Le Phant Milk Tea Co. Coming To Westwood Village

Posted on April 11, 2024 by toddrickallen

It looks like a new specialty drink spot is setting up housekeeping at 10911 Lindbrook in Westwood Village. There’s a large banner over the former Yogurtland space announcing the arrival of Le Phant Milk Tea Co. Not much on social media yet, but we have this from the Westwood Village Business Directory: “We are 2 quirky twenty-agers who want to share our best version of milk teas. We brew premium loose-leaf teas, mix it with our house creamer (no preservative-filled powders utilized), and add on made-from-scratch muscovado brown sugar boba. We can’t wait to serve you all.” We wish them the best of luck…

Pret A Manger Finally Landing In LA

Posted on April 3, 2024 by toddrickallen

While there is already a (sort of) branch of British powerhouse sandwich chain Pret a Manger at Tom Bradley in LAX, Los Angeles is about to get its very own stand-alone location. Also simply known as Pret, there is new window paper up at 901 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood Village announcing the happy news. If you are unfamiliar with the brand, Pret a Manger (which means ready to eat in French) is a popular grab-and-go prepared sandwich chain that began life in 1983 in London and has since spread to many countries and locations across the globe (including New York and Chicago), and soon here as well. While I don’t know what the menu will be like here in LA, I can tell you that when I’m in London, which is usually about once a year, I never miss the opportunity to grab one of their delectable super fresh sandwiches. I usually stuff a few in my suitcase as well. This is certainly exciting news….

Update: This is apparently a developing story, and readers are writing to let me know a branch is heading for the old Breadblok space in Studio City, as well as possibly at least one more somewhere else…

Primo’s Donuts Departs Westwood

Posted on January 16, 2024 by toddrickallen

This story saddens me… When local institution Stan’s Donuts closed their longtime home at 10948 Weyburn in Westwood during COVID in 2020, locals were literally devastated. Then came a plucky new contender to fill the historic shoes, Primo’s Donuts. I can personally vouch for how hard this business worked to remain relevant to the community. They frequently sent me information on special promotions and deals they were offering. So it is with a heavy heart that I let you know that, after a little over two years, Primo’s Donuts has closed down this location (Their Sawtelle and Topanga Social locations remain open). Read more about their reasons for the closure here…

House Of Mandi Bringing Yemeni Food To Westwood

Posted on September 20, 2023 by toddrickallen

It caused quite a stir when I reported that New York’s noodle expert Dun Huang was moving into the former El Pollo Loco space at 1081 Gayley in Westwood Village. For whatever reason, that never happened. Now the address appears to be getting a new tenant. Signs are already up announcing the arrival of House of Mandi. House of Mandi has a location in Anaheim and specializes in Yemeni food which you can read more about here.

Honey Krush Replaces Kung Fu Tea In Westwood Village

Posted on September 15, 2023 by toddrickallen

That didn’t take long… It was only last month when I told you about the disappearance of Kung Fu Tea and TKK Fried Chicken from the diminutive space at 1136 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood Village. Wasting no time, a new purveyor of organic drinks, Honey Krush, has quickly set up housekeeping. If they’re not already open by the time you read this, they will be shortly…

We Roll Nori Now Dishing Fish In Westwood

Posted on September 7, 2023 by toddrickallen

The unassuming space at 10912 Le Conte Ave in Westwood Village has seen a number of food and drink vendors come and go. The most recent (I believe) was Ichi Tea & Sushi, and before that, Coco Fresh. Now a new contender is giving the tricky space a go. We Roll Nori has set up housekeeping at this address and is delivering a menu that focuses on onigiri, misubi, and hand rolls.

Kung Fu Tea, TKK Fried Chicken Quit Westwood

Posted on August 8, 2023 by toddrickallen

This has been a full circle for one of my my readers… Back in March of 2022, JP wrote to tell me about an exciting new project coming to 1136 Westwood Blvd. in Westwood Village. What was exciting was that the self-described “largest bubble tea brand in America”, Kung Fu Tea, was opening a storefront in collaboration with Taiwanese brand TKK Fried Chicken at this address. Sadly, JP recently wrote to me again to let me know that the experiment appears to have folded and the space is now empty once again.

(Thanks JP!)

Native Foods Closes In Westwood

Posted on June 23, 2023 by toddrickallen

Sad news for Westwood Village… Los Angeles’ last outpost of vegan eatery Native Foods is closing today (June 23). A somber note on the front expresses gratitude and announces the permanent departure from their long-held address at 1114 Gayley Ave. There is a glimmer of hope though: The note also says that they are searching for a new Westwood location. We wish them the best of luck. Until then, if you’re missing their signature plant-based sandwiches, you can still find locations in San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs.

(Thank you Leslie!)

IXLB Dimsum Eats Coming To Westwood Village

Posted on May 22, 2023 by toddrickallen

One a tip from a reader, I went by 1151 Westwood Blvd, previously home to a branch of Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, to see what was going on. A banner on the front lets us know that IXLB Dimsum Eats is taking up housekeeping at this address. IXLB has a location in Hollywood, and offers a solid menu of dumplings, rice, and noodles.

(Thanks Gary!)

STK Coming To Westwood Village (Maybe?)

Posted on March 10, 2023 by toddrickallen

The Westwood Village restaurant scene took a serious hit when once-popular Napa Valley Grille closed a few years back. The cavernous space at 1100 Glendon Ave. has sat empty ever since, but that’s (possibly) about to change. Thank you to all the readers who wrote to tell me about a new “general eating place” ABC application on the front door that says STK is taking over the address. You may recall that STK Steakhouse moved into The W Hotel, just up the street in 2015. I’ve contacted both The W and STK and neither claimed to know anything about this application. On the contrary, I was assured by both that they knew of no plans to move STK out of The W Hotel. Therefore, at the time of this writing, I don’t have any information on whether this is a move, a duplicate, a subsidiary company, or something else entirely. Let me know if you have any info, otherwise, I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

Dunkin’ Donuts Opens Today In Westwood Village

Posted on January 12, 2023 by toddrickallen

Every once in a while, I’m surprised by the number of people tracking a seemingly innocuous story. This is one of those times. So, for all you have been wondering when the Dunkin’ Donuts would be opening in Westwood, this is for you: Dunkin’ Donuts officially throws open its doors today at 9am at 1001 Gayley in Westwood Village. (Thursday 01/12/2023) You’re Welcome.

Egg Tuck Coming To Westwood Village

Posted on October 9, 2022 by toddrickallen

Back in February I reported that something called Alligot Sandwich was taking over the old Kaido space at 1049 Gayley in Westwood. That sign is still in the window, but a new banner now hangs over the storefront letting us all know that self-described “Egg Sandwich & Coffee Concept” Egg Tuck is moving in. Egg Tuck has two other LA locations and specializes in Korean “tucked in” style breakfast sandwiches served on brioche that look nothing short of amazing. Check them out for yourself here.

Dunkin’ Donuts Comes To Westwood Village

Posted on July 22, 2022 by toddrickallen

The troubled corner space at 1001 Gayley in Westwood Village was most recently and briefly the home to juice shop Qwench, and before that it was a branch of Coffee Bean. Now a reader (Thanks Kiko!) wrote to tell me that a new coffee joint is taking over to location. It appears that national chain Dunkin’ Donuts will soon be dishing breakfast pastries and sugary coffee drinks to the good people of Westwood.

Tulsi Bringing Plant-based “Modern Indian” To Westwood Village

Posted on July 2, 2022 by toddrickallen

A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Kiko!) noticed window paper up on the former home of Veggie Grill at 10916 Lindbrook in Westwood Village. The paper promises us a branch of “modern fast-casual Indian eatery” Tulsi. Tulsi has two other locations in LA (with the ambitious goal to eventually bring “Indian food into every neighborhood”) and offers a menu of plant-based faves including dosa, samosas, kathi rolls, dabeli, and even a few tacos.

Kung Fu Tea, TKK Fried Chicken Bringing NY/Taiwan Flavors To Westwood Village

Posted on March 13, 2022 by toddrickallen

A reader (Thanks Jeremy!) noticed a banner hanging over the front of the space that used to be home to D’Amore’s Pizza at 1136 Westwood Blvd. The banner announces a collab between Kung Fu Tea and TKK Fried Chicken. Kung Fu Tea originated in Queens NY and is the self-proclaimed largest bubble tea brand in America. TKK Fried Chicken began life in Taipei in 1974 and promises to have us say, “Cluck yeah”.

Uranus 27 Fresh Boba Tea Now Open In Westwood

Posted on March 5, 2022 by toddrickallen

The space at 10912 Le Conte Ave. in Westwood Village has had a number of tea shops as residents over the years. A plucky new contender is giving the location a go. Uranus 27 Fresh Boba Tea recently opened and is now dishing their proprietary traditional tea, milk tea, smoothies, and slushes. Uranus has other locations in Upland and Glendora as well.

Wildbird Landing In Westwood Village

Posted on February 18, 2022 by toddrickallen

It appears a new purveyor of poultry is coming at 10917 Lindbrook Dr. in Westwood Village, previously home to Think Halal Grill. Window paper is up on the space announcing that a second branch of Hollywood’s Wildbird is settling in. Wildbird prides itself on offering chicken that is “antibiotic free, hunanely raised, [and] free-range… from local farmers we trust like Jidori”. The birds are marinated overnight in a “citrus-herb blend of spices”, then seared, and finally slow-roasted and served with a variety of sides and salsas.

Alligot Sandwich Coming To Westwood

Posted on February 16, 2022 by toddrickallen

Looks like there’s a new sandwich spot coming to 1049 Gayley in Westwood Village, formerly home to Kaido. Window paper is announcing the arrival of Alligot Sandwich. A cursory search turns up recipes for pommes aligot (French mashed potato with cheese) and alligator sandwiches (apparently a thing in Louisiana), but nothing on Alligot Sandwich. If you have more information, pass it along…

Primo’s Donuts Has Your Rams Donuts…

Posted on January 28, 2022 by toddrickallen

I know people are scrambling to get their hands on Rams-themed treats as the football team charges toward The Super Bowl. Thankfully the good people at Primo’s Donuts wrote to tell me they are offering “blue and gold LA-themed, limited edition donuts shaped like a football” this weekend and next, (Friday through Sunday) until February 13th. Primo’s is at 2918 Sawtelle Blvd, and in Westwood at 10948 Weyburn Avenue. I would advise getting there early…

(Photo: Bel Air Branding)

Dun Huang Done In Westwood?

Posted on November 21, 2021 by toddrickallen

It caused quite a stir when I reported that LA was to get a branch of New York’s Dun Huang at 1081 Gayley in Westwood. Dun Huang specializes in Northwest Chinese food and was known for their impressive noodles. But now there’s a ‘spaces available’ sign hanging on the front and a look through he paper on the front door reveals that interior is gutted and hasn’t been touched in a long time. Does this mean after all that effort, they are done? I’ll keep watching…

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

Tag Archives: Westwood Village