Tag Archives: Santa Monica

Tocaya Organica Expanding Into Santa Monica

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Ever since short-lived Aestus vacated their space at 507 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, I’ve been carefully watching to see what would move in.  Well, now we know…  The windows were recently papered over informing us that the good people of Santa Monica will soon be able to partake of “modern organic Mexican” at an upcoming branch of Tocaya Organica.  With branches in West Hollywood, Venice, and Miami, it looks like in they will also be expanding to Westwood and Hollywood as well, according to their website.

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Caffe Luxxe Moves Locations In Brentwood

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I only just recently noticed that artisanal coffee experts Caffe Luxxe has boarded up its location at 11975 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood.  I think the closure wasn’t unexpected as the entire shopping complex that this branch anchored has also boarded up in anticipation of an upcoming project.  But if you count yourself among the legions of devoted fans of the popular purveyor of caffeinated drinks, don’t worry that you’ll have to drive to Santa Monica to get your fix:  According to their website, they are planning on moving just a little east to a new location at 11640 San Vicente.  I’ll keep watching to see what develops.

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Boozy Shopping At Santa Monica’s New Whole Foods

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Santa Monica is about to get its fourth Whole Foods.  But this one has a difference…  According to the notice of pending requested applications attached to the fencing at the front of the new Whole Foods Market complex being built on the corner of Cloverleaf and Pico, not only with they be selling alcohol, but they will also be having “instructional tasting”, and “beer and wine on premise consumption”.  Organic shopping in Santa Monica is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

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J & T Deli Closed In Santa Monica

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Local institution J & T Gourmet Deli has apparently vacated their 1128 Wilshire Blvd. space.   Long a favorite  among the Polish and Eastern European communities, I had been hearing whispers that the quality had changed somewhat after a recent ownership change.  Not sure what will replace the deli, but I’ll keep watching…

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H B Daisy Closed In Santa Monica?

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The shop that replaced Santa Monica’s dubious branch of Joan’s on Third appears to have closed at 1705 Ocean Ave.  While there are no obvious signs, the shelves have been stripped and there is no activity at H B Daisy, and I when I called their phone number, I received a message that the number is unassigned.  Please let me know if you have any further information, but until then I’ll keep my eye on the troubled corner space at Ocean and Olympic…

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Erven Snags Best New Restaurant Title

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When I popped into buzzy Erven, the eatery that inhabits the old RFD space at 514-516 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, to sample the much-lauded beer battered tofu sandwich, the staff that evening looked particularly chuffed.  I assumed that was because of the recent attention being showered on the vegan restaurant, and a good review from Jonathon Gold.  So when I congratulated them on their review, I got this response: “Which one?”  While it’s not out in print yet, turns out that Erven has just been named #1 of Los Angeles’ Best New Restaurants of 2016 by Los Angeles Magazine. You can see for yourself here.  Congratulations!

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Co+Opportunity Spreads East

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The good folks of Santa Monica and environs are fiercely loyal to their small independent markets such as Vicente Foods, Bob’s Market, and The Farms.  But the king of them all?  That would have to be Co+opportunity Market and Deli, with its fanatically dedicated local following.  I recently noticed that Co+opportunity will soon be spreading the love in Culver City, with a second location going into a bright and airy space in the new Access development at 8770 Washington Blvd., across from that palace of all things culinary, Surfas.  Expect an opening sometime next year.

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Osteria Bigoli Opens On Montana Ave.

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It was only back in September that I told you that clandestine celeb fave Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano at 714 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica was going to be taken over by a newcomer.  I’d known for a while that hard-working restaurateur Vincenzo Nicoletta was looking to move on.  Now it’s official:  Osteria Bigoli has thrown open its doors and is now serving pasta to the good people of NoMa.  Even though I’m hearing from readers who are lamenting the loss of their old favorite dishes from Vincenzo, check out what the new restaurant offers here.

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Vanilla Bake Shop Heads East…

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It appears that the Westside’s fave go-to spot for mini cupcakes is heading east.  Signs are up in the window and their website confirms that Vanilla Bake Shop will soon be opening at 88 E. Colorado Blvd. in Old Town Pasadena.  No word on when that opening date will be, but you can still pick up your macarons at their Santa Monica or Culver City locations.

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Espresso Cielo Finally Opens In Santa Monica

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It was way back in October of 2015 when I first noticed that a new outpost of coffee, tea, and patisserie purveyor Espresso Cielo was moving into the space at 1431C on 2nd Street in Downtown Santa Monica.  Originally they had predicted a Fall 2015 opening, but then it sat largely untouched for an extraordinarily long time.  Espresso Cielo has finally thrown open its doors for business.  Why it took so long to open is anybody’s guess, but I’m looking at you City of Santa Monica…

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The Hungry Cat Closes In Santa Monica, Closing In Santa Barbara As Well!

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Recently, a reader pointed out to me that Santa Monica’s outlet of David Lentz’s seafood joint, The Hungry Cat appeared to be closed.  When I went by to inspect last week, a note in the window stated that they were closed for renovations (frequently restaurant code for permanently closed).  However, in the past week, a prominent sign announcing restaurant space available went up that lets us know that they have indeed closed.  Any mention of the Santa Monica branch has been scrubbed from the website and Yelp lists it as closed.  But that’s not all:  The website also declares that the Santa Barbara branch will also be shutting down.  They list a number of reasons including; declining business, the current economic climate, and an offer they couldn’t refuse.  They will be open until Christmas. The Hollywood branch will apparently remain open.

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Panini Café Miraculously Opens In Downtown Santa Monica

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I’ll never completely understand the process of opening a restaurant in Santa Monica.  Many restaurateurs that I’ve spoken with over the years have complained of endless red tape and countless inspections with the result being an extraordinarily long time from inception to completion.  But every once in a while, I’m astonished when an eatery opens in the blink of an eye.  It was only just back in late August that I noticed the first signs of life stirring in the old Fraiche space at 312 Wilshire Blvd.  Wasting no time whatsoever, Panini Café has officially thrown open its doors and is now serving “healthy Mediterranean” to the good people of Santa Monica.  I’m sure many would love to get their hands on the magic charm they used to accomplish this feat.

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Ippudo Restaurant Bringing Famous Ramen To Santa Monica?

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I noticed a few weeks ago that something was moving into the vacant space that used to house erstwhile tapas joint Taberna Arros Y Vi at 1403 2nd St. in Downtown Santa Monica.  A recently posted development application lists the new tenant as Ippudo Restaurant. I can’t confirm it, but could this be an upcoming branch of the famous cult tonkotsu ramen chain from New York, that is also moving into the Bay Area?  I guess we’ll have to wait and see what develops…

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Cava Grill Expands Into Downtown Santa Monica… More Locations On The Way!

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DC’s Greek/Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava Grill continues to expand.  After opening their Westwood location only a couple of months ago, they are adding another location in Downtown Santa Monica.  Paper is covering the windows of the recently constructed building housing the Chelsea apartment complex at 1320 2nd Street announcing the impending arrival.  If you check out their website, you’ll see that they are also opening soon in Venice, Culver City, and Irvine.

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Buca Di Beppo Gives Up The Ghost In Santa Monica

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I recently noticed that after a long run at 1442 2nd St., Santa Monica’s branch of the kitschy old school Italian chain Buca di Beppo has finally pulled up stakes.  I didn’t see this coming and I’m not sure what happened.  I’ll keep my eye on the space to see what the future holds, and in the mean time, if you find yourself craving ginormous portions of red sauce pasta, you can locate one of their other branches here.

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Spumoni Back In Action On Montana Ave. With A New Look… And A New Wood-fired Pizza Oven!

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Popular neighborhood restaurant Spumoni, at 713 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, ran into a spot of trouble a little over a year ago when a car crashed into the next door Café de Paris and sparked a fire that shut the Italian eatery down.  Rising from the ashes, Spumoni threw open its doors last night (Tuesday) for the first time since the fire.  Having taken over the Café de Paris space, the plucky always-crowded café is now larger with an extensive remodel.  The feel is still cozy and friendly, with a dining room bedecked in warm wood paneling.  You’ll continue to find many of the classics on the menu, but if you haven’t thought about Spumoni as a destination in a while, it might be time to reconsider.  They built a spiffy wood-fired pizza oven brought from Napoli and flew in a pizza expert, Pizzaiolo Massimo Caso to serve some the crispest (perhaps best) Neapolitan-style pies anywhere in this neck of the woods.  We wish them the best of luck.

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Stout Burgers & Beers… And Cocktails?

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Recently, I noticed a pending conditional use permit pasted on the front of Santa Monica’s branch of Stout Burgers & Beers at 111 N Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica.  An employee confirmed that they are looking to add a full bar to their selection of beers and wine.  Hopefully the cocktails will begin pouring soon…

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