••• Amazon finally opened up about its office at (at Carrillo), in the former Saks Off 5th space. In good news for area restaurants, “daily lunch meals are not delivered as some companies are doing to keep their workers close to the campus site.” Most interesting: “Part of the building will be used for a still to be named new restaurant that will be open for the public.” —KEYT
••• Mosaic Locale, the space at 1131 State Street (Anapamu/Figueroa) that’s home to Hook & Press Donuts, Buena Onda empanadas, and Draughtsmen Aleworks, has transitioned from pop-up to permanent. —Restaurant Guy
••• Mizza at 1112 State Street (Anapamu/Figueroa) is now serving breakfast seven days a week, starting at 9 a.m.
••• “Lokum, a Turkish coffee and treats shop, opened a week ago at 1019 State St. [Figueroa/Carrillo]. The restaurant sells Turkish delights—sweet, candylike treats, including baklava—and Turkish coffee, which is strong. It offers more than 40 flavors of delights—all imported from Turkey. The delights are varied; some have pistachio, walnut, fig or creme. There’s a mix of candy, nuts and fruit.” —Noozhawk
••• The broker representing the Mala Town space at 6555 Pardall Road in Isla Vista net out an email indicating that the Chinese restaurant has closed; Google confirms it. Mala Town opened last May.
••• Pascucci will soon open at its new location, “509 State Street the former home of Cadiz, and across from Holden’s and The Natural Café.” —Restaurant Guy
••• “Gioia Restaurant and Wine Lounge plans to open soon at 532 State Street [Cota/Haley], the former home of Zia Café, Verdé, Le Petit Bistro, and Sunny Korean Restaurant. […] The head chef is Kyle Archer, whose wide range of food runs from a cheese board to try-tip sliders, vegan tacos, and a quinoa bowl.” —Independent (article not online)
••• When Sama Sama Kitchen started serving lunch last week, it said the menu would be “limited”—but it’s actually the same as dinner, minus five dishes (the branzino, steak frites, octopus, spare ribs, and chana masala).
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