A new restaurant project appears to be taking shape in Santa Monica at 2820 Main Street, where a liquor license application has surfaced bearing the names of Chloe, Brandon, and Tyler Makhani, the family behind Woodland Hills’ Mediterranean restaurant Casaléna.
The yet-to-be-announced concept is expected to move into the long-vacant former home of World Cafe, which closed over 15 years ago, accoding to ToddRickAllen. While no official name has been announced, the presence of the Casaléna ownership team suggests a sister concept could be on the horizon. An opening timeline has not yet been confirmed, but filings with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control indicate early development activity is underway.
Casaléna, known for its expansive indoor and outdoor spaces and coastal Mediterranean menu, has earned attention for blending high-end ambiance with approachable dining. The Woodland Hills flagship features multiple dining rooms, a robust bar program, and weekend late-night hours, drawing guests from across the Valley. A potential Santa Monica project could follow a similar model.
If confirmed, the Main Street location would mark the Makhani family’s second full-service restaurant and their first on the Westside. The location, just blocks from the beach, is considered prime real estate and has remained unused since the World Cafe’s closure, making this one of the more notable reactivations in Santa Monica’s dining scene.
Casaléna’s original location at 22160 Ventura Boulevard continues to operate with daily lunch, dinner, and bar service. The restaurant includes strict dress and dining time policies, a corkage fee structure, and rotating menus inspired by the coasts of Italy, Spain, and beyond. More details about the potential Santa Monica project are expected in the coming months.
