Like the ocean waves on the city’s shore, Santa Monica’s restaurant scene continues its perpetual churn with restaurants opening and closing throughout different neighborhoods.
Blue Plate Oysterette, a fixture in downtown Santa Monica for over a decade, has officially announced it will close its doors, owner Jennifer Rush announced. The closure reflects broader challenges facing the restaurant industry both locally and statewide, according to the restaurateur who has owned businesses in Santa Monica for 35 years. Their last day will be in January.
“After 16 years of proudly serving the Santa Monica community, it breaks my heart to tell you we’ve made the difficult decision to close Blue Plate Oysterette,” Rush said.
The owner cited multiple factors contributing to the closure, including downtown Santa Monica’s decline, reduced local patronage and decreased tourism. She noted that while safety concerns about crime and homelessness downtown play a role, California’s employment laws present equally significant challenges for small business owners.
“I am sorry to say we are not the only one experiencing these challenges. In addition, there have been plans for many years to develop the property at Ocean and SM Boulevard, so our lease is limited, making it difficult to sell the concept to a third party.”
She said she’ll miss the location but will continue to operate her other locations at Divine Vintage and Blue Plate Taco.
Esters Wine Shop & Bar is also closing, with its final day of service set for Sunday, Nov. 23. The establishment opened over a decade ago as a wine shop focused on small-production bottles before evolving into an oyster and wine bar.
“We’re endlessly proud of what Esters became and deeply grateful to everyone who’s walked through our doors,” owners Kathryn Coker, Josh Loeb, Zoe Nathan and Colby Goff wrote in a farewell message. The shop will open for special wine discounts leading up to Thanksgiving.
Wexler’s Deli, known for smoked fish specialties, has closed its location at 616 Santa Monica Blvd. after 10 years in downtown Santa Monica. A note on the door indicates the business is pivoting to wholesale operations, with its proprietary lox soon available at hotels and restaurants.
The Wexler’s space will be taken over by Suá, described as a “Sichuan Superette.” The establishment, which has a location on Larchmont, offers hand-stirred matcha and coffee drinks, organic Sichuan grab-and-go items, Asian snacks and curated pantry and home goods.
A few blocks over Pono Burger has also closed with its last day of service on Nov. 9.
New openings provide some counterbalance to the closures. HomeState, a Southern California chain specializing in Texas-style breakfast tacos, will open its ninth location at 720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 101, this December.
“HomeState started as my way of sharing the comfort, food and warmth I grew up with in Texas,” said founder and CEO Briana Valdez. “Twelve years later, that same dream continues — to bring people together over breakfast tacos, fresh tortillas, queso and genuine hospitality.”
The Santa Monica location will operate from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. On opening day, the first 50 guests will receive wristbands allowing them and a guest to return for free tacos daily for one week. The restaurant currently features a limited-time Turkey Barbacoa taco made with hormone-free turkey from Diestel Family Ranch.
La Monique has opened at Hotel Oceana, 849 Ocean Ave., occupying the former Tower 8 restaurant space. The French brasserie with Italian influence has completely redesigned the layout with a new entrance and relocated bar.
The restaurant describes itself as offering a “cozy, chic, elegantly designed space, with a clubby feel and attention to details.” The menu features classics including Le Plateau Royale, steak frites, Dover sole, grilled branzino, escargot poppers and pastas, as well as Petrossian caviar service and specialty cocktails.
In Downtown Santa Monica, a pair of new eateries are opening at Broadway and 2nd. SoCal Vibes Co. has “soft opening hours” for it’s tasting room. The company produces Honest Abe Cider, “Southern CA’s Original Cider House since 2014” and the menu offers tacos, burgers and bowls.
Next door The Courtside Lounge is still under construction and awaiting an opening date.
maaz@smdp.com