Not to be outdone by the Cheesecake Factory's new spin-off RockSugar, the owners of Houston's are planning R&D Kitchen, a casual Santa Monica spot opening in a space that' s been home to a variety of concepts, including a Wolfgang Puck Cafe and a high-end vegetarian. This one just may connect, especially in a hood dominated by soccer moms and celebs in sweats; we'll find out by late summer.

(1323 Montana Ave., Santa Monica)

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