Visiting Santa Monica for a month

[waylman]

Hello all...I am visiting Santa Monica for a month and would like a few suggestions for restaurants (some casual, some fine dining). I am staying at Wilshire & Beverly Glen. I'm here with my wife and we are in our early 30's and like lively, fun spots with great food and wine. Thanks for any suggestions!!!

[laliz]

Somebody mentioned Apple Pan ~~ wonderful

Go to Neptune's Net on PCH in Malibu for fun

Patrick's Roadhouse on PCH too ~~ GREAT breakfast

Venice for sure for real California

Have a wonderful time

[waylman]

thanks everyone...i'm heading to Mako on Sat night. Will let you know how it is!

[waylman]

Mako was great! The bartender poors stiff drinks!!! The wife and I got loaded. haha.

We shared a bunch of stuff (can't really remember much due to adult beverages we were served).

Overall, a good experience.

[delishdonna]

one of my favorite places for breakfast is The Rose Cafe in Venice ....they have a self serve area and a sit down area in the back with a different menu...I usually eat in the sit down area....try the eggs San Pietro......they also have one of the best fruit bowls in the city....17th Street cafe on Montana Ave has great food for breakfast and lunch...for a romantic dinner ...Locanda Portofino on Montana Ave ..great very authentic Italian food excellent wine list...on Abbott Kinney in Venice try Three Squares...they also have a great bakery next door

[liltamby5]

Bodega is a great wine bar to visit!

[Lmo1823]

You are right down the street from the Apple Pan! Delicious. Closed on Mondays.

If you are in Santa Monica, go to Musha.

[citizenx]

Musha is fun. Just went to Riva a few blocks away and it was very good. The monkfish dish is a real standout for me.

[Burger Boy]

Just down the street in Venice try 26 Beach for a great burger or some of the best french toasts in the city. 26Beach.com

[westsidegal]

if you get any one of the great burgesr at 26 beach they will throw in either a salad or fries; get the fries.

also, their extensive menu of declicious entree salads should not be overlooked nor should the fact that they serve raymond chardonney by the glass.

ambiance there is shabby chic, so it actually feels like a date restaurant with extremely reasonable prices;

[sassmouth]

I love going to The Border Grill for their happy hour at the bar, its fun and lively, with great prices and the quality of the food is deserving of a try!

Also for a great ambience, check Whist at the Viceroy. You can head to the bar or a table and you will be very pleased!

For something thats a little secret, check Enoteca Drago in Beverly Hills. They have an amazing wine selection and the carbonara is to die for! I frequent the place for their extensive wines by the glass, ah the Brunello. You can go big at this place or keep it minimal. Its patio is great for people watching when weather permits.

[Emme]

Just an FYI... that's not Santa Monica, that's Westwood/West LA/Century City area... here's some recos that are all over the map in terms of price and to a certain extent geography

Assuming you have a car...
for breakfasts
Clementine
Amandine
John O'Groats
head to Primo's on Sawtelle for buttermilk bars
Bread and Porridge or Snug Harbor
Porta Via in BH

for really casual quick lunch
Eduardo's is at Santa Monica and Westwood
in Westwood, Sunnin Lebanese Cafe
Shamshiri
Bay Cities Deli (if you head into Santa Monica)
if for some reason you're in Hollywood, try the Griddle Cafe for over-the-top
Food on Pico
heading into SaMo, try Tacos Por Favor or Tacomiendo, and Monte Alban

for semi-nice/casual
mako
sushi sushi
il pastaio
pizzicotto
pecorino

for nice places
you're so close Craft
Cut
Urasawa
Upstairs 2 on Cotner
in Beverly Hills, Spago and Wolfgang's
Josie
Valentino
Vincente
the new Montage chef's table :)

[citizenx]

Emme,
Great list. I would add Nook(West LA), Venice Beach Wines and Gjelina(Venice).
Waylman,
Can I ask what brings you to LA for a whole month?

[waylman]

Emme, thanks for all the suggestions!
citizenx, my wife and I are here from Vancouver visiting her parents. We have a new baby and are taking some time off work.