Paperboy Delivering Innovative Pizza To The Promenade Soon…

Posted on October 2, 2018 by toddrickallen

I’ve long reported on the redevelopment of The Gallery, at 1325 Third St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. What was formerly a fusty old collection of nondescript eateries has been transforming into a destination with some big names attached. You already know about Dialogue, and Voltaggio STRFSH, and recently you’ve been reading about Sumo Dog and Azulé Taqueria. And now add one more to the list. The Promenade-facing, second floor space is the future home of Paperboy. Paperboy appears to be the creation of Jeremy Fall (Nighthawk: Breakfast Bar), that in partnership with United Talent Agency, will deliver “a new innovative take on the classic pizza joint“.

Wally’s Opening Date In Santa Monica…

Posted on September 26, 2018 by toddrickallen

Ever since I first told you about wine wonderland Wally’s impending arrival to the space at 214 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, a whole lot of you have been checking for details and peppering me with questions about an opening date. So here you go… A spokesperson informed me yesterday that Wally’s will officially throw open their doors on October 6th. You’re welcome.

Carl’s Jr. Closes In Santa Monica

Posted on September 13, 2018 by toddrickallen

In Santa Monica, where there’s a dearth of fast food choices, a drive-through restaurant closure stands out. On a tip from a reader (Thanks Joe!), I went to check out what was going on at the Carl’s Jr. at 2727 Santa Monica Blvd. The location is indeed closed, and the entire property has been fenced off. I’m not sure if this is permanent or a remodel, so I’ll keep watching…

Update: After much speculation, one reader has uncovered evidence that Carl’s Jr. is not gone, but rather remodeling. See for yourself here.

Chou Chou French Patisserie & Café Closes In Santa Monica

Posted on September 7, 2018 by toddrickallen

Sadly, after a valiant effort, Santa Monica’s French charmer Chou Chou Café has closed up shop. A gracious note taped to the front of the troubled space at 313 Wilshire Blvd. thanks patrons and promises a relocation soon. We wish them the best of luck. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.

Sumo Dog Confirmed For The Gallery

Posted on September 4, 2018 by toddrickallen

Back in July, Eater let us know that Koreatown’s hip hot dog spot Sumo Dog was planning a move to Santa Monica, but they couldn’t confirm the location. Now it appears that we have evidence for their new digs. An ABC application taped to the wall of one of the interior spaces of The Gallery, at 1320 Third St. Promenade, provides the proof that Sumo Dog will indeed be landing in the same desirable location as STRFSH, Dialogue, and Sloan’s.

Fork-In Aussie Pies Closes August 31 In Santa Monica: New French Restaurant Expected

Posted on August 22, 2018 by toddrickallen

Comfort food expert Fork-In Aussie Pie Kitchen is closing its beach adjacent location at 2510 Main St. Suite B in Santa Monica. But no need to feel sorry for them. They are actually closing this location so they can focus on expanding the brand, including into retail according to a spokesperson. And what’s next for the prime space? I was informed by the Aussie Pie folks that a new French restaurant is moving in. An ABC application is posted, but no business name is listed. The applicant, Maison Thouvard LLC, has ties to Santa Barbara.

Prima Baja Cocina Replacing Pradeep’s On Montana

Posted on August 20, 2018 by toddrickallen

It was only about 2 weeks ago that I told you about the sad demise of Santa Monica institution Pradeep’s at 1405 Montana Ave. At the time I had heard that a new Mexican restaurant was expected, but I had no details. The wait is over: Paper recently went up in the windows giving us the name of the new eatery. There isn’t much information out there on Prima Baja Cocina, except for a developing website that promises us tacos and a September opening.

Pradeep’s Closes In Santa Monica: New Mexican Restaurant Expected…

Posted on August 9, 2018 by toddrickallen

Sadly, after 23 years, beloved neighborhood institution Pradeep’s Indian Cuisine has closed up shop at 1405 Montana Ave. Check out their gracious goodbye note below. Wasting no time whatsoever, a new eatery appears to be moving in. While I don’t have any concrete information, I’m hearing whispers that it will be a Mexican restaurant. I’ll keep watching…

Baja Fresh Disappears From Santa Monica

Posted on August 7, 2018 by toddrickallen

Well I didn’t see this coming… It appears that Santa Monica’s ever-popular branch of burrito specialist Baja Fresh has quietly disappeared from their anchor position on the corner of Wilshire and Lincoln in Santa Monica. Not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching to see what develops.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery Expands To Santa Monica

Posted on August 3, 2018 by toddrickallen

Ever since Blue Plate exited the space at 1415 Montana Ave., I’ve been watching to see what might develop. The wait is over. According to signs that went up this week, the site will soon be home to a branch of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC. With locations in New York, Orlando, and on Larchmont, you can expect confectionary treats that are vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and kosher.

Erin'sBakery.jpg

The Gourmandise School Reopens In New Digs…

Posted on July 26, 2018 by toddrickallen

The last remaining soldier in the Market, that once promised us a Ferry Building-style experience atop Santa Monica Place, has finally found a new home. The popular culinary academy The Gourmandise School has now opened in their elegant new space across the way, next to the also recently relocated The Curious Palate. And what of the Market at Santa Monica Place? As I’ve already told you, it looks poised to become a children’s museum, thereby completely extinguishing any further gastronomic hopes.

Nesquik Milk Stop Fever Hits Santa Monica

Posted on July 24, 2018 by toddrickallen

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a brief and cheery pop up that has landed in the Third Street Promenade. Celebrating 70 years of flavored milk, Nesquik Milk Stop is up and running at 1228 3rd Street. In a bright and playful space described as an “immersive, multisensory pop-up event”, expect multiple counters of treats, Instagram worthy photo ops, interactive activities, and giveaways. But you’d better hurry, the event ends on July 27th.

Thai Vegan II Opens In Santa Monica

Posted on July 19, 2018 by toddrickallen

Earlier this month, I told you about the teaser banner on the front of the space that used to house Pot & Pan Thai restaurant at 2315 Santa Monica Blvd. Thai Vegan II recently opened as is now dishing all manner of veganized Thai specialties. This is the sister restaurant of Main Street’s popular Thai Vegan, although my understanding is that the menus aren’t exactly the same.

Casa Martin Expands To The Third Street Promenade

Posted on July 18, 2018 by toddrickallen

Loteria Grill abruptly vacated its prime Downtown Santa Monica location at 1251 3rd St Promenade back in late 2016. Since then, the space has sat vacant. But that’s about to change. Ocean Avenue’s humble tourist crowd pleaser Casa Martin is opening a branch at the location, at least according to a recently posted ABC application. No business name is listed, so I’ll keep watching for more details…

Sweetgreen Coming To Montana Ave?

Posted on July 13, 2018 by toddrickallen

If you follow this blog regularly, then you know how much I love to uncover stories from scraps of evidence. But I have to give credit where credit is due… I’ve been watching the new construction on the north side of Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, between 15th and 16th streets where an old parking lot used to sit, but I couldn’t uncover any concrete proposals for the site. Then I heard from reader Patricia, who had caught wind of a rumor that the space was being converted into a branch of the popular purveyor of salads and bowls, Sweetgreen, which I couldn’t verify. So Patricia went to work. On an easily overlooked document for another Montana rental, she spotted Sweetgreen listed at that location, appearing to confirm the rumor. (Don’t ask me how she found it, but it’s definitely there on page 6). So while I still can’t prove it, Sweetgreen looks likely headed for Montana Ave. The real story here is that detective work. Brava Patricia!

Musha Closes In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on July 12, 2018 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that long-standing local fave Japanese bolthole Musha Tokyo Cuisine has quit its Downtown Santa Monica location at 424 Wilshire Blvd. The windows are covered over and the restaurant appears to be undergoing renovation. I originally wondered if they were remodeling since there is no for lease sign on the front. But Yelp is reporting them closed and their website isn’t functioning, so I’m assuming the worst. Let me know if you have any information, but I’ll keep watching…

“Thai Vegan” Coming To Santa Monica…

Posted on July 2, 2018 by toddrickallen

The little strip mall that housed Pot & Pan Thai restaurant is undergoing a major renovation. Pot & Pan itself has since closed. But a new Thai restaurant is destined to move into the space at 2315 Santa Monica Blvd. A banner in the window promises us “Thai vegan coming soon”.

Spazio Caffe Disappears From Montana Ave.

Posted on June 27, 2018 by toddrickallen

It was back in 2012 when I first noticed that a branch of Italian coffee specialists Spazio Caffe was on its way to 1511A Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Having built a loyal local following, it’s a bit surprising to discover that they have abandoned the location. The space is completely gutted. I’m not sure what happened but I’ll keep watching to see what develops.

4 Jems Opening A Restaurant In Santa Monica

Posted on June 19, 2018 by toddrickallen

It appears that something new is coming the space that used to house the second incarnation of Books and Cookies at 2309 Main St. in Santa Monica, at least according to a recently posted ABC application. The application lists the applicant as 4 Jems Restaurants LLC, but omits an actual business name. An online search yields links to buzzy Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken in LA. So, I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops. Let me know if you have any information…

The Dudes’ Brewing Company Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on June 12, 2018 by toddrickallen

Back in August of last year, I told you about a sign of hope in the risky restaurant scene on the third floor of Santa Monica Place. An ABC application let us know that Torrance’s The Dudes’ Brewing Company was taking over the commodious space once occupied by Pizza Antica. So, for all you who have been patiently waiting and checking for updates, I deliver this happy news: The Dudes’ officially opened its doors last week and is now supplying craft-brewed suds and pizza to the good people of Santa Monica.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

Tag Archives: Santa Monica