Coming soon to the 626 and Burbank: 8 openings to watch
Restaurants rarely announce themselves early, but they do have to file for a liquor license, often months before opening day. 626food watches those California ABC filings across the San Gabriel Valley and nearby Burbank, then checks local reporting for the story behind each one. These are the eight we’re most curious about right now.
Bacari, Old Pasadena
The LA group known for Venetian-style small plates (cicchetti), small-production wines and cocktails is taking over the former Sage Regenerative Kitchen space in the One Colorado courtyard: roughly 5,250 square feet with indoor seating and a patio.
- Who: brothers Danny and Robert Kronfli, who started Bacari near USC in 2008, with chef and co-owner Lior Hillel
- Liquor license: full bar, approved May 2026
- Timing: a soft opening was targeted for early 2027, per reports from March 2026
Reported by Pasadena Now, Hoodline. See the 626food page.
The Giddy Ostrich, South Pasadena
A restaurant and brewery planned for more than 10,000 square feet, indoors and out, on Meridian Avenue, where Nicole’s Market & Cafe used to be. Expect made-to-order American food (with kid-friendly options), eight house beers plus guest taps, wine and cocktails.
- Who: chef and head of operations James Boyle; brewmasters Evan and Anders McCarthy
- Liquor license: brewery and full-bar applications filed May 2025, still pending
- Timing: the team first aimed for late 2025 or early 2026; no new date has been announced
Reported by What Now LA. See the 626food page.
Ferrazzani's Pasta & Market, moving to Altadena
Not a new business, but a big move: the handmade pasta shop is relocating about four blocks north on Lincoln Avenue. Fresh and dried pasta, lasagna, sandwiches on Bub & Grandma’s baguettes and the pasta club all make the trip, and the new shop adds beer and wine.
- Who: owner Leah Ferrazzani
- Timing: January 2027; the current shop stays open through the end of 2026
- Liquor license: beer and wine application filed August 2026
Reported by Hoodline. See the 626food page.
Villa's Tacos, South Pasadena
The Highland Park taco spot recognized by the Michelin Guide, and featured during the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, has filed for a South Pasadena location on El Centro Street.
- Who: Victor Villa
- Liquor license: beer and wine, applied August 2025
- Timing: not announced
Reported by NBC Los Angeles. See the 626food page.
Scum & Villainy Rendezvous, Downtown Burbank
Hollywood’s sci-fi themed cantina (costumed bartenders, themed food and drinks) is opening a second bar on First Street, with a podcast studio, streaming setup and a stage for creators in about 5,300 square feet.
- Who: co-owner J.C. Reifenberg
- Liquor license: full bar, applied March 2026
- Timing: targeted for later in 2026
Reported by Downtown Burbank, What Now LA. See the 626food page.
Supreme Crab, Downtown Burbank
A Cajun seafood-boil restaurant with build-your-own spice levels, house sauces and live seafood cooked to order. It’s the brand’s first Southern California location after two in Northern California.
- Who: owner Chen Bin Huang
- Liquor license: beer and wine, approved August 2026
- Timing: not announced
Reported by What Now LA. See the 626food page.
Fire Wings, Downtown Burbank
The Northern California wing chain is heading to East Alameda Avenue with bone-in and boneless wings in sauces from classic buffalo to mango habanero and lemon pepper, plus combos and sides.
- Liquor license: beer and wine, applied September 2026
- Timing: listed by the City of Burbank as coming soon
Reported by Downtown Burbank. See the 626food page.
Karaoke Manekineko, Downtown Burbank
The Japanese karaoke chain (private rooms for groups of 1 to 30, food delivered to the room and a catalog of more than 100,000 songs) has one US location so far, on Sawtelle in West LA. Burbank looks like number two.
- Liquor license: full bar, application pending
- Timing: listed by the City of Burbank as coming soon
Reported by City of Burbank. See the 626food page.
Know an opening date, a soft-opening night or what’s on the menu? Every coming-soon page has a tip form, and we read them all. See everything coming soon on 626food.