The Arcadia City Council approved a complex 4-party agreement between the city, a developer and 2 restaurants, thus paving the way for a new Souplantation Restaurant on Arcadia's east side.
The Derby could highlight new hub. If developers get their way with a zone change and other approvals, the area around the 1920s-era Derby restaurant will be transformed into a mixed-use development with the eatery as its centerpiece. Right now the 2.23 acre project site has 2 structures, the two-story restaurant at 233 East Huntington Drive and a vacant one-story building at 301 East Huntington Drive, once occupied by Souplantation. The new development would include 205 market rate residential units and 9 affordable units.
Work scheduled to begin shortly on new 1,200 square foot banquet room at the Derby Restaurant, 233 East Huntington Drive, in the Arcadia redevelopment area.
Arcadia may soon have a new Japanese restaurant at the Hughes Market Shopping Center on Huntington Drive. The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to operate a restaurant at 1121 and 1123 East Huntington Drive.
Shrimp and crab-stuffed salmon at The Derby, 233 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, is recommended and the restaurant's menu and reputation are also described.
Arcadia's historic Derby Restaurant may be relocated. A mixed-use project may take the place of The Derby and Embassy Suites at 211 East Huntington Drive - 233 East Huntington Drive. Local historian Sandy Snider expressed concern that the 99 year-old building may end up being razed. George Woolf bought the Derby in 1938, originally named Proctor Tavern when it operated in 1922. Councilman Paul Cheng supports the relocation of The Derby. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, August 13, 2020 for "The Derby-what's next?"
Bennigan's Restaurant, part of the Southside Development between Second and Fifth streets on East Huntington Drive, is preparing for an expected July 4th opening.
An application to construct a Burger King Restaurant on South Santa Anita Avenue at Alice Street was turned down by the Arcadia Planning Commission on a 4-1 vote. Commission members said they were concerned with noise and traffic problems. Residents also objected to the possibility that students from Arcadia High would congregate and make noise at the restaurant following evening sporting events.
Facing COVID-19 fines, some restaurants say the punishment does not fit the crime, as restaurant owners have found it hard to keep track of the county and state mandate changes. Closures, new protocols, and restrictions in the face of COVID-19 have caused the restaurant industry to suffer. The cities of Monrovia, Arcadia, Pasadena and Sierra Madre have stepped up to help the ailing restaurant businesses by either waiving fees or offering outdoor dining expansion opportunities, such as using parking lots as dining areas.
Local driving to dine can fill bill of fare. Restaurant critic Merrill Shindler reviews The Barn at 815 West Naomi Avenue in Arcadia. It serves yakitori (meats and vegetables on skewers).
Restaurant review, by Merrill Shindler, of Craft by Smoke & Fire, a small chain with one branch in Old Pasadena, another in Arcadia, and a third in Anaheim. Barbecue, sports play well together. Craft by Smoke & Fire eateries have a very good balance of tasty food and entertainment. The Arcadia location is at the Santa Anita mall at 400 S. Baldwin Avenue.
Gusty Santa Ana winds wreak havoc to local business and residents in Arcadia. The patio outside the restaurant Matt Denny's Ale House was destroyed by the heavy winds.
Locally oned Chick-Fil-A to open in Westfield Santa Anita today. Restaurant will employ upwards of 50 team members. The owner of this franchise location at Westfield Santa Anita mall, in the food court, is Zach Zimmerman. He was born in Mission Viejo and graduated with a business economics degree with a minor in education from University of California Irvine.
Arcadia city considers ban on some restaurant takeout containers (polystyrene, aka Styrofoam). Restrictions on straws, utensils also under review. Arcadia Council Member Tom Beck introduced the idea and Council Member Paul Cheng is enthusiastic about it. Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager and Development Services Director, said the City will work with restaurants and the Chamber of Commerce to implement the ordinance. The Cheesecake Factory is already using eco-friendly containers and utensils.
Arcadia Planning Commission has approved plans to raze the current Captain's Broiler at 536-600 West Las Tunas. A new, larger Captain's Broiler and a two story mixed use commercial building will replace the current structure.
Merrill Shindler reviews restaurants for Mother's Day meals. One in Arcadia that is recommended is Din Tai Fung at the mall (now named The Shops at Santa Anita, formerly Westfield Santa Anita) at 400 South Baldwin Avenue.
By December, if all goes smoothly, Arcadia's Redevelopment Agency should have evaluated, and perhaps formally accepted a specific proposal for developing the land just east of the railway crossing on Huntington Drive. The request indicates that the city prefers either retail stores, a professional office building, or a fine restaurant.
For the wonderfully weird, Monarch rules. Amid theatrical decor, try a martini with vinegar and Slippery Egg Crab Fried Fun. There is no destination in San Gabriel Valley like Monarch at 1212 South Baldwin Avenue. Merrill Shindler reviews the restaurant opened by the Leon family, who first brought us their take on Peruvian-Chinese cooking at Chifa in Eagle Rock. Monarch is serving modern Chinese cuisine.