Two Southern California restaurants are adding locations in Santa Monica, a local ice cream shop turns 5, a ramen joint is getting good reviews, one massive chain is adding a space near the promenade, and one of Santa Monica's most acclaimed restaurants is opening a sister location up the street.
Rick Bayless' Red O, which currently has locations in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, is expanding to Santa Monica this year.
The two existing up-scale Mexican restaurants are known for their duck taquitos ($15) and goat cheese tamales ($13), among other things.
Bayless is known for his PBS television shows about Mexican cuisine. He's also the brother of ESPN personality Skip Bayless.
The new Red O is headed for Ocean Avenue, near the corner of Colorado Boulevard. It replaces the Ma'Kai Lounge.
Herringbone
Also coming to Ocean Avenue is a third Herringbone, which currently has locations in West Hollywood and La Jolla.
The upscale seafood restaurants are the work of chef Brian Malarkey. Restaurant owners are hoping to add two patios to the 4,000-square-foot space inside Civic Center Village. The patios would include string-of-bead succulents, climbing Vanilla Trumpet Vinces, and Mexican Feather Grass.
The patios would add just over 50 seats.
JINYA Ramen Bar
JINYA Ramen Bar opened on Main Street last week and is already pulling in good reviews. JINYA's got more than a dozen locations, most in Southern California. The ramen joint gets accolades for its shrimp toast and thick noodles.
It replaced Bravo Pizza.
Cheesecake Factory
A Cheesecake Factory, the large chain, replaced restaurants La Sandia and Zengo in the Santa Monica Place mall. Owners are seeking approval of facade design, colors, materials, and sign plans from Santa Monica's Architectural Review Board.
There's no word as to when the large space will open.
Santa Monica Yacht Club
Chef Andrew Kirschner, who debuted with the extremely popular rustic restaurant Tar + Roses on Santa Monica Boulevard at Sixth Street, will open the seafood-oriented Santa Monica Yacht Club just up the street today.
The restaurant, at 620 Santa Monica Blvd., replaces La Botte.
Early reports from city officials note that it will seat about 90 people and include a small, enclosed outdoor patio.
It got alcohol permits from the Planning Commission last summer.
Sweet Rose turns 5
Sweet Rose Creamery, the ice cream shop backed by the restaurateurs behind Rustic Canyon, Milo + Olive, and Huckleberry Cafe, will have been open for five years on May 9. In celebration of the half-decade, the ice cream shop will begin hosting free kitchen tours at the headquarters on Pico Boulevard starting on April 11.
The tours will be held on the second Saturday of each month for any ice cream lover over the age of four.
Reservations can be made by e-mailing catering@sweetrosecreamery.com.
dave@www.smdp.com
