Consistently rated as one of LA’s best burgers, For the Win has a very devoted fan base. With 10 locations across SoCal, it appears they are adding one more. A sharp-eyed reader noticed the small notices in the window of 1947 Westwood Blvd. (right next to Feast from the East) announcing the impending arrival of the celebrated burger joint.
(Thanks Stephen!)
Ice Cream people, you’re in luck. A brand-new branch of old school ice cream brand Baskin-Robbins is opening in the strip mall at 11870 Santa Monica Blvd. (near Bundy). Baskin-Robbins began life in 1945 in Glendale offering 31 flavors. It has since spread to over 2,400 US locations, and according to the website, 1,400 flavors are now on offer.
Signs are up and the construction is nearly complete at the new poultry purveyor moving into 10914 W Pico Blvd. Saucy Bird looks ready to throw open its doors soon. While their website is still being developed, I believe wings will be on offer.
(Thanks Spencer!)
It looks like a new healthy option is heading to the new West Edge development, on the corner of Bundy and Olympic, at 12121 W Olympic Blvd. There’s window paper on one of the spaces in the retail section of the massive complex, near the flashy new Gelson’s, announcing the arrival of Clean Juice. Clean Juice has locations throughout the US, but the closest current one to LA is in Agoura Hills. They offer a menu of juices and food that is “delicious, organic, fresh, and clean”. Check out their selection of juices, smoothies, salads, bowls, and sandwiches here.
I know this is being widely reported in other places, but I’m still receiving messages from shocked readers so I’m passing this on as well. West LA’s fave nostalgic poultry purveyor Dinah’s Family Restaurant is closing at their longtime location of 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd. Open since 1959, Dinah’s drips with childhood memories for many locals, and I personally know people who make a pilgrimage to Dinah’s on their birthdays. All is not lost though, a large banner on the front informs us that they are moving to a new location at 4130 Sepulveda Suite G, with an opening date of May 6th. Thanks to all who wrote to let me know…
A well-known farmer’s market fixture appears to be getting a brick-and-mortar in Palms. A very sharp-eyed reader noticed the (very faint) window paper up on the space at used to be the home to C&M Cafe, at 10640 Woodbine St (corner of Overland). Daniel’s Bagels offers a solid menu of hand-made bagel standards that have quickly become local favorites.
(Thanks Daniel!)
Tucked into a corner space at Found Santa Monica, at 12311 Santa Monica Blvd, is a build-out on a new Mexican restaurant. Promising “lobster tacos” and “beach vibes”, The Cliffdiver appears to be settling in. The Cliffdiver has a location in Thousand Oaks and boasts a menu of favorites (and a good happy hour) in a chill setting.
It appears that folks in the new Google building on Pico will have a sweet choice for lunch. Jennifer Pinnifer Bakes is moving from their old location on National to 10839 W Pico Blvd, directly across from the complex. Jennifer Pennifer Bakes, known for their handcrafted gourmet cheesecakes, also boasts a menu organic sandwiches, salads and other treats. It looks like they’re planning on opening in the new location on 11/22, or at least that’s what the chalkboard in the window says. (Thanks Brad!)
I’m sure you’ve noticed that Santa Monica Blvd. on the Westside has been undergoing a major gentrification of late. An indication of this is the new Starbucks that is coming to the corner of Purdue and SMB, at 11401 W Santa Monica Blvd. This would normally be unremarkable news, except that this will only be the third stand alone branch of the coffee chain on the Boulevard between the 405 and The Beach (the others being at 26th and Bundy), and that is a little remarkable for this neck of the woods.
The marquis with the mustachioed chef announced Iranian restaurant Javan for many years at 11500 Santa Monica Blvd. Then Javan transformed into another Persian eatery Safir, which closed last fall. But apparently all is not lost for the plucky purveyor of Persian food. Notices are taped to the windows triumphantly declaring that “Javan is back”. What that looks like exactly, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
It appears that West LA’s branch of Ono Hawaii BBQ has gotten into a bit of hot water at 12115 Santa Monica Blvd. There’s a closure notice affixed to the front door from the Department of Public Health citing “live cockroaches”. Not sure what their path forward will be, but we wish them the best of luck.
I just noticed that Chicken Dijon at 2224 Sawtelle Blvd. in West Los Angeles has officially flown the coop. And replacing it? A branch of Orange County’s purveyor of Taiwanese poultry Popcorn Chicken.
Back in January, I noticed that a new restaurant and wine bar was moving into the space at 11916 Wilshire that formerly housed the beloved, fusty West Los Angeles fixture Divita’s Pizzeria. At the time, the paper covering the windows promised us that the new restaurant would be local and independent and brought to us by Vincent & Chase. The landmark marquis that loudly proclaimed Divita’s location for over 40 years now has a new look. It appears that the name of the new eatery will be Belle Vie Food & Wine. The signage seems to indicate that new place will have some reference to France, but I can’t find out much more information other than a Facebook page and this, which seems to reference the French Chef Gilles Stassart and his open air restaurant Art Home at Paris’ Le Palais de Tokyo. The mystery continues…
For some indeterminable reason, a great many of you have been fascinated with the leaden progress of the two westernmost outlets of “best boba alive” chain Honey Boba. I haven’t the faintest why it takes them so very long to open: The LA branch at 11573 W. Santa Monica Blvd. has been sitting idle since 2014. But there’s been a glimmer of hope… Hawthorne’s cheerful branch of Honey Boba has now opened in the Glen Court shopping center at 5267 Rosecrans Ave. Read more about them and find other locations here.
After over 40 years at 11916 Wilshire Blvd. in West Los Angeles, dusty landmark pizzeria Divita’s has closed its ancient doors. Wasting now time whatsoever, it appears a new tenant is moving in. The windows are papered over with quotes about wine from famous people and posted on the door is this mysterious message, “Coming Soon: Your new local and independent restaurant and wine bar”. The note is signed Vincent & Chase. I’m not sure if that’s the name of the new establishment or just the names of the proprietors. I guess we’ll have to wait and see…
Back in February, I told you about a new juice joint opening on the corner of Olympic and Westwood in West Los Angeles. Well, for all of you who have been waiting with bated breath, Pure Pressed Juice has thrown open its doors at 10844 West Olympic Blvd. Look for a menu of organic cold-pressed juices, almond milk, smoothies, and cleanses that you can read more about here.
Toddrickallen 