Tag Archives: Santa Monica

Osteria Del Fornaio Disappears From Downtown Santa Monica

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This caught me by surprise, but I’ve been hearing rumors portending this for quite a while.  Sadly, after an extensive build-out that culminated in a triumphant return to Santa Monica, Osteria Del Fornaio has closed its doors at 401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 140.   People were genuinely excited when they opened only back in April of 2022, with a bright fresh look and a popular happy hour.  I’m not sure what happened, but the space is currently being gutted.  I’m told this location is not destined to be empty for long.  More rumors are circulating about the new tenant, which I can’t confirm at this time.   Watch this space…

Luke’s Lobster Diving Into Downtown Santa Monica

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The corner space at 200 Santa Monica Blvd has gone through a number of changes in recent history.  It had been a Coffee Bean, then it was Jinky’s Coffee, and now it will be LA’s first branch of Luke’s Lobster.   Luke’s Lobster‘s founder, third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden, opened his first shack in New York in 2009, and has since spread to locations across nine states and Japan.  They are on a mission to provide the highest quality sustainable seafood from Maine and Canada and are devoted to coastal communities.  Look for a menu of lobster, shrimp, and crab rolls served in “Maine-style shacks”.  Definitely exciting news for Downtown Santa Monica.

H&H Bagels Bringing Famous NYC Bagels To Montana Ave.

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Ever since Marmalade Cafe closed up shop at its longtime location of 710 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, readers have been demanding answers as to what would take over the space.  Construction began quickly and the speculation was wild.  I’d been hearing whispers of the incoming tenant, but now we have proof.  New York’s celebrated H&H Bagels is taking up residence at this location, as confirmed by their website.  H&H began in New York in 1972 and uses the “artisanal water bagel method” that produces results for which fans go crazy and many consider to be the quintessential bagel.  They are in the midst of a national expansion, and this will be their first West Coast store.

Fogo De Chão, Gott’s Roadside Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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Imagine my surprise when I looked at an official City website listing changes to Downtown Santa Monica and noticed two names on the list of which I was unaware.  The first of these was popular Brazilian carnivore paradise Fogo De Chão.  A little more digging revealed a trade website that appears to confirm that the churrasco steakhouse is moving into the old Del Frisco’s Grille location at 1551 Ocean Ave, a prime address facing the iconic Santa Monica Pier.  The second surprise on the list is Napa Valley institution Gott’s Roadside.  While I have a few suspicions, I am unable to confirm the address for Gott’s.  If you have answers, let me know.

Triple Beam Pizza Opens Today In Santa Monica

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Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina’s SUPER-anticipated Roman-style pizza restaurant is set to throw open its doors at their new location in Santa Monica.  Excited readers are rushing to tell me that, after a long delay, notices are up on the front of the new Triple Beam Pizza, at 2905 Main St., announcing the opening at 11AM today (June 20).  This is their fourth location.  Expect such beauties as roasted fennel & sausage with goat cheese, Korean BBQ chicken bulgogi, and roasted spring corn ezquite.  You’re welcome.

R.I.P. Santa Monica’s Gallery Food Hall….

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I’ve been covering the story of Santa Monica’s long-suffering food hall, The Gallery at 1315 3rd Street Promenade, for years.  It was a Promenade fast food sanctuary for a while, then and upscale destination including David Beran’s Dialogue, and in its last gasp, a ghost kitchen.  Now it is empty.  A sharp-eyed reader noticed a new ABC application in the window.  Sadly, The Gallery will no longer be exclusively a dining destination.  Holey Moley, which is an indoor miniature golf concept with a bar is moving in.  This will be LA’s first location.  Read more about this mysterious newcomer here.

(Thanks Jordan!)

Turn Dough Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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Pink signs are up on the space at 215 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica announcing the arrival of Turn Dough.  The address was previously the longtime home of hostel favorite breakfast spot Interactive Cafe.  Turn Dough has two other LA locations (Venice and Hollywood) and offers a menu where “European traditions merge seamlessly with American creativity”.  Look for “18 signature Chimney cakes with Soft Serve Gelato… Milkshakes, refreshing Dole Whip, irresistible Homemade French Crepes, heavenly Belgian Waffles, and a delightful selection of espresso”.

Night Market At The Bungalow Bringing Summer Fun To Santa Monica

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This from my inbox… Just in time for summer.  Night Market at the Bungalow began this week and will run every Thursday this summer from 5pm to 11pm until August 29.  This event is free and open to the public and is promising “delectable cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, live music, and vibrant ambiance”.  Check out the list of vendors here.  The Bungalow is at 101 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica.  

Jinky’s Replacing The Independence In Downtown Santa Monica

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Neighborhood fave Jinky’s Cafe has had a presence in Santa Monica for a while.  First as a solid breakfast spot and then as a coffeeshop.  Both locations have been abandoned, but fans of Jinky’s are in luck.  The awnings are already up on the prominent corner spot at 205 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica, previously home to The Independence, announcing the arrival of Jinky’s to this location.  Jinky’s has five other locations across LA, and this one will offer all-day dining with beer, wine, and cocktails.

MAINopoly: A Taste Of Main Street, Sunday May 19th In Santa Monica

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This from my inbox: On Sunday, May 19th from 1pm-5pm is the 9th annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street.  This event is a pet-friendly, boardgame-themed culinary walking tour of Main Street’s fave neighborhood eateries, bars, and treat shops.  Attendees will use “MAINopoly dollars” and are encouraged to dress in Monopoly-inspired costumes.  There will be a “Go to Jail” beer garden, free pedicab rides, pet adoptions, photo booth, and prizes.  Some of the restaurants that will be participating are: Ashland Hill, Holey Grail Donuts, Alfalfa, The Victorian, JuneShine, Jameson’s Pub, Tavern on Main, Papille Gustative, Pasjoli, Jinya Ramen Bar, MUD\WTR, Lula Cocina Mexicana.  The event takes place between Strand and Pier Ave. (Check in at The Victorian, 2640 Main St.) and benefits The Main St. Business Improvement Association.  Read more and get your tickets here.

Changes At Margo’s On Montana Ave.

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People have been wondering what’s going on since Margo’s Pizza Kitchen & Bar, at 1534 Montana, closed its doors.  You may recall that last year Margo’s had a break-in that caused significant damage and loss.  At that time, in an interview, a rep for Margo’s alluded to that incident being a “tipping point” that could cause the business to shutter.  Shortly thereafter, Margo’s did indeed close down, ostensibly for a remodel.  Since then, a new banner has been put up announcing a “new launch under new partnership”.  It appears the new restaurant will be named Nana Margo’s, and cocktails and “dinning” will be on order.  It will be interesting to see if the new eatery will continue with the plant-based concept.  I’ll keep my eye on this….

Petit Grain Boulangerie Opens Today In Santa Monica

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A highly anticipated bakery throws open its doors today at 7:30am.  Already garnering much attention in the LA pastry world, Petit Grain Boulangerie takes over the old Broadway Baker space at 1209 Wilshire Blvd.  As you can see from the line that formed ahead of their opening this morning, Petit Grain is poised to take the Westside by storm.  Read more about the new hotspot here.  We wish them the best of luck.

Co-opportunity Market Disappears From Culver City

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This was certainly a surprise…  I’m hearing from shocked readers that Culver City’s branch of classic health food store Co-opportunity Market has disappeared from their location at 8770 Washington Blvd.  The Co-op began life in 1974 in Santa Monica, where it continues to exist.  This location opened in 2017 and appeared to be tracking a more Erewhon vibe than its old school hippie predecessor.  I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the space to see what may develop.

(Thanks again, Andrew!)

Shoreside Bringing New Dining Scene To Downtown Santa Monica

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Something new is coming to the Shore Hotel at 1515 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica.  There’s plywood up and an announcement naming the new spot to “Dine. Lounge. Celebrate.” as Shoreside.  Near as I can tell, Shoreside will be a new dining terrace and bar.  It looks like they’re aiming for a summer opening.

Gnarwhal Coffee Co. Expands To Venice

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Cozy local java joint Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is apparently branching out from its buzzy Main Street location to an even buzzier neighborhood.  There’s an ABC application up at 1700 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice, previously home to the troubled Double Zero, letting us know that Gnarwhal is moving in.  I’m sure that organic, socially responsible coffee will be on the menu, but so will beer and wine according to the ABC app, so this may be a slightly different concept that their Main St. branch.

Yogurtland Moving Into The Third St. Promenade

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Crowd-pleasing frozen treat purveyor Yogurtland appears to be moving locations in Downtown Santa Monica.  They currently have a longtime location at 304 Santa Monica Blvd.  But there is new plywood up at 1321 Third St. Promenade announcing the move.  Yogurtland began life in 2006 in Fullerton and has since spread to over 250 locations in the US and elsewhere.  They pride themselves on the “highest quality ingredients and flavors”.

Nic’s Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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The old Wokcano Space at 1413 5th St. in Downtown Santa Monica has sat empty for quite a while.  But the commodious location is about to get a new tenant.  An ABC application lists the new business as Nic’s.  I don’t have any information on this business, so if you know more, pass it along…

Update: Readers are letting me know that this is actually a seafood restaurant named Oasis.

Met Her At The Bar’s Location In Santa Monca

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We’ve known for a while that cozy neighborhood darling Met Her At A Bar was expanding to Santa Monica.  Now we know where.  There’s an ABC application posted on the front of the extensive build-out at 2615 Main St. in Santa Monca that lets us know this is the future branch of Met Her At The Bar.  The self-described “hip little neighborhood cafe” has a location on S. La Brea Ave. and is known for Belgian waffles and coffee.

Odd One Out’s Location In Santa Monica…

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People have been demanding answers from me ever since crazy-popular boba shop Odd One Out Craft Milk Tea announced on their website that there was to be another branch opening in Santa Monica.  They didn’t give an address, but the map on the website gave the impression that it was going to be located in the Third Street Promenade.  Now we know: Fencing and ‘Odd One Out” banners are now up on the “Market Pavilion” kiosk just to the north of Santa Monica Blvd (1260 Third St. Promenade).  With a location in Sawtelle Japantown, Odd One Out hails from Taiwan and was previously the winner of the Taiwan Milk Tea Festival.

Update: Odd One Out is now open at this location. (09/2024)