La Scala Takes Quality Italian to This Barren Stretch of Santa Monica

Santa Monica is known for a dense selection of restaurants, especially closer to the ocean, but the corridor surrounding Wilshire between Berkeley and Stanford Avenues is a bit of dead zone. And while many will rejoice upon hearing that La Scala is leaving Brentwood behind with a new location headed to Stanford Court, there’s a handful of restaurants coming to the shopping center including The Habit, Luna Grill, and Jimmy John’s.

Stanford Court’s owners took the former 6,500 square foot South sports bar and divided it into three approximately 2,000 square foot spaces. Luna Grill is presently under construction, and The Habit starts its build-out at the end of July. As for La Scala, the owners wanted a new location to emphasize its takeout and grab-and-go business, and the 60-year-old restaurant is currently putting finishing touches on the floor plan.

It’s still too early to estimate an opening date, but the target is the end of 2018. The surrounding area’s dining options are currently Bristol Farms deli or Subway, with most restaurants significantly east or west of Stanford Court.

Kennedy Wilson brokered the deal, and president of property services Ed Sachse has a vision, “This side of Wilshire is lacking some quality restaurants,” says Sachse. There’s a lot of families in the neighborhood and young people living in apartments that want good quality food at reasonable prices.”

The Stanford Court. 3001 and 3023 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA

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