I’m hearing from surprised readers who have noticed the permanently drawn curtains and lack of activity at Downtown Santa Monica’s neighborhood watering hole and eatery The Independence. The Independence has anchored the corner of 2nd and Broadway since 2014, when it replaced Buddha’s Belly. Sadly, for all intents and purposes, it appears that it has quietly disappeared. I’ll keep my eye on the space at 205 Broadway to see what may develop…
This was surprising to me… It appears that Downtown Santa Monica’s perennial popular burger joint Stout Burgers & Beer has disappeared from its location at 111 Santa Monica Blvd. I’m not exactly sure when it closed, but the windows are papered over, perhaps indicating a new inhabitant is in the works. I’ll keep watching…
Update: A reader let me know that the space is being taken over by next door’s Bar Monette and will feature “French small plates and burgers”. (Thanks Sean!)
There’s a new banner hanging over 331 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. The space has long sat empty since Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails closed up shop during The Pandemic. The name on the banner is Maru Sushi and underneath that, it promises “ramen / ezakaya“. I’m unable to find any more information about the new eatery as there are a number or restaurants that use the word “Maru” in their name, so if you know more, reach out to me…
I happened to notice a new ABC application on the front of the cavernous space most recently occupied by Herringbone at 1755 Ocean Ave Ste 103 in Santa Monica. Fitoor is the name listed, and while not much comes up in a general search, two names on the application give us a clue as to what’s coming. Those names are Anupama and Vikram Bhambri, who are none other than the co-founders of San Francisco’s splashy and much-lauded “Indian-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar” ROOH. Apparently, they are in the middle of a recently announced expansion in the Bay Area. They are expanding using different restaurant names but there is a Fitoor Indian Grill & Lounge coming to San Jose that EaterSF describes as an “opulent restaurant with live music and DJs”. This is indeed exciting news for Santa Monica…
Ever since dusty British-themed watering hole Cock N’ Bull closed at 2947 Lincoln Blvd., I’ve been peppered with questions about what would take over the address located in the quickly gentrifying section of Santa Monica. Recently construction has been fast and furious at the site, which stands only a block away from a much-anticipated branch of Tartine. One of my readers, (Thanks Jeff!) employed some excellent sleuthing skills to uncover the new tenant. Apparently, Tacos Por Favor will be soon fill the space. While I don’t have confirmation, there is a “surrendered” ABC application listing the Tacos Por Favor at this address. Tacos Por Favor currently operates three locations on The Westside and offers a menu of tacos, burritos, tortas, tostadas, and combos.
There’s strange window paper up on the space most recently occupied by Belgian confectionary experts KC Chocolatier. 1431 B 2nd St. is covered over with photos of various bowls, tropical images, and bold letters promising “Juice, Smoothie, Bowls”. Santa Monica Daily Press clears up the mystery by naming the new business as Little Hawaii Juice Bar. Get the skinny in their article here.
The space at 2507 Main St. in Santa Monica has been a bit of a mystery for the last few years. Once the home of Novel Cafe, the space has been gutted with intermittent construction. Readers assured me it was either going to be a restaurant, or bar, or something, but I could never verify anything… until now. A sign recently went up over the door announcing the arrival of Rabano Handcrafted Food & Drinks. Rabano has a location in Hermosa Beach and has a “fresh and healthy” menu of salads, bowls, and sandwiches that utilizes local ingredients and focuses on the environment.
There’s a new restaurant coming to the diminutive space at 625D Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, formerly home to a Subway. The window paper names the new eatery as Galvin Bakery & Cafe. There’s not much info out there on Galvin, but it appears coffee, alfajores, sandwiches, and salads will be on offer.
There’s new window paper up on the space at 912 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. This address was previously home to the popular salad joint Greens Up!, which mysteriously vanished only days ago. The new business, B & T’s Deli, will specialize in “casually gourmet” plant-based subs. We wish them the best of luck.
Well that certainly took a long time… We all know that opening a new eatery in Santa Monica can be an arduous affair. The latest business to make it through the gauntlet is Mochidoki at 1133 Montana Ave in Santa Monica. Just in time for the Labor Day weekend, they finally threw open their doors in a soft opening yesterday. Read more about the East Coast company with mochi ice cream so good they supply the likes of Nobu and Tao in my original post here.
Congratulations Lucky People of Santa Monica, you’re getting a new branch of cult fave San Francisco bakery Tartine. If you’re craving an impossibly flaky croissant and the lines are too long at their ridiculously popular spot at 1925 Arizona Ave., you can soon head over to their new location at 2903 Suite 110 Lincoln Blvd, in the new The Wilson development. There are bright orange banners in the windows announcing the happy news. This is a developing story…
There’s window paper up on the space at 11301 W Olympic Blvd UNIT 124 announcing a new milk tea joint. But not just any one: This one appears to be the winner of the Taiwan Milk Tea Festival in 2022. Odd One Out Craft Milk Tea hails from Taipei and according to their website, they are opening a shop in Downtown Santa Monica as well. I think they’re close to opening at this location, but while you’re waiting, get a peek at their menu here.
It appears that Montana Ave. is about to get yet another exciting dining option. It was only back in June when I told you about the abrupt closure of Le Macaron at 1301 Montana Ave. Wasting no time, another French-inspired eatery and treat shop is opening at this location. There is window covering up at announcing the arrival of Le Cafe de la Plage Santa Monica. Le Cafe de la Plage has a location in Malibu, and offers a menu of breakfast, lunch, pastries, and Intelligentsia Coffee. They are also known for their proprietary line of classic and vegan ice cream. We wish them the best of luck.
I normally don’t continuously post updates about businesses, but there is so much interest in this story that I feel compelled to pass this on. Last week I told you that “lifestyle cafe” Sogno Toscano would be opening this Thursday (July 20th), and that was originally the plan. However, they were able to clear a few of the permits early, so I can pass on this happy news: Sogno Toscano opened as of Tuesday (July 18th) and trust me, you’ll want to get in there before the crowds come.
Cozy brunch/lunch/take-away spot Marmalade Cafe is opening a second branch in Santa Monica. They already have their popular original location that opened on Montana Ave in 1990. Now there’s a banner announcing their impending arrival hanging over the space at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 120 in Downtown Santa Monica, previously home to Sunnin Lebanese Cafe. This will be the eighth branch of the “fresh, high quality, eclectic, California-inspired” cafe.
Update: Marmalade is closing their Montana Ave. store and moving to this location.
Update: Marmalade is now open at this location.
Wow, that took a long time. I first told you about the arrival of “lifestyle cafe, wine bar, & specialty market” Sogno Toscano to 1512 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica almost a year ago, and since then, I’ve been peppered with questions from excited locals about when it would open. While Sogno Toscana (Tuscan Dream) is “USA’s largest Italian online food store”, known for delivery of fine Italian foods, they do operate two lifestyle cafes in New York. This will be The West Coast’s first branch. I had a chance to speak with the people behind the new cafe, who recently let me have a look. While I wasn’t able to take photos due to the fact that they are still unpacking and stocking, I can tell you the space is breathtaking, sort of Tuscany by way of Tulum. Appearing deceptively small from the street, the interior is bright and airy, with light wood, a long deli counter, coffee bar, and wine bar. There is also a large, charming wrap-around patio. They are still finalizing the menu, but you can get an idea of what may be on offer by looking at their West Village location’s menu here. There will also be wine tastings and other events. I can share that Sogno Toscano will officially open on Thursday, July 20th. Hours will be 8am to 10pm. Judging by what I’m hearing, I predict big crowds. You’re welcome….
Cheery lifestyle brand SunLife Organics is bringing their signature message, “to love, heal, and inspire”, to the Good People of Brentwood and Santa Monica. There’s window paper up on a commodious corner space in the Brentwood Town Center on the corner of San Vicente and 26th St. announcing the happy news. Expect a menu of their proprietary juices, shakes, bowls, and coffee/tea.
This is a surprise…. Having long anchored the corner of Lincoln and Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, it appears that icy treat purveyor Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt has unceremoniously disappeared. The space at 732 Montana is largely gutted and there’s a for lease sign up on the front. Not sure what happened to this branch of the popular self-serve yogurt chain, but I’ll keep my eye on the address to see what may develop.
Another sad closure on Montana Ave… Le Macaron burst onto the scene at 1301 Montana Ave back in 2017. At the time, this was LA’s first branch of the Florida-based chain and they introduced The Westside to their excellent selection of pastries, breads, chocolates, and coffees. Shocked readers have been writing to tell me they have now closed up shop after a truly valiant effort. If you’re missing their signature classic macarons, you can find other LA locations here.
A reader recently asked me what was going on at Savida, that opened only last year at 1303 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. So, I went by the raw seafood bar that got a mention in the most recent Michelin Guide to have a look. Their parklet on Montana has been dismantled and the space appears lifeless with mail piling up inside. While I don’t have confirmation, for all intents and purposes it appears closed. Let me kniow if you have more information.
(Thanks Narayan!)
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