Sweet Maple Bringing San Francisco’s Famous Bacon To Santa Monica

The commodious space at 1705 Ocean Ave. In Downtown Santa Monica has hosted a number of different restaurants including (maybe) a Joan’s on Third, H B Daisy, and Winston Pies.  The location has been vacant for a cool minute, but that’s about to change.  Self-described “laid-back and unpretentious neighborhood restaurant, coffeehouse and meeting place” Sweet Maple is moving into the address.  Their website confirms it.  This will be the first SoCal location for the San Francisco-based restaurant famous for their Millionaire’s Bacon, which is “extra-thick, sweet and spicy bacon” that is “slow-cooked for hours with brown sugar and spicy peppers to a chewy perfection”.  Check out the menu of their original branch for an idea of what may be coming.

(Thanks Frank!)

Sushi Gozen Now Dishing Fish In Santa Monica

While no one was looking, a new Japanese restaurant quietly slipped into the space most recently occupied by innovative noodle shop Rakkan RamenSushi Gozen is now open at the hidden location at 1705 Ocean Ave. #111.  Sushi Gozen is the sister restaurant to West Hollywood’s Gozen Japanese Sake Bistro and promises a “laid-back seaside vibe” with fresh seafood, sushi pizza, chicken, and other offerings.