A Stunner of a Sherman Oaks Space Gets New Tenants from Westlake Village

A familiar Sherman Oaks space is getting another new tenant soon, as Westlake Village’s popular Pearl District is set to expand down to Ventura Boulevard. They’ll be taking over the former SOCA/Boneyard Cocina + Cantina address.

Pearl District is a Conejo Valley staple, tucked away in a retail shopping plaza off Westlake Boulevard, right next door to a Sprouts grocery store. Despite the unassuming digs the restaurant itself does big business as an upscale new American staple, working a dinner menu that moves from braised short ribs to ahi tuna crudo to pork chops. The room has a mostly industrial design aesthetic but with white tablecloths and lots of wine.

Now co-owner Peyman Afshar and others are bringing the place further east to busy Sherman Oaks, just blocks from names like Petit Trois and the Bellwether. Construction is underway now, making for a quick turnaround considering Aaron Robins of Boneyard only just sold the place. Eater reached out to Pearl District for more information on what to expect, but so far hasn’t heard back.

Wonho Frank Lee

It’ll be interesting to see what does come of the Sherman Oaks space, given the redecorating that was done not that long ago to turn it into SOCA in the first place. Robins initially envisioned SOCA as a finer-dining option for the Valley crowd, with a prolific gin-based back bar and some light steakhouse touches. He eventually flipped from that idea into a Mexican cantina one that carried the same Boneyard name as his nearby barbecue restaurant, before selling off entirely.

Reached by phone, Robins says that his previous iterations at that address were becoming more profitable, but with a split focus from his other restaurant Boneyard and a young family behind him, the decision was made to move on. Most of Robins’ staff has either been retained by the incoming Pearl District, or brought over to Boneyard Bistro, he says. As for when those workers will be able to start cooking again under the Pearl District banner, that remains to be seen, but look for something soon.

Pearl District Sherman Oaks. 14015 Ventura Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.

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