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.
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.
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.
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.
About two years ago I told you about the impending arrival of Bowl of Heaven to the space at 725 Broadway. Sadly, they have vacated the yoga-centric community. But lament not, good people of Santa Monica! You can get your bowl fix at BoH‘s replacement, Enso Tea/Acai, which has another location in Las Vegas.
The windows on the space at 2715 Main St. in Santa Monica, formerly the home of the erstwhile lobster specialists Knuckle & Claw, is preparing to have a new tenant. A small notice taped to the front door references something called Fresh Bowls. An online search reveals that there are a number of unrelated restaurants across the US and a small chain in Canada utilizing that name, so I don’t have any conclusive evidence as to what exactly will be moving in, or even if that will be the name of the new restaurant. As always, I’ll keep watching…
It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about the intention of Korean food chain Bibibop to take over erstwhile locations of Southeast Asian eatery ShopHouse. The Santa Monica branch of Bibibop Asian Grill, at 1401 Third St. Promenade, is now officially up and running. The concept is similar to ShopHouse‘s, where you build your bowl out of rice, noodles, or greens and then add a choice of protein, sauce, and various hot and cold toppings.
Well that didn’t take long… It was only a couple of weeks ago that I told you about the sad disappearance of Santa Monica’s beloved gelato shop DiDio’s at 1305 Montana Ave. Wasting no time in trying to fill the icy treat void, a new tenant is quickly moving into the spot. A notice on the window informs us that Gelato-Go is on its way. Billing itself as “the best gelato in Miami”, the new contender is looking to make inroads into Los Angeles. According to the now hiring sign, they are also opening a second location at 252 S. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills.
The last remaining tenant of the failed Market at Santa Monica Place is pulling out. Culinary educators The Gourmandise School are moving to a new third floor location in the mall, just to the right of the recently moved The Curious Palate. What’s next for The Market? I’ve heard whispers that it will be turned into a multi-use space, but I cannot confirm that, so we’ll just have to wait and see…
This was a surprise. After 22 years, Santa Monica institution and local fave DiDio’s Italian Ices has abruptly quit their location at 1305 Montana Ave. as of last week. A gracious goodbye note affixed to the front of the shop explains that they intend on focusing on their expanding wholesale operation. I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what may move in…
I noticed recent activity at the in-store restaurant on the third floor of Santa Monica Place’s outpost of Nordstrom. It appears that what was formerly Blue Stove is transforming into a “casually sophisticated” bistro, Bazille. It looks like they’re not too far from opening, but until then, you can compare menus here.
It wasn’t that long ago that The Little Door Santa Monica turned into L’Ami in their sunny location at 246 26th St. in Santa Monica. Well, I don’t know what happened, or exactly when it happened, but I recently noticed that they have pulled up stakes entirely. The website says that they are closed for renovations, but that is all too frequently code for “permanently closed”, which is precisely what Opentable says. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
I’ve been watching the space at 1128 Wilshire Blvd. that used to house a Polish deli to see what would develop. Paper recently went up in the window informing us that First Spoonful is moving in. First Spoonful is currently operating as a home meal delivery system designed with busy parents in mind. In their first retail location, you’ll be able to find meals, snacks, and take cooking classes with your kids. They’re shooting for a Fall opening.
The other day I noticed an interesting sign recently installed on the upstairs space in The Gallery at 1315 3rd Street Promenade where Subway used to reside. Still covered with plastic, the sign resembles a license plate and bears an inscrutable jumble of consonants that appear to say “starfish”. It also bears a very famous name, Voltaggio. After much online searching, I was able to uncover only one single clue: On page 35 of the Downtown Santa Monica Annual Report (you’re welcome for searching this document, it’s written on the very last page.), you’ll see this single sentence, “Two new and exciting chef-driven concepts will follow, James Beard Award winner Dave Beran’s Dialogue and STRFSH by the Voltaggio Brothers.” And that’s as much as I can find…
Update: Eater has more details here.
Further Update: Voltaggio STRFSH is now open.
I recently saw a notice at the construction site at 2800 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Harvard) in Santa Monica that lets us know a branch of natural foods grocer Erewhon in intent on inhabiting the new building. This will be their fourth location. I’ll keep checking their progress, but as you can see, it looks like they’ve got a ways to go before opening.
You could be forgiven for not seeing much happening in this photo. But looks can be deceiving… Hiding behind this humble and signless façade, at 2821 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica, is the Westside’s newest and much-anticipated Vietnamese restaurant Blossom, that I first told you about back in April. You’ll be pleased to know that they are now open and dishing noodles Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. 
Well this was a bit of a surprise… After 20 years, consistently popular Blue Plate has quit their busy location at 1415 Montana Ave. as of last week. Not sure what happened, but nearby Blue Plate Taco and Blue Plate Oysterette remain open. Read their goodbye message here, and I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
The strip mall on the corner of Lincoln and Pico in Santa Monica is a popular one: It sits close to SaMo High. Many of the restaurants vacated their spaces as the complex closed for a major remodel. Now the fast food is beginning to trickle back in. It looks like the burger chain about to release its IPO, Fatburger, is diving in, as is Buffalo’s World Famous Wings, and Firehouse Subs.
Well that took a long time… Well over a year ago, I first noticed that food truck folks Bobaritto were finally putting down roots at 1321 Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. I’m not sure what the hold up was, but they have recently thrown open their doors and are dispensing sushi burritos, poke, and boba tea to the good people of Santa Monica.
Could the stumbling food scene in Santa Monica Place be recovering? Z Pastabar recently opened, The Curious Palate jumped locations but not the ship, and The Cheesecake Factory appears constantly busy. Yet there are still four cavernous restaurant spaces that remain idle. But soon you can make that three. Signs are up on the front of the space that used to house Pizza Antica informing us that Torrance’s craft beer specialists The Dudes’ Brewing Company will soon be moving in. We wish them the best of luck.
Toddrickallen 