For the last long weekend of the summer, we’re spotlighting Santa Monica, where Ocean Avenue is booming with new hotels and restaurants that are worth the drive west.
While we wait for Jeff Klein’s Westside outpost of the members-only San Vicente Bungalows to take over the top floors and rooftop of the Water Grill building, there are plenty of other reasons to celebrate this coastal city.
Adding an artistic allure to a beachside location, the bohemian-chic new hotel Sandbourne Santa Monica offers an artist-in-residency program and a chance for guests to explore their creativity as well.
The 175-room escape housed in a white minimalist, almost brutalist structure on Ocean Avenue, was designed by acclaimed Icelandic-born, local architect Gulla Jónsdóttir (Kimpton La Peer in West Hollywood.) Walk past the double-height lobby sprinkled with original art, a surfing video installation, and white concrete sculptural columns that lead the way to an ocean view and the signature restaurant Marelle.
Santa Monica native and celebrated chef Raphael Lunetta’s latest restaurant translates to “star of the sea.” Try Hamachi crudo in jalapeño kefir lime ponzu or California sea bass grilled in banana leaves. The airy eatery holds sculptures separating the main dining room for a private table experience and white ceramic pendant lamps handmade in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The hotel will feature a series of live ceramicists onsite, and guests will also have the chance to try their hand at creating art with weekly pottery classes by the pool that will focus on smaller pieces using air-dry clay to take home as one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
Right next door, Regent Santa Monica Beach opens this fall with upscale accommodations designed by AvroKO and Wimberly Interiors. It will feature a Guerlain spa and a new concept by chef Michale Mina called Orla. “This is a dream restaurant for me because it’s an elevation of all the food I grew up eating,” the Egyptian-born chef told the Courier. “It’s not just mid-eastern or Egyptian but heavily Greek influenced food.” This includes harissa grilled lamb chops with fava bean hummus, grilled shrimp with mangos and classic Greek salad. In addition, Ayesha Curry and her lifestyle brand, Sweet July, will offer products, pastries, coffee and tea that celebrate her Jamaican roots.
Closer to the Santa Monica Pier, the historic 1933 Art Deco Georgian Hotel has retained the aquamarine exterior, but the interior is unrecognizable after a remodel by leading UK-US design firm Fettle. In its old Hollywood heyday, guests included Carole Lombard, Clark Gable and “Bugsy” Siegel who would feel right at home in the speakeasy-style basement restaurant and piano bar.
The new indoor-outdoor, all-day restaurant, Sirena, has views of the foot traffic on Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park. The culinary program is led by Osteria Mozza alum and Executive Chef David Almany with an extensive wine list curated by award-winning sommelier Kristin Olszewski, and a dessert and pastry program by chef Thessa Diadem.
Start with their already famous croissant French toast soufflé for breakfast or brunch, and move into paninis and salads for lunch. The aperitivo hour starts at 3 p.m. with fried olives and a frothy house Sirena Sour cocktail, which can lead right into a sunset dinner with ingredients flown in weekly from around the world, such as burrata from Puglia, Italy. Other standouts include bucatini with refreshing lemon, chilis and basil, or a simple grilled branzino. “We will be highlighting the simple dining style that both Los Angeles and the Amalfi Coast are known for,” said Almany.
Other changes on Ocean Avenue include the former Shangri-La Hotel transforming into Sonder The Beacon with a new signature restaurant and rooftop bar. Boulevard Hospitality Group and chef Chris Sayegh opened Layla, as an ode to kitchen-loving grandmothers (including his own) who create nightly feasts for their loved ones. The family-style dishes celebrate Middle Eastern favorites from smoked eggplant dip to kebabs and lamb mansaf prepared using French techniques. After dinner, take the elevator up to the roof for panoramic views of the shore and cocktails at The Coco Club.
Nestled on the North end of Ocean Avenue, in one of the area’s most coveted neighborhoods, Oceana Santa Monica is a suites-only boutique hotel that recently received a $25 million transformation by Hilton Luxury Brands and LXR Hotels & Resorts.
The one and two-bedroom suites have ocean view terraces, coastal décor and Bottega Veneta toiletries. The three culinary concepts include signature restaurant Sandpiper, which is now open to the public serving local farm-to-table fare.
Hotel guests can take advantage of the Beach Butler starting with morning beach yoga classes, daybed setup on the sand, food and beverage delivery, bike reservations, and cocktails on the Sunset Terrace at the end of the day.
For an outdoor patio, Mon Ami on Ocean Avenue is another Mediterranean hit eatery with brunch, happy hour and dinner options for large groups. The food, such as mezze platters and Moroccan spiced chicken tagine, is also party-ready.
Just off Ocean Avenue, chef Sean MacDonald of Bar Monette next door has opened a romantic Parisian burger concept, Burgette. The dimly lit small plates restaurant and wine bar was fashioned after a chic out-of-the-way spot you might find off a side street in Paris, but this one serves smash burgers and bubbly. In addition to Wagyu with tomato jam, raclette and bone marrow butter, there is a smoked salmon belly burger, a crispy chicken Cordon Bleu and fried Maitake mushroom option to try.
The international flair continues down the street at Spanish tapas spot Xuntos. They recently launched a new brunch served every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spanish-inspired items such as the Morcilla waffle, almejas con chorizo, churros con chocolate and chef Sandra Cordero’s famous tortilla Espanola are all hits.
The Surfing Fox is the signature open-air restaurant at The Pierside Hotel, which opened following the property’s multimillion-dollar renovation. Located on the ground floor, the all-day dining destination has a view of the Santa Monica Pier next to a sprawling bar open from coffee to cocktails and now for weekend brunch. Helmed by Executive Chef David Yamaguchi, following his most recent role at Michelin-awarded Chulita in Venice, he is tapping into his Japanese and Mexican heritage for twists on familiar classics from fish tacos to lobster rolls.
For an easy stroll on the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park has an array of new fun food offerings for the entire family. Sackville features five new dining options of reimagined concepts by Michelin star chef James Kent (Saga Hospitality Group). The handheld treats include Smashie’s Burgers with loaded hot dogs, and Mr. Nice Fry, serving fried potatoes with dipping sauces and seasonings. Other beachy bites include Churrita Churro, Scoops Creamery and Cosmic Funnel Cake, which can be topped with strawberries, whipped cream, or even a scoop of your favorite Lappert’s premium ice cream.For something higher-end, Casa del Mar has a new Caviar Tour menu available for happy hour on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Terazza ocean view restaurant and lobby lounge. The Caviar Tour features a sampling of Osetra Caviar in three distinctive styles from French with buckwheat blini, crème fraîche and chives to Spanish with focaccia, ricotta and Ibérico to American with bagel crisps, lemon cream, red onion and smoked salmon.
Nearby on Main Street, Edgemar is a new modern American bar and restaurant housed in a 1980s Frank Gehry-designed development. This is a good option for a drink after a day on the beach or an eclectic dinner from British chef Jared Dowling worked with Gordan Ramsey in London and Japanese chef Junya Yamasaki. Those early influences shine through with tempura oysters served with yuzu tartar, Caledonian curry spiced prawns, Munak Ranch tomato salad and lobster fried rice with English peas. Save room for the chocolate mousse with tangerine and salted whipped cream.
Notable upgrades to the dining scene in neighboring Venice include the talents of Executive Chef Ray Garcia (asterid at The Music Center) who has taken over the all-day kitchen at The Rose in Venice. Order signature mussel escabeche, duck leg confit and crispy potatoes.
South American Si! Mon took over the old James Beach spot serving outstanding pupusas stuffed with pork and refried sea island peas, and Afro-Caribbean shrimp dumplings with coconut bisque.
Last seen at Olivetta in West Hollywood, chef Michael Fiorelli has a pizza garden on Abbott Kinney with a wood-burning oven popping out pies in the afternoons. Just down the street, Chef Jason Neroni has taken over the kitchen at Paloma with a new late-night menu serving Israeli fried chicken. And, award-winning chef Nancy Silverton has expanded her Triple Beam Pizza empire to an outpost on Main Street.
Gran Blanco has a new Japanese-inspired menu with seaweed salad and chicken katsu curry. Winston House across the street has morphed into Mama’s Boy featuring classic Italian American cuisine.
Hotel Erwin’s revamped rooftop lounge High has the best views from Manhattan Beach to Malibu and a menu with comfort food favorites such as fried chicken sliders. Or, you can also order a pie from Pizza Girl (daughter of D’Amore owners in Malibu) on the ground floor while you wait for your car at the valet.
The Vitorrja Hotel is an excellent boutique option for an overnight stay nestled in a historic building. Many rooms are more like apartments with kitchens that can be stocked with Gjusta goods from the nearby grocer such as fresh bread. For more picnic provisions, head to the famed Florentine Italian sandwich shop All’Antico Vinaio on Abbot Kinney Boulevard or Breadhead on Montana Avenue for ample-sized muffulettas just like in New Orleans.
