And while we’re on the subject of icy treats… You may be inclined to believe that the frozen yogurt craze of a few years back is long over, and you’d probably be right. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still vestiges. Never count out one of the originators of the fad, Pinkberry. A new outpost has popped up in El Segundo, at 730A S Allied Way, in The Works shopping center.
“Certified Clean” ghost kitchen concept Goop Kitchen is now in El Segundo, at 710 South Allied Way in The Works shopping center, or more specifically, the recently christened The Works Food Hall. In case you live under a rock, Goop is the “modern lifestyle brand” created by Gwyneth Paltrow. Goop Kitchen offers a clean-food take-away menu of bowls, salads, handhelds, and more.
A new fast-food option is landing in Rancho Park in West LA. There’s a banner up on the space at 11201 National Blvd. announcing that a branch of poultry purveyor Wingstop in taking over the space. The strip mall where the address is located, at the corner of National and Sepulveda, has long been the home of another fan favorite Hamburger Habbit.
There is window paper up on one of the storefronts in the North Village shopping center at 150 S Pacific Coast Highway in El Segundo, previously home to Valentino’s Pizza, announcing a new branch of Prime Pizza. Prime Pizza has been in expansion mode with newish locations in Santa Monica, West LA, as well as other locations. They promise “authentic NY style Pizza”.
A popular Mediterranean dining option has vacated its location in the shopping center at 400 N Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo. Sabra Beirut Mix has closed, and the space is currently being gutted. Not sure what happened, but as you know, El Segundo is an important lunch dining scene for the local aerospace and military workers so I’ll keep my eye on the address to see what may develop,
The cupcake sensation is not over… The originator of the cult-cake that still inspires fans to wait in line in Beverly Hills is sharing their signature brand of sugary goodness with Manhattan Beach. There’s plywood up in one of the outdoor shops of the newly gussied-up Manhattan Village mall announcing a new branch of Sprinkles. Looks like they’re aiming for a Fall opening.
Long Beach’s Saint & Second is expanding North. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Sher!) noticed the plywood on the front of one of the cavernous interior spaces in the new addition of the zhuzhed-up Manhattan Village on the corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans. For those who don’t know, Saint & Second is run by the Hofman family, who has been operating a restaurant at their Belmont Shore location for over 70 years. Expect a “a chef-inspired, come-as-you-are destination with creative, locally-sourced seasonal cuisine, organic cocktails, hundreds of curated whiskies, works by California artists and a spirit of community and hospitality“.
A new tea shop is coming to the space at 11138 Palms Blvd (corner of Sepulveda). With a handful of locations in Northern California, Ume Tea is expanding Southward. Expect a menu of milk teas with boba and/or mochi, fruit teas, and snacks.
Self-described fourth wave coffee purveyor, Reborn Coffee is close to opening at 3180 N Sepulveda Blvd in the still-renovating Manhattan Village in Manhattan Beach. As I understand it, the term “fourth wave” refers to bringing the highest quality of coffee to the general public. (If someone wishes to offer a more concise definition, please do!) Reborn Coffee has locations throughout SoCal and promises “the world’s best cold brew”.
It appears that there’s a new build-out underway at 6261 W 87th St. in Westchester (just to the east of Sepulveda). An ABC application pasted on the front lists the new business as Tomat Kitchen. I searched high and low and can’t uncover much information about the new eatery (except an undeveloped website), so if you know more pass it along…
You might not have noticed, but a new fish and poultry purveyor is coming in for a landing at 8622 S Sepulveda in Westchester. That’s because the banner is hanging on the backside of the building and not streetside. Regardless, it appears that Orange County’s Kickin’ Fish & Chicken is moving into the location most recently occupied by a spa. Kickin’ has an outpost in Westminster and offers a menu of seafood and “naturally raised, free-range and organic chicken” that is either grilled, fried, or rotisserie.
The recent spate of new eateries on the horizon points to a renewed sense of hope in the restaurant business after a very dark time. You can add two more to the list. A sandwich board in the parking lot of the North Village shopping center at 150 S Pacific Coast Highway in El Segundo is announcing that the South Bay’s very own Poulet du Jour and Offset Coffee are moving in.
You know I’ve been reporting on the massive redevelopment of Manhattan Village, ostensibly transforming it into a major shopping and dining powerhouse. There has been an explosion of new eateries landing in the shopping center. You can add two more to the list. A banner is informing us that BOA Steakhouse and Sushi Roku are on the way. Both are part of the Innovative Dining Group or IDG.
It looks like El Segundo’s The Point shopping center, on the corner of Rosecrans and Pacific Coast Highway, is about to get a new eatery. I told you about the closure of buzzy Umi by Hamasaku back in October of last year. Window covering is letting us know that this location will be the future home of expanding Greek/Mediterranean restaurant chain CAVA.
I’ve been carefully followiing the massive overhaul of the Manhattan Village Shopping Center, on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda. They’ve been adding outdoor walkways and a massive increase of retail and restaurant space. While much of it is still under construction, the new restaurants are staking their claims. Sunlife Organics is bringing their message, “to love, heal, and inspire”, and their proprietary juices, shakes, bowls, and coffee to this spot in the old section of the mall, facing the new development.
Good news, South Bay folks! Huckleberry doughnuts are heading you way… This is the future home of cult-fave treat shop Sidecar Doughnuts, in the new section of the massive Manhattan Village remodel, on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach.
If you read this blog you know that Manhattan Village, the shopping complex on the corner of Rosecrans and Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, is undergoing a major redo. Loads of new retail and restaurant spaces are on the way, with many new eateries already slotted to move in. Add one more to the list: Signs recently went up on one of the new spaces announcing that a branch of expanding burger chain Smashburger is on the way. Looks like they’re shooting for a Spring opening.
With all the restaurant closures taking place, I’m cheered to see new ones on the way. A big banner hangs above the space at 8730 S Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester announcing that a new “fresh, authentic Mediterranean” eatery is close to opening. Kebab Bar promises a menu of hummus, falafel, and kebab based on “multi-generational family recipes”. We wish them the best of luck.
An eagle-eyed reader (Thanks Jennifer!) noticed that something was missing from the strip mall on the corner of Sepulveda and Olympic, so I went by to check it out. Sure enough, longtime resident and local go-to for Korean, Kalbis Grill has disappeared from their space at 11102 W Olympic. A sign of the times: the space has been quickly converted into a COVID-19 test center.
Update: Thanks J for keeping me straight, Kalbis turned into Poke Republic, Subway turned into the COVID testing center.
And while we’re on the subject of The Point... It appears that Umi by Hamasaku has given up the ghost at thier location at 8050 S Sepulveda in El Segundo. Umi caused quite a stir when it expanded to this neck of the woods from West LA, bringing Hamasaku chef Yoya Takahashi’s signature sushi and izakaya dishes.
Toddrickallen 