don’t have more info than this at this time, but I’ll keep digging…

Bar Monette Bringing Pizza And Wine To Downtown Santa Monica

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It looks like something new is coming to 109 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica, formerly home to Little Ruby.  Construction is underway, and there is a small piece of paper taped to a front window that exposes the new eatery as Bar Monette.  There’s not much information out there on Bar Monette, just an under-construction website that lists the new establishment as a pizzeria & wine bar.  The website says they are aiming for a January 2023 opening.

800° Gives Up The Ghost In Santa Monica

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I’ve been hearing from startled readers who have noticed that one of the last local branches of former pizza darling 800° Woodfired Kitchen has been taken off life support at 120 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica.  Signs have been pulled down and the cavernous space has been gutted.  800° burst onto the scene a few years back wowing people with their innovative design-your-own assembly line approach using quality ingredients that produced a charred-crust pie that seemed like a revelation at the time.  I’ll keep my eye on the tricky address to see what may move in.

Sushi Gozen Now Dishing Fish In Santa Monica

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While no one was looking, a new Japanese restaurant quietly slipped into the space most recently occupied by innovative noodle shop Rakkan Ramen.  Sushi Gozen is now open at the hidden location at 1705 Ocean Ave. #111.  Sushi Gozen is the sister restaurant to West Hollywood’s Gozen Japanese Sake Bistro and promises a “laid-back seaside vibe” with fresh seafood, sushi pizza, chicken, and other offerings.