Kaido Japanese Cuisine has had a difficult time of it. They were forced to relocate to 1049 Gayley in Westwood when their original location in a strip mall in Santa Monica was cleared to make room for another big development. And now, sadly, it appears they are done at their current location. There’s a large “available” sign on the front announcing the news.
Pieology Pizzeria ceased operations at 920 Broxton in Westwood Village back in 2018. The space has sat vacant ever since but that recently changed. Operating as a food truck in DTLA, Hibachi Papi recently opened a brick-and-mortar at this address. Look for a menu of bowls, plates, and fried rice all prepared with their signature “modern, up-scale Hibachi style”.
When NY-style coal-fired pizza joint Grimaldi’s closed in El Segundo, it was reported that they were moving to a Santa Monica takeaway operation in the office complex at 2501 Colorado. What wasn’t reported was that the new location will be inside yet another outpost of rapidly expanding ghost kitchen/food hall Kitchen United Mix, making this Santa Monica’s second branch. Currently at address there is an erstwhile Daily Grill and, more suitably, a cafeteria called Colorado Kitchen. Both Santa Monica locations of Kitchen United were shooting for an October opening, but as it stands, little work has been done at either. Nearby Westwood is also getting a branch as well.
The Gallery, at 1325 Third St. Promenade, managed to survive the Pandemic lock downs but mysteriously closed a while ago, prompting readers to pepper me with questions about its status. The Gallery had gone through a major redo not that long ago and was home to such eateries as Voltaggio STRFSH, Paperboy Pizza, Dialoque, and others. Then it went dark. But now we know what’s coming… There’s a notice up on the front that names the new eating hall as Kitchen United MIX. And what is that? It appears to be a chain of food halls that describes itself as, “the nation’s first ‘Multi-Restaurant Ordering’ to-go experience” that “allows foodie fans who love variety to order meals from 10+ restaurants, all on the same bill.” Kitchen United MIX has a few locations across the US and are planning on a major expansion. There are upcoming locations on the books for Westwood and Torrance as well. This location is aiming for an October opening. 
It was only back in April of last year when I told you about the devastating closure of local landmark Stan’s Donuts at 10948 Weyburn in Westwood. But all is not lost. Another longstanding legend, Primo’s Donuts, has taken over the space. Primo’s has been an LA institution on Sawtelle for over 60 years. This week the good people of Primo’s reached out to me to let me know that they will be throwing open their doors this Saturday, September 18th, and from 12pm to 1pm they will be handing out free “buttermilk bites”. Look for a menu of “espresso-based beverages and ice-cream donut sandwiches”, as well as well as classic raised donuts, and vegan and gluten-free options in a fresh, fully remodeled space. We wish them the best of luck.
There’s new window paper up at 10922 Kinross Ave. (corner of Gayley) in Westwood Village announcing a new eatery. I believe this was previously the home of Headlines Diner & Grill before it moved to Westwood Blvd., but I’m not sure… correct me if I’m wrong. At any rate, this corner space will soon a new branch of the popular purveyor of salads and bowls Sweetgreen.
A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Ely!) let me know that a new coffee shop is landing in Westwood. Window paper is announcing that expanding Australian coffee chain Bluestone Lane is moving into the former home of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at 950 Westwood Blvd. (corner of Weyburn). And check out their offer for free coffee everyday during opening week by scanning the code in the window (or in my photo below)…
Out of nowhere a new Mediterranean eatery has appeared in Marina Del Rey. With other locations in Westwood and Encino, Naab Cafe is now open at 4020C Lincoln Blvd. Expect a menu of small plates, sandwiches, falafel, and kebob.
When I let you know about the closure of iconic Stan’s Donuts at 10948 Weyburn in Westwood, I heard from many devastated locals who grew up eating the well-known sugary treats. Now it looks as though another old school donut shop is setting up housekeeping at that historic address on the corner. Window paper is informing us that Primo’s Donuts is taking over. Primo’s has been an LA institution on Sawtelle for over 60 years.
It looks like Westwood is about to get a branch of a beloved Hollywood institution. Banners are up on the corner location at 1898 Westwood Blvd. announcing an impending arrival of Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream. Mashti Malone’s has long been the temple for devotees of Persian-style ice cream and other treats.
On a tip from a reader (Thanks Ely!) I went by 1777 Westwood Blvd. to see what was going on with beloved Indonesian institution Ramayani. It looks like they won’t be reopening at this location. There’s a for lease sign hanging on the front. Truly a sad day for West LA’s dining scene. Their website does promise a resurrection in the San Fernando Valley “soon”. We wish them luck.
It appears that Westwood Village is about to get a new java joint. While there is no obvious sign, the windows of 1154 Westwood Boulevard (formerly site of Peet’s Coffee) are blackened with the words “But first, coffee”. You might recognize this phrase as the tagline for the sleek third-wave purveyor of caffeinated drinks Alfred Coffee.
And while we’re on the subject of pizza al taglio (Roman-style pizza baked in large rectangular pans and cut with scissors), a new pizza joint recently opened at 1091 Broxton in Westwood Village, formerly the home of Kopan Ramen which disappeared over the Summer. Prince of Venice Pasta & Pizza is apparently run by an actual Italian prince, Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, and started life as a food truck, making this location their first brick-and-mortar. In addition to pizza al taglio, there is a pasta lab where “guests will be able to watch hand-crafted, authentic Italian pasta being made” and sauced with fresh hand-made sauces. As you can see, the ABC application in the window lets us know that beer and wine are on the way. We wish them the best of luck.
I’ve been hearing from excited readers about the latest addition to the Westwood dining scene. So I went by to check it out. Nick The Greek Souvlaki & Gyro House is now up and running in the space that used to house D1 Cafe at 10959 Kinross. Nick The Greek operates a number of locations, mostly north of here. Look for a menu of, you guessed it, souvlaki and gyro, as well as falafel, burgers, salads, and soup. We wish them the best of luck…
On a tip from a reader (Thanks Jeremy!) I went by to check out what was going on in the bolthole space that used to be the home of L Kitchen at 952 Gayley in Westwood Village. Sure enough, paper is covering the window and informing us that something is coming. While I can’t read the writing on the front, one small detail is written in English: Let’s Go 4 Tea, which I’m guessing is the name. I assume that this will be another tea and boba shop. If you have other information, let me know…
It was a little over two years ago that I told you about the arrival of “Japanese izakaya” restaurant Kopan Ramen to the space at 1091 Broxton in Westwood. Sadly, it appears that they have given up the ghost. All signs are down and plywood still covers the front. I’ll keep watching to see what may develop.
With all the depressing news of closures, it’s good to see new restaurants coming. Back in October of last year, I told you about the disappearance of El Pollo Loco from its location at 1081 Gayley in Westwood. It appears a new eatery is going to give the space a go. Signs are up announcing that Dun Huang is moving in. I believe its the same Dun Huang that has locations in New York and one CA location in Rowland Heights. If that is the case, we can expect Northwestern Chinese food on offer, and apparently epic handmade noodles. We wish them the best of luck.
Window banners are up on part of the old Jerry’s Deli space at 10923 Weyburn Ave. in Westwood Village announcing a future home for Taiwanese treat chain Meet Fresh. The numbers are impressive: With locations around the world, they currently have 800+ stores, there are more than 100 cold and hot desserts on offer, and they claim more than 100 million bowls of their icy grass jelly signature are sold globally every year. The dizzying array of choices will also include such things as tofu pudding, milk tea, egg waffles, and taro balls, all made with traditional Taiwanese methods and the finest ingredients. Interesting…
Looks like there’s a new bubble tea spot in Westwood. In the location that used to house Coco Fresh at 10912 Le Conte Ave., a banner over the front door announces the grand opening of Ichi Tea & Sushi. We wish them the best of luck.
I’ve been hearing from horrified fans that, after 55 years, beloved pastry purveyor Stan’s Donuts has permanently closed in Westwood. A gracious note from Stan Berman on the front thanks patrons for their “support and friendship”. It appears the decision to close was in the works anyway, but COVID-19 sped things up.
Toddrickallen 