Look for Ed Moore’s newest restaurant, Nick’s at the Pier at the corner of Santa Monica and Abbott to open in the next week or two. Fashioned after Nick’s at the Beach in Pacific Beach, with a bit less sports bar but lots of good seafood and ocean views, Buzz figures it will be a hit with locals who already love Moore’s The 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro located down the street. And, like 3rd Corner, you’ll be able to grab a bite most nights, til 1am.
Around the corner, on Newport Avenue, a new bar, Gallagher’s is open near another OB institution, Tony’s. Further up towards Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, two doors down from the well-known OB institution, Pacific Shores bar look for O’Bee’s on Newport to open soon.
In the 1800 block of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard a mini United Nations exists with Rancho’s Cocina, Pepe’s Italian Restaurant, Newbreak Coffee Co. & Cafe, OB Donuts, and the block’s newest addition Thai Time Bistro. Not to be confused with any of the other Thai Time restaurants in town–different owners–the menu features everything from soups and mussels with garlic and basil to green papaya salad and noodles every which way. I tried pad thai on the lunch special–a good fresh version with bean sprouts, pork and tofu but missing those dry shrimp that give some versions more oomph. The pork larb spicy salad is also quite good. Prices range from $4.25 for small soups to $12.95 for various house specialities and seafood. Thai Time Bistro, 1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Closed Sunday, 619-223-5000.