DOL Coffee House Coming To Santa Monica

The corner building at 1231 Wilshire has sat empty ever since the Krispy Kreme donut craze cooled and this location closed in 2021. The space now has a leased sign on the front, and I believe I know who the new tenant is. If you look carefully at the Instagram page of DOL Coffee House, you can see that the artist’s rendering of their new Santa Monica outpost has their signs up on this address. DOL has a location in Gardena and promises, “the most delicious Vietnamese drinks and desserts in the USA (Coffee, boba, and more)“.

Louma Bakery Coming To Santa Monica

A new baked treats shop is aiming to become “your favorite neighborhood bakery“. There’s window paper up on the corner space in the new development at 3223 Wilshire in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of Louma Bakery. Louma appears to be a new business, but this job listing lets us know what will be on offer: “breads (sourdough, baguette, rye bread…), [and] classic pastry (Danish and French style)“. Apparently, they are opening soon.

Joy Coming To Santa Monica

Readers have been writing in droves to let me know the exciting news that there’s a new ABC application at 418 Wilshire Blvd (once home to Wahoo’s Fish Tacos) announcing the arrival of Joy. This Joy will be their second LA location, the first being Joy on York in Highland Park. Joy specializes in “heartful, and authentic Taiwanese specialties” influenced by Taiwanese street food and night markets, served in a casual, cozy neighborhood setting. No word on an opening date, but until then read more about Joy here and here. With hip Shirube right next door, this stretch of Wilshire Blvd is certainly turning into an exciting dining destination.

Makenna Koffee Bringing Beach Vibes To Santa Monica

New signs are up on the old Del Taco location at 2425 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of a new java joint and drive through. Makenna Koffee describes itself as a “beach themed coffee shop” and has a smattering of locations across SoCal. While you’re waiting for your Maui latte to debut in Santa Monica, you can read more about the company here and their plans of expansion. (Thanks Carol!)

Noma Sushi Gets A New Home In Santa Monica

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…

Jonah’s Rebrands As Big Sur Grill In Santa Monica

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“.

Lotus Indian Cafe Coming To Brentwood

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. Lotusmenu 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.

Diner Antonette Opens For Weekend Brunch

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.

New York Bagel Deli & Bakery Gets A Makeover In Santa Monica

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.

HomeState Texas Kitchen Coming To Santa Monica

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.

Gott’s Roadside Coming To Santa Monica

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.

Pizza Fling Coming To Santa Monica

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.

Diner Antonette Finally Opens In Santa Monica

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.

Bru’s Wiffle And Flapjax Diner Collab in Santa Monica

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!)

Palms N’ Patties Opening A Storefront In Santa Monica

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.

Doner Corner Coming To Brentwood

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.

What’s Going On At Ingo’s Tasty Diner?

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 AntonetteLGO 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”.

Mikomi Sushi Replacing Lotus Dim Sum In Downtown Santa Monica

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.

Clay Cafe Combining Art/Coffee Shop In Santa Monica

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”.