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.

800° Gives Up The Ghost In Santa Monica

Posted on October 21, 2022 by toddrickallen

I’ve been hearing from startled readers who have noticed that one of the last local branches of former pizza darling 800° Woodfired Kitchen has been taken off life support at 120 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Signs have been pulled down and the cavernous space has been gutted. 800° burst onto the scene a few years back wowing people with their innovative design-your-own assembly line approach using quality ingredients that produced a charred-crust pie that seemed like a revelation at the time. I’ll keep my eye on the tricky address to see what may move in.

Flapjax Replacing Bread & Porridge In Santa Monica

Posted on May 15, 2022 by toddrickallen

It was only a little over a month ago that I told you about the catastrophic loss of Santa Monica’s neighborhood fave Bread & Porridge. Thank you to all the readers who wrote to tell me about what would be replacing the beloved breakfast eatery. The windows are still papered over, but a notice on the front lets us know that something called Flapjax is quickly moving into the space at 2315 Wilshire. A cursory search reveals one familiar name associated with the new restaurant: Ebru Fidan Caplan. Caplan is the force behind another popular breakfast spot, Bru’s Wiffle.

Pacific Dining Car Will Not Be Pivoting To A New Restaurant In Santa Monica

Posted on October 29, 2021 by toddrickallen

Devoted fans were crushed last year when their favorite Westside dark bar for martinis and nostalgia, Pacific Dining Car, permanently closed during the Pandemic. But the door had been left open for a possible conversion of the iconic location into a new restaurant. Recently, a new “leased” sign appeared on the front and a renewed hope inspired my readers to pepper me with questions regarding the new establishment. Sadly, it appears that it will not be a new eatery. A notice posted on the front announces a hearing to to “allow a 24-hour emergency veterinary services to the existing building”. And sorry, I still don’t have any information on what may replace another Wilshire institution that fell victim to the Pandemic: Casa Escobar.

Trader Joe’s Wilshire Will Open On…

Posted on November 15, 2019 by toddrickallen

What must be the Westside’s worst-kept secret, Trader Joe’s arrival to the heart of Santa Monica has long been established. Ever since I first confirmed it to you earlier this year, I’ve been deluged with questions about an opening date from adoring fans who were geographically challenged by not having one in their backyard. So here ya go: Trader Joe’s Wilshire officially opens tomorrow, November 16th at 2300 Wilshire Blvd. You’re welcome.

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Bluestone Lane Paving The Way In Brentwood

Posted on July 17, 2019 by toddrickallen

If you’ve noticed all the construction on the building at 11601 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood, on the corner of Wilshire, you may be wondering what’s coming… Window paper recently went up letting us all know that the prominent location will soon be the home of Brentwood’s first branch of rapidly-expanding Australian coffee chain Bluestone Lane. Where to find parking on the busy corner is anyone’s guess…

Trader Joe’s Lands In MDR

Posted on March 16, 2019 by toddrickallen

Everyone’s fave grocery store Trader Joe’s is expanding its footprint on the Westside. I’ve been watching all the new construction along Admiralty in Marina del Rey to see what may develop. A large notice attached to the fence around the new building on the corner of Admiralty and Mindanao Way lets us know that this will soon be a branch of TJ’s. Don’t forget that there’s a brand new one going up on Wilshire and 23rd in Santa Monica as well. The Beach Communities will be spoiled for choice…

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Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

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