Big New Gastropub Headed to Busy Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica

Toddrickallen has uncovered that the towering space on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade that previously housed Trastevere will become the third location of HQ Gastropub. Trastevere, an upscale Italian restaurant, closed in September 2020 after serving the area for 22 years. HQ currently has locations in Woodland Hills and Huntington Beach, with a wide menu of favorites like burgers, wings, and a hearty-looking chicken pot pie. The first outlet opened in Woodland Hills, then took over a space in Huntington, garnering solid reception on the back of a wide craft beer, wine, and cocktail list. If and when tourist traffic returns to the area, the gastropub will serve globally inspired fare and a modern vibe with vintage guitars and such, reports Toddrickallen.

In other news:

• LA Times critic Bill Addison highlights 12 restaurants around the city that are worth checking out for takeout and delivery. Notable places include Pranav Sinha’s Punjabi fare, North African cooking in Hermosa Beach from Barsha, gorgeous bento from Q in Downtown.
• Tasting Table has a look at Hot & Cool Cafe, which has been serving the Leimert Park neighborhood with a community mindset.
• Venice has a new pudding pop-up called Pudu Pudu that’s trying to take the nostalgic food and make it cool again (was it ever cool?), reports Santa Monica Daily Press.
• L.A. Taco has a story on the plight of gay bars in the city, many of which face thousands of dollars in debt and a tough reopening situation.
• Angry Egret Dinette has a sweet new mural from Sergio Robleto to go along with an increasingly delightful outdoor space. Just in time for the start of Dodger baseball.