Tag Archives: Santa Monica

Santa Monica Yacht Club Replaced By… Santa Monica Yacht Club With Nyesha Arrington On Board?

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Santa Monica Yacht Club closed its doors at 820 Santa Monica Blvd. a bit ago so Andrew Kirschner could focus his attention on Tar & Roses, his other restaurant a block away, at least according to the notice taped to the front door.  Recently however, an ABC ownership change application has appeared and names the new restaurant as… Santa Monica Yacht Club.  If you examine the application online, you can see that a familiar name is listed as an officer: Nyesha Arrington, who left Leona in Venice back in February to pursue other projects.

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Capital One Café Comes To Downtown Santa Monica

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In a push to make banking more friendly, financial giant Capital One has been opening community cafés across the country.  And now Santa Monica looks like their next target.  Going into a brand new building on the corner of 4th and Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica, on what used to be an unsightly parking lot, the new Capital One Café will offer Peet’s beverages and “local pastry” in addition to internet and banking services.

Publique Taking Over The Border Grill Space In Santa Monica

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Ever since the tragic demise of Santa Monica’s beloved branch of Border Grill, I’ve kept a careful watch on the space at 1445 4th St.  I’ve been hearing whispers, and a design review mentioned something called Publique, but I couldn’t get confirmation.  But then late last week the for lease signs came down, and an ABC application was posted on the front informing us the Le Zinc Bar (Zinqué) will be opening a restaurant called Publique.  You can check out the design review, including plans for an open air patio, and an artist’s rendering here.

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Z Pastabar Expands Into Santa Monica Place… And Just About Everywhere Else

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It takes a brave eatery to give it a go in the sputtering food scene that is Santa Monica Place.  Apparently Westside Pavilion’s  Z Pastabar believes it has what it takes.  They are moving into the last open space in the food court.  But that’s not all:  The courageous carb purveyor is moving into the new Westfield Century City Shopping Center, and is opening locations across LA according to their website.  As a grand opening promotion, the upcoming Santa Monica location is giving away free food if you download their app.

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Rawkin Juice Bringing Hip To Montana Ave.

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I’ve been watching the space that used to house Orchard Flats Juicery at 705 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica to see what would move in.  Signs are now up confirming that branch of Burbank’s Rawkin Juice will be moving in. Rawkin Juice was  recently purchased by Miami’s Hip Cuisine, which intends on expanding the mini chain.  If you check out their Facebook page, you can see they’ve had designs on the Santa Monica location for a while. Popular with the studio/star set, look for a menu of raw/vegan/cold-pressed/organic/you get the picture…

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North Italia’s Santa Monica Opening Date Is…

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A great many of you have been carefully checking for information ever since I first told you about Santa Monica’s upcoming branch of North Italia, taking over the erstwhile Buca Di Beppo space at 1442 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica.  You’ll be pleased to know that according to the notice on the door, North Italia will officially throw open its doors on May 30th.  We wish them the best of luck.

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Air Food Bringing Contemporary French To Santa Monica On Wednesday

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It was back in February that I first noticed the plywood covering the old Seaside Grill space at 109 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica.  I was lucky enough to run into the owner, Marc Moubarak, who informed me that the name of the new restaurant was going to be Air Food, and the menu would be French.  Air Food will officially open its doors on Wednesday, May 24th.  Last Saturday night, I had an opportunity to have a look around during Air Food’s “VIP soft opening celebration”.  The menu, designed by Chef Thierry, was still being finalized, but what was on offer on Saturday was decidedly French with some Asian influences.  Scroll down on their Yelp page to read more information about the promising new restaurant.  We wish them the best of luck.

Cava Grill Santa Monica Handing Out Free Lunches This Tuesday!

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It wasn’t that long ago that I told you about a branch of the rapidly expanding build-your-own Mediterranean restaurant Cava Grill was going to land in Downtown Santa Monica.  Now they’re ready to open.  And to celebrate, they’re giving away free lunches this Tuesday (5/23) from 12pm to 2pm at their new 1318 2nd Street location.  Thank you Cava Grill!

 

Greens Up! Changing Locations On Montana Ave.

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Santa Monica’s popular purveyor of all things salad appears to be moving to a bigger location.  There’s a sign up on the empty space at 912 Montana indicating that Greens Up! is vacating their old diminutive space near the corner of 7th and Montana and taking over the larger locale.  And while the sign says “coming soon”, don’t expect the change to be overnight:  I was told the move could take up to a year…

 

Nico’s Tacos Coming Soon To Santa Monica…

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Thanks to a tip from a reader, I went to check out what’s happening on the corner of Pico and Lincoln in Santa Monica.  A banner is up announcing that something called Nico’s Tacos is moving into the space at 801 Pico #5 that used to be home to a branch of Domino’s Pizza.  There’s not much out there yet on Nico’s Tacos, but as always, I’ll keep watching…

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Simples Replaces Candy With Super Nutrition On Main St.

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A bit ago, I told you about the for lease sign pasted on the front of A Real Treat Candy Boutique at 2724 Main in Santa Monica portending doom for the natural confectionary.  Wasting no time, it appears that Simples has moved in.  And what precisely is Simples?  “A line of hand prepared, plant based tonics” that you can read more about here.

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Bibibop Asian Grill Taking Over ShopHouse Locations Across LA

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I recently came across ‘now hiring’ notices posted on the papered-over windows of the erstwhile ShopHouse locations at 1401 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica and at 1059 Broxton Ave. in Westwood.  The notices announce that both locations will be brand spanking new branches of Korean food chain Bibibop Asian Grill, headquartered in Columbus Ohio.  According to LABJ, they intend on taking over all the old ShopHouse locations, including The Point in El Segundo, and West Hollywood’s branch as well.

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The Gables All Day Eatery Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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Downtown Santa Monica is a flurry of restaurant activity right now:  Wally’s is on the way, as is a new North Italia, and Carlo’s Bake Shop.  Add to that list a new “All Day Eatery” going into a defunct jewelry shop at 331 Wilshire Blvd.  There’s not much out there yet on The Gables, just an undeveloped website and Facebook page.  It looks like they’re shooting for a Fall opening.

Update:  The Gables opens Wednesday, August 22.  Read Eater’s story  here.

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Blossom Bringing Vietnamese To Santa Monica?

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I only just noticed that there’s an ABC application posted on the front of the space at 2821 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica announcing that Vietnamese restaurant Blossom is intending to move in.  But since the application was apparently posted late last year, absolutely nothing has been touched on the space.  I’m not sure what the hold up is (I’m looking at you City of Santa Monica), or if they’ve changed their minds, but until we know more, you can locate their three other locations and try to figure out their inscrutable website here.

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Tkyo House Closes In Santa Monica; New Ramen Joint Expected…

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It looks like change is afoot at sushi bar Tkyo House at 2901 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica.  A goodbye letter posted on the door states that they have closed as of yesterday.  But the notice also promises that a restaurant with new management will reopen later in the week.  And the bill of fare?  Apparently ramen.  I’ll keep watching…

 

Wally’s New Location In Santa Monica Will Be…

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Back in March of last year, I noticed a small pending development permit taped to the front of the old Hennessy+Ingalls bookshop at 214 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica.  The permit listed the applicant as Santa Monica Farmhouse.  Recently a teaser ad went up on the front the space taunting us with, “You will never guess what’s coming soon.” Last week, the ABC applications were on display spilling the beans.  The future occupant will be another branch of the ridiculously popular oenophile paradise Wally’s Wine and Spirits.  Wally’s expansion into Santa Monica came onto Eater’s radar back in late March, but no details were revealed.  Because there are two applications, one for ‘on sale’ and one for ‘off sale’, I think its safe to assume that this Wally’s will be similar in design to the one in Beverly Hills.

Dave’s Doghouse Destined For Main Street In Santa Monica

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Recently, I saw that there was a notice of pending design review taped to the inside of the window of the erstwhile Santa Monica Electric Co. at 2428 Main St. in Santa Monica.  Immediately, long-time LA restaurateur Josiah Citrin’s (Melisse, Charcoal) name stood out.  Upon closer inspection, the notice’s artist’s rendering lets us know that this humble building will soon be the home of a branch of hotdog specialists Dave’s Doghouse.  The ABC application confirms it.

Chou Chou French Pastries & Cafe Takes Over Z Garden On Wilshire In SM

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It was about four years ago when I noticed that “fresh & healthy Mediterranean” restaurant Z Garden had opened a second branch at 313 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica.  I’m not sure what happened, but it appears that they have vacated this location. And wasting no time whatsoever, a hastily hung banner announces that Chou Chou French Pastries & Cafe have quietly slipped in.  I’m not certain who’s behind this and there’s not a lot of information out there yet.  If you’re missing Z Garden, their other location is still open on Pico.

Update:  Read the comment below for more information…