Osteria Del Fornaio Disappears From Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on September 3, 2024 by toddrickallen

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…

Black Sugar Boba Coming To West LA

Posted on August 23, 2024 by toddrickallen

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.

Mimi Ice Cream Combining Pickles and Ice Cream In Brentwood Soon

Posted on August 20, 2024 by toddrickallen

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….

Total Wine & More Finally Opens In Brentwood

Posted on August 12, 2024 by toddrickallen

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.

Night Market At The Bungalow Bringing Summer Fun To Santa Monica

Posted on June 7, 2024 by toddrickallen

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.

Petit Grain Boulangerie Opens Today In Santa Monica

Posted on May 1, 2024 by toddrickallen

A highly anticipated bakery throws open its doors today at 7:30am. Already garnering much attention in the LA pastry world, Petit Grain Boulangerie takes over the old Broadway Baker space at 1209 Wilshire Blvd. As you can see from the line that formed ahead of their opening this morning, Petit Grain is poised to take the Westside by storm. Read more about the new hotspot here. We wish them the best of luck.

Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House Calls It Quits In Santa Monica

Posted on February 23, 2024 by toddrickallen

The troubled space on the corner of Wilshire and 4th in Downtown Santa Monica has had its share of issues. For a long while, it was a sputtering branch of P.F. Chang’s. That disappeared in 2021. Then a new contender, Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House, gave the spot a chance and opened about a year and a half ago. Sadly, it now appears they too have given up the ghost. I’ll keep watching to see what may give the commodious location a go.

Oakberry Coming To Montana Ave.

Posted on February 7, 2024 by toddrickallen

Santa Monica is about to get its second branch of international acai experts Oakberry (the first location is on the corner of Berkeley and Wilshire). There’s window paper across two storefronts at 705 and 707 Montana Ave announcing the news. Oakberry offers acai that is 100% natural with no food coloring, artificial preservatives, or guarana syrup. They operate a number of locations in Brazil and continue an impressive international expansion.

Jin Cook Bringing Korean Soul Food To Santa Monica Soon…

Posted on January 29, 2024 by toddrickallen

A happy new food choice is coming to Santa Monica soon… There’s window paper up on the space at most recently occupied by Luna Grill at 3001 Ste 103 Wilshire Blvd. announcing the impending arrival of Jin Cook. Promising “Authentic Korean Soul Food”, Jin Cook has locations in Glendale and Santa Clarita and offers an exciting menu of soups, “hot stone” dishes, pancakes, and katsu.

Update: Jin Cook is now open.

Kalaveras Quits Santa Monica

Posted on January 22, 2024 by toddrickallen

Well, I can’t exactly say this was a surprise… While other locations of Mexican party spot Kalaveras are quite popular, Santa Monica’s branch has long struggled to attract crowds. Perhaps this was because of the cursed location (it was previously the doomed home of Belcampo), or its proximity to perennially popular El Cholo across the street. But whatever the reason, Kalaveras has abandoned this location at 1026 Wilshire Blvd. I’ll keep watching the tricky space to see what may develop…

Vanilla Bake Shop Closes After 16 Years, Replacement Named

Posted on December 4, 2023 by toddrickallen

I must say, this is a bit of shock… Riding the cupcake wave of the early 2000s, Vanilla Bake Shop burst on the scene 16 years ago and quickly became Santa Monica’s go-to spot for baked treats. Sadly, they have quit their longtime location at 512 Wilshire Blvd. A gracious note in the window thanks their customers and introduces a new bakery to take over: The Butter End Cakery. Apparently, the LAX location of Vanilla Bake Shop is still up and running.

Update: The Butter End Cakery is now open at this location. (09/2024)

Maru Sushi Bringing “Ramen / Ezakaya” To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on November 8, 2023 by toddrickallen

There’s a new banner hanging over 331 Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. The space has long sat empty since Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails closed up shop during The Pandemic. The name on the banner is Maru Sushi and underneath that, it promises “ramen / ezakaya“. I’m unable to find any more information about the new eatery as there are a number or restaurants that use the word “Maru” in their name, so if you know more, reach out to me…

Total Wine & More Coming To Brentwood

Posted on June 29, 2023 by toddrickallen

Good People of Brentwood, you’re about to be spoiled for choice when it comes to wine, beer, and spirits. A sharp-eyed reader noticed the ABC application on the front of the cavernous old CVS space at 12015 Wilshire Blvd. The application spills the beans that Brentwood will be getting its verey own location of retail alcohol superstore Total Wine & More.

(Thanks John!)

Banana Leaf Expanding To Brentwood

Posted on May 31, 2023 by toddrickallen

I told you two years ago when Brentwood’s fave watering hole/pickup joint Cabo Cantina, at 11829 Wilshire, fell victim to the Pandemic. The space has sat empty ever since. That’s about to change. A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Matt!) spotted an ABC application on the front of the address that confirms that Banana Leaf is moving in. Bringing a much-needed and refreshing injection into the Brentwood food scene, Banana Leaf has five other LA locations and offers a menu they describe as a “balance between classics and progressive Indian cuisine”.

Ingo’s Tasty Diner’s Triumphant Return To Santa Monica

Posted on April 21, 2023 by toddrickallen

Normally, I do my own investigating, but I’m hearing from so many people on this story that I’m simply passing on the information others have shared with me. With its buzzy bar and laid-back comfort food, the closure of local fave Ingo’s Tasty Diner, at 1215 Wilshire, was a real blow to neighborhood. Plywood went up on the front, and not much happened after that… until recently. Construction has been fast and furious, which prompted readers to check into what was going on. They’ve uncovered that Ingo’s will be reopening at this location (their website confirms a Summer opening) and that they are expanding into the old Vienna Bakery space next door, possibly meaning more baked goods on menu. Also there are whisperings of a beer garden in the back as well. Let me know if you have any more information. (Thanks to Kurt, Rob, and others)

JP’s Bar & Grill Returning To Santa Monica

Posted on April 14, 2023 by toddrickallen

A little over a year ago, I told you about some activity at 925 Wilshire Blvd.# C in Santa Monica. At the time, all I could discern wat the new establishment was associated with JP’s Bar and Grill, a fave neighborhood watering hole at Wilshire and 11th that had shuttered during the Pandemic. I even reached out to the people behind JP’s, but at the time, they didn’t wish to share any details, so I only referred to the location as “a new JP’s project”. Now a liquor license has gone up on the space, (perhaps) putting an end to the mystery. The business name is clearly listed as JP’s Bar & Grill.

Katsu Bar Bringing Curry & Sandos To Santa Monica

Posted on March 20, 2023 by toddrickallen

The former bank building at 3032 Wilshire, on the corner of Berkeley and Wilshire in Santa Monica, continues its transformation into a food destination. There are the delightful Portuguese egg tarts from Paderia at the back of the building, and in the front, you can get your acai at Oakberry. Soon you can add one more choice. Signs recently went up on Suite B4, on the Berkeley side of the building, announcing a new “curry & sando” spot: Katsu Bar. Katsu Bar has a smattering of locations throughout SoCal and offers a menu of appetizers, salads, chicken or pork katsu sandwiches and sandos, and curry bowls.

Laki Ramen Coming To Mid-City

Posted on March 6, 2023 by toddrickallen

In a recent post about Mid-City, I opined about the plethora of empty storefronts along Wilshire Blvd. One plucky contender appears to be bucking the trend and is moving into a space along the storied stretch of boulevard. There’s a banner up at 6254 Wilshire (formerly home to Pita Kitchen) announcing the impending arrival of Laki Ramen.

Genki Grill, Spare Tire Kitchen Disappear From Mid-City

Posted on February 26, 2023 by toddrickallen

A concerned reader (Thanks Lisa!) took the time to let me know about some recent blows to the Mid-City food scene. Korean eatery Genki Grill is now closed at 6355 Wilshire. A little farther East, gastropub Spare Tire Kitchen & Tavern has completely disappeared from its erstwhile location at 5370 Wilshire. I’m not sure what this portends, but there do seem to be an awful lot of empty storefronts along Wilshire Blvd.

The Auld Fella Set To Breathe New Life Into Brentwood’s Bar Scene

Posted on February 11, 2023 by toddrickallen

You may recall that the Pandemic Closures hit bars particularly hard, and Brentwood’s local watering hole Bru Haus at 11831 Wilshire Blvd. was no exception: It closed in 2020. Then it appeared that the location was going to get an island-themed restaurant named Morabeza, but that never materialized. Now there’s a new ABC application posted on the front listing the new tenant as The Auld Fella. The Auld Fella describes itself as “an Irish joint” and currently has a location in Culver City. Hopefully their arrival will bring new life to Brentwood’s once-thriving bar scene.

(Thanks John!

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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