Santa Monica Restaurants – Locals (Main St)
The Main Street Santa Monica restaurants offer quaint, delicious bites at completely affordable prices. They've got everything from great pizza, Italian, excellent seafood, and homey neighborhood coffee shops. Main Street in Santa Monica keeps it low-key, and their restaurant gems don't always stand out on the streets like some flashier neighborhoods. Shoop's Delicatessen falls into this category. Their soups are top-rate, creamy, delicious, and perfectly spiced, their sandwiches and salads carry notes of traditional Europe and keep locals coming back for years.
The two stand-out Italian places are La Vecchia Cucina and Via Veneto. You can't go wrong with either Santa Monica Italian restaurant, both have an excellent selection of wines, luxurious desserts, and savory traditional Italian dishes. Ex-Duran Duran guitarist Warren Cuccurullo co-owns Via Veneto, but the authentic Italian experience is what keeps the locals hanging around this place.
In the mood for some Asian-inspired French instead? Main Street's got it at Chinois on Main. Zagat rates the Chinois experience as "an eye and palette opener, attracting food connoisseurs from around the world." It's also been nominated by the James Beard Awards as one of the top restaurants in the nation two years in a row. To top it all off, Chinois on Main is also the highest-rated restaurant in all Wolfgang Puck's portfolio. For all the delectable cuisine they offer, don't be surprised that the service is equally as impeccable. Friendly and lively, Chinois is a must-go for anyone who truly loves food.
If all you want is a simple slice of pizza before you hit the beach, check out the Bravo Pizzeria. Bravo brings true New York-style slices to Main Street Santa Monica. Owned by the same family who owns Ferrara in Manhattan's Little Italy, Bravo pizza gives you a simple, solid slice with no frills – just the way New York intended it. Bravo hits the spot before or after Main Street's Irish pubs, and is also great for a lunch on the go.
Murano
| French-Italian cuisine. Does it get anymore WeHo than this? Take a bite and see for yourself. On a typically sunny Southern California Saturday, I across town for an early business dinner at the new Murano restaurant, located at 9010 Melrose Ave. At this suprisingly convenient nexus, where Doheny, Santa Monica, and Melrose meet, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I gathered that a plate full of spaghetti and meatballs wasn't on the menu as the images I had seen on restaurant internet sites displayed a stark white interior. So much so, I couldn't tell where the walls ended and the table cloths began. But once inside, the seemingly sterile environment was broken up by carefully selected accent pieces- a transparent glass red door, smooth red entryway carpet, red and black sconces and chandeliers, and contemporary polka-dotted lounge cushions. A very large mirror hung on the wall of the main window dining area, opening up the space and letting you inconspicuously see who is dining at the table beside you. And being seen is definitely on the menu at Murano. Aside from the display of patrons in trendy Hollywood digs- wide open button-down shirts for the guys and short baby doll dresses for the ladies- the entrees made an entrance all their own. Mouth-watering dishes like the spiced and seared white fish, blanketed over a bed of yellow beets and creamy leaks, garnished with a drizzling of sweet and tangy orange sauce, a healthy portion of grilled salmon served with richly colored leafy greens and delicate white asparagus, made their way to their tables with the same style and grace of "Old Hollywood" screen sirens gracing Westwood premiers. Though, however pleasing to the eye, these dishes could have used a little less liberal tie-dye of flavor and a lot more classic black satin sophistication. What was left of my plate at the end of the night resembled a that of a doused and stirred campfire. Getting to the embers of fresh ingredients took a little taming of the flames due to the overwhelming amoung of salt and sauce that made me reach for continuous sips of water. Overall, Murano had a distinct ambience that made the evening enjoyably easy to carry on a conversation, sit in a comfortably casual environment, and receive quality and friendly table service. |
Tengu
What is Asian fusion anyway?
If you’re in the mood for sushi and cocktails but your date is looking for a more traditional plate, you can find a place that satisfies both your desires.
Tengu offers sweet cocktails like their Zen martini (made with plum wine) and happy hour sushi (like their simple tuna roll) in addition to spicy tuna tartar and teriyaki chicken plates. All this in a classical modern dining room. Soft lighting and simple lines make for an emphasis on functional comfort and attention to the quality of small bite dining.
review by Sariah richardson
| Tengu |
| 10853 Lindbrook Dr |
| Westwood Village |
| Los Angeles, CA 90024 |
Toi on Sunset
Hard core rock for hard core eats. You’ll get your fill of both at this trendy hotspot designed specially for the late night crowd. So, you’ve spent the night dancing at the club and are in the mood to grab a bite before signing off into dreamland.
You could stand in line for an hour to get a greasy chili dog or sit in a comfortable booth with entertaining service. I’ll take the booth with a side of peanut sauce, please. Toi has some of the tastiest thai food at 2am in LA. Mingle with your friends among rock music and a LA’s only collection of material cultural history. Sit beside a painting of John Lennon while nibbling on fresh-made pad thai. The wait staff will also keep you in stitches with their "no fear" attitude, sure to burst anyone’s sugar-coated social bubble. Toi also offers a vegetarian menu for those who are animal-conscious about their food. The only heavy feeling you’ll have when you leave is in your pocket book, thanks to Toi’s generous portions and reasonable prices.
Review by Sariah Richardson
| Toi on Sunset |
| 7505 W. Sunset Blvd. |
| Los Angeles, CA 90046 |
| 323.874.8062 |