Mason Taking Over Sam’s By The Beach In Santa Monica

Posted on March 21, 2018 by toddrickallen

It wasn’t that long ago that Santa Monica Canyon staple, Sam’s by the Beach went belly up in its location at 108 W Channel Rd. Since then, I’ve been watching to see what would take over the location. An ABC application posted on the front lists the new business as Mason. According to the application, the people behind Mason are Change the Channel LLC. I’ve tried to dig up more information on the mysterious enterprise, but there’s not much out there yet, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

Update: Check out a reader’s reply below for more info… Thanks R.W.

Three Twins Ice Cream Vanishes From Santa Monica

Posted on March 6, 2018 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that Three Twins Ice Cream has vacated its space at 2726 Main St. in Santa Monica. The windows are papered over and the website is reporting it closed as of March 4th. It looks like they recently closed their San Francisco branch as well. Could this indicate trouble for the brand?

Candytopia Bringing “Confectionary Bliss” To Santa Monica For A Limited Time

Posted on March 1, 2018 by toddrickallen

Self-described “outrageously sweet interactive pop-up” Candytopia opens tomorrow (Friday March 2nd) in Santa Monica Place. The exhibit, brought to you by Hollywood “Candy Queen” Jackie Sorkin and described to me by an employee as “an immersive art [experience] made out of candy”, will run for four months. And yes, you will be eating candy. Read more about this spectacularly creative pop-up and get tickets here.

Rita’s Gate Of India Relocates In Santa Monica

Posted on February 8, 2018 by toddrickallen

Perhaps you’ve been missing the old Gate of India restaurant that disappeared from its location at 115 Santa Monica Blvd. That space has been (slowly) transforming into something called Tumbi Bar. However, GOI has resurfaced as Rita’s Gate of India in its new location at 1450 5th Street in Downtown Santa Monica.

Big Dean’s Expands, Starbucks Lands Under The Pier In SM

Posted on January 31, 2018 by toddrickallen

Tucked underneath the Santa Monica Pier, Big Dean’s Ocean Front Cafe has long been a favorite watering hole with locals and the beach crowd, and has remained largely untouched since the 1970s. But that’s all about to change… According to a spokesperson, they are expanding into the space just to the north, adding more patio, bar, and kitchen space. And at the other end of the building, a brand new Starbucks is moving in, bringing a much different vibe to this little hidden corner of Santa Monica. Check out the artist’s rendering below to get a taste of how things will look.

Seaside On The Pier Replacing Ristorante Al Mare On The SM Pier

Posted on January 26, 2018 by toddrickallen

It was back in June of 2013, when I first noticed a new Italian restaurant gearing up to cater to the hungry tourist trade on the Santa Monica Pier. Sadly, it appears that Ristorante Al Mare has closed up shop… Making haste to replace it will be Seaside On The Pier, at least according to the plywood covering the remodel. Looks like they’re installing a grill, sandwich shop, and a rooftop lounge.

O & O Sicilian Kitchen & Bar Closes In SM

Posted on January 25, 2018 by toddrickallen

This week I heard from a reader (Thanks FG!) who told me about the closure of O & O Sicilian Kitchen & Bar at 1705 Ocean Ave Suite #111 in Santa Monica. I went by to check it out… While there is no notice posted and their website is still functioning, Yelp is reporting them as closed and the space is being gutted. Courageously opening in a challenging location back in 2016, it appears the foot traffic simply wasn’t on their side. Sad to see them go…

O&O.jpg

What’s Going On At The Old L’Ami Space In Santa Monica?

Posted on January 19, 2018 by toddrickallen

What’s going on behind those imposing wrought iron gates at 246 26th St. in Santa Monica that used to hide L’Ami, and before that The Little Door, and before that Villetta? It has sat empty and idle ever since L’Ami disappeared sometime in 2017. But a carefully tucked away ABC application reveals that there are signs of life. The app lists the applicant as Operation Success LLC and gives no business name. A search reveals few clues. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops…

Citizen Sprout Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on January 18, 2018 by toddrickallen

Back in September, I first noticed that something new was moving into the erstwhile Polish deli space at 1128 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. The paper covering the window listed the new business as First Spoonful. They have since opened as Citizen Sprout and offer home delivery meal services and school lunch programs, as well as in-store selection of sandwiches, salads, and snacks.

Boba Tea & Me Opens In Santa Monica

Posted on January 12, 2018 by toddrickallen

It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about a new boba shop going into an erstwhile juvenile hair salon at 1328 Wilshire Blvd. Wasting no time whatsoever, Boba Tea & Me has thrown open their doors for business. This is apparently their first storefront, after having operated for a while as a truck. Look for a menu of milk teas, smoothies, and all manner of brightly colored treats.

10 Speed Coffee Coming To Santa Monica

Posted on January 2, 2018 by toddrickallen

Thanks to a tip from a reader, I went to check out what was happening on the corner of 20th and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica. Signs are up announcing that a branch of the popular Calabasas bicycle-themed restaurant and coffee shop Pedaler’s Fork is landing a spot at 1919 Santa Monica Blvd. (The northwest corner of the intersection, not the recently vacated Rudy & Hudson Diner spot.) And while the non-responsibility notice taped to the front door lists Pedaler’s Fork as the tenant, at least according to the recently posted signs, this outpost is going to be 10 Speed Coffee, which is the name of their house coffee. It looks like they have a way to go yet, so I’ll keep watching for an opening date.

Merci Clement Replaces Stick Shop In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on December 28, 2017 by toddrickallen

While no one was looking, Stickhouse, at 223 Broadway in downtown Santa Monica, slipped out of existence and was replaced my another treat shop Merci Clement. If you read this blog, you may remember Merci Clement from its opening in Beverly Hills earlier this year. (Interestingly, it may already be closed: A spokesperson at the Santa Monica location reported it as closed and it doesn’t appear on their official website, but I cannot confirm this.) It looks like this incarnation retains Stickhouse’s array of frozen treats, and adds some French pastries as well.

Chick-fil-A Landing In Santa Monica Soon

Posted on December 12, 2017 by toddrickallen

Taco Bell closed down its location at 2207 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica a few months back and I ‘ve been watching to see what would move in. Now we know. An extensive reconstruction of the building is underway to make room for Santa Monica’s first branch of well-known poultry pusher Chick-fil-A, who are slowly but surely conquering the Westside.

Update: Chick-fil-A opened 05/17/2018

Boba Tea & Me Truck Gets A Brick And Mortar In Santa Monica

Posted on December 5, 2017 by toddrickallen

A new Taiwan-inspired tea shop is moving into the space once occupied by juvenile tonsorial salon The Yellow Balloon at 1328 Wilshire Blvd. A small notice in the window is the only indication that something called Boba Tea & Me is moving in. Currently operating in a truck, it appears that this will be Los Angeles’ first storefront location. Not sure when they plan on opening, but until then, check out their menu of milk teas, smoothies, and the Technicolor extravaganza named butterfly blossom tea here.

Planet Smoothie Gravitates Towards Beverly Hills

Posted on December 1, 2017 by toddrickallen

Planet Smoothie has locations across the US, but relatively few outposts in LA. The closest one to the Westside resides in Santa Monica, and opened back in 2015. But that’s about to change. There’s a notice in the window of the space 193 1/2 S. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills announcing that another Planet Smoothie is on the way. No word of an opening date and it looks like they’ve got a way to go.

Gelato-Go Opens On Montana Ave.

Posted on November 30, 2017 by toddrickallen

Well that didn’t take long… A remarkable thing in red-tape Santa Monica. It was only back in September that I noticed that longstanding local fixture DiDio’s Italian Ices had given up the ghost at 1305 Montana Ave. Then in October, a small now hiring sign was placed in the window informing us that Miami’s Gelato-Go was soon on the way. Wasting no time whatsoever, as of this week, Gelato-Go is now open and dishing icy treats to the good people of Santa Monica.

Earthbar Opening A New Location In Santa Monica

Posted on November 15, 2017 by toddrickallen

Self-described “healthy supply company” Earthbar appears to be expanding rapidly. With one location just over a block away in Equinox, they are opening a storefront at 1447 Ocean Ave. in Downtown Santa Monica, facing the beach. Find out if you are an “Earthbar Earthling“, and read more about their proprietary supplements, herbal formulas, and sports nutrition here.

Nyesha Arrington’s Native Opens Tuesday In Santa Monica

Posted on November 13, 2017 by toddrickallen

It was back in June when I first noticed an ABC application on the front of the erstwhile Santa Monica Yacht Club at 820 Santa Monica Blvd. While the app didn’t give us many clues as to the name of the new restaurant (it listed the name as Santa Monica Yacht Club), it did inform us that Top Chef and former Leona chef Nyesha Arrington was going to be in the kitchen. Since then, I’ve been watching carefully and can now report that the new restaurant’s name is Native. They opened for friends and family over the weekend, but Native will officially throw open its doors on Tuesday, November 14, at which time they will begin accepting reservations. Look for a California inspired menu with such things as chestnut capellini with forest mushrooms, snow peas, and buratta; honey mustard black cod with cauliflower apple puree and mizuna; and rabbit sugo with semolina spatzle, pickled green tomato, and sauce diable.

Carlo’s Bake Shop Opens In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on November 1, 2017 by toddrickallen

And while we’re on the subject of openings… It was back in March when I discovered that Carlo’s Bake Shop, of Cake Boss fame, was opening a branch at 1354 3rd St. Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. So, for all you who have been eagerly awaiting a chance to get your hands on their confectionary creations, it is my pleasure to tell you that Carlo’s Bake Shop threw open their doors on Monday. Again, you’re welcome.

Voltaggio STRFSH Now Open In Santa Monica

Posted on October 31, 2017 by toddrickallen

Ever since I first told you about the new project from the Voltaggio Brothers, that was coming to The Gallery at 1315 3rd Street Promenade, a great many of you have been anxiously checking for details. (Eater filled in the gaps.) Well… cue the stampede: Voltaggio STRFSH is now open as of two days ago. Currently, they are only open for lunch, but they plan on dinner service soon. The concept? You start with a choice of swordfish or salmon. Then choose a rub, a smear, and toppings before it all lands on a toasted potato roll. Or pick one of their already designed sandwiches. An ABC license is posted, so libations are on the way. You’re welcome.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

Tag Archives: Santa Monica