Slideshow

First Look into Santa Monica Place, Finally Open Friday

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This Friday evening, Santa Monica Place will be unveiled to the public, following a radical transformation of the Frank Gehry-designed shopping center that had become tired by today’s current mall standards. This will be a game changer for the neighborhood, with six new chef-driven restaurant concepts, a gourmet food market, and multiple fast eating options opening simultaneously on the mall’s new rooftop dining deck. With views of the city and sea, this foodie destination might be unlike any other, even the Ferry Building it was compared to during construction. Media swarmed the mall last night during a preview that introduced two restaurants from Mexican chef Richard Sandoval, a Chinese restaurant from Chris Yeo, a Sonoma wine bar plus a sushi and robata bar from Jeremy Upland, and the homemade seasonal Italian of Pizza Antica. Check out our slide show of the space, restaurants, and cuisine that will be a big part of the frenzy this Friday.

First Look into Santa Monica Place, Finally Open Friday