Santa Monica outdoor dining restaurants

[JudyDenver]

I just read an article that the city of Santa Monica has now made it legal for dogs to be on restaurant patios. This is good news for us as we will be traveling with our dog.

Can you recommend a casual place for lunch with a dog friendly patio? We are hoping to find asomething more than a basic burger/sandwich shop but definitely not fine dining either. We will be in SM on a Saturday. We are open for most types although Italian or seafood would be our first choice ( not sushi or completely vegetarian). Being from Colorado, we are always intrigued with "California." (not sure of the exact definition but to us it implies creative and fresh).

Any ideas?

[whatsfordinner]

Blue Plate Oysterette on Ocean (seafood) or Cora's (Californian), also on Ocean.

[perk]

I know you've requested Santa Monica....but just in case you don't find what you want, there's a place on Fairfax (West Hollywood neighborhood) called the Dog Cafe. Lots of people on the patio with their pooches. And the terrific butcher next door (Lindy&Grundy) has dog bones.

[Servorg]

You might check out http://www.trastevereristorante.com/ I like the food better at other places but many of them (like il Forno) aren't open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday normally as they do the lunch hour thing during the week to catch the work crowd.