We’ve long known that local institution Noma Sushi would be forced to close due to a proposed redevelopment of the property at 2031 Wilshire. Readers have been repeatedly asking me what would happen to the beloved neighborhood fave. Now we have answers: Signs are up indicating that Noma is moving across the street, to 2020 Wilshire (most recently occupied by Senator Jones), in a property owned by the same landlord as the current location. You’re welcome…
I recently noticed a new sign up on the shuttered Jonah’s Kitchen + Bar space at 2518 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica. According to their Instagram page, the new business, Big Sur Grill, is a rebranding of Jonah’s. While I don’t have much more information, it appears Big Sur Grill will be a “brand new fresh dining concept” with a focus on “live fire cuisine by Chef Philip Wojtowicz“.
Something new is coming to the glacial redevelopment of The Now shopping center (formerly Granville Plaza) at 11819 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. There’s window paper up on space #103 announcing the arrival of Lotus Indian Cafe. Lotus‘ menu offers an interesting fusion of Indian and Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and American food. Look for such things as butter chicken pizza, chicken tikka quesadilla, and gobi Manchurian. Lotus doesn’t have a big footprint yet, but you can explore more about them here.
This is a public service announcement: Finding a great weekend brunch spot in LA is essential, and also not easy. Freshly opened new neighborhood fave Diner Antonette, at 1215 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica, will open with their inaugural brunch this Saturday and Sunday on their new back patio. You’re welcome.
This landed in my inbox:
“Hidden gem New York Bagel Deli implements an international bakery and interior makeover by husband-and-wife team, Lenny Rosenberg and Adaeze Nwanonyiri in Santa Monica. The store’s name has been ever so slightly changed to New York Bagel Deli & Bakery. The international and multicultural bakery includes chocolate dipped Danish Almond Horns, Italian Rainbow Cookies, French toast bagels and a gluten free Sprinkle Butter cookies. All bakery items are made in house daily. NYBD & Bakery also features the couples international baking book, “It’s a Sweet World, International Recipes Around The Globe“. For more information, visit their website: http://www.nybdbakery.com“
New York Bagel Deli & Bakery is located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica. They are open from 5am to 3pm Monday through Thursday, and until 4pm Friday and Saturday. We wish them the best of luck.
Local “Texas Kitchen” chain HomeState is expanding to Santa Monica. There’s a banner up on the old Fresh Corn Grill space at 720 Wilshire Blvd. #101 announcing the news. HomeState has eight other locations around SoCal and is known for tacos, migas, queso, Frito pie, house-made flour tortillas, and margaritas.
Update: A recent sign is announcing that Home State will open on November 25.
I’ve long known that Northern California’s legendary diner darling Gott’s Roadside was taking over the space at 401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 140, most recently home to the short-lived Osteria Del Fornaio, but I only pass on information when I have concrete evidence. Now I do. A “notice of non-responsibility” recently went up on the front door naming the new tenant as Gott’s. Along with their other new location coming to The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax, this is their first push into SoCal. Gott’s Roadside began in Napa Valley and has since grown to eight current locations, offering an innovative “modern take on American roadside classics” that you can check out here. Looks like they’re aiming for a Spring 2026 opening.
The former bank building on the corner of Wilshire and Berkley in Santa Monica, now known as Berkley Street Market, has been transforming into a food destination. The Market, which can boast delicious egg tarts at Paderia, burgers at Palms N’ Patties, sando at Katsu Bar, and acai at Oakberry, is now adding another option. Window paper is letting us know that a new purveyor of pies named Pizza Fling is settling in at 1211 Berkley #1.
For five long years, people have been demanding answers about what would take over the old Ingo’s Tasty Diner space at 1215 Wilshire Blvd. I’ve occasionally given updates as they became available, but due to various obstacles, the new restaurant took a frustratingly long time to open. So, to all those people who’ve been waiting comes this happy news: Diner Antonette officially threw open their doors on Tuesday (June 17). In addition to the eatery, which is still an LGO Hospitality Group brand, there is now a retail “La Grande Orange Grocery” (wine, gifts, books) in the old Vienna Bakery location next door. The menu has some of the old Ingo’s classics like crispy brussel sprouts and mezze spreads, and there are new items like Bombay crispy chicken, and dungeness crab & lobster with handmade pasta. They are currently open from 4pm to 10:30pm. You’re welcome.
As a public service announcement, I feel compelled to tell you the news about everyone’s favorite weekend brunch spot, Bru’s Wiffle, at 2408 Wilshire in Santa Monica. Frequently seen with lines out the door, Bru’s has decided to team up with another brunch power spot across the street, Flapjax Diner (same owners). According to a notice on the door, they will be operating at Flapjax Tuesday through Thursday from 8am to 2pm. Then on Friday through Sunday, they will be back at their original location from 8am to 3pm. Now you know…
(Thanks Debbie!)
Another new eatery is landing in the new shopping center that was formerly a bank on the corner of Wilshire and Berkeley in Santa Monica, the same shopping center (3032 Wilshire) that is home to Oakberry Acai and delightful Portuguese egg tart purveyor Paderia. Their new neighbor will be Palms n’ Patties. And what is that? Their menu appears to be straightforward burgers and fries.
The space at 11916 Wilshire in Brentwood has gone through a number of incarnations over the last few years. Most recently it was The Upper Crust Pizza. Before that it was a French restaurant, and before that another pizzeria. But now a new name has gone up on the iconic sign: Doner Corner is moving in and refurbishing the space. Promising “the true essence of Turkish cuisine”, you can expect a menu of doner, falafel, kibbeh, hummus, and more.
Local laid-back neighborhood spot Ingo’s Tasty Diner, at 1213 Wilshire in Santa Monica, has been closed for years. What was expected to be a quick remodel started… and then completely stopped. Over a year ago, a new spate of construction prompted me to write an update. Not much happened after that and many believed that the project was dead. Recently however, there is renewed activity. As you may recall, Ingo’s has taken over the old Vienna Bakery space next door. Window paper has gone up with images of New York, LA, and even Julia Child, and there is a paper in one of the windows with the name Diner Antonette. LGO Hospitality Group (the parent company for Ingo’s, The Misfit, Luggage Room Pizza, and others) is still behind the project, and the website promises a return of Ingo’s Tasty Diner. Why the delay? I’m told that parts of the building are historic and complicated the permit process. But now construction is fast and furious (although they appear to have a way to go) and I’m also told they are hoping to be open by “The Holidays”.
Ever since well-regarded Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House ended its short life in the old P.F. Chang’s space on the corner of Wilshire and 4th in Downtown Santa Monica, people have been peppering me with questions about what was taking over. Construction began very quickly, and just last week, window paper went up announcing the new tenant. Mikomi Sushi was founded in Monrovia in 2007 with a mission to “provide food made with quality ingredients and equally quality service”. They offer a solid menu of sushi, sashimi, and rolls. This will be their third location, and they are aiming for an opening in early 2025.
Combining art with food/drink appears to be a trend in Santa Monica. I recently told you about The Splatter Studio, and now there’s another new venture as well. Billing itself as a “paint-your-own-pottery studio and cafe”, Clay Cafe is moving into the space at 620 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. Their website reveals that, in addition to the clay studio, they will operate a coffee shop that “serves a wide variety of hot and cold beverages and light snacks”.
This caught me by surprise, but I’ve been hearing rumors portending this for quite a while. Sadly, after an extensive build-out that culminated in a triumphant return to Santa Monica, Osteria Del Fornaio has closed its doors at 401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 140. People were genuinely excited when they opened only back in April of 2022, with a bright fresh look and a popular happy hour. I’m not sure what happened, but the space is currently being gutted. I’m told this location is not destined to be empty for long. More rumors are circulating about the new tenant, which I can’t confirm at this time. Watch this space…
It appears there’s a new sweet treat shop landing at 11918 Wilshire Blvd in LA. A banner us up announcing the arrival of Black Sugar Boba. It looks like they were aiming for an earlier opening, but their website still promises this location. Look for a menu of high-quality milk tea, matcha, cereal milks, smoothies, slushes, and fruit tea.
It appears that Brentwood is getting a new icy treat shop. The Now (formerly Granville Plaza) development, at 11819 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles, has been undergoing a remodel for a quite a while now. In space #102, the new tenant will be the first US location of Mimi Ice Cream. According to the website, Mimi Ice Cream was created in Armenia, where they operate 20 locations. They describe themselves as “leaders in the soft-serve ice cream market”. This location will carry 20 flavors, 12 of which will be permanent with 8 rotating flavors. And yes, I’m not kidding, there will be a curious emphasis on pickled vegetables and fruit. Interesting….
Ever since I first told you about Total Wine & More taking over the old CVS space at 12015 Wilshire Blvd over a year ago, I’ve been peppered with questions about an opening date. It took long enough, but to all those people who asked, I have this happy news. Total Wine & More is now open. You’re welcome.
This from my inbox… Just in time for summer. Night Market at the Bungalow began this week and will run every Thursday this summer from 5pm to 11pm until August 29. This event is free and open to the public and is promising “delectable cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, live music, and vibrant ambiance”. Check out the list of vendors here. The Bungalow is at 101 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica.
Toddrickallen 