Pudu Pudu Bringing “Edible Art” To Abbot Kinney Soon…

Posted on September 4, 2020 by toddrickallen

If you’ve been wondering about that neon pink cow-like creature covering the window at 1432 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, it appears that your wait is about to be over. Pudu Pudu looks like they’re close to opening and is promising us a “flavor adventure to transform pudding into edible art” using “locally sourced organic milk and health-boosting superfoods”. Yes, pudding… But wait, this pudding comes with a pedigree. Pudu Pudu is a project of the Dr. Oetker Hospitality Group. Does the name Dr. Oetker sound familiar? Dr. Oetker is the German megabrand that is on those baked goods mixes in Cost Plus World Market, as well as other stores. It has been supplying bakers since the late 19th Century, so there are some serious dessert bona fides here. We wish them the best of luck.

Piccolo By Barrique Replacing Bowl Kitchen In Santa Monica

Posted on June 7, 2020 by toddrickallen

There’s an ABC application hanging in the window of the erstwhile Bowl Kitchen at 2127 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica. The applicant is listed as Mure Black Inc. If the first name sounds familiar, it’s because its the name of “Michelin awarded” chef Antonio Mure, the man behind Barrique in Venice. And sure enough, the name of the new restaurant is listed as Piccolo by Barrique. Very exciting.

Piccolo

Wabi-Sabi Done In Venice?

Posted on April 18, 2020 by toddrickallen

Sushi experts Wabi-Sabi have certainly survived their fair share of challenges. And now there’s a prominent “available” space hanging over the front. Does this mean the end?

Beach & Brew Replacing Kifune In Venice

Posted on March 6, 2020 by toddrickallen

When landmark Kifune Sushi Bar closed up shop at the end of last year after 34 years due to the owner’s retirement, it left a giant hole at 405 Washington Blvd in Venice. Now it looks like a new venture is giving the prominent corner a go: An ABC application taped to the front door informs us that something called Beach & Brew is moving in. I can’t seem to find much on B&B, so if you have information let me know…

Bok Bok Continues Its Expansion Westward With Two New Locations…

Posted on March 4, 2020 by toddrickallen

The recent turnover in the food court of the Century City Shopping Center is breathing new life to into the dining scene there. Plywood is up on the space that used to house Bibigo Kitchen (which has moved locations in the mall) announcing the impending arrival of Bok Bok Mediterranean. And that’s not all: According to their website, they will be opening a location at 235 Main St. in Venice as well. Look for a menu of panini, pitas, and plates of shawerma, falafel, rotisserie chicken, with other Mediterranean specialties.

Kippy’s! Kicks The Bucket In Venice

Posted on October 30, 2019 by toddrickallen

Having opened in 2013, Kippy’s! Non-Dairy Ice Cream Shop had high hopes when they moved their location from Lincoln Blvd. to 245 Main St. in Venice. Last week, however, a sad note was taped to the front door pronouncing Kippy’s! as closed. A more detailed notice on their website graciously thanks their customers and promises a comeback. We wish them the best of luck.

ELA Greek Eats Landing In Venice

Posted on August 2, 2019 by toddrickallen

Construction is fast and furious on a new Greek restaurant landing in the strip mall on the corner of Rose and Lincoln in Venice. A new sign lets us know that ELA Greek Eats is well underway. ELA is a project from the man behind the erstwhile Waterloo & City in Culver City and Inotheke in Santa Monica, Carolos Tomazos. We wish him the best of luck.

Forma Set To Take Over The Chaya Venice Space

Posted on May 23, 2019 by toddrickallen

I’d been hearing whispers (Thanks T!) that Montana Avenue’s perennially-busy fave Italian joint Forma was expanding into the cavernous hole left by the abrupt closure of Chaya Venice at the corner of Navy and Main St, but I had no evidence. Now there’s proof. An ABC application recently went up in the window confirming that the good people of Venice will soon be getting a Forma of their very own.

Menotti’s Coffee Stop Landing On Washington In LA

Posted on April 23, 2019 by toddrickallen

Poplar hip Venice caffeine joint Menotti’s Coffee Stop is continuing to expand. Recently they appeared on Sunset in Hollywood. Now, according to the new signs, it looks like that they are opening another location in an old hardware store at 12450 W Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles (Or is it Culver City? It’s confusingly written both ways on-line.) I’m not sure when the flat whites and cortados will start pouring, but it looks like they’re not too far off…

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Double Zero, Matthew Kenney’s Plant-Based New York Pizzeria Coming To Venice

Posted on January 22, 2019 by toddrickallen

Creative, plant-based superstar chef Matthew Kenney continues to expand his empire. A small piece of paper on the side of the space at 1700 Lincoln Blvd., in an increasingly fashionable stretch of Venice, lets us know that Double Zero will soon be inhabiting the erstwhile Italian deli. And what is Double Zero? With its flagship store in the East Village in New York, Double Zero will soon deliver to Venice vegan pizza from a custom wood burning oven, small plates including their proprietary plant-based cheeses, and desserts with sustainable European wines served in a “warm casual environment”.

Bluestone Lane Bringing Flat Whites To Venice

Posted on June 25, 2018 by toddrickallen

After opening in Santa Monica earlier in the year, Bluestone Lane is expanding to Venice. I followed up on a tip from a reader (Thanks Barbara) and went snooping around the old Cerveteca location. I was able to confirm that 523 Rose Ave. will indeed soon be home to a branch of the Australian chain.

Matthew Kenney’s New Deli Opening April 15th In Venice

Posted on March 23, 2018 by toddrickallen

I first noticed that something was happening to the space at 2524 Pacific Ave. in Venice back in February of last year. A sign on the front informed us that a new organic, plant-based deli was moving in. As it turns out, the deli is a project of a familiar name, Chef and restaurateur Matthew Kenney. A little over a year later, the new deli, whose name is New Deli, will open April 15th (according to Plant Based News) with a selection of coffee, juice, beer, wine, and sundries.

Boca De Agua Bringing Icy Treats To Abbot Kinney

Posted on October 26, 2017 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed that a new frozen treat store is landing at 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice. Self-described ice cream shop Boca De Agua is looking to open on the über-hip high street. Apparently, they had hoped to open as of last month, but it looks like they’re running a bit behind…

New Life For Willie Jane In Venice?

Posted on July 18, 2017 by toddrickallen

When Govind Armstrong’s southern-inflected hot spot Willie Jane disappeared at 1031 Abbot Kinney in Venice, it caused a great deal of hoopla. Known for its popular biscuits, it closed up shop abruptly back in December. But something new is coming to the space. And according to the recently posted ABC change of ownership application, the new restaurant is named as Willie Jane as well, although this doesn’t necessarily indicate the final name of the new eatery. A name listed on the application is one long associated with Abbot Kinney, Dan Abrams. I don’t have much information on this, but if you’re curious, here’s a place to start looking…

The Pie Hole Expands Into Venice

Posted on April 25, 2017 by toddrickallen

This food scene on this formerly bleak little stretch of Lincoln is really taking off… Paper is up in the window of the space at 324 Lincoln Blvd.in Venice announcing that sweet and savory pastry specialist The Pie Hole is digging in, right next to the recently opened Cava Grill. Looks like they’re shooting for a Spring opening.

A New Organic Plant Based Deli & Juice Bar Is Coming To Venice

Posted on February 21, 2017 by toddrickallen

I don’t have much information on this… A notice is up on the small neighborhood market that used to be the location of Sal’s Deli at 2524 Pacific Ave. in Venice declaring that the space will soon house an “organic plant based deli” and “organic juice bar”. The telephone number on the banner connects to something called “Gold Coast Properties”. As always, I’ll keep watching.

Tocaya Organica Expanding Into Santa Monica

Posted on January 25, 2017 by toddrickallen

Ever since short-lived Aestus vacated their space at 507 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, I’ve been carefully watching to see what would move in. Well, now we know… The windows were recently papered over informing us that the good people of Santa Monica will soon be able to partake of “modern organic Mexican” at an upcoming branch of Tocaya Organica. With branches in West Hollywood, Venice, and Miami, it looks like in they will also be expanding to Westwood and Hollywood as well, according to their website.

Chaya Venice Presses The Refresh Button

Posted on September 15, 2016 by toddrickallen

Asian-fusion standard Chaya Venice has long held down the corner of Navy and Main in Venice. And it looks like it’s about time for a little revamp. The place is gutted, and a notice in the window lets us know that they have closed for a remodel. They’re promising to throw the doors back open by late September with their shiny new look.

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Chez Tex Brings Coffee, Food, And Wine Soon To Main St. In Venice

Posted on April 22, 2016 by toddrickallen

So, I’ve been watching the tiny space at 218 Main St. in Venice (Santa Monica adjacent) ever since I noticed a small notice pasted on the front that indicated the storefront was being outfitted as a restaurant. But I couldn’t get any info until this week… Paper covering the side of the plywood tells us that the new eatery will be something called Chez Tex. A quick search directed me to the still-developing website, informing us that Chez Tex will be an “all-day eatery” serving coffee, food, and wine. I’ll keep my eye out for more information.

ChezTex

Kippy’s! Set To Deliver Icy Treats To Main St. In Venice Soon

Posted on January 19, 2016 by toddrickallen

I recently noticed a lot of activity in the space that used to house Italian coffee shop Spazio Caffe at 245 S. Main St. in Venice. As it turns out, the store is being readied for its new inhabitant, none other than Kippy’s! ice cream shop. They’ll be closing their current location at 326 Lincoln Blvd. by Friday January 22nd. And it looks like they’re hoping to start peddling their organic, non-dairy “scoops of happiness” by the end of January or early February in their new location.

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