Category Archives: Closed

CPK Disappears from Brentwood

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The two second floor restaurants in Brentwood Gardens Plaza, at 11677 San Vicente Blvd, have always been a bit problematic.  I’ve long wondered if perhaps it is due to the fact that they’re not street-level.  The space currently operated by Ospi has been through a number of excellent iterations over the years.  But the other space has been home to California Pizza Kitchen for a very long time.  Sadly, that chapter has come to a close.  Readers have been letting me know that CPK has vacated the space.  While there are still many locations around, this location was dear for many as it was their first encounter with the revolutionary California Cuisine brand that invented “The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza“.

Recent Closures In Westwood Village

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Readers were sending me news of recent closures in Westwood Village, so I went by to have a look.  Sure enough, after five and a half years, Tocaya Organica has decamped from their commodious location at 1140 Gayley Ave.  Also recently disappeared is Pressed Juicery from their address at 10878 Kinross Ave.  I’ll keep my eye on the spaces to see what may develop…

Osteria Del Fornaio Disappears From Downtown Santa Monica

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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…

BJ’s Bids Bye-Bye To Westwood Village

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I’m hearing from shocked readers that popular local party spot BJ”s Restaurant & Brewhouse has served their last pizza after a 28-year run at 938 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village.  A gracious notice in the window announces the sad news and directs fans to their other locations in Culver City, Glendale, and Burbank.  BJ’s closure leaves one sole business left on the west side of this once busy block, Falafel, Inc.

R.I.P. Santa Monica’s Gallery Food Hall….

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I’ve been covering the story of Santa Monica’s long-suffering food hall, The Gallery at 1315 3rd Street Promenade, for years.  It was a Promenade fast food sanctuary for a while, then and upscale destination including David Beran’s Dialogue, and in its last gasp, a ghost kitchen.  Now it is empty.  A sharp-eyed reader noticed a new ABC application in the window.  Sadly, The Gallery will no longer be exclusively a dining destination.  Holey Moley, which is an indoor miniature golf concept with a bar is moving in.  This will be LA’s first location.  Read more about this mysterious newcomer here.

(Thanks Jordan!)

Co-opportunity Market Disappears From Culver City

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This was certainly a surprise…  I’m hearing from shocked readers that Culver City’s branch of classic health food store Co-opportunity Market has disappeared from their location at 8770 Washington Blvd.  The Co-op began life in 1974 in Santa Monica, where it continues to exist.  This location opened in 2017 and appeared to be tracking a more Erewhon vibe than its old school hippie predecessor.  I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the space to see what may develop.

(Thanks again, Andrew!)

Philz Coffee Closing In Downtown Santa Monica

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Sadly, it appears the reign of mint mojito coffee is coming to an end in Downtown Santa Monica.  There’s a gracious notice on the front door of the Philz Coffee at 525 Santa Monica Blvd. that states their last day will be April 30, 2024.  Not sure what happened to this branch of the Bay Area third wave coffee darling, but if you’re desperate for a cup of minty caffeinated goodness, check out their other locations here.

(Thanks Ely!)

The Farm Of Beverly Hills Bids Adieu

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Sadly, after a long run as one of Beverly Hills’ go-to spots for breakfast/lunch, a solid local fave is about to close its doors.  Scrawled on the chalkboard that hangs on the front of The Farm of Beverly Hills‘ 439 N. Beverly Drive location are the words, “Thank you for 26 years! March 3rd will be our last day of service“. That means you still have a few days to snag a table and reminisce about all those power lunches from years gone by….

(Thanks Tony!)

Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House Calls It Quits In Santa Monica

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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.

Chin Chin Bids Bye Bye To El Segundo

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This is a bit of a surprise…  It was back in 2019 when I told you about the new branch of “modern Chinese” chain Chin Chin that opened in the old P.F. Chang space at 2041 Rosecrans in El Segundo.  Sadly, they it appears they have already given up the ghost at this location.  I’ll keep watching the tricky address to see who’s brave enough to attempt it.

(Thanks A.!)

What’s Going On At The Gallery Food Hall In Downtown Santa Monica?

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The space at 1315 Third St. Promenade has had a tumultuous history.  In the past, it has been the home of The Gallery Food Hall, and hosted such luminaries as Falafel King, and Dave Beran’s elegant Dialogue, and STRFSH by The Voltaggio Brothers.  Hopes were high when ghost kitchen Kitchen United MIX took over the tricky location last year with a fresh spate of eateries.  That hope appears to have been dashed on the rocks as evidenced by the note taped to the front door stating that they are “closed until further notice” (and offering some stern bathroom advice).  I’ll keep watching to see what’s going on…

Kalaveras Quits Santa Monica

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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…

Primo’s Donuts Departs Westwood

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This story saddens me…  When local institution Stan’s Donuts closed their longtime home at 10948 Weyburn in Westwood during COVID in 2020, locals were literally devastated.  Then came a plucky new contender to fill the historic shoes, Primo’s Donuts.  I can personally vouch for how hard this business worked to remain relevant to the community.  They frequently sent me information on special promotions and deals they were offering.  So it is with a heavy heart that I let you know that, after a little over two years, Primo’s Donuts has closed down this location (Their Sawtelle and Topanga Social locations remain open).  Read more about their reasons for the closure here…

Del Frisco’s Grille Closed In Santa Monica

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This is a public service announcement:  This isn’t exactly news (It happened a short while ago), but people are shocked and still writing me to let me know that Del Frisco’s Grille has vacated their prominent corner spot on the corner of Ocean and Colorado, across from The Santa Monica Pier.  With its stunning view, and catering primarily to tourists, Del Frisco’s Grille was known for their good happy hour and for special events.  I’ll keep watch on the tricky location to see what may develop.

(Thanks Jonny and others!)

Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine Now Closed In Santa Monica/Brentwood

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Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine threw open their doors in July of 2019, at 262 26th St. in Santa Monica, just across from the Brentwood Country Mart.  At the time, the introduction of Himalayan food to the tony neighborhood caused quite a stir.  Sadly, readers are reporting to me that Tara’s has since disappeared from this location.  Apparently, fans can still order from the Venice location.

Vanilla Bake Shop Closes After 16 Years, Replacement Named

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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)

The Independence Disappears From Downtown Santa Monica

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I’m hearing from surprised readers who have noticed the permanently drawn curtains and lack of activity at Downtown Santa Monica’s neighborhood watering hole and eatery The Independence.  The Independence has anchored the corner of 2nd and Broadway since 2014, when it replaced Buddha’s Belly.  Sadly, for all intents and purposes, it appears that it has quietly disappeared.  I’ll keep my eye on the space at 205 Broadway to see what may develop…

Stout Burgers & Beer Gone From Downtown Santa Monica

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This was surprising to me…  It appears that Downtown Santa Monica’s perennial popular burger joint Stout Burgers & Beer has disappeared from its location at 111 Santa Monica Blvd.  I’m not exactly sure when it closed, but the windows are papered over, perhaps indicating a new inhabitant is in the works.  I’ll keep watching…

Update: A reader let me know that the space is being taken over by next door’s Bar Monette and will feature “French small plates and burgers”. (Thanks Sean!)

Palm Restaurant Waves Goodbye To Beverly Hills

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It’s always sad when Beverly Hills loses one of its historic dining institutions….  I’m hearing from shocked readers that celebrity hangout and industry powerhouse Palm Restaurant has closed its legendary doors at 267 N Canon Dr Suite A7.  I went by to gaze upon its faded glory, and sure enough, all signs have been pulled down from the iconic steakhouse.  I’ll keep my eyes on the location to see what may develop, but in the meantime, read about their storied history and get very, very nostalgic…

(Thanks Jonny!)

What’s Going On At Double Zero In Venice?

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I first noticed that plant-based pioneer Matthew Kenney was bringing his New York pizzeria concept Double Zero to 1700 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice back in 2019.  Recently however, the space has gone dark.  There’s no notice up and the tables inside are still set, but there hasn’t been any activity for a few weeks.  A reader (Thanks Sasha!) managed to snap a picture of an eviction notice on the front that has since disappeared.  Does this mean the end of Double Zero at this location?

(Photo Courtesy of Sasha I.)