••• Bar Le Côte, the eagerly awaited “seafood tavern” spinoff of Bell’s in the former Sides Hardware & Shoes space in Los OIivos, looks like it’s going to open any day (or week) now. I’d imagine that the best way to learn of reservations opening up is to follow the restaurant on Instagram. I’ll let you as soon as I hear, of course, but only after I’ve reserved. (Photo by Datsu Films.) Update 4/30: Someone asked on Instagram whether BLC will be open May 21-23, and the answer was no, not yet. So it’s definitely more a matter of weeks than days.
••• In February, word came out about a new establishment at 700 State Street (at Ortega): commercial real estate agent Caitlin Hensel said it’ll be a “local distillery,” while the liquor-license application is for an “on-sale general eating place,” and it’s in the name of Chris Chiarappa, of Mesa Burger chain, Lighthouse Coffee, Corner Tap, the forthcoming Kitchen 530 incubator, and perhaps an ice cream shop. Now, according to the April 28 agenda of the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission, the building is getting Jeff Sheltonified. That would be interesting enough to warrant mention, but also note the “Augie’s” sign in the plans. It could be a placeholder—or it could be for, say, new local tequila distiller Augie’s, which would naturally lead one to assume the food will be Mexican. I reached out to Augie’s and Chiarappa but haven’t heard back; there’s no indication on its website who owns it, but other sites imply it’s Berkeley “Augie” Johnson.
••• South Coast Deli’s Isla Vista outpost closed months ago. —Restaurant Guy
••• Coming mid-May: the Greenhouse on Milpas, promising “Food trucks, coffee, flowers, friends.” The exact location beyond a 40-year-old “mid-Milpas” building is unclear; anyone know? Update: “Greenhouse Milpas new location is I believe is off Milpas behind 711 and Rusty Pizza in an old La Sumida Nusery location,” commented Heather. That would be between Haley and Gutierrez.
••• Secret Bao has fun new T-shirts—and better yet, all proceeds go to StopAAPIHate, “a coalition addressing anti-Asian hate amid the pandemic.”
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Greenhouse Milpas new location is I believe off Milpas behind 7-11 and Rusty Pizza in an old La Sumida Nusery location (lasumida.com/wordpress/history).