Babalu Morphs Into Art's Table on Montana Avenue

With a brief message on its website, Babalu, a longtime resident of Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, has shuttered after more than 27 years in business. However, he does announce that Mark Verge, Lani Verge and Mark Mittleman will take over the space to become Art's Table, a sort of New American comfort spot touting pork belly, brussels sprouts, and sloppy joes. This comes after a brief closure earlier this year for a "vacation," and just a few years after a significant makeover that overhauled the kitschy tropical design for more updated seaside eatery. It wasn't enough to keep Eddie Silkaitis' Caribbean-themed restaurant in tact.

Says former owner Silkaitis:

...with the sweet spot on the corner of Montana Avenue and 10th Street.
The size, warm light and cool coastal sea-breeze sold us. It felt like the perfect location to bring the rich and flavorful taste of the Caribbean to the beach community, and bring Babalu to life.

Thanks to your loyalty and friendship, Babalu Restaurant & Bakery survived and thrived for nearly three decades. In January of this year, we partnered with hospitality entrepreneurs and deeply rooted Santa Monica residents, Mark & Lani Verge and Chef Mark Mittleman, on a new venture, Art's Table, that will soft open, early next week, at the 1002 Montana Ave address. Although we will still be invested in its success, I'm happy to relay that concept development and management is in their capable hands.

On behalf of the Babalu crew and the Silkaitis family, I'd like to thank you.
It has been our privilege to serve you. Heartfelt thanks to our valued family of employees for their talent and the TLC they brought to Babalu every day.