There’s a new gourmet charmer in the neighborhood. O&V CA has recently thrown open their doors at 1109 Montana Ave. O&V CA is a band new business that features a carefully curated selection of fresh, extra-virgin olive oils that have been globally sourced. They also offer barrel-aged balsamic vinegars from Modena, locally made artisan ceramics, and other culinary treasures. They have tastings and classes to help you find the perfect olive oil or gift. We wish them the best of luck!
It appears that a West Hollywood popular baked treat spot is opening a second location in Santa Monica. According to their Instagram post, construction is halfway finished on the new Junior Cookies, moving into the former Sweet Rose Creamery space at 2726 Main St. Promising “the world’s freshest cookies”, Junior Cookies offers flavors such as Banana Pudding, KitKat Tiramisu, and Salted Almond Chocolate Chip. The window says they’re aiming for a Spring/Summer opening.
Construction is fast and furious at the site of the old Craftsman bar at 119 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. An ABC application on the front lists the new business as SoCal Vibes Co. This is the tap room/restaurant branch of Carson’s very own Honest Abe Brewery. With locations in the South Bay and Venice, SoCal Vibes Co. offers “unique food and beverage offerings in a beachy, chill atmosphere” with live music and game nights.
There’s construction and a new ABC application at 123 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. This address has been a number of different eating places over the years with the most recent being Monty’s Good Burger and Thai Dishes before that. The ABC application lists the new “beer & wine eating place” as The Courtside Lounge. Other than what I would imagine will be a sports theme, we’ll have to keep watching for more details.
As a public service announcement, I feel compelled to tell you the news about everyone’s favorite weekend brunch spot, Bru’s Wiffle, at 2408 Wilshire in Santa Monica. Frequently seen with lines out the door, Bru’s has decided to team up with another brunch power spot across the street, Flapjax Diner (same owners). According to a notice on the door, they will be operating at Flapjax Tuesday through Thursday from 8am to 2pm. Then on Friday through Sunday, they will be back at their original location from 8am to 3pm. Now you know…
(Thanks Debbie!)
Since I first told you about the new eatery Terratorry that’s moving into the old Art’s Table space at 1002 Montana in Santa Monica, people have been clamoring for more information. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Debra!) spotted a note on the front of the build-out giving us some clues. The note explains that the Midwestern chef’s “ethos revolves around our local Farmers’ Markets” with a focus on heritage cooking using the best of the West Coast, and, well, you can read the entire statement below….
People go crazy for the luscious gelato at Bacio di Latte in The Westfield Century City Shopping Center, Brentwood, and other locations. Now fans in Santa Monica won’t have to drive so far. Window paper is up on the corner space that was once the home of Jamba Juice, at 331 Santa Monica Blvd #A in Downtown Santa Monica, proclaiming the triumphant news that Bacio di Latte is moving in. You’re welcome.
It appears that Santa Monica/Brentwood are getting a new vegan burger joint. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Tony!) spotted a piece of paper on the door at 262 26th St. in Santa Monica, just across from the Brentwood Country Mart, most recently home to Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine. The name and signature frowning logo appear to let us know that philanthropic plant-based burger brand Mr. Charlie’s is setting up housekeeping at the address. Mr. Charlie’s, with its yellow and red signage, is apparently a TikTok sensation with locations in LA, San Francisco, and Sydney, and has been described as a “vegan McDonald’s“.
Big changes coming to Santa Monica’s tony Montana Ave… Art’s Table, at 1002 Montana, abruptly closed recently and construction has begun on a new venture. An ABC application went up this week announcing the new eatery as Terra Torry. And Art’s sister restaurant M&D Margos Kitchen at 1534 Montana recently went dark with papered over windows. Hastily scrawled notes on the windows declare that they are “closed for remodel by owner”. Yelp is listing them as closed. I’ll keep watching to see what develops.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Charles!) spotted a notice on the door of the tiny former Antequera Bakery space at 1704 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. French Boulangerie Patisserie Des Croissants Paris appears to be taking up housekeeping at the address. Des Croissants Paris has a presence at a number of local farmers markets, and a brick-and-mortar in Culver City. Proclaiming themselves as “proudly French”, they offer freshly baked artisanal croissants, pastries and sandwiches made with quality French ingredients.
Signs are already up on a new “Cal-Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria” at 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica, formerly home to a Coffee Bean and Mrs. Winston’s. Cosetta appears to be the latest project from Chef Zack Pollack (Alimento, Cosa Buona) and is described on this website as a “high-end pizza restaurant featuring a full bar and liquor license”. It looks like they are planning on opening soon.
(Thanks Charles!)
While this is being widely reported in other sources, I’m hearing from excited readers that Santa Monica’s hotly anticipated branch of dumpling experts Din Tai Fung is about to throw open their doors on the third floor of Santa Monica Place in Downtown Santa Monica, across from always-busy The Cheesecake Factory. According to the website, they are soft opening with a limited preview menu on February 20th, with a grand opening scheduled for February 28th. Hours are 11am to 9pm, and you can reserve a spot here. With its sleek, stylish design and loads of space, could it bring a revival to the sputtering mall?
With its much-lauded tonkotsu ramen that once caused a sensation in New York, award-winning Ippudo has been slowly making inroads into the West Coast. A sharp-eyed reader noticed that they are moving into the space at 3847 Main St. in Downtown Culver City. Founded in 1985 in Fukuoka City, Japan, they opened their first US location in 2008 in New York and have since spread to locations in Bay Area and West Hollywood. This will be the second LA location for the exacting noodle chain (although there was briefly a Santa Monica outpost).
(Thanks Mitch!)
Here are some upcoming changes coming soon to The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax: Eastern European experts Stara are bringing pierogi and kielbasa the mix. Here’s a look at their menu. And on the Northern side of the food court, there’s a banner up declaring the new inhabitant to be none other than beloved iconic Italian sandwich chain All’Antico Vinaio. Their website also spills the beans of a new Santa Monica location as well. SMDP has the full skinny on the upcoming Downtown Santa Monica location here.
The Good People of Santa Monica love an outdoor cafe. Along Montana Ave., La La Land, Sogno Toscano, Bardonna, and M&D Margos are packed virtually all day long. Another success story is French charmer Le Cafe de la Plage, at 1301 Montana Ave. They recently expanded their outdoor seating area, and now it appears they are also taking over the adjacent storefront at 1303 Montana, most recently home to lauded raw seafood purveyor Savida.
This from my inbox:
Tue., Dec. 31 / Various Santa Monica Bars / 6pm-2am / $20+
Say goodbye to boring and hello to a night filled with VIP treatment, exclusive drink specials, and a whole lot of fun!
Spend the night hopping between the hottest bars in Santa Monica with VIP entry and drink deals as low as $4 drafts and 2-for-1 premiums & champagnes!
Here’s the scoop: Registration: 6-10pm @ Barney’s Beanery or Jameson’s Pub, party till 2am, free entry to multiple hotspots, VIP access to exclusive after-party, unforgettable happy hours, no cover charges, and deals all night!
Whether you’re a local or just here to party, we’ve got the best NYE plans!
Tickets and more information here.
It’s that time of year again… More info and tickets here.
It appears a new Australian bakeshop is making its first US appearance. There’s a notice up on the space that used to be the location for a short-lived GGET, at 2645 Main St. in Santa Monica, announcing the arrival of Bread + Butter. While I don’t have much information on this business, they do have three locations in Tasmania and their website confirms this location. What will be on offer? Exceptional “fresh pastries + sourdough bread every day” using 100% cultured butter. 
inally)Ever since I first told you about an exciting new Indian concept moving into the old Herringbone space at 1755 Ocean Ave Ste 103 in Santa Monica, I have been peppered with questions about an opening date. I have it on good authority that Fitoor will soft open with “limited seating” on Monday, December 9th. With another location in San Jose, Fitoor (Hindi for ‘Passion’) is the highly anticipated restaurant from the tech people behind San Fransisco’s buzzy Rooh. Read my original story here for more information.
Toddrickallen 