Santa Monica’s old Izzy’s Deli corner is finally waking up. A new Persian restaurant called Chattanooga is getting ready to move into the longtime vacant space, promising “Pure Persian Flavor” on the window paper and teasing a warm, modern dining room in design renderings. The location at 1433 Wilshire Blvd., between 15th and 16th streets, has been empty since Izzy’s closed in 2020 after more than 50 years in business.
According to Palisades News, Chattanooga will take over the entire 4,588-square-foot space, with the project led by principals at Qastic Design‑Build and visualization work credited to Romina Nikfarjam and Sara Mazraeh. The outlet notes that the window paper at the site carries the “Pure Persian Flavor” tagline alongside an artist’s rendering of the planned interior.
Santa Monica Councilmember Lana Negrete has already flagged Chattanooga in a March 1 neighborhood update, listing the restaurant at 1433 Wilshire among new businesses on the city’s watch list. As noted in Councilmember Lana Negrete's newsletter, the project is one of several openings the city is tracking this season.
A Longtime Neighborhood Fixture
Izzy’s Deli had been a neighborhood anchor for more than five decades before it shuttered in 2020, leaving a notably empty stretch on Wilshire where regulars once crowded into booths at all hours. The Westside at Its Finest later ran a roundup citing reader tips and sharing an artist’s rendering that had been circulating online.
Design Clues But Few Details
For now, there is still no public word on ownership, the menu, or an opening date. The only solid hints are the signage and shared design imagery. Palisades News reports that Qastic has posted multiple design iterations on Instagram, describing their work as explorations of materiality and spatial identity for the Chattanooga project.
Neighbors say they want the new restaurant to nod to Izzy’s history while injecting some fresh energy into the block, and city permit or licensing filings are expected to appear before any formal launch. We will be keeping an eye on local notices and city listings for a first look at the menu and an official opening date.
