La Scala
3001 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403, United States
I have been going to La Scala, Brentwood for 15 years both professionally for law office meetings and with my family.The food is uniformly excellent (specifically the minestrone soup, chopped salad and eggplant), the service is great, prices are reasonable. I highly recommend La Scala Restaurant.Jeffrey Nadrich
Rosti Tuscan Kitchen - Santa Monica
931 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, United States
I hate writing bad reviews, but Id be doing the community a disservice if I only review the good places.The good- they were able to accommodate our large party on the same day so that was appreciated. Parking was a non issue in back of the restaurant. Portions are HUGE.. like 4 ppl could share a salad and the chicken Parm and be full - very budget friendly! The Chianti was great and the salad we had was delicious and also would have easily served 4-6 of us. My partner and I usually share a couple of plates for variety, but this was too much food. Our family that had the pizza and clam linguine liked both dishes.The Bad- the portions were too big! I know, I know... I listed is as good as well for those who want to share or want lefties, but we we were traveling with nowhere to store leftovers. Had we known how big the salad was, we wouldve gotten something else, I hate wasting food and not 1 of the 10 in our party came close to finishing. It would have been nice if the server had warned us of how large the salad (a HUGE BOWL) was after we told her we were sharing. We shared the surf and turf. It was supposed to come with a ribeye, but they were out of ribeyes so we subbed a filet. The entire plate of food was lukewarm from the cauliflower to the the filet, which was cooked well, but chewed like leather and had no seasoning. We considered that it was not actually tenderloin but something else. The shrimp was supposedly cooked in a garlic sauce which was undetectable, lacked seasoning, flavor, and was undercooked and also not warm, the spinach tasted like it came out of a can and the roasted cauliflower was awful, like it had seasoning salt and nothing else. Which was super disappointing because making roasted cauliflower takes nothing more than a bit of EVOO, balsamic, salt and pepper. I tasted my sisters mushroom side and garlic mash... the mushrooms had no seasoning and tasted like they came from a can and the garlic mash was meh. Did I mention everything lacked seasoning.The service also left much to be desired. She dropped one wine menu for a table of 10. Thanks. When asking about dishes she looked like she didnt want to be bothered. I didnt read about the choice of sides so when she asked which sides, I was unprepared. When I asked what our choices were, she pointed us to the menu - which I thought was lame... she could have told us the items or recommended her favs, but then I saw that there are 14 sides to which I thought... how can you do 14 sides well - eeesh. The answer: YOU CANT. The place could probably be good with a bit of training of staff, culling of the menu, and reducing the size of the portions - but who knows.. Maybe they do well enough not to change.Theres so many good restaurants in that area, theres no way I, or anyone else in my party would ever consider going back or recommending. Sorry.
California Pizza Kitchen at Santa Monica
210 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
This was not the best experience. This restaurant was clearly understaffed and the people who were helping were not even particularly helpful. They didn’t check on our table enough even though we needed help and when I did get up and ask someone to help us, they never brought what we needed. The restaurant was half empty but we waited 30 minutes to get seated. There were other tables that were also complaining about the service and were not even waited on until a long time after having been seated. The Korean BBQ chicken pizza was good and so was the mushroom one we had. We had the double soup bowl. I liked the tortilla soup one but they were both pretty average.
Alfalfa
2309 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
New spot here in Santa Monica. I stumbled upon this restaurant in while doing some shopping on Main St with my girlfriend. The pink walls and patio seating really drew us to staying for a bite. We went inside to a long lunch rush line and knew the restaurant was popping! GM there was super accommodating running around, making sure everyone was being taken care of so service was immediately top notch. On top of that, the indoor aesthetic, interior design, bountiful lighting, music and displays really made the experience warm and welcoming. To add to that, they had a clean and spacious outdoor back patio, with a solid seating arrangement, and surrounded by lots of plants and nice lighting. All the details were there.For food we ordered the Peruvian Chicken salad, 2 donuts (HOMEMADE oreo and Australian butter), the chorizo burrito, and the ginger turmeric lemonade. Let me say it loud and clear for discretion: I NEVER GO OUT OF MY WAY TO ORDER A SALAD! But salads were the main dishes on the menu so I had to settle.THE SALAD WAS AMAZING! Ingredients super fresh and mixture flavorful. But what really satisfied me was the portion. Quality food with a hearty portion, I forgot I was mainly eating greens. That good. The chorizo burrito absolutely slapped as well, and the hot sauce straight fire. The homemade donuts were then the perfect dessert to top it off, and the lemonade was refreshing and enjoyable, Not too sweet but still light and tasty.DO NOT SLEEP ON ALFALFA! For a brand new spot here in Santa Monica, I was impressed all around, and you could tell the ownership/staff really put their heart and devotion into the quality of service, vibes, environment, and food. I would 10/10 recommend and go out of my way to get a salad from here again.
California Pizza Kitchen at Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica Boulevard Westfield, Los Angeles, CA 90067, United States
I like this restaurant a bit less than before, but I still like their vegitarian tortilla soup. But their bowl is hardly filled and the price is high for so little soup. I also liked their roasted veggie salad with optional salmon pieces but it was removed from their menu. There is some kind of cooking timer in the open kitchen that is repeatedly and loudly going off every few minutes, which is quite unpleasant.
Sabor Mexicano
5710 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, United States
Its been a long time since Ive had a true Mexican flavor. The chicken soup was delicious, I could taste the fresh vegetables and the essence of chicken. The carnita burritos, in addition to being large portions, had a delicious flavor better than in any forgettable diner I have ever eaten at.I congratulate the workers for being friendly and very attentive. I will recommend this restaurant to my friends with the guarantee that they will feel happy and satisfied.
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LouMar at Nerano
9960 S Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90212, United States
Last night I took my cousin to Lou'Mar to celebrate her birthday and we had an incredible time! This space has a intimate dinner vibe and would be super cute for a dinner or a date night.Let's start with the drinks -We got a peachy keen (delicious, sweet, you wouldn't know there was a liquor in it) and the Lou'Mar margarita (which came with this whole helium bubble topper - yes, the bubbles are edible and pitch your voice if you eat them quick enough ?)For food -- the upside down tostada is so good! It's like a ceviche with a corn chip with different flavors. The fish is so fresh. We devoured this.- the arepas borracha is great. It's like a brisket on top of a small corn dough base. You won't chew this, you'll inhale it. Order two if you're sharing (only 3 pieces come in each order).- the soy glazed lamb chops were delicious and very filling! Grab a table in the corner so if you wind up going to town on one of the chops no one will see ?- the borracha brisket dumpling is a chef's kiss! It's perfect for cooler nights. You get the enjoyment of dumpling but the savory of brisket. Don't be cute and cut it in half, pop the whole thing in your mouth.- dessert - they sent us something super unique (I didn't catch the name) but it was like a deconstructed apple pie with flakes of gold all around it.Our waiter was super attentive and at one point Lou'Mar (Louis and Marcos) even popped by our table to say hello and make sure we were enjoying our meal. Will definitely come back soon ??
Bun & Mi
1004 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, United States
Delicious and filling bánh mì sandwiches! Ran by a beautiful couple, Alvin and Pamela, who were very nice and proactive while we were there. They were very generous to every customer there and proactively checked in to see if there was anything they could get them or if there was feedback for the kitchen.These are among the best banh mi that you can find on the WestLA, and even more true for this area. We had the Saigon grilled chicken banh mi, shaken beef banh mi, agave shaken green tea, and the chai seed blueberry lemonade. All of it was very delicious, but would get the grilled chicken over the shaken beef as the grilled chicken is more flavorful.The sandwiches were big, we could have shared 1 between the two of us. The bread was the star of the show - nice and crispy with very good flavor. Alvin said they get them freshly made everyday from a local bakery.The chai seed blueberry lemonade was great, but a little on the sweeter side.The agave shaken green tea was perfect. Not too sweet and didn't have an overpowering tea flavor.5/5 - will be coming back again!
Joss Bites
9921 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, United States
The restaurant has two entrances for parties of different sizes.The recommendation to me was their signature dish: the roast duck. The presentation was immaculate and the skin was crispy while the meat was flavorful. The wraps were steamed just right. Ample amount of condiments ensure that each wrap has a balance of duck and veggies.For a restaurant as focused on presentation, the soup was in a plain bowl and the contents seem to be just scooped out from a big pot.Regardless, this place is worth a try. I didnt try the dim sum but they seem to be on the higher end of prices.
Sogno Toscano Cafe& Wine Bar
1512 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, United States
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the new Italian wine bar on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, and let me tell you, it was an absolute delight! From the moment I stepped in, I was captivated by the warm and inviting ambiance that transported me straight to Italy.The food and wine selection here are simply outstanding. The schiacciata, a traditional Italian flatbread, was a revelation. Its crispy yet tender texture, topped with a delectable combination of fresh ingredients, left me craving for more. The flavors were well-balanced, and it paired perfectly with the diverse wine offerings they have on their menu.Speaking of wine, I must commend the staff for their exceptional knowledge and recommendations. Whether youre a seasoned wine enthusiast or new to Italian wines, they go above and beyond to ensure you find the perfect match for your palate. Their selection showcases both well-known classics and hidden gems, making it a haven for wine lovers.Beyond the food and wine, the service was top-notch. The staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about sharing their love for Italian cuisine and culture. It added a personal touch to the overall experience, making me feel like a welcomed guest rather than just another customer.As for the location, being on Montana Avenue is an added bonus. The charming street provides a lovely setting for an evening of indulgence, and the wine bar fits right in with its cozy and elegant interior.In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this new Italian wine bar to anyone in search of an authentic and memorable culinary experience. Whether youre meeting friends for a casual evening or planning a romantic dinner, this place will surely impress. I cant wait to return and explore more of their delightful offerings!Bravo to the team behind this gem of a wine bar!Buon Appetito!