Whether you’re craving an elegant dinner watching the sunset, or a refreshing cocktail overlooking the ocean, Santa Monica is the ultimate go-to culinary destination in Southern California.
With more than a dozen new restaurant openings this year alone, this beachside hotspot is certainly having a culinary peak!
A city so famous for its immaculate coastlines, shopping, and its vibrant health and wellness scene, Santa Monica is now taking a major step upwards in the dining sector. With innovative chefs and accessibility to the world’s finest produce and organic ingredients at the weekly farmers markers, it is no wonder the culinary scene is thriving.
Last month, Santa Monica introduced three new restaurants:
1. Red O
Just steps from the Santa Monica Pier, Red O goes for a medium-end Mexican steakhouse feel, focusing on flavours derived from authentic seasonings and spices that are primarily sourced from local farms. From fresh Ahi tuna tostaditas (there is an image of these) to wood grilled prime cowboy rib eye, this world-class restaurant is bound to satisfy your taste buds.
Red O is a perfect example of why award winning chef Rick Bayless is said to be responsible for “changing the image of Mexican food in America”.
2. Herringbone
It is all about ‘Fish meets Field’ at Herringbone, Santa Monica. Start with a signature cocktail and then savour the flavour of seafood favourites Shrimp and Grits, or stick to the land with Braised Short Ribs. Former Top Chef finalist, and the winning mentor on ABC’s The Taste, Chef Brian Malarkey prepares the freshest in seafood and meat with seasonal produce and creates a fun twist on classic concepts.
Indulge in buffalo ranch octopus, or roasted Colorado lamb paired with a creative cocktail made from fresh and local ingredients. This fine dining restaurant displays a nautical-type theme, with tugs of rope wrapped around light figures (see in images)
3. Joan’s on Third
Joan’s on Third is a family-owned gourmet marketplace offering Santa Monica seasonal specialities including olive oils and steel cut oatmeal, as well as full catering services in a sophisticated approach. This stylish all-white eatery is the ideal stop for those wanting to dine in or grab prepared foods for a day at the beach including delicious imported cheeses and stellar sandwiches.
Entrepreneur, tastemaker, chef, founder and curator of all things Joan’s on Third, Joan McNamara opened the doors in 1995, and has since tripled the size of the bustling marketplace with communal seating, an open kitchen and a much larger abundance of seasonal goods.
What’s your favourite restaurant in Santa Monica?